str8ryd

iTrader: (473)

Hi,

I've been a member of this board for a LONG time now...close to 5-6 years. I only actively started posting a couple years back. Anyways, I've never up until this point had any issues with this forum or how it's being operated. After the recent acquisition by IB I've noticed many things being changed, especially general policies. The one that I'm most concerned with is this elusive and difficult to comprehend definition of "Selling Privileges". Apparently the difficulty in comprehension/understanding is not only limited to the general members, but moderators and even IB as a whole.


Approximately two or so months back I was contacted by a moderator mentioning this new policy that's been put in to effect. Apparently, I as well as many other forum members have been cited for violating this policy. The initial warning was to simply halt all selling on this forum until further notice. Not much information was given and no real solution has been implemented or suggested.



It's been nearly two months and as of yet NO update! I'd like to know what's going on? If there is no solution to the problem then why not atleast let us members continue selling until there is a resolution put in to place?!? I've been very very understanding (IMO) up until now, but there has been absolutely no progress. I'm trying to work with the moderators here, so why don't you all do the same? I've always enjoyed surfing/helping/selling on this forum, but lately I've been extremelly turned off.


I'd like to list a few comments, questions and suggestions below:


1- When can we expect there to be a resolution to this issue?



2- Why not allow us to continue selling until that resolution has been put in to place? I've already admitted that I'm willing to pay a fee (short of becoming a full vendor) to sell on this forum if that's what's required? Why not let me and the other members that have ABSOLUTELY NO objection to something like this being implemented continue and selling?!?



3- At any point in time, I've owned atleast 1 RX-7. Sometimes, I've owned 2-3 at a time. I'm not a business, I don't operate a business and I pretty much just sell the parts I take off my own vehicles. I've changed my cars setup over 4 times so I constantly have parts for sale. I used to think the BEST thing about this community was the fact that I was able to do that soo often without taking much of a loss. Buy new parts, sell the old stuff and somewhat break-even. That's the only goal.



4- With this new policy in place, I've actually noticed an increase in low-post, new and noobish members selling. I can't understand how this is a good thing? A MAJOR drawback of the policy is that it encourages newer members to sell on the forum and guess what that does? Yup, it leads to more problems i.e. Scamming being the largest issue. Hell, I buy parts quite frequently and I've been coming across a LOT of new sellers that don't even know what they're selling, just that they have something to sell...WTF



5- I'd like to know the criteria that's being used to suspend "selling privileges". Not in hopes to justify my own privileges, but because I've noticed a lack of enforcement regarding this matter. Lately, I've been noticing in the F/S section the same few sellers selling everything and everywhere. They have multiple threads on one page and are selling a ton of parts. Why haven't they been cited? I'm not here to name-names so please don't ask me to, but if I and other members have noticed this type of activity why haven't the mods?



6- Finally, a LOT and I mean a LOT of my old F/S threads were revisions of previous for sale threads or just new threads to sell the same parts. If judgements about selling privileges are being made, I ask that the mods judging atleast look in to the threads and NOT simply base their warnings off the number of threads posted. What type of policy is that? I've said this before in a previous thread that I simply post multiple threads at a time because noone and I know this for a fact that noone likes to read/sift through a F/S ad that's a full-page long to find what they're looking for. Hell, if the title isn't descriptive enough and doesn't have what a buyer is looking for most times they won't even look. This is why multiple threads become necessary when trying to sell multiple parts (Off my own cars). I wish I could edit posts in the F/S thread because a lot of times they become sooooo cluttered that buyers don't bother looking past the OP. Which leads to lots of confusion and them missing out on subsequent price drops that may have occurred within the same thread. That's another reason that it becomes necessary to make a new F/S thread.





That's all I could come up with now even though I know there is more others and I would like to say on this topic. I ask that the mods please please please read through this thread and take my comments, questions, and suggestions very seriously. It took me quite a bit of time to express myself properly and to be respectful at the same time. I ask that the mods understand and appreciate that fact and in turn PLEASE not delete this thread!




Respectfully,
Rizwan

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

This is exactly what I have been wondering myself WITHOUT any information on my status/situation. I see that the mods care more about violations and cleaning up then whats best for the members, just an honest opinion here. I havent heard/seen anything on the new "dealer" situation anywhere. All the threads that get posted about an update just get deleted or moved. Still, I cannot sell and I feel like im watched like a god dam hawk, lighten up. Yes you guys do your job and you do it well, but you are drawing people away from this forum and more and more people are getting scammed by scammers.

I completely agree with Rizwan on this situation. If you havent come up with anything let us sell. That what we have been doing for YEARS before the new regulation and damn forum army got on our case. Like I have stated before I AM NOT A DEALER. Never have been. I change my mind on my car. What is the problem with that. I know that everything I say will probably get ignored but maybe someone will take care of the situation.

MY suggestion:
How about you try and figure **** out, stop giving retarded citations and violation notices to the RESPECTED people on this club and do something to fix the PROBLEM. I cant even carry on with my car to get it back on running because of a forum, that is meant for enthusiast, is keeping me from doing so.

Where is the leadership from this board? Wait, wait, wait here:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/leadership

Sorry to be the ***** that I am but this is taking WAY TOO LONG and I seriously wont even drive my car at all this year because I have ZERO funds to do so. So much for a forum that cares about there members. I may be making "false" statements but this is truely how I feel. You have done nothing for anyone, seriously. Ask yourselfs "What have I done to help these people?" Post in this thread what comes to mind. I am curious.

As far as the policies they are great and effective, however please make the right decesions when following them..
As what Rizwan said please dont delete this thread

Regards,
Charlie

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

First of all, lets address this-

Below quote from Charlie
sorry to be the ***** that I am but this is taking WAY TOO LONG and I seriously wont even drive my car at all this year because I have ZERO funds to do so. So much for a forum that cares about there members. I may be making "false" statements but this is truely how I feel. You have done nothing for anyone, seriously. Ask yourselfs "What have I done to help these people?" Post in this thread what comes to mind. I am curious.


This is not about the one, or the few members when it comes to how a decision is made. It is made for the whole.

As far as your comment-I seriously wont even drive my car at all this year because I have ZERO funds to do so. Give me a frigging break

What you stated is saying, I need this fixed because it is hurting me. That sounds like a selfish statement, not one for the members. While you are waiting for this you could be selling your parts like everyone else out there. Yes, there are many places to post your ads.
1)Ebay
2)Craigslist
3)Rotorhead.ca
4)Nopistons.com

As far as this-Quote from Charlie
This is exactly what I have been wondering myself WITHOUT any information on my status/situation. I see that the mods care more about violations and cleaning up then whats best for the members, just an honest opinion here. I havent heard/seen anything on the new "dealer" situation anywhere

You have been informed about all of this by myself repeatedly. But it's not the answer that you want to hear.
I informed you that it is being worked on, and yes it is taking a while to get to a resolve situation. The fact is that the problem has been there for a long time and it can't just get undone by snapping your fingers. The rules have always been there, that has not changed. With the growth of the Club over the years and the lack of mods the rules were not routinely enforced.


Rizwons quote

5- I'd like to know the criteria that's being used to suspend "selling privileges". Not in hopes to justify my own privileges, but because I've noticed a lack of enforcement regarding this matter. Lately, I've been noticing in the F/S section the same few sellers selling everything and everywhere. They have multiple threads on one page and are selling a ton of parts. Why haven't they been cited? I'm not here to name-names so please don't ask me to, but if I and other
members have noticed this type of activity why haven't the mods?



Below is my response.
It was based on a history of repeatedly selling. Meaning week after week,month after month.

We are monitoring and enforcing this as we see a "History" of it with a member. Just because a member all of sudden posts up some for sale threads selling parts does not automatically put them into that category. If they are seen doing it week after week, "Month" after month, then they qualify.



But lets dispense with all of this because it has already been discussed and it is what it is. Lets get down to what is in the works.

Their is a proposal for a Sub-forum that will allow the Charlies, the fritz's, etc to post up their for sale ads. It will be a paid for sub-forum and those that fall into that category will be able to do their business in that forum only, not the private classifieds as what the regular classifieds will be named.

I cannot comment on the cost yet but if it gets approved for the recommended cost it will be very reasonable for what you will be able to do.

All the regular rules will still apply. Meaning that group buys still are separate and only get advertised and started in the group buy forums. No businesses in the sub-forum. They still have to pay for business advertising.

The full details and ETA of this sub-forum are still not known. I can tell you that I have pushed as well as other mods for this to be a priority.



As far as letting you guys continue to sell as you were until this gets implemented. All I can say is that I will submit your request today.
With the understanding that if I am able to get this approved that when the new sub-forum is implemented(could be tomorrow, next week,etc..) that if you are one of those that has been categorized as a frequent seller. When it is implemented that you agree to pay the fee for the sub-forum and that all of your current and future threads will be moved to the sub-forum. You will not be able to advertise in the private forum and if you elect not to pay then you will have all of your selling privileges revoked and the threads will be removed. That is the best that I can offer you on this at the time.

If this is acceptable to you at this point then I will go to bat for limited selling privileges(all businesses,gb's and vendors excluded). List your name if you would like for me to pursue this.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter,

Doc.

boost-in-rx7s93

i have been in the same boat as everyone and was very upset with the forum and the way this matter has been handled. i just want to say that i have seen the first signs of getting this problem solved while taking the members of the forum into consideration.

thanks for your time and i hope to be active on this forum for many many years to come. i love the quality of people on this forum as much as i love my collection of third gens!

joe

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

Doc,

Thanks for the in-depth post, and something that we can all look into. I feel like posting in this thread was the only way to get SOME information on this ordeal. Put me on the list for temp selling as I need to get some clutter out of my garage.

BTW your situation with your car is different then mine so...yeah.

Also what if the prices are absurd for the sub forum? Also if we are already paying to have a sub forum doesnt it make sense to let us run our own group buys..Were paying IB just to have the previlage to sell when we shouldnt have to to begin with.

Thanks
Charlie

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Charlie,

From what I have seen of the recommended fees it is very reasonable. Only those vendors who have paid for a complete package can have gb's also. The gb's are a complete separate entity and the sub-forum fees will not include this.

Regarding this-.Were paying IB just to have the previlage to sell when we shouldnt have to to begin with.

For regular members who do not post threads on a regular basis with major part outs and clearing their garages or warehouses of parts or changing their mind like underwear, then they don't have to worry about it.

But for you guys that want to advertise a lot more than the normal person then you are this. Remember, it is not a right to do anything on this Club, it is a granted privilege as outlined by the owner(s) of the site.

Doc.

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

Well underwear needs to be changed doesnt it..

Still do think its fair but what can I do..

rxrotary2_7

In as few words as I can.... believe me.... The moderating team is as frustrated as the people this is effecting. We feel your pain and are all pushing for a resolution to make everyone happy

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

Another suggestion is that maybe you guys should re-think the meaning of a dealer?

Indyparts

iTrader: (16)

Doc - Thank you for your continued work on this process, but I think that a few things still remain unclear and people are intentionally being kept in the dark on this. As you suggesting at this time, if the sub-forum is approved by IB then it will be created and without any notice, people will have there postings moved into this and have no other choice but to pay/no sell.

I understand that this is not your final call on the situation but shedding light on this, such as: Cost of subforum per member, limitations being set up front, number of ads being listed simultaneously, layout of subforum, etc. All of these things would help keep things in line and would allow people to think about the decision going forward.

We are all adults here and don't need to be hand held. If a rule is put in place, so be it. People will comply or leave. But what is the point of creating a subforum in the first place if the members do not intend to pay/ use it?

Indyparts

iTrader: (16)

Also, doc...

Do you have a list of the proposed advanced sellers as described below? I am sure that once a list is created or shown, which it probably won't be, there is going to be ALOT of finger pointing at other members. If IB forces one member to pay and they do, then another member selling +/= of items then that other member is going to be called out. Am I right guys or would you pay to allow someone else to get by without coughing up the dough?

"We are monitoring and enforcing this as we see a "History" of it with a member. Just because a member all of sudden posts up some for sale threads selling parts does not automatically put them into that category. If they are seen doing it week after week, "Month" after month, then they qualify."

"Their is a proposal for a Sub-forum that will allow the Charlies, the fritz's, etc to post up their for sale ads. It will be a paid for sub-forum and those that fall into that category will be able to do their business in that forum only, not the private classifieds as what the regular classifieds will be named."

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

Indyparts ask very good questions when it comes to this situation but there is something that I am going to raise the BS flag on AJ. How can you compare me to Fritz Flynn? How many cars has fritz parted in the past years and how many has he owned. I am not trying to point fingers at all but I think thats absurd when I think about it, and now that I read it I am even more pissed. I have had ONE car in the 4 years that I have owned my FD. Fritz has had at least 20 different cars that he has parted over the time period that I have owned my car. Keep word in this is "parting". Do I part cars? No. I have MY car and like I have said before I change it around alot because I am never satisfied. Yet you know this and yet I am still a dealer. So in essence you are making me pay forum fees because I like to work on my car and try new things out? I dont even make money so how I am a dealer. I know you know im right on this, and I understand that you are following the forum rules but give me a break. How can IB want to charge someone money on parts they dont even make. Essentially that is charging someone to even be on this forum when it is suppose to be FREE to the public for information and used woren parts that many need or sell.

There is one instance that I do admit to that I acted like a "vender/dealer" and I would take full responsibility, even now a year later. I did sell alot of brackets when I ran that thread a year ago and I did use the forum for advertisement. I would gladly pay the forum fees for that right now for what I ran a year ago.

However, I am not a dealer, you and I both know it. Just the rules state that I am. I change my car around like "I change underwear" but what is wrong with that. I enjoy working on my car on my free time, and honestly if I am getting charged to sell parts that I am not making **** on that messed up. I dont have a business license, I make NO MONEY off used second hand parts. I dont part cars, I dont own a business. Lastly I refuse to pay any fee unless I run a GB. Simple as that.

Put yourself in my shoes for once and stop get your head(s) off the rules and think about the people that you have on this "black list". I do have multiple parts but thats like but its parts that I have collected working on my car for mock up use etc.

All I am asking if you "review" my situation, obviously I am not a dealer. Simple. But if you want to charge me to be apart of this forum, literally CHARGE me and others for the matter of fact then "wow". You are pretty much asking me to take money out of my own pocket to sell parts when I make NOTHING. Take the time to review myself and my others that are in my situation. Seriously..THINK ABOUT IT.

I hope to see a reply soon
Thanks again,
Charlie

str8ryd

iTrader: (473)

I also don't see a problem with changing things that frequently. I don't believe that its the "regular members" who don't do this instead it's because most people can't do it. They either don't have the resources or capabilities to work on their own cars so they simply can't afford to keep changing their set-ups. Charlie and I, as hard as it may be to believe, actually lose a LOT of money in changing our set-ups. Hell, I lost over $1000 purchasing a brand new turbo and then deciding to sell it. Selling on the forum sometimes helps us, sometimes hurts us, but it all the time atleast gets us closer to what we desire with our cars without taking an extensive financial hit.

str8ryd

iTrader: (473)

Sign me up, Doc! At this point, I'm done arguing. If you guys make a decision in or againt my favor, then we'll figure things out. In the meantime, please allow myself, Charlie, and the others that are obviously not full-fledged vendors and in fact debatable high-output sellers continue selling on this forum. When the issue is finally addressed and a resolution put in to place, I'll work with you.

charlies7

iTrader: (4)

True that..Im freaking poor.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

Is $200/month for the ability to make a post about your product and have an ad in your signature sound reasonable for a small guy making parts on the side? I don't think so. I couldn't believe the fee I was quoted when I was inquiring not long ago. I know a lot of small/part time vendors that will not be able to put up the fee and the people that will miss out on the parts they could provide are the people of this forum, that's sad. I do understand charging for advertising but having an ad in your signature or even a post in a specified area isn't worth $200/month.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

It's not going to be that. I inquired about the minimum package and that was what was quoted to have a signature and selling privileges.

But that is for the businesses.

What we are trying to get implemented is for you guys and like I stated the fee that has been proposed is affordable to all. I can't post the suggested fee because it has not been approved yet.

Doc.

Indyparts

iTrader: (16)

Don't post it then. Just give us a hint ;-)

The idea for this is that this fee would allow someone to post within the 'subforum' and not within the regular classifieds. Doesn't that defeat the purpose in some cases? Basically if someone is looking for a part, then they would be browsing the regular classifieds, then the paying subforum classifieds and finally maybe the businesses ;-)

Not slamming here, just asking questions.

kenn_chan

Why am I not surprised to here all this whining, Oh yeah, american youth..... I have sold 5 items to forum members in 3 1/2 years, and I would pay the 200 if its a requirement it basically gives you free acess to the largest concentration of owners of the specialty parts you are trying to sell, and many of you do it as a business, many of you scam other members on a daily basis.....

I think a 200 dollar fee each year, paid by credit card only (makes you a trackable person now, for when you rip someone off) is totally acceptable.

quit whining, the free ride you have enjoyed has dried up... Whaa cry me a river somewhere else.

And Doc, I really can't believe you would be an enabler in a situation like this.

Kenn

fritts

iTrader: (5)

Did you miss the 200/month not a year. 200/year is no problem, and I can understand that. 2400 a year is ridiculous for a small vendor, I just hope I could make that much profit in a year.


Also you may want to define what a business is. Is a guy doing this in the part time after his day job be construed as a business? I for instance am part of an LLC?

Indyparts

iTrader: (16)

I don't know what the currency exchange rate in Yen is but they are charging $200.00 per month. $200.00 x 12 months = $2400.00 per year.

That is the rate for the sponsers.

If I am mistaken and it is $200.00 annually, what is the paypal addy I can send my payment to?

Indyparts

iTrader: (16)

Dammit! We were on the same minute but I typed more

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Let stop the picking apart now, shall we.

Members that really want to buy something will look at whatever classifieds there are whether it be the main or the sub-forum or the vendor forums.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Kenn, All I have to say is,

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

So, you are saying that $200.00 for a annual fee is acceptable to you? Is it acceptable to others? Chime in.