Marketplace thread bumping

[BakedBeans]

If everyone plays by the rules, the threads won't slip that far away.

Besides, you know that people are going to find old threads--they've dug up 3 and 4 year old threads just this last week.

But in general people will simply check the first couple of pages and expect everything else to be old or sold.

Some people only have time to check the site once or twice a week and will miss some genuine 'good poster' sales. I suppose if people are bumping there own threads 2/3 times a day then there is a problem but if a page three thread remains unsold and they want to bump it with the drop in price (as there was no interest the first time) i don't see the harm as price dropping as after page three will just go unnoticed if its edited into the original post.

To be honest these changes wont really effect me much as I'm only an occasional user. Just voicing an opinion really as it seems martial law has been declared on poor ol' market place.


like i say chaps, not having a pop at the changes, just saying how i felt.

 

[bousozoku]

But in general people will simply check the first couple of pages and expect everything else to be old or sold.

Some people only have time to check the site once or twice a week and will miss some genuine 'good poster' sales. I suppose if people are bumping there own threads 2/3 times a day then there is a problem but if a page three thread remains unsold and they want to bump it with the drop in price (as there was no interest the first time) i don't see the harm as price dropping as after page three will just go unnoticed if its edited into the original post.

To be honest these changes wont really effect me much as I'm only an occasional user. Just voicing an opinion really as it seems martial law has been declared on poor ol' market place.


like i say chaps, not having a pop at the changes, just saying how i felt.

As with anything else, we will be able to adjust the strategy to benefit as many people as possible. We don't want to handicap good members or their sales.

 

[devilot]

But in general people will simply check the first couple of pages and expect everything else to be old or sold.

I don't know... maybe if the buyer is just browsing.

But whenever I'm actually seeking something out, I do just that-- I do a search in the Marketplace.

 

[ericssonboi]

What about posting comments about previous positive or negative transactions from the seller?

Is that considered unnecessary bumping?

 

[Doctor Q]

What about posting comments about previous positive or negative transactions from the seller?

Is that considered unnecessary bumping?

Based on our experience in the past, here are some guidelines:

* Moderators can't read minds, but posts made with the intent of bumping for a friend are disallowed, while a positive post about a previous transaction intended to provide one-time feedback is acceptable. However, the best place for such a post is in the thread for the original transaction (the one you were involved with).

* Those thinking of entering into a transaction with someone are therefore advised to review previous transactions by that person, looking for positive feedback in those threads. While lack of feedback could indicate unmentioned problems had occurred, more commonly it means that the other party simply didn't bother to leave feedback.

* Negative posts about previous transactions, since they are almost always disputed and are rarely verifiable, should be avoided. You can PM members involved in a transaction if you want to pass along either positive or negative feedback, as long as it doesn't turn into stalking/harassment (repeated unsolicitied/unwanted/unwelcome private messages). If you have unresolved problems from a transaction, don't use a thread for another transaction to air your grievance; instead, PM a moderator and they will try to get both parties to communicate and resolve the issue.

Overall, the Marketplace has run most smoothly when these habits have been followed. We have chosen not to implement a more sophisticated or formal feedback system.

One habit I haven't seen followed, which might be a good idea for regular users of the Marketplace, is that a member starting a thread could post links to posts where others have already give them positive feedback. That makes it much more likely that those interested in the thread will read that feedback.

Example:

FS: Extra Q key from Apple Pro Keyboard

My Apple Pro Keyboard came with an extra Q keyboard. It is in perfect condition. I will sell it for $2 plus $1 for shipping. Photo attached. I received positive Marketplace feedback here and here.​

Your question was a good one and further questions/suggestions/comments on this matter are welcome. In particular, please post your comments about the idea of having thread-starters post links to any feedback they've received in previous transaction threads. If there is a general consensus that this is a system we should encourage more actively, we can suggest it in the Marketplace rules.