New Rules for the Exchange forum - Feedback thread.

I understand that legally there is nothing you can do, but we're not talking about a court of law here. What are the repercussions for people that engage in poor business practices here on bladeforums?

 

Exactly.

Thank you.

 

But therein lies the problem: How is "regularly" defined?

Sure, some are obvious as per your example (selling 3-4 after every major knife show), but if you are going to have separate category/membership level for a "dealer", don't you also need a strict and specific definition of one (i.e. via a count of knives sold, or some other metric)? If not, it would seem that anyone who offers more than a few knives for sale on here annually is at risk of being accused of being a "dealer".

Perhaps it would be easier to define the non-dealer--e.g. someone who sells less than x knives per year/month-- and anyone who does not fit into this category is automatically a dealer and should pony up....

 

I think "regular" is very obvious to everyone.

 

Forgetting for a minute any ambiguity about who or what constitutes a dealer, these things seem about as black and white as it gets:

"Rules for the Exchange forums - COMPLETELY REVISED, 10/30/2010"...

"# The Seller is not allowed to reply to their own ad within 72 hours of anyone's post (including their own) for any reason. The 72 hour countdown for the seller restarts with each new reply to the thread by ANYONE."...

"THESE RULES TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY."


I am really interested to see how this rule in particular will effect the listings, but I don't see any infractions or warnings on threads that were started since 10/30/2010 and have MULTIPLE flagrant violations of just the 72 hour bump/reply rule.

Maybe I am missing the enforcement of this, and just have not looked at the right threads?
If not, when should we expect to see the enforcement begin?

 

We have a small moderator staff. We cannot be everywhere all the time. We do rely on Report Post to find many violations. That said, you will be seeing more infractions for this as members have had a chance to read and understand the new instructions. Violating the no bump rule is a 10 point infraction.

 

I'm assuming these rules apply to the F/T threads as well as the F/S ones, right?

So, once these new rules actually get followed, the F/T & F/S threads shouldn't get knocked down several pages so quickly. People asking questions, whether F/T offers or other questions, aren't to post in the thread, correct? They're supposed to email, PM, or VM the OP & get answered through the same channels.

So, a F/T &/or F/S thread should only have the original post, possibly a "I'll take it", &/or a bump every 72 hrs. This should really simplify & unclutter things I would think.

While it's not an issue to me, I do see deciding who's a Dealer & who isn't as not so clear cut. The idea of someone buying some knives "at full price" & selling some of them later sure doesn't seem like Dealer behavior. However, I'm guessing the Mods have certain people in mind when they mention it, not "some guy who's occasionally selling several knives."

So, as someone else has already stated, there have been many violations (To these new rules), but it'll take time for everyone to be on board with this. Is there a grace period or a certain time where it's expected that everyone comply or the infractions start getting handed out?

 

It will take time for everyone to be on board with this. New guys may get a break, especially on minor technical infractions. But they will also get told to READ THE FAQ AND EXCHANGE FORUM RULES!

 

I figured a warning with a strong suggestion to read the rules would be in order before a red flag, and I know there are limits to the ability to monitor the sight by the moderators. I also would be inclined to think most people violating the bump rule are just ignorant to the new rules. I didn't see the sticky, I happened to see this thread when I logged on and it happened to be at the top of the list of the Recent Thread list. If I had listed something for sale without stumbling on this thread I would probably be a violator myself.

I don't even know if this is possible or feasible, but maybe everyone's account should be "locked out" of the exchange section until they acknowledge and agree to the new rules? Just a thought.

 

We generally do give a yellow flag warning before a red flag infraction. But really, if I go to give someone a warning, their record pops up when I do that, and I see a number of warnings for other problems already --- well, they don't pay attention. Time for the infraction.

 

I would think these new rules are easier to monitor, too. Once this is fully implemented, FSorT threads should have very few posts in them.

Once done, this "should" be pretty nice & keep threads from going down pages & pages at the end of a day.

 

Exactly!...This is how I roll. I also include: "Please read, and follow, the posted BF Exchange rules", when I issue a warning.

 

Might I suggest that the new Revised Rules title be in bold red font at the top (or in bold blue) of all the Exchange pages. Not sure if that's possible but it isn't very visible as it is now.

 

I think I got it. Same rules apply for trade threads, too, right? So, all the "email sent" & in thread trade offers is not supposed to happen when this all gets fully absorbed by everyone, correct?

Whether F/T or F/S, a poster can ask a question about the item(s) & the OP answers in edited OP (& should answer privately, by PM, VM, &/or email). However, on F/T threads specifically, people need to not post an offer in the thread, but take it privately, correct?

Also, on F/T threads (F/S, too, for that matter), when an item is sold/traded, the OP should NOT post that it's gone, but only edit it in the OP, correct?

Also, the 72 hr bump is from the last post, regardless of who posted (OP or others), correct?

Sorry for all the questions still, but I think I messed up on a F/T thread, so I locked it closed.

 

I think eBay might have less rules now. Whoever caused this mess needs slapped.

 

All your examples are correct.

 

What happens if we don't agree to the new rules? Will refunds be issued?