The new rules on bumping...

S

s.c.

Joined
Mar 2, 2003
Messages
1,063
Was curious about how fellow gold members feel about the new restrictions on bumping, specifically when there's a price drop.

Even though I've been guilty of a few of these, I fully agree that there was too much "got your PM, PM sent, sold and shipped, seller is a good guy, email responded, etc." and I wholeheartedly agree with this restriction.

However, I do think a price drop is a valid reason for a thread bump. It's essentially a new ad and should go to the top for all to see. It's good for motivated sellers that need quick cash and it's good for potential buyers that are not looking for anything specific but want a good deal. And if they are looking for something specific, maybe enable the search function only for the exchange section.

Also, there are times when I keep an eye on an item and like to click the thread when it gets bumped, hoping for a price drop. I'm sure many of us do so, but I don't think many of us will bookmark/subscribe to threads and check them daily hoping for a price edit.

It just seems like this new rule will slow down sales.

It's also easy to circumvent the rules by letting your ad drop to the third page and just start a new ad. It would certainly be quicker than waiting the 72 hours. I'm in no way suggesting members do this, but it might become a problem.

Every other forum I frequent allows a bump every 24 hours and they allow you to sell for FREE. As a paying member, I'd like to see more freedom in selling, not more restrictions.

If this has been discussed already, I apologize and please direct me to the appropriate thread. Otherwise, I'd like to see if there are any other members agree (both paying and basic).

edit: perhaps allow thread bumping for price drops only every 24 hours or maybe only when its a substantial drop, like $10 or a 10% drop, for example.
 
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On one hand,the new rules may be a bit extreme,but on the other hand,your thread won't move off the first page as quick,plus,knife guys browsing 4 sale threads,may look farther.
After all,it's not like the thread is gone. Most paying members can do a search,to find the thread they were watching.

It'll be interesting to see how many will follow the rules, & are aware of the changes.
I also feel the moderators may have a lot more work now,to keep on this
-Vince
 
The bump every 24 hours just strikes me as needless. I know there's a lot of offers competing for attention but, really, it can't go more than a day without a bump? I think the sales area could stand to feather the throttle a bit. More time isn't going to hurt anyone.

Allowing for bumps based on certain conditions like a price drop of a certain amount means more work for mods to see if those conditions are met.
 
This is a good question but it belongs in Tech Support so I'll move it there. It's a little different than the other questions so I don't want to merge it with them.

This is making a lot more work for the mods but that is what we're here for. Just now I can't even keep up but eventually the word will get out.

Keeping track of your threads shouldn't mean searching for them. First, I auto-subscribe to every thread I post in. Go to User CP - Edit Options - Messaging & Notification - Default Thread Subscription Mode. You can also manually subscribe to a thread by going to Thread Tools at the top of the page and clicking on Subscribe to this Thread.

This will pop up an entry in your User CP, which I check frequently. It will only bring it up when it is bumped, but you can also go to the bottom of that list and View all Subscribed Threads.
 
I, whole-heartedly agree to s.c.'s opinion in the first post. I think that allowing bumps for substantial price drops would be a good solution. Not only would it create lower prices for us all, but it would give those eager to get back to the top a way to get there. If you don't want to drop you're price, you don't have to, but if you do, and it's worth an extra 5 or 10 dollars to you to get a quick sale, then what's the harm in that? I see only good things to come from something such as this. Also, I know the moderators are doing the best they can, and have their hands full, especially now, but many members do not follow this rule, and some of them seem to slide by every time without consequence. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to add the two suggestions together, you can only post in your own thread for a substantial price drop once every twenty four hours. That sounds more than fair to me. Some may agree, some will definitely disagree, but that is my strong opinion.
 
Then it becomes a reason for people to bump by one penny every 15 minutes.

Also, if you see someone acting wrong, hit report and we'll ding them.
 
I have to say that the new rules, which seem to be changing by the week here, are too extreme. The whole point of having a for sale thread is to sell something. The easiest way to do that is if you can respond to questions and post price drops at will. If you are desperate to sell something and need to drop the price multiple times, then that only helps the forum in the long run because the prices will be much lower here than anywhere else, and thus attract more paying members to the forum for good deals. I know that I am just waisting hot air here, but I have seen a lot of good people leave BF for other forums because these rules are just too extreme. And that is just killing BF's reputation.

Just my $.02.
Sean
 
I think,if everyone follows these rules,it'll be fine & fair,all the way around.
If you post a knife for sale in the A.M,by the afternoon its off to pg 2
I think it'll be a slower moving pace & you will still make the sale.

I also see,with these rules,the BF's mod's are asking for each the seller & buyer,to edit in info,as we go,rather than just posting,again,with insignificant info.Once the thread has so many posts in it,it's hard to follow & keep track of what is still avail.,for sale,especially in a multi item thread.

Its too much a free for all & if everyone follows the same rules,I bet it'll work out just fine.Like Esav says,as far as mod's having extra work,that'll lessen.

Edit in info . If you can read,the info is there in black & white.Buying & selling can still be accomplished
-Vince
 
Like many complex systems, it takes all the parts working properly to see the planned results.

For example, it might have been easier to appreciate if we brought in different new rules at different time, but that way, the many people who don't read announcements or stickies or even warnings by PM, would never catch up.

If we can stop the incessant background chatter of "email sent" and "nice knife" and "SPF" then the fewer permitted posts will stand out clearly, and all the necessary information will be consolidated, mostly in the original posts. Go there, and see everything you need to see about the sale.
 
So Esav,just for the record....We are to edit in,just about everything (if we're the seller),and only bump,for any reason,after 72 hrs ?

If I sell,one of two items,just edit in sold & do not bump,to say "sold"

Thanks,
-Vince
 
I've wondered about modifying the rule to account for price drops, but I'm not sure what standard you would use to decide how significant the price drop would need to be for it to be allowed as a reason to bump the thread.

I'm fine with the rest of the rules.
 
Exactly. Posting sold as a separate post just makes it harder to find.

Editing it into the original post gives a buyer one place to look for everything he needs to know or catch up on.

After 72 hours, you can post BTTT legitimately to push the thread back up.
Remember, that's 72 hours after anybody's last post, yours or a buyer's.
 
Honestly,I see no problem,with this,except,for people not following the rules,either deliberate or as misunderstood.
But as said before,as time goes on,it'll work itself out.
-Vince
 
I also agree with sc. If you lower the price, you should be able to bump in 24 hours BUT only if you lower the price (a certain amount not just a penny). Otherwise, 72 hours I think is fine.

I agree that we don't need to reply with SOLD or SPF or WITHDRAWN, This can and should be done by editing the original thread. Also, adding information should be done by editing in the first post.

All I can say is "read the new rules". I didn't keep up on the changes and....well, you know. :o

Vr

Mark T.
 
Guys, I think editing in some things makes since. But what would be the purpose of subscribing to a thread if every change that was made to it, you did not know about because it was edited in, rather than posted? The whole point of a post is to inform not only the casual reader, but to update people who are subscribed to your thread.

Some things that should not change: significant drops in prices, updates to status of availability (sold, SPF, withdrawn), and questions asked about an item. In these cases, you should be able to post updates as needed.

Things that should not be allowed or limited: general conversation info such as , "in the mail", "shipped", "I received it" or "I like it".

But I have to say, if the only reason you are limiting these threads is because of "too much chatter" or "too many bumps" then maybe this should not be a forum anymore. The whole point of a forum is to be able to freely discuss and sell/trade items "without" many rules. Unfortunately, because of the rules here, the USN was formed and, well the rest is history.
 
Mark, if you could post after 24 hours with a lowered price, would you also edit that new price into the original post? If not, after a few more buyer inquiries, that new price might be hard to find. People tend to skip to the end, and not read the whole thread. That's the idea behind not posting separate changes, but putting everything in the OP.
 
the reason for the new rules is some of the gold membership abuse the system and that screws it up for the rest of us. the new rules are a way for everyone to have a fair chance to sell there knifes.
 
Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I'm not alone.

Spark said:
Then it becomes a reason for people to bump by one penny every 15 minutes.

Also, if you see someone acting wrong, hit report and we'll ding them.
Click to expand...

That's why I think there should be a minimum price drop. I personally think a $5 drop is reasonable for a bump. And I think having fellow gold members (and above) police and report people abusing the system is a good idea.


FEDKNIFELOVER said:
Guys, I think editing in some things makes since. But what would be the purpose of subscribing to a thread if every change that was made to it, you did not know about because it was edited in, rather than posted? The whole point of a post is to inform not only the casual reader, but to update people who are subscribed to your thread.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Esav Benyamin said:
Mark, if you could post after 24 hours with a lowered price, would you also edit that new price into the original post? If not, after a few more buyer inquiries, that new price might be hard to find. People tend to skip to the end, and not read the whole thread. That's the idea behind not posting separate changes, but putting everything in the OP.
Click to expand...

I've always updated the OP whenever I bumped with a price drop. I thought this was the norm.

I've been a gold member for at least two non-consecutive years. I've paid the dues to get the search function and to support the site. I recently paid for the gold membership specifically to sell my collection. As stated in my first post, it bothers me that I'm much more restricted here than other forums that are free.

Thankfully, I'm done selling off most of my collection. I had finally found the few knives that I really like and use and recently sold off the remainder. My intent was to get out of the hobby, but having that money sitting in my paypal account and seeing great deals on the exchange only got me back into it. :D
 
I do not understand why we are having so many complaints.
All that is being done is making the attempt to keep the playing field (in this case) the selling field level.
To many folks were abusing the old rules keeping their threads on the front page while those who were staying with the intent of the rules were being punished.
 
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