Message From Mod Judi - Religion and Selling on the Board

[judiaci]

Originally posted by Kenshinchan:
No one said selling is disallowed here! We're just saying that we don't want the focus of this board to become buying and selling. The main purpose of this board is to discuss the dolls, not to spend or make money.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes - Ocassional selling is allowed. It just seems that lately our first page has been dominated by for sale threads. Also, we have had some people join or post only to sell. It is nice to be able to trade and sell once and awhile here, but we just don't want it to overtake the board.

The other issue with board selling is that we have no recourse means if the sale goes bad. If your item is damaged, you don't get paid properly or if you never receive the items, there is no legal remedy here. Some of these AG items are expensive and selling here involves a great deal of risk so this reminder is also a reminder that buyers and sellers need to beware.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ September 19, 2006 09:33 PM: Message edited by: judiaci ]</font>

[caroloto]

I generally stay out of post such as these, but I tend to agree with all the for sale post on the board lately has become way to much. Often it's the same post being reposted new title from a few days ago which would be ok if they would remove the other post or update the first one only. But to have the same for sale items listed being reposted in many threads on the same day is getting way out of hand. I too have purchased dolls and other items from board members and enjoy purchasing from them. I don't want to stop buying from board members. Maybe some how a sticky (wishlist and for sale) or someone could do a for sale board where we could go to see who, what is for sale. Or put an album in your signature of items for sale with pictures and prices!


It might be because of wanting the new dolls and items from AG, so sell the old AG that one can live without in order to buy the new. I understand that!

[judiaci]

Originally posted by Miss_Nellie_OMalley:
I think there is a mix up as to what best offer is suppose to mean. I know personally I used it in my for sale post and ment that prices could be negotiable... meaning I am asking $150 for something (hypothetically) and another member could pm me and say "well I'd be willing to pay $110"

Even on ebay best offer price means that someone is going to offer you LESS than your BIN or asking price.

I think throwing prices to "the dogs" and letting them battle it out definatly has no place on a board like this... that's what ebay is for.

I really like the buying selling aspect of these boards. I for one have bought as much as I've sold from HB members

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">When we say no "best offer" sales, we are saying no to the person who says something like - "I am selling a Jess doll. PM me with your best offer." This is essentially a type of behind the scenes auction pitting our members in a competition against each other and a private bidding war.

When Miss Nellie O'Malley posted her for sale thread. She said something like - I am asking $105 for my German doll, but I will take less if no one offers me my asking price. There is an upfront asking price which is not a secret. Also, Miss Nellie O'Malley has not just joined our board to sell her goods.

[cowgirlsue]

Originally posted by judiaci:
"Ocassional selling is allowed. It just seems that lately our first page has been dominated by for sale threads. Also, we have had some people join or post only to sell. It is nice to be able to trade and sell once and awhile here, but we just don't want it to overtake the board. The other issue with board selling is that we have no recourse means if the sale goes bad."


I can understand all sides of this issue. I've benefitted from numerous board member sales and really appreciate that aspect of the board. I think if the threads are clearly marked as sales, those who aren't interested can easily skip over them. I really like the idea of having a sticky designated for selling only.

I have two suggestions to offer, if anyone is interested. I don't like to see people pop up just to sell and think it might make sense to limit posters from selling until they have become "regulars" on the board. Perhaps only "senior HB members" (which granted is a rather arbitrary distinction but one that is already in existence) can post for sale threads. As it is, I only buy in this forum from someone who is established.

The other idea has to do with concerns about board liability and the lack of recourse should something go wrong with the sale. Not to add more work, but perhaps moderators can watch out for "for sale" threads and post a disclaimer to the effect that HB assumes no liability for the goods offered, so buy at your own risk. It's up to us to take responsibiity for our own actions, anyway.

Just some thoughts...

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ September 19, 2006 09:58 PM: Message edited by: EleanorofAquitane ]</font>

[Katie from IL]

Maybe there can be a set limit like you can only sell once for every 50 or 100 posts you make (or whatever number), or not more than once a month or every two or three months or something. I (who has only sold something on this board once from the nearly 1500 posts I've had) find it easier for clear cut set rules that don't require the flexibility of perspective or judgement, since once in a while for one person might be once a year while for someone else might be once a week.

Since the post count for each person appears under each post they make, everyone can see how many posts each person makes. If the person only has 20 posts under their name and they've already sold 5 or 10 times it would be easy to tell that they sold too many times. The rule in set black and white would also discourage people from joining only to sell, and if violations are made there is no question about consequences to be expected. It also means people can keep track, so if they sold something in their 10th post they cannot sell anything again until they've reached at least their 50th(or whatever) post.

I also agree with the rule about being a senior hostboard member which is 30 posts. You should not be able to sell anything until you've at least reached the 30th(or more) post. So maybe no selling before the 50th post(or whatever), and then you can sell once for every 50 posts after that(or something).

Another suggestion is having a FOR SALE sticky. Things to be sold can only appear under this sticky. If they appear in the general discussion posts the post can be either moved or deleted. That way if people are looking to buy all that stuff is in one place and it doesn't clutter up the rest of the board.

These are just ideas and suggestions, feel free to accept or reject them if they don't work or aren't practical. I always look to find solutions to problems and make difficult things easier and more efficient whenever possible. But the mods who ultimately make the decisions on the rules and runnings of the board know what works for them and what doesn't or won't, and I appreciate everything the mods do to keep our very busy board running smoothly. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ September 19, 2006 11:22 PM: Message edited by: Diamond Dragon ]</font>

[Miss_Nellie_OMalley]

Asking any mod to patrol something like that would be unfair and unrealistic. Imagine every "For Sale" post popping up a mod having to put a disclaimer or cross reference a note book on how many sales this person is allowed based on their post and how many sale post have they already used. It sounds like a great idea in princible but we'd end up having alot of bald mods for pulling their own hair out in frustration.

I think maybe a sticky "for sale" page might not be a bad idea... like the ebay wishlist as long as sellers keep up with what has sold etc. You could even just delete it and start over fresh each month so it doesn't get so long and if someone posted a for sale list on the 31st of a month and everything was still available at midnight when mods deleted it they could repost it.

That way mods put their disclaimer in, people aren't creating thousands of threads instead of just bumping the first one up (you can edit your title people to say added, reduced, etc.)

I also think limiting who sales and who doesn't is a good idea. I hate to say you have to have X amount of post because, well, some members on HB are lurkers but they've been loyal members since the dawn of the universe (meaning when HB was created).

I think one thread could also help with this as the mods can have disclaimers and rules right there for everyone to see. "Must be a member for 3 months or 100 post" etc.

I know one of the most important aspects of buying for me from a message board is seeing that someone is an established member. When you've been on a message board for a certain amount of time you are rooted... you've developed ties with people and its not easy to just drop a board and leave all your friends behind. Like ebay your feedback score is the only thing that really keeps you from skipping around from name to name... its a reputation you built and you in turn respect it as such.

[muppetquilter]

I like the for sale sticky idea if that is something the mods think would work. A thread at the top of the first page (with the other stickies) for sale posts only. People interested in buying would PM the seller and not post any "pm'd you" posts-- only sale items listed in the thread. Sellers would be required to edit posts and remove sold items as they sell and delete their post when all items have sold. The first post in the thread could clearly state that HB and the mods have absolutely no liability or recourse for sales-- buy and sell at your own risk. Perhaps a one month time limit on sale posts as well.

To me, this would make it easy to find the sale items, easy to skip them, and avoid the page full of 'for sale' threads and repetitive for sale threads.

I know I should keep my mouth shut because I will offend someone, but I also appreciate the effort to keep the board more or less religion-free. I have noticed more posts with religious overtures lately and they do make me uncomfortable sometimes. Please note: I am not offended by anyone's faith or the significance that faith plays in their lives. I have great respect for that. It's religion and politics, you know? Just not topics I want to see splashed around a doll forum. Much nicer to debate how best to care for Kaya's hair or the merits (or lack there of) of the newest GOT outfit. Just my opinion.

[mayergirl]

Thanks for this Judi! I was thinking maybe one day each month might be designated as for sale day, and for sale posts can only be made on that day, and maybe in the rules, there can be a caveat saying that if you choose to sell anything on the board, you are guaranteeing its quality, and if you choose to buy anything on the board, you are accepting the risk that comes with casual transactions.

As to the religion thing, I'm pretty devout, but I can't think of a single reason to bring up religion on a board about dolls. That said, I also think we should all remember not to be hypersensitive. We should try not to take offense to off the cuff comments and such that people don't intend to be overly religious. For example, if somebody concludes a post about making a decision or something with "God bless you," don't read anything into it. On the other hand, if the subject of a post is "God-your thoughts?" It really doesn't belong here.

Thanks mods for being great!

[Melissa*Olivia]

Originally posted by Miss_Nellie_OMalley:
I think maybe a sticky "for sale" page might not be a bad idea... like the ebay wishlist as long as sellers keep up with what has sold etc.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree that this is a very good idea. I sold something (a doll) on the HB this week for the very first time, and I am so glad to know that she went to a board member rather than having to go on eBay (even though I DO sell a lot of things on eBay each month, just not AG stuff).

I also have to say that it is SO very, very easy to just skip over a thread that you are not interested in or think you may be offended by. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone would prefer to get all offended and bent rather than just to ignore something.

What irritates me more than people selling on the HB (which doesn't bother me at all, by the way -- in fact, I have really enjoyed buying from people here) is when someone posts here ONLY when they want to plug their eBay auctions. BUT I just skip over their threads and go on with life.

[Samanthasmom]

I like purchasing from HB members much better then ebay. I assume for the most part that members here usually offer better prices then Ebay, the quality is much better and you feel as though you can trust what they are selling, not always the case on Ebay. I usually get pretty excited when I see a for sale thread. I have purchased many items from HB members and have always been happy with my purchase. I dont feel the same way about ebay.