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Announcement: Major changes for the Marketplace forum

While I applaud the changes I feel you guys should recommend / require heatware as a way of independently monitoring users transactions and feedback.

Or look at forums.digitalpoint.com and look how their transaction system takes place. They have a built in point system/ feedback into the forum. I believe you can download the mod for yourself.

Either would be good in addition to the post requirments as a way of assurance. While having someone with 1000+ posts and being a member for 4 years would be nice ... knowing that he's sold 30+ items to other forum members would be even better. Having a good way to track that would be gold and there are great options out there that will make it easier to do.
 
Diode said:
I feel you guys should recommend / require heatware as a way of independently monitoring users transactions and feedback.
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As Q stated:

Why not use a feedback system to identify good and bad sellers/buyers/traders instead?
We have considered adding a Marketplace feedback system to MacRumors, but that would add management overhead for our small staff. We are not adding one at this time, but have not ruled it out for the future.
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I think what we can't emphasise enough is that the Marketplace is not the main focus of MR by any stretch of the imagination; it's a perk for established members, not the driver of the site's existence nor does it generate income. So instead of bolting additional systems on that could add complexity and even more engagement by staff, we're looking to streamline things right now. This isn't just about the reliability of buyers and sellers although the option of adding something like this hasn't been removed from discussion of possible future changes.
 
Blue Velvet said:
As Q stated:
I think what we can't emphasise enough is that the Marketplace is not the main focus of MR by any stretch of the imagination; it's a perk for established members, not the driver of the site's existence nor does it generate income. So instead of bolting additional systems on that could add complexity and even more engagement by staff, we're looking to streamline things right now. This isn't just about the reliability of buyers and sellers although the option of adding something like this hasn't been removed from discussion of possible future changes.
Click to expand...

Ahh cool I must have skipped over that. I do realize the marketplace is not the main focus ...

Anyways I will be pleased with the new changes. Should make selling things here a little more worry free.
 
PlaceofDis said:
don't quite see how you can use it with only 11 posts in any event, since 100 is required as of right now.

basically it boils down to this, MacRumors is more than a marketplace, and you should be a member of the community to use it as it is a part of the site. and i won't bother answering your second question since you didn't bother to read the thread.
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You can buy without having the 100 post count. You just can't sell anything.

Anyway, this sounds like a great idea. I like the fact that everyone has to have the 250 minimum post count along with 6 months of forum membership. Hopefully, this will limit the BS that both buyers and sellers have been facing. The BS I'm talking about is that sellers are not communicating in an orderly fashion and buyers who are not being patient enough to do some research and assume everyone is out to get them.

My tips on buying/selling:
  • Before you buy, look at the post count and date the account was made. Older more established members with a good amount of posts shows they are into the MR community. It's not really indicative of who they are, but it's a start.
  • Look at the quality of their posts and the Marketplace thread. How you write is very important to me. If you can't make the effort to capitalize or spellcheck (it's built in OS X so there is no excuse!), then I'm going to assume you are not going to make an effort to ship and communicate in a timely fashion. Granted there are a number of non-native English speakers on MR, it's no excuse in the Marketplace when you are in the US. I am by no means an expert writer and I do make mistakes, but at least make an effort to make everything look professional.
  • Search the seller/buyer's username on Google. You never know what might pop up. I haven't had to go this far, but you may find some valuable information about the user on other forums.
  • Use original Marketplace thread for feedback. I just tell the buyer that I would like to have some quick thoughts about the transaction on the original thread. This saves me on time when I have to link to different sites for references. Just make sure they do it within a few days they receive their items so they don't resurrect old threads.

This is just all from experience from buying and selling a bunch of things on here, MacNN and Ars Technica.
 
Sounds like a well thought out transition. These types of changes are always difficult for someone, but it looks like post count, and length of membership were reasonable metrics to use...

I noticed the new title right away. Nice since I am still a ways away from the next level.

P.S. The Forum FAQ/Rules link doesn't work any more. I was trying to go there to check out the rules for the titles when I saw the new value.
 
BBC B 32k said:
Was thinking of the possibility of viewing only threads with particular countries via some sort of check box or icon. When searching for me do I use UK or England or Britain etc...
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I'd like this too. I'm in Canada, and while there are many things I wouldn't mind sending money or product to the States, it would be nice to be able to see what's for sale more locally. Saves on shipping costs and hassle for bigger-ticket items like PowerBooks and stuff.
 
This sounds like a great idea! Hopefully it will help remove the possible scamming that could go on. I've seen a few possible "scam" threads in the marketplace before
 
I do and don't like these new rules. I will use myself as example.

I have been a member here for a long time, and I just browsed forums before that. I have been around MR for quite a while. But I have somewhere under 20 posts. I just don't like to post. I like to read what others have to say, and I like to offer help when I can, but I don't like to post. So now I can't use my 2nd favorite facet of this site, despite my long term membership and many successful trades on the marketplace.

I would almost encourage a sponsorship program for the Marketplace. Start out with Moderators, then everyone else who joins needs to have some references on the site to sponsor them onto the Marketplace. Say, 5 people who you traded with before would have to vouch for your lack of seediness, then you would be in.

I just feel very cast aside by a site I thought I was a good member of. Hrrm.
 
RainForRent said:
I would almost encourage a sponsorship program for the Marketplace...
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A complete nightmare to administrate and yes, there are going to be losers, but since an important part of any transaction is trust, by not posting you represent an unknown quantity to the larger MacRumors community.
 
Doctor Q said:
Anyone else having this problem? I don't see anything wrong.
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It works at home on OS X in Safari, but doesn't work under Safari on Vista. The popup doesn't show up, it just doesn't do anything.

I know, I know, I am probably the only person in the world using Safari on Vista.

It's bad enough I have to use Windows, as least my Browser can look normal. :)
 
aross99 said:
It works at home on OS X in Safari, but doesn't work under Safari on Vista. The popup doesn't show up, it just doesn't do anything.
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Oh Safari on Windows, yes I have definitely had this problem before (in fact a long time ago and even noted it then too)

I think you will find it does do something, it adds a # to the end of the url IIRC ;)
 
xUKHCx said:
Oh Safari on Windows, yes I have definitely had this problem before (in fact a long time ago and even noted it then too)

I think you will find it does do something, it adds a # to the end of the url IIRC ;)
Click to expand...

That's right it shows up in the Address bar with a #...
 
Blue Velvet said:
I also would like to add here that the announced changes have been almost nine months in discussion and planning amongst all the moderators and admins, taking into account the views of members that have been posted in this forum, and represent a balanced solution between the hawks and doves 'upstairs'. ;)
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Alright, if that's the way it is, then that's the way it is. It's not what I would have done, but then again, if I don't like it, I can start my own site. ;)
 
There was recently a change like this on another forum site I frequent however it only mattered to thread starters. I'd agree with them; not letting people with 250 posts and 6 months post history reply seems like a bad idea. Let the qualified seller gauge the buyer, in my opinion.
 
I will add my compliments to the changes made.

To Doctor Q and all the mods who were involved, I have seen some excellent planning, implementation and presentation. Kudos and ten thumbs up to all of you. (We need a thumbs up smiley!) :D

This won't affect my status here, but even if it did, I joined for all of the other reasons. This is one of the best boards I have ever seen. I only frequent one other one at this time, and that seems to be dominated by a handful of people. I ran across macrumors quite by accident one day, and haven't left yet.

My two cents...
 
cmm said:
There was recently a change like this on another forum site I frequent however it only mattered to thread starters. I'd agree with them; not letting people with 250 posts and 6 months post history reply seems like a bad idea. Let the qualified seller gauge the buyer, in my opinion.
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Which is all well and good, until Mr/Mrs Newbie doesn't pay up and we're expected to help out.
 
Good changes.

bartelby said:
If you start to differentiate one country from the others then. There'll be calls to do the same for every other country..
The seller could just add the country to the post title, isn't that easier?
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That's the best way - although it would be nice, for that forum only, to reduce the search length to 2 letters - UK.

There aren't that many items for sale with those letters in it, apart from the ones listed in the UK.

Yeah I know I can use Find but... just a thought.
 
Is MacRumors a Country Club? I am really appreciative of what this forum provides but now I am highly irritated. As a lurker who has used this site extensively since I bought my powerbook back in 2005 but did not register until recently, I can say I am greatly disappointed by these changes that are going to take affect. Within my limited time I have both bought and sold items (did not have 100 posts but had item someone was looking for). I search the marketplace quite frequently due to my belief I can trust the members on this site and prefer it over ebay.

I have info to contribute once in a while but if it's already basically been stated I don't waste my time taking up the space on your server. You are going to spend more time dealing with bogus posts than the time you spend now dealing with fraudulent transactions.

There are always going to be dishonest people in the world and you need to protect yourself. When dealing with online transactions there will always be a risk. Unfortunately, under the new rules a teenager with over 250 posts will be a better marketplace buyer than an adult like myself.

While I can agree with you regarding a certain number of post counts being required to sell an item, I do not believe in it for buyers. How can the transaction go wrong if you use paypal and the funds are verified and then the item is shipped? if the seller is accepting payments in other formats then they should know of the risk they are taking, otherwise they are idiots and it's their own fault.

Why not just let the seller state it in their listing that certain requirements need to be met? Or why not require certain status for items over a certain price? I mean come on your saying I can't buy a $10 videogame like i did in the past because of my post count?

Less items will sell due the decrease in available buyers. Sellers will go to other marketplaces which will still expose them to risk and listing fees. I know you don't make money from marketplace sales but who ever said you are responsible to play Big Brother either. As in any marketplace in the world, risk will always be involved.

Do you have statistics on the number of complaints due compared to sales. Does it account for peoples own stupidity?

Summary:
Post Count Requirements will lead to more useless responses or repeated info. More time will now be needed to monitor and respond to problematic posters. These posts will take up more room on the server (increased costs eventually). Maybe MR doesn't care though because it can be used to gain increased revenue from ads on the site.

I'm open to opinions on my post.

Aaarrghhh. Just agravated.
 
gmecca2 said:
Or why not require certain status for items over a certain price? I mean come on your saying I can't buy a $10 videogame like i did in the past because of my post count?
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Who is going to monitor all of these transactions to ensure they meet that requirement? And since many sales don't even stipulate a price, inviting offers instead, that makes it even more problematic.


gmecca2 said:
I know you don't make money from marketplace sales but who ever said you are responsible to play Big Brother either.
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It is Arn's site and forum, a privately-owned space and one which we (the mods, admins, the owner) organise and run on a daily basis. The Marketplace could be removed tomorrow if Arn wished.

As stated elsewhere, administering it in its current state is becoming problematic disproportionate to its relevance within the entire site. Everyone who works here — and it is work — are volunteers who give hours of their time each day to ensure this site is run for the benefit of its members. Time spent on Marketplace problems means less time to develop site features or correct problems elsewhere.

So, given that we have taken nine months discussing and fine-tuning these changes while also taking the views of members into account, I personally feel that no, we're not playing Big Brother; we're aiming to give the broadest, simplest and most inclusive solution — benefitting members and staff — to a problem that's been acknowledged for years. Because we do not impose any transaction fees, it is surely the site owner's prerogative to do with this space as he sees fit.

We envisage fewer problems with post spamming to reach the new titles and in any case, these problems are easier to spot and deal with. The new Marketplace will not even be visible to those who do not meet the requirements and it will not be widely advertised.

What we are also doing by this is emphasising that it is forum participation and engagement that makes up an important part of being a known quantity to the rest of the community. Being a lurker, regardless of propriety, is not conducive to establishing a bond with other forum members.
 
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