Why so much commentary in for sale threads?

I

IamMatt

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Seems like lately there is so much more blah-blah in sales threads. Section 4-1 and 4-2 of the Rules state:

1. Do not post in an ad unless you are interested in the item / service that is being offered.
2. ABSOLUTELY NO COMMENTARY OR FEEDBACK IN SOMEONE'S THREAD. Seriously, if you stomp on someone's ad, your account can and will be locked.

I can remember instant infractions or warnings after one "nice knife, which I had the money" post in a for sale thread, now it seems the seller offers the item and folks take it as an invitation for a chat session.

This post isn't to say, "Mods, why aren't you jumping on these commentary posters?" The Mods shouldn't have to make it a full-time job policing sales threads. It is to say, "Fellow members, please remember and follow the Rules and make everyone's lives easier."

Thank you for listening.
 
Just my 2 cents... After the forum changed the way new posts are handled (not bumping them to the top) it became less of an issue to the mods and more acceptable to make superfluous comments.
 
Why do you care? As long as nothing negativeor distruptive is said then why does it matter?
 
Th problem is, "nice knife" isn't generally disruptive in itself. But when it leads to a conversation, it's hard to see the sale going on around it. Why would you make it hard for the man to sell his nice knife?

Most interference is more negative than that. People pointing to a lower price elsewhere, or insulting the buyer for a previous unhappy transaction or personal conflict. It has gotten so bad, we increased the severity of the infraction.

We have lots of discussion forums here, please leave the sales threads as short and sweet means for members to turn their property into needed cash.
 
I'll be the first to admit I hated the new format but I've grown used to it. I don't like the "zero tolerance" policies - this is the USA, freedom of speech and all... Problem is some people always take it a little too far.
 
Esav has nailed it once again.

A positive comment as to your experience with the same knife or maker/manufacturer or a question answered from a perspective buyer is one thing. Adding a compliment and the tag line "wish I wasn't so broke" may give a perspective buyer cause to rethink his needs.

I'm rarely deterred by common sense or logic but YMMV.
Pete
 
ooitzoo said:
Why do you care? As long as nothing negativeor distruptive is said then why does it matter?
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Chatting about knives is what the rest of the forum is for, all 1000 acres of it. I know there are times where it's done in good faith and spirit, but I do find it annoying that some folks repeatedly can't be bothered to follow a guideline about the one place not to chat because the chat has nothing to do with the purpose of the thread, i.e. buy/sell/trade.
 
jujigatame said:
Chatting about knives is what the rest of the forum is for, all 1000 acres of it. I know there are times where it's done in good faith and spirit, but I do find it annoying that some folks repeatedly can't be bothered to follow a guideline about the one place not to chat because the chat has nothing to do with the purpose of the thread, i.e. buy/sell/trade.
Click to expand...

I guess I can see your point. Personally, I tend to avoid banter in the exchange areas unless its to ask a question or to post "I'll take it".

I just don't see it as a major issue. Some guy saying "wish I had the funds" or "great deal" or whatever isn't that big deal to me.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Th problem is, "nice knife" isn't generally disruptive in itself. But when it leads to a conversation, it's hard to see the sale going on around it. Why would you make it hard for the man to sell his nice knife?

Most interference is more negative than that. People pointing to a lower price elsewhere, or insulting the buyer for a previous unhappy transaction or personal conflict. It has gotten so bad, we increased the severity of the infraction.

We have lots of discussion forums here, please leave the sales threads as short and sweet means for members to turn their property into needed cash.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up. I was always wondering why there were so many compliments in a knifemaker's for sale thread that went without infractions. I guess it makes sense now :thumbup:
 
uyotg said:
Thanks for clearing that up. I was always wondering why there were so many compliments in a knifemaker's for sale thread that went without infractions. I guess it makes sense now :thumbup:
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Its also a polite way to bump the thread for a friend....w/o the usual "bump/bttt" etc...If people see lots of posts they also tend want to see what all the hub bub is about and possibly, @ least in my case end up buying the knife or ordering a custom from the maker if thats the forum its in. I have also seen 10+ posts in a sale thread...even when the knife sold in the first or second post. See any of the Flaherty or Laconico knife sale theads.
 
Knifemaker sale threads are different, sort of like Dealer threads. A Knifemaker posting one knife for sale may get people asking to be put on a list if he makes more of them, and bingo! he starts taking names. That's legit, since unlike an Individual sale, getting rid of a safe queen, a Knifemaker is not just selling one knife, he's advertising his ability also.
 
As a knife maker I like the feedback received on a knife design. Both complimentive and constructive. I spend a considerable amount of time designng new models and the comments received on the initial knife give good feedback as to what others think.
Like the poster stated above in the old format some makers used comments to keep therir knives high on the first page which was not fair to makers that followed the rules. Now a post does not bump the thread and not being on the first page is not that big of a deal because prospective buyers are aware that great knives at good deals are likely to be found on other pages.
 
What a great thread.
With the sales threads not bumping to the top anymore, I personally see no problem with a post here or there as long as it doesnt draw in negativity. Esp if you are simply trying to help someone with a question, ask how you take payment/has it been resharpened, attempting to correct an inaccurate statement (wrong steel, material)

IMO the mods do not do a very consistent job of enforcing the standards in the exchange. Ive been patted on the back by a mod before for posting facts in someone elses thread, then a few weeks later I got infracted by the same mod for the exact same thing basically. Also, MANY times I see blatant/obvious violations of the rules, I will report the post and NOTHING comes from it. Or depending on who you are, you will get special treatment.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/936451-Spring-has-Sprung-DOTD!!!
 
dericdesmond said:
IMO the mods do not do a very consistent job of enforcing the standards in the exchange. Ive been patted on the back by a mod before for posting facts in someone elses thread, then a few weeks later I got infracted by the same mod for the exact same thing basically. Also, MANY times I see blatant/obvious violations of the rules, I will report the post and NOTHING comes from it. Or depending on who you are, you will get special treatment.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/936451-Spring-has-Sprung-DOTD!!!
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In your Opinion, Yes...
But your opinion does not contain all the facts necessary to form an honest judgement.
It could be you caught an infraction because youve been warned about it before. It could be in was enforced to keep it from or because it was becoming out of hand. Most reports are acted upon, when they arent there is good reason, other than the favoritism you seem to wish to imply.
Moderation isnt easy.... when you strictly enforce the rules, people whine and cry you're being too harsh and should lighten up. When you lighten up, people tend to take liberties and then whine and cry about broken rules and favoritism.
 
Karda said:
In your Opinion, Yes...
But your opinion does not contain all the facts necessary to form an honest judgement.
It could be you caught an infraction because youve been warned about it before. It could be in was enforced to keep it from or because it was becoming out of hand. Most reports are acted upon, when they arent there is good reason, other than the favoritism you seem to wish to imply.
Moderation isnt easy.... when you strictly enforce the rules, people whine and cry you're being too harsh and should lighten up. When you lighten up, people tend to take liberties and then whine and cry about broken rules and favoritism.
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Nothing in this post is news to me :)

I apoligize for implying. How about this. I got a yellow card for pointing folks in the right direction, I disagree with it but no biggie. A similar situation occurs, only this time its not a helpful post, its a subtle jab directed towards the OP/Seller, the negative stuff people refer to above as a reason why there should be no commentary. I do as requested by mods, report it, and no chicklets. It was a manufacturer mod so maybe thats why? I wouldn't think that matters as mods should be held to the higest of standards (I could be wrong). Again, not a big deal, more to life, but is it fair? I dont really think so, Ive shelled out $325 to BF this year (happliy) and will continue to. Thats my story, the end.

Cheers
 
I think some comments would also boost a thread... there have been some real kick a$$ sellers on here and I've gotten dinged for commenting on how great they were to deal with in other sales threads of theirs. I see the need for (and will abide by) the rules, but I totally am fine with a bit of positive chatter. To me not a huge deal, but now I watch myself on sales threads, even if I do want to give someone a screaming endorsement :)
 
dericdesmond said:
How about this. I got a yellow card for pointing folks in the right direction, I disagree with it but no biggie. A similar situation occurs, only this time its not a helpful post, its a subtle jab directed towards the OP/Seller, the negative stuff people refer to above as a reason why there should be no commentary. I do as requested by mods, report it, and no chicklets. It was a manufacturer mod so maybe thats why? I wouldn't think that matters as mods should be held to the higest of standards (I could be wrong). Again, not a big deal, more to life, but is it fair? I dont really think so, Ive shelled out $325 to BF this year (happliy) and will continue to. Thats my story, the end.
Click to expand...

Moderator standards? We don't go to school for this, we don't have a handbook, we aren't paid.

Supermods watch the whole of Bladeforums -- but we can't really get around to all that, so:

1) We try to leave moderated forums, especially Knifemaker and manufacturer forums, to their own mods.
2) We check for Reported Posts to see what's up in otherwise unmoderated forums.
3) Knifemaker and manufacturer forum mods are less likely to check Reported Posts, so some of those get away.
4) As volunteers, not really on a schedule, we doze off at the end of the day and miss things we might have gotten to.

It is a most imperfect science. Better too little than too much. But I recognize some people prefer perfection.

Chuka said:
... even if I do want to give someone a screaming endorsement :)
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For which we have a whole forum, FEEDBACK / GBU.

When you break in on a sale thread with an endorsement for the seller, you hint to a newbie that if it's OK to endorse, so it must be OK to criicize, and he goes and slams another seller in his sale thread, following what he saw as your example.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Moderator standards? We don't go to school for this, we don't have a handbook, we aren't paid.
Click to expand...

Yep, I know that :)

Mods arent held to a higher standard in regards to following the rules that they are suppose to enforce? You obviously didnt click my above link but thats ok, no worries.

And speaking for myself, I do not at all expect perfection, and wont waste any more time yapping. Thanks for the hard work sir.
 
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Mods arent held to a higher standard in regards to following the rules that they are suppose to enforce?
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Cheap shot. Having what to do with the op's topic? Yes, let's drop this.
 
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