Items for sale

[danny simpsonParticipant @dannysimpson]

Sorry, as the heading states, the sales board is for regular contributors only.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 19/10/2014 19:46:58

[danny simpsonParticipant @dannysimpson]

[Master ShipwrightParticipant @mastershipwright]

Colin,

 

Some of your sister sites (e.g. Model Engineering and Model Flying) have an online 'Classifieds, section. Why is Model Boats different? Or have I just committed heresy……

 

Martyn

Edited By Master Shipwright on 22/10/2014 01:44:19

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Martyn,

Heresy probably!

There is no group policy on this, the individual web editors run their own sites in what they feel is the most appropriate way to suit their circumstances.

This is a relatively small Forum and most of the participating members are actual modelmakers as opposed to those who buy, run and sell their models. We do have a Buy, Sell and Trade facility but I prefer to restrict it to members who contribute to the Forum and share their skills, experience and of course their models.

Unrestricted access to the sales facility just invites people who join to sell their boats and gear and avoid internet auction house sales commission. They have no interest in supporting our forum as such.

Also, many people use the 'Latest Posts' facility to look at active topics when they log on and I don't want that clogged up with items for sale which is what would otherwise happen.

The matter was discussed at some length recently here:

**LINK**

You may not necessarily agree with the policy on this site but hopefully this does at least explain it.

Colin

[Master ShipwrightParticipant @mastershipwright]

Hi Colin,

I agree with your policy for the Forum. As you say, it should be a place to share skills etc. However, a Classifieds would be totally seperate, just an online version of what is already in the magazine. It would have the benefit of removing the buy/sell/trade thread from the Forum. Though a new member, I have already lost count of the number of times you have had to post something along the lines of "Sorry, as the heading states, the sales board is for regular contributors only". It must be annoying…….

Martyn

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

The difference between a magazine classified column and an on-line version is that the former remains as it was published, while the latter will quickly become clogged with questions (daft or otherwise) about the items for sale, unkind or irrelevant remarks about the goods or the seller, goods for sale which are either borderline 'model boats' or nothing to do with the subject etc etc. That would be just as annoying for the reader and even more work for the editor than is the present policy. I think Colin does more than enough already (most sites have several moderators).

As I've said before, you only get out what you're prepared to put in – and that doesn't include free advertising for your sales items in exchange for nothing at all or umpteen gems of wisdom such as "Nice model!", "Well done, mate!", "I like the colour scheme" and other such twaddle. At the end of the day that's all that's available here and those are the rules – get used to it or go somewhere else to flog your gear.

Incidentally I've advertised several items on here which have elicited no response whatsoever, while I have managed to sell everything I've put on E-Bay. Think on?

Dave M

DM

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Whilst it would be possible to set up an online classified section, this is not something I can do and there is no incentive for MyTimeMedia to do so. They are in business to sell magazines by retail or subscription and will not spend money on anything which doesn't contribute to the bottom line and, to be fair, why should they? At the moment they are persuaded that maintaining the forums is worthwhile in promoting their magazines but it doesn't have to be that way. Our main competitor does not maintain a forum.

In short, everything costs somewhere and there is no mileage in setting up an online sales facility which contributes nothing and simply duplicates the online sales sites which are likely to be more effective. Publishing is an industry with very tight margins and costs are therefore subject to very tight scrutiny.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 22/10/2014 18:24:27

[Master ShipwrightParticipant @mastershipwright]

Hi Colin

I appreciate your reply and can understand the commercial position.

Martyn

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks Martyn,

There are a lot of people who do not appreciate the financial realities and think that all things internet should be free. The real situation is rather more complicated!

Colin

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Now then Colin I,m getting frustrated by the way you have to defend the policy of the forum re sales .

In my short time you must have had the recurring problem more than 4 times

All of us who contribute know the rules and I assume respect the need for rules May I suggest a simple** NOT APPROVED ** be the only requirement in the future

Offered with respectMichael

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