Proposal: Locking Car FS Threads after posting.

[oldskool]

[Tammer in Philly]

#2. Some sort of standard format would be great. Nothing says you can't add additional info at the end if you want to fine tooth comb the ad for your $800 rust bucket...

I do like this idea, or at the very least rules regarding the content of a cars FS post:
Make/model/ trim or engine
Transmission
Mileage (if known)
Exterior/ interior color
Accident history
Modifications
Maintenance history if known
Condition description

I think that's a minimum for a valid ad, and there is no car or seller out there who can't figure this stuff out. Most of us go far above and beyond here, spelling out specific age of key wear parts, thorough descriptions, call out every nit-picking flaw. I like that we are (mostly) not slick salesment trying to make a sale; we are enthusiasts who honestly represent what we are unloading. A lot of that comes from being part of a community; if I have a crappy car that I clean up and sell, then the buyer turns up here with my old car and a litany of undisclosed problems, my reputation is shot.

I've sold very few cars; I'm a keep-it-til-it-dies type. But when I have sold cars, I'm sure I've left money on the table by being overly critical. I am okay with that, and I think most good sellers behave much the same way. I'm glad the open communication in the community pushes that kind of behavior, and I don't care if people who want to huck pretty but sub-par cars for elevated prices choose not to list here.

-tammer

[demetk]

#2. Some sort of standard format would be great. Nothing says you can't add additional info at the end if you want to fine tooth comb the ad for your $800 rust bucket...

I do like this idea, or at the very least rules regarding the content of a cars FS post:
Make/model/ trim or engine
Transmission
Mileage (if known)
Exterior/ interior color
Accident history
Modifications
Maintenance history if known
Condition description

-tammer

Price needs to be included.

[davintosh]

#2. Some sort of standard format would be great. Nothing says you can't add additional info at the end if you want to fine tooth comb the ad for your $800 rust bucket...

I do like this idea, or at the very least rules regarding the content of a cars FS post:
Make/model/ trim or engine
Transmission
Mileage (if known)
Exterior/ interior color
Accident history
Modifications
Maintenance history if known
Condition description

-tammer

Price needs to be included.

+1. Would it make sense to allow the OP to delete comments he/she deems to be a detraction from the ad (or is that even possible with the forum's platform?) Or would it make more sense for a Beamter to step in when $hitstorms start and delete detritus?

[Mark in Toronto]

So, to recap, after three pages of posts/discussion two ideas/suggestions have gained traction.

This....standard format.

Some sort of standard format would be great. -tammer.

And this.....optional thread lock.

This is how the HAMB board does their classifieds. Comments are not allowed and the seller can bump their ad up every so often. They have a huge amount of traffic there and it used to be that the comments would just snarl things up. I think it's a better method.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

[Mab1957]

My vote is for 'lock' but I feel that the ability to clean up postings to remove rudeness, unnecessary criticism, thread hijacks and discussions unrelated to the sale of the car/item would obviate the need for a 'lock'. All of that has been better stated by others above. It really is useful to have discussion bump an offering and I enjoy observing the excitement generated by some FS threads. I have been quite turned off by some of the armchair inspections though and haven't offered an E28 for sale here even though I'd like them to remain in the ownership of enthusiasts who belong to this community. It is strange that we personally value these cars but consistently devalue them when offered up by someone in a For Sale ad.

[Tammer in Philly]

Price needs to be included.

Yes, absolutely. My mistake.

[wkohler]

So, to recap, after three incomplete pages of "discussion," its clear that Mark in Toronto is incredibly annoying.

[OR 6er]

So, to recap, after three incomplete pages of "discussion," its clear that Mark in Toronto is incredibly annoying.

didn't think that was in question

[demetk]

So, to recap, after three pages of posts/discussion two ideas/suggestions have gained traction.

This....standard format.

Some sort of standard format would be great. -tammer.

^Not mine. Let me be a bit more clear. I vote no standard format and no lock and price must be included.

[Mark in Toronto]

So, to recap, after three incomplete pages of "discussion," its clear that Mark in Toronto is incredibly annoying.

[B7Turbo]

So, to recap, after three incomplete pages of "discussion," its clear that Mark in Toronto is incredibly annoying.

Chris, as much as I hate to say this and hate to get in to piss and match, the adjective that you used to describing Mark suites you more than anyone else, because at least Mark is speaking in relation to the current issue at hand, also the whole discussion is for people like you that distract other people from the actual subject of thread. Can we just talk like adults? Why do you have to be a sour grape all the time?
What is it that you think that you can accomplish with this type of behavior?
Bottom line is that, this is a valid issue and as you see people are expressing their opinion in democratic way to solve or improve something that might be long over due.

You have said what was in your mind and leave it at that, honestly you don’t need to go further.

[1st 5er]

Adam, where'd you go?
That was a good post, relevant even.

[Mark in Toronto]

Adam, where'd you go?
That was a good post, relevant even.

I agree Sherman. I thought Adam's post was very good and to the point. For those who missed it, see below:

Standard format, locked at user's discussion. But we'll just have GC posts about those cars anyway.

I bought my awesome car from the bmw cca website.

I shudder to think of selling a car here. Face to face, thanks.

[1st 5er]

Adam, where'd you go?
That was a good post, relevant even.

I agree Sherman. I thought Adam's post was very good and to the point. For those who missed it, see below:

Standard format, locked at user's discussion. But we'll just have GC posts about those cars anyway.

I bought my awesome car from the bmw cca website.

I shudder to think of selling a car here. Face to face, thanks.

Nope, that ain't it.
It was in response to Matt's post about "cleaning up postings".

But now after 3 pages, , carry on...

[Mark in Toronto]

Adam, where'd you go?
That was a good post, relevant even.

I agree Sherman. I thought Adam's post was very good and to the point. For those who missed it, see below:

Standard format, locked at user's discussion. But we'll just have GC posts about those cars anyway.

I bought my awesome car from the bmw cca website.

I shudder to think of selling a car here. Face to face, thanks.

Nope, that ain't it.
It was in response to Matt's post about "cleaning up postings".

But now after 3 pages, , carry on...

Oh.....

[OcCoupe]

I vote we lock this thread.

[djazz]

And clean up Mark's posts.

[Greg E34]

So, to recap, after three pages of posts/discussion two ideas/suggestions have gained traction.

This....standard format.

Some sort of standard format would be great. -tammer.

And this.....optional thread lock.

So, over 80% of the respondents voted that locking for sale threads is a bad idea, yet you feel that an optional thread lock is gaining traction?

[OcCoupe]

Perhaps we should do the same thing as other sights when a new member joins and try posting in the FS section. On other forums my first post had to be reviewed by a moderator prior to actually going live on the FS thread. This would require a Beamter to actually review and comment to the OP about the for sale ad. It would give the Beamter the ability to ask for more pics and better details prior to letting the ad go live. Perhaps we could assign a new Beamter to be responsible for this new criteria as to not burden the already busy Beamter crew. At least the ads would be better, filtered, and perhaps weeded out prior to hitting our sight. We could also come up with a FS ad checklist which would pre-qualify the seller and the car they are selling.

Just a thought.

[rmiddendorf]

Perhaps we should do the same thing as other sights when a new member joins and try posting in the FS section. On other forums my first post had to be reviewed by a moderator prior to actually going live on the FS thread. This would require a Beamter to actually review and comment to the OP about the for sale ad. It would give the Beamter the ability to ask for more pics and better details prior to letting the ad go live. Perhaps we could assign a new Beamter to be responsible for this new criteria as to not burden the already busy Beamter crew. At least the ads would be better, filtered, and perhaps weeded out prior to hitting our sight. We could also come up with a FS ad checklist which would pre-qualify the seller and the car they are selling.

Just a thought.

That sounds like a paid beamter position to me. I'm just sayin.

[mooseheadm5]

Bottom line is that if the post is locked, it falls down the list forever. No discussion, no bumping.

That's absolutely not true. The software can be configured to allow bumping after a period of time from the OP only.

Just what we need. Dealers could come in, spam the forum with a bunch of cars that nobody gives a crap about, like Hummers, lock the threads to prevent people calling them out for spamming our forum, and then bump them whenever they want so the top listings are always theirs.

Either way, the community has voted and its clear that the community at large do not agree with my idea (and I am ok with that).

I'm glad you see it that way. Some people here seem to think that being part of a small minority means that everyone agrees with you. (I know this comment leaves an opening to drag it into the TP, but please resist the urge to make this a political commentary thread so I don't have to boot you.)

What I do see from the conversation is a trend towards an idea of standardizing the way for sale adds are posted.

I definitely wouldn't mind some sort of bare minimum.

[1st 5er]

... a small minority ...

82%

[mooseheadm5]

... a small minority ...

82%

Right, 82% of people do not think locking is a good idea. That was my point.

[wkohler]

Mark is claming victory with the 18%. The party has been going for hours. Rob Ford even showed up with a big bag of crack.

[mooseheadm5]

Mark is claming victory with the 18%. The party has been going for hours. Rob Ford even showed up with a big bag of crack.

They are just waiting by the phone for the 82% to call in and concede the race.

[oldskool]

Paid Beamter position? I happen to be available quarter one 2014. Salary negotiable upon request.

[wkohler]

I think that's a pretty reasonable idea. I'd do it for free.

[1st 5er]

... a small minority ...

82%

Right, 82% of people do not think locking is a good idea. That was my point.

Oops!!! Too much delete.

[djazz]

I think that's a pretty reasonable idea. I'd do it for free.

You have my vote for ad screener.