Thinking of bumping minimum post count.

[sniper7]

Reading through the responses, I kind of like the idea about us policing our own community. How exactly that can be done without abusing the system will require a bit more thought and dialogue. A seller reputation system would help a bit, however that does not stop someone from starting a new account after they have been removed from the Trading post. I still like the idea of public accountability in regards to transactions.

wouldn't an entire IP or user ban (not just the members name) solve most of the multi-account offenders?

[trlcavscout]

wouldn't an entire IP or user ban (not just the members name) solve most of the multi-account offenders?

Nope, I for one share PC's with other users, my wife, brother, co-worker etc. I share work PC, laptop, and phone on occasion. So banning 1 IP could ban multiple legit members.

[Drilldov2.0]

wouldn't an entire IP or user ban (not just the members name) solve most of the multi-account offenders?

While I am not certain, I don't think so. Unless someone who is an offender has a static IP and no access to another computer an "entire ip ban" would entail banning every user of an isp wherein you are issued a dynamic ip every time you log in. That would prove detrimental to the trading post. Then there is the question of proxy servers. There is really too much to consider when dealing with online transactions. If we need to lock down the trading post because of abuses, then only a ftf transfer with a 3rd party witness would suffice. Perhaps an FTF day at a Site shoot? I don't know what is the solution right now. Is setting up a group COAR15 Trading post day where transactions can be held and some shooting done be too unreasonable? Once a month for now with other members present? Just spit balling here.

[alxone]

Reading through the responses, I kind of like the idea about us policing our own community. How exactly that can be done without abusing the system will require a bit more thought and dialogue. A seller reputation system would help a bit, however that does not stop someone from starting a new account after they have been removed from the Trading post. I still like the idea of public accountability in regards to transactions.

this^

i voted 50 for firearms (it should go for places to shoot ,imho) . but i dont think post count should matter for the other stuff . buying or trading other stuff (mags parts ect .) is a great way us to get to know someone new . also if its a firearm they really want then they can send a pm and if they low ball or try to get over on anyone they should (and would if its me ) have negative feedback before they can even post in the firearms section . but thats just my 2 cents

[mcantar18c]

Not sure if this would be a direction we'd want to take here... not even sure if I like the idea myself... but this kinda popped into my mind...
Take the small leap into making COAR more of a club, and less of just a forum. People can read everything, but not post. Current members that meet requirements can be grandfathered in... not sure what those requirements would be though. Maybe 50 posts for members with positive feedback and 200 posts + 4 months for members that don't have any feedback?
Then if someone wants to join, they can either pay a membership fee (not too expensive, but enough that someone would have to want to be here to commit) or have a member in good standing "sponsor" them (for lack of a better term).

Seems like it would weed out a lot of the BS, make the mods' lives much easier, and make our experience here maybe a little bit better... not to mention eliminate the spammers. Then again, I'm undecided about if I really want this to become a private thing.
What do you guys think about this?

[Sharpienads]

How about a minimum post count before you can post at all?

But seriously, I don't think there's going to be one magic idea that's going to weed out the so-called "riff-raff". Maybe make the newbie introduction section mandatory before you can sell your stuff. Or that coupled with a 25 or 50 post count. That way buyers can at least look you up there.

[sniper7]

Not sure if this would be a direction we'd want to take here... not even sure if I like the idea myself... but this kinda popped into my mind...
Take the small leap into making COAR more of a club, and less of just a forum. People can read everything, but not post. Current members that meet requirements can be grandfathered in... not sure what those requirements would be though. Maybe 50 posts for members with positive feedback and 200 posts + 4 months for members that don't have any feedback?
Then if someone wants to join, they can either pay a membership fee (not too expensive, but enough that someone would have to want to be here to commit) or have a member in good standing "sponsor" them (for lack of a better term).

Seems like it would weed out a lot of the BS, make the mods' lives much easier, and make our experience here maybe a little bit better... not to mention eliminate the spammers. Then again, I'm undecided about if I really want this to become a private thing.
What do you guys think about this?

little long reaching IMO. This place became great for a reason. Sometimes it best to leave well enough alone.

What I think a lot of us, including myself, aren't seeing is what the mods deals with. I know the for sale section is the biggest issue because of the newbies not following rules. The only thing I was thinking was reducing the rules or at least the mod intervention, let the membership handle the newbies who don't follow the rules and the mods can step in when big issues come up, or they can just delete the ad right there on the spot and lock out the member from the for sale threads.
There is a lot to that though, whereas a minimum post count is much easier to enforce and deal with.

[sniper7]

Marlin, being that it has been a while since I have joined, what is it like for the new guys joining?

do they have to get verified by a mod before the account is okayed?

Do they get a confirmation email?

If so, does that email contain the rules of the forum and a users agreement?

Is there a way to restrict them when they join to only be able to access certain pages...maybe start out at the rules forum, user agreement after that, then take them to the introduction thread?

Obviously some people will just skim through or skip, but at least it is there, they had the opportunity to see it, and then it is a quick and easy slap in the face to them when they post and whine about minimum post count or why their for sale ad was instantly deleted.


also, what about a template for the for sale section where each part needs to be filled out for the post to work:
title:
price:
location:
contact info (must allow emails or PM or post phone number)
description:
picture: (not required?)

[Ah Pook]

I started coming here because of the FS section. Didn't post much, mostly PMs. There are "regulars" in the FS section that have been around for a while and have some post count that I won't bother dealing with. Guess I never put much cred. in post count.

How about memberships?

• $10 Basic-Posting and posting ads in the FS sections.
• $20 Member-Same as above and picture posting.
• ...

This might stop some of the people who start new accounts/names weekly.

Just my $0.02 pesos.

[DFBrews]

i voted low as I am a member of a couple other forums like for my motorcycle, that I am scouring so much info from but really do not have much to say as I am a completed noob when it comes to the old Suzuki's. That forum is just as much of a community as this one is and it takes a little while for you to find your place.

There is the old guard that has been there for a long time. The super active people that offer their opinion on damn near everything and post counts reflect it and than the "newbies" that spend a large portion of their time just soaking up the vast amount of knowledge that a group of this size of like minded individuals have to offer like i do on the bike forum or zombie squad. I do not think I should be punished if i want to sell a seat for my bike that someone else wants/needs with only 5 posts IF I adhere to the rules of the forum like a standardized for sale thread template, I have posted in the new member sign in and search before asking a question that has been asked a gillion times before.( that last one is a personal peeve, not really required)

There are always going to be the people that just sign up to sell something it is what the internet has made the world want... instant gratification. Requiring them to have a meaningful minimum post count will weed out a few of the " glock 17 for trade what ya got" people but it will never be fully eliminated mainly it will just make someone that has a sole intention of a quick sale hang around longer and not contribute anything useful which ditracts from what the website has to offer.