"For Sale" Forum available for new members

[Ginette]

We saw a lot of new members interested to buy gears but they don't see the "For Sale" forum for the first month of their membership.
In fact I think that they don't ever know that this section exist, right? no message even when they logged.
May I suggest that this forum permissions be set to permit them to see it but not post the first month.

[Leigh]

The FS/Wanted forum is for members (i.e. participants) to exchange items, not for drive-by shooters.

I would not deal with a newbie as either a seller or a buyer.
If they're serious about LF, they'll still be here next month.

- Leigh

[BuffaloJohn]

Kind of in agreement (me being a n00b to the BOARD, but not to LF photography). I participate in in digital forums like FredMiranda very actively, but my LF stuff takes a bit of time to find resources - but I've known about LFP for over 5 years. I just haven't actively participated, because I'm a bit of a novice in this "realm". But its the same in photography on the whole, and especially in the smaller nieche "elite" parts. I don't even want to go near the Urban Exploration folks - they are worse than this!!! Not everyone breaks out the 8x10 monster day in, day out.

[StoneNYC]

Kind of in agreement (me being a n00b to the BOARD, but not to LF photography). I participate in in digital forums like FredMiranda very actively, but my LF stuff takes a bit of time to find resources - but I've known about LFP for over 5 years. I just haven't actively participated, because I'm a bit of a novice in this "realm". But its the same in photography on the whole, and especially in the smaller nieche "elite" parts. I don't even want to go near the Urban Exploration folks - they are worse than this!!! Not everyone breaks out the 8x10 monster day in, day out.

You're new to LF and already on the board? 😯

[BuffaloJohn]

StoneNYC - another reason why I stick to humans vs. boards - people like you with one line commentary and useless to others.

[Sal Santamaura]

StoneNYC - another reason why I stick to humans vs. boards - people like you with one line commentary and useless to others.

There are many helpful people and lots of useful information on this forum. There's also an "Ignore" feature. Rather than let one prolific poster drive you away, simply click on their name, click "View Profile" and finally "Add to Ignore List." Then you won't be bothered by useless commentary.

[Jmarmck]

Yes, but by the end of that month the serious have already bought what they needed on ebay.

[Ginette]

I think that someone who register at this forum is already serious about LF as the forum is dedicated to LF.
But it is the right of a member not to sell to someone else, we saw frequently US sale only.

My intervention is also because I think new members don't see that a "For sale section" exist so they post in elsewhere like "camera and accessories" or in the "Buyer-Seller Advisories" forum.
In fact I think that the section "Buyer-Seller Advisories" should not visible from someone who is not a member here as most of the posts are related to members transactions.

[rdenney]

In a word, no. It's been discussed in the past, but we've always come to the same conclusion.

Most members don't see how many spammers we get who join, lurk for a few days, and then bomb us. The assumption that new members have demonstrated commitment just by joining is not supported by experience, unfortunately. We don't want members who have offered something for sale getting PMs from newbies who have not yet had the opportunity to see how things work. Misposting by new members is not a big problem, but even that would be reduced if they read the guidelines.

The guidelines describe all the forums and their associated rules in detail, and we specifically ask the new members acknowledge a willingness to follow them.

Any rules related to access to the for-sale forum will become more restrictive, not less, if they need to change at all, such as by requiring a meaningful post count. But all such filters are imperfect and have unintended consequences.

If that is perceived as arrogant or no more than a hazing ritual, so be it. It's not that, really. Sorry to those who think it is.

Rick "large format is about patience" Denney

[Leigh]

Any rules related to access to the for-sale forum will become more restrictive, not less, if they need to change at all, such as by requiring a meaningful post count.

I like the minimum post count idea. In fact, I thought that was already the case.

- Leigh