New rules for new ifishers!

[Jennie@ifish]

I have changed the rules to allow new users to "reply" or to buy items from members with more than 50 posts.
We felt it wasn't fair that new users could not reply to the posts. The rules were started by the members, so that we could form a bit of trust by getting to know members, before buying from them.
Please let me know if you think this is a good addition to the program. This way, new users are free to buy from older members, right away.
Thank you!
Jen

[Jacks or Better]

There's enough scamming going on with ebay. I'm all for the idea of "getting established". Sounds good.

[Bonita]

I appreciate being able to buy from other members right away. I feel that this is a ´safer´ place to do online purchasing, even though I don´t really know anyone here more than on ebay. It seems like someone selling gear on ifish is going to have more incentive to be honest and not sell junk because of the whole community thing...

[Stoneman]

Seems a bit unbalanced to allow new members to purchase items from the classifieds without allowing them to post as new members of the group as well. Are we creating a tiered membership? Here is the message I get: We trust you just enough to take your money but not enough to allow you to fully participate in the full benefits of the membership. Certainly buyer and seller exercising due caution is the best standard for the market place. It seems to me that the membership of Ifish are certainly capable of looking out for their selves and the current rules in place are more than adequate to police the process.

[STGRule]

The idea here is that the classifieds are a perk for the people that contribute to our fishing and hunting forum. This space is for the benefit of our active members. The rules are to keep people from coming in just for the free bandwidth. It covers most cases. Not all of them.

[slowbuilder2005]

Stoneman's post concerns me and I see his point, but Sturgeon Hugger's response makes a good point as well.

Personally, I don't think the stated goal of allowing ads for those that contribute can be effectively reached, regardless of good intention towards those that help make iFish what it is. If the required number for posting or replying is low enough to be reasonable, then it only takes a very short time to work 'around' the rule if someone really wanted to post or reply to an ad. I don't think it would stop those that don't contribute, since they can quickly contribute a bunch of meaningless stuff just so they can place an ad.

Online sites like glocktalk.com and thefiringline.com have classifieds that sell guns (something you'd like to know who you are buying from or selling to), don't charge any fees, and don't have any requirement on how many posts you have to have before you advertise. Just like iFish however, they do have a moderator that processes registrations and certain info is required as part of that process. Isn't that enough for iFishers too?

But rather than rely on a few posts by concerned individuals here, why not a NEW POLL so we can see where democratic process takes us? Many new members have arrived since the rule was first established, so why not include them in a new vote? I for one am willing to work with either answer, but would like it best if the people 'spoke'.

As always, thanks all...

Brian

[joey vaughn]

thanks

[Ericw]

I agree with Stoneman! Well said.

[Pete]

Ifish is not a democratic process, it's a business which provides a venue for sportfishers to communicate. The costs of running the forum are covered by advertiser sponsorships, unlike other alternatives like the newspaper. The free classifieds on ifish.net are offered as a benefit for participating members. Member participation is what makes it worthwhile for sponsors to support the site. The moderators watch to see that the threshhold number of posts are not merely "uh huh" or "I agree" type responses just to get to the threshhold. Another reason for this is so we all have a chance to get to know the person we're buying from or selling to ... that creates a level of confidence that mere screening of names doesn't afford. Think of it as a benevolent monarchy. :wink:

[GunBit45]

I like the point that slowbuilder makes. Why fill up the forums with meaningless junk for the sale of a rule. yup, you're right I am a fry. I was referred ti ifish.net by a member. I have been at it a couple of hours now.

There are some great posts, and some really neat ones with pics. Most of which are based on recent experiences. Well I did reply to one that was looking for help, and I pointed him in the right direction. Well I haven't gotten out much in the last couple of years, and had trouble coming up with something to post (let alone 20). I thought to myself, now are you gonna mess this up with crap just so you can get to the ads. Sorry, I am not going too.

I do collect guns, knives, and various fishing equipment. And I have some to sell. So naturally I would like to get to the ads. I also would participate in the forums, when I can contribute or share,

I could use some help getting to the ads. I missed something somewhere.

Respectfully,
Chuck

[GunBit45]

Jennie,

At the bottom left are my post rules as follows:
You may not post new threads
You may post replies
You may post attachments
You may edit your posts

Now why does it say that I "may not post new threads?

Thought I had to post 20.

Chuck

[Fshklr]

you need to make 20 "posts/replies" total in any on going "thread/new topic".

A thread is a new post/topic, which others respond to......Jennie,

At the bottom left are my post rules as follows:
You may not post new threads
You may post replies
You may post attachments
You may edit your posts

Now why does it say that I "may not post new threads?

Thought I had to post 20.

Chuck

[Ryan Pultz]

If the toaster is not broke don’t go sticking a Fork in it! I like the idea of getting to know someone before I do business with them IMO rp

[Half fast Toyn]

Anyone can banter up 20 meaningless replys to posts in about 10 minutes...... Jump through the hoops Fido, we all had to.

[Sometimeslucky]

I would like to see a rating score of people who deal in the classifieds. I like the idea of getting a picture of who I am dealing with. I have to say my dealings with the people on ifish have been very easy and honest. I also have met great people in the process. I am from north of Seattle, and believe it or not had great dealings with people from Oregon. Thanks.
Positive/negative feedbacks? With reasons given of course.:excited:

[Swift Fly Guy]

The only bad apple I have encountered on Ifish was someone looking to get around the 20 post rule. Funny thing is the mods were on it like white on rice and guess what they were right it was a young guy with ulterior motives, misrepresented ad, and wanted a check not cash for the item.
The 20 post rule works....I too did not like it when I had less than 20 but that's life.

[Sometimeslucky]

Speaking of trust just finished up a deal with MossyOarReelCreek, great guy to deal with! I personally feel a person can make a great deal of posts, but that will not really say who he is. I have fished next to people I really don't care to know, and making posts does not let one get to know a person. Rating system would let others hear testimony about ones character. Jenny, you are doing a fine job:applause: I appreciate this site and hope it will grow in the future.

[MossyOarReelCreek]

Like Pete said : Ifish is a business
We all enjoy the free forum for our hobbies and passions. Ifish being a business that offers free access is a priviledge. Being required to participate in what should be something you apparently want to, at least 20 times. Does not in my book seem like asking too much. Seeing that a person has posted a good amount will give you the opportunity to look at their input and get a glimpse of who they are before you commit to making a purchase or trade. I have had nothing but, great dealings from the people I ended up buying from, trading with or selling to. But, I looked at what I was buying or trading and weighed the value.. and looked at the people who were interested and their number of posts and felt comforted. I didn't really know them but,they had trust in me... sent me items and trusted me to send them payment even after they already sent me the goods. I have and still do the same. Because Itrust Ifish. After seeing Sometimeslucky's post ... I edited this to add.. a rating system or option for people who have made a purchase or trade... to give a rating or feedback is not a bad idea. That being said. Like any post in a forum like ours... comments are what they are... opinions..sprinkled with facts.:)

Ron

[JustCallMeDave]

I like the point that slowbuilder makes. Why fill up the forums with meaningless junk for the sale of a rule.

Chuck,

One of the nice things about Ifish is that we tend to police our own. When folks see something listed in the classifieds by someone with just a hair more than 20 posts, often times folks will go through the person's post history to see if it's rife with "nice fish" posts over a short period of time. When they find that is the case, we get notified and the person's ad is pulled.

The 20 post rule is in effect because the regular users of ifish wanted it so. We'd really like to have you stay and contribute to the forum, as we all think that this is a pretty special place and we always love new fishing stories. However, if you would like to post something in a busy forum that does not have this requirement, try Craigslist.

[C-Run]

I'm new to Ifish and still not quite sure how to reply properly, so I hope I'm doing this right. But I'd like to give my opinion on the rules. I have no problem waiting for 20 before I can purchase or sell, it gives me time to see how things run. I just bought a new North River and love all the info I get from all of you.

[rip-lightnin]

I say, why not try it? if it becomes a problem, just put it back the way it was, even though I personally think that if it aint broke.............dont fix it.

[GunBit45]

Well I see your point. It does have merit. I am learning as I go, just like you said. I did not understand. I thought I had to have 20 posts before I could place an ad. However, at the bottom it says I can not post a new thread. So I was not sure how to get the 20 posts in. Hang on I'll get there.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Trick]

Looks like you made it.

[Ifishwhisper]

I just want to say I'm good with the rules as they are. It's ok to establish one's presence to fully benefit from this site. However I do question people listing boats and other itwms for friends, with there phone numbers nad contacts. Why should these non users of IFISH have access to our established benefits?
IFISHWHISPER

[JustCallMeDave]

I say, why not try it? if it becomes a problem, just put it back the way it was, even though I personally think that if it aint broke.............dont fix it.

Before we had the rule we tried it, and it didn't work out, so we have the rule now.

I just want to say I'm good with the rules as they are. It's ok to establish one's presence to fully benefit from this site. However I do question people listing boats and other itwms for friends, with there phone numbers nad contacts. Why should these non users of IFISH have access to our established benefits?
IFISHWHISPER

Management has cast into that drift numerous times, and we decided that if the sale goes south and problems arise, then it's the account of the person who listed it who is at jeopardy. While it's not directly their fault if their buddy skips town with the money and not delivering the goods, we have to hope that if they are willing to take the responsibility of listing the item(s) on ifish that they take the responsibility of the deal working out right.

We aren't going to be in the middle of two folks saying the other was the problem in the deal. However, if it deal is a fraud we'll act accordingly.

[salmon whisperer]

I have changed the rules to allow new users to "reply" or to buy items from members with more than 20 posts.
We felt it wasn't fair that new users could not reply to the posts.
Jen

here are my thoughts on this...

I feel that, in general, ifishers are more trustworthy and have better taken-care-of stuff and offer them at fair or better prices. If I have something that I want to sell (and I am offering it to ifish.. not ebay or craigslist) it is not because I want to make more money or sell it faster... it is because I want to offer a 'deal' to people like me that have similar hobbies.

If anybody just lurking around can sign up... and 5 minutes later swoop up on a deal... that kinda' sucks. If I am going to miss out on a deal because I am at work when something is posted for sale, I would rather lose out to another MEMBER if ifish than some random person trying to snake up something cheap.

MY $.02

[valleygems]

I personally like the new rule, Just purchased a loomis rod from one of your members so I'd guess he likes the new rule also!

I have changed the rules to allow new users to "reply" or to buy items from members with more than 20 posts.
We felt it wasn't fair that new users could not reply to the posts. The rules were started by the members, so that we could form a bit of trust by getting to know members, before buying from them.
Please let me know if you think this is a good addition to the program. This way, new users are free to buy from older members, right away.
Thank you!
Jen

[crittergitter]

I have changed the rules to allow new users to "reply" or to buy items from members with more than 20 posts.
We felt it wasn't fair that new users could not reply to the posts. The rules were started by the members, so that we could form a bit of trust by getting to know members, before buying from them.
Please let me know if you think this is a good addition to the program. This way, new users are free to buy from older members, right away.
Thank you!
Jen

Personally I like the idea. Having purchased a few items from other members. The one thing I find interesting is that the ones who are complaining about the rules here. Most have been signed up as members for several years but still haven't managed 20 posts? Are these people here to support and contribute to Ifish with the rest of us or are you just here for your own gain? Very curious.

[Don Becker]

here are my thoughts on this...

I feel that, in general, ifishers are more trustworthy and have better taken-care-of stuff and offer them at fair or better prices. If I have something that I want to sell (and I am offering it to ifish.. not ebay or craigslist) it is not because I want to make more money or sell it faster... it is because I want to offer a 'deal' to people like me that have similar hobbies.

If anybody just lurking around can sign up... and 5 minutes later swoop up on a deal... that kinda' sucks. If I am going to miss out on a deal because I am at work when something is posted for sale, I would rather lose out to another MEMBER if ifish than some random person trying to snake up something cheap.

MY $.02

EXACTLY, how I feel. 'Could not have said it better! Nevertheless, I support Jennie's decision and the moderators. I wonder if recent posters realize this "new change" is more than three years old . . . . . Don