New Classifieds ruling.

[RoyC]

One of the USA based (Musician) forums I belong to has a once off $5 fee for anyone who wants to place in the classifieds. These funds are then used every year to fund studio time for a CD compilation from the guitarists on the forum. If we did the something similar here we could use the funds for an annual function or competition based on the various category weekly choice selections etc.

Just an idea ...

[modernPrimitive]

I've bought 1 item from the classifieds and sold 3 items, so I'm fairly "new" here, but there is certainly a much higher level of trust between members on these classifieds that is absent on other classifieds and it would be great if that can be maintained.

There's also a certain amount of savvy required when buying and selling - for instance if the buyer has a Nigerian accent and requests your bank account details for an immediate EFT then you know something is wrong. He then puts the phone down when you insist on cash and meeting in a public place. Yes, this happened to me recently. (No disrespect meant to genuine Nigerian buyers). Anyway, this is really a matter of personal education, but perhaps ODP can put up some links to online buying advice, articles on avoiding scams etc....a sticky in the classifieds section or something of that sort.

I quite liked the "10 posts" thing. When I first joined I just wanted to advertise and get done with it but having had to make those initial posts forced me to get involved in the community and now I visit regularly and check out the galleries and forums and feel like I'm part of a community! Much better than just another gumtree.

[mahleu]

Something I think is a good idea is for phone numbers on ads to only be visible to signed in members of ODP.

[Anonymous]

Something I think is a good idea is for phone numbers on ads to only be visible to signed in members of ODP.

O/T I know but how did you manage to get −27 posts?

I'm not sure it would help since membership is open so it would take only a small additional effort for someone to harvest your number.

[Rahul]

I have noticed that some of the recent classified ads do not mention name of the seller or email address; not sure if rules have been relaxed of late?

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

I have noticed that some of the recent classified ads do not mention name of the seller or email address; not sure if rules have been relaxed of late?

I think it's a bug... we are busy upgrading the site, so maybe a switch got flipped in testing... will send a note to the webmaster.

[Witblits]

Would it be possible to limit people from placing the same add more than once in succesion to gain "more exposure" like someone recently did? Does it not boil down to spamming? It's bad manners anyway.

[Dorette]

I placed an ad last week, but it does not appear. Did I do something wrong?

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

I placed an ad last week, but it does not appear. Did I do something wrong?

Most probably the ad had an error. Just resubmit and double check no errors occurred when submitting

[Sean Hearder]

I can take it this has still not been set in stone? I was checking the classified and there is an OBVIOUS "commercial" add http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/classi...op-21-2a&cat=5 whether it is allowed or not it defeats the purpose of a classifieds section and ODP already has a shop that can offer these items.

Another possible "rule" is it would be nice to FIRSTLY see a pic/image of the item and #2 it would be even BETTER if it was a image of the ACTUAL item being sold and not an image simply taken off the web because it is misleading!!! Perhaps that should be a requirement for posting an item! 2-3 different views of it.

my 4.5cents

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

I can take it this has still not been set in stone? I was checking the classified and there is an OBVIOUS "commercial" add http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/classi...op-21-2a&cat=5 whether it is allowed or not it defeats the purpose of a classifieds section and ODP already has a shop that can offer these items..

We remove these as we find them... He will most probably be back in a week or two under a new fake name, and start by selling one item as an "unwanted gift" and continue and become more bold until we remove him again, and so the process continues

[Sean Hearder]

We remove these as we find them... He will most probably be back in a week or two under a new fake name, and start by selling one item as an "unwanted gift" and continue and become more bold until we remove him again, and so the process continues

Yeah i am with you on that LOL vicious circle!

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

New Classified Ruling:

Ads will be moderated and will be removed if found in contravention of the Terms of Service pertaining to the Classifieds system.

Only second hand goods may be advertised. Ads for NEW PRODUCTS will be removed and member accounts closed.

Free members can have a total of 2 ads running at any given time.
Premium members can have a total of 5 ads running at any given time.

On application and approval from the owners of Outdoorphoto, some members will be allowed to act as agents for a club or group of photographers to sell more item through the classifieds. This is limited to secondhand goods only. NO NEW ITEMS. This privilege will be revoked without question if an ad is found to be contravening our terms of service.

All ads must conform to the rules.

Must be clear what is advertised.
Images attached to the ads must be of the actual product being advertised and not a generic image found on the internet.

We believe that there are no limits currently for members to be able to take a digital image of the actual product they are selling, either with their own camera, mobile phone, notebook webcam, etc.

Only ONE item per advertisement - No Sets or Groups - Ads with more than one item will be deleted without notification or question. You may sell items bundled together (camera + Battery Grip) but with a single price only.

Phone number and Email addresses must be given in full.

Person’s real name must appear in the advertisement.

These rulings are implemented to keep spammers at bay and to give the buyer certain sense of security.

It has happened in the past that advertisers received payment but never delivered to goods. Those persons will be acted upon and will be made motioned of in the forums as to warn other members.

The transactions are between buyers and sellers. Outdoorphoto provides this as a free platform but cannot get involved. We would like to warn sellers to not part with any goods unless payment is received in full. Beware of electronic transfers, if you are in doubt, phone your bank.

Another a word of warning: Buyers taking chances will also be exposed on the forum to warn our members.

Please delete your ads once the product is sold.
To Delete or Edit your own ad:
Go to the Brown Text Menu under the ad (when ad is open)
Click on Edit Ad and delete it or edit it.

[Dallas]

You may want to remove this nonsense then:

http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/classi...-cameras&cat=5

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

You may want to remove this nonsense then:

http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/classi...-cameras&cat=5

Thankyou for the heads-up... removed

[Etienne Oosthuizen]

Sean ... I am sure you are as frustrated by the amount of "gumtree specials" coming onto ODP classifieds as we are ...

I have a suggestion ...

1. Only people who have either a premium membership or have posted 100 times (so partisipating in the forum) can post ads into the classifieds. So if a new member wants to post an ad they will need to pay the subscription fee's or need to get active on the forum ...
2. maybe create a type of trust grading system, so if I have bought or sold a lens ... poeple that I have dealt with can grade my trading "trust" out of 10 ... like E-bay?

just a thought
Etienne

[bomtek]

There is a feedback rating given. It relies on members involved in the transaction to give feedback. (not very easy to find if you're new to it)

The premium membership or 100 posts has been thrashed out and doesnt work simply because the odd bloke who pops in from time to time and wants to sell something now can't and the membership lose out on a potentially good deal.

Moderation is really the only way to go as scammers are becoming quite ingenious in the endevours to cheat us out of our hard earned cash.

Sean ... I am sure you are as frustrated by the amount of "gumtree specials" coming onto ODP classifieds as we are ...

I have a suggestion ...

1. Only people who have either a premium membership or have posted 100 times (so partisipating in the forum) can post ads into the classifieds. So if a new member wants to post an ad they will need to pay the subscription fee's or need to get active on the forum ...
2. maybe create a type of trust grading system, so if I have bought or sold a lens ... poeple that I have dealt with can grade my trading "trust" out of 10 ... like E-bay?

just a thought
Etienne

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Sean ... I am sure you are as frustrated by the amount of "gumtree specials" coming onto ODP classifieds as we are ...

I have a suggestion ...

1. Only people who have either a premium membership or have posted 100 times (so partisipating in the forum) can post ads into the classifieds. So if a new member wants to post an ad they will need to pay the subscription fee's or need to get active on the forum ...
2. maybe create a type of trust grading system, so if I have bought or sold a lens ... poeple that I have dealt with can grade my trading "trust" out of 10 ... like E-bay?

just a thought
Etienne

Hi Etienne, thanx for that...

We have tried the forum activity thing and the end result was just that people will post rubbish on the forum to hit the "magic number" This aggravated more forum users than I would like to comment on.

As mentioned, there is a rating system, but that means people have to trade a lot for it to be effective, which they are generally not allowed to do because we do not allow "running a business" on ODP... also, pretty easy to fool the system... create 10 fake idents, and get them to all review your "profile"

The problem is that criminals, by their very nature, are criminal and will always find a way to circumvent the system.

[ABDurbs]

New Classified Ruling:

Free members can have a total of 2 ads running at any given time.

Even though I totally support the rest of your rules, I find this rule is VERY disappointing.

[visagieh]

Sean ... I am sure you are as frustrated by the amount of "gumtree specials" coming onto ODP classifieds as we are ...

I have a suggestion ...

I add, just BAN gumtree.