You have some really valid points so I'll try to make sure I respond to them all.
The decision had absolutely nothing to do with bandwidth, "clutter", hard drive space, or trying to cut down on chatter. It had everything to do with people who can't manage to behave. I was tired of deleting posts, locking threads, posting warning after warning after warning, and losing members. From a different perspective, many ads went something like this:
Seller: I have something for sale
Response1: Location? Price?
Response2: Will it fit XXXX?
Seller: I'm in Sometown. Asking $$$$. Email
me@someplace.com or phone ########
Response3: You're on crack if you think it's worth that much.
Response4: I have one in better condition for sale.
Response5: Really? How much?
Seller: Why don't you start your own ad. My price is firm.
Response6: What a rusty pile.
Response7: I bought one just like it for $3 in 1983.
Response8: I never pay more than $10 but I'd give you <some price around 1/100th of the asking price>.
Response9: My uncle had one but it was blue.
Seller: Still for sale.
Response10: Is it still for sale?
Response11: Is this item still for sale? How much? Where are you located?
Seller: Price lowered to $$$. Must sell.
Response12: Price gouger. You're an &*(*&$ if you think you can get that much.
Response13: This isn't Barrett Jackson, get real.
Response14: <brings up an exchange between self and seller from 5 years ago> Hey jerk why do you sell your junk somewhere else.
Seller: You never paid deadbeat. On top of that you expected free shipping on an engine, 4 bumpers, and a frame rail. This guy is a fraud!
Response15: I still hate you.
Response16: I only paid $5 for the one on my Ford. You rich guys and flippers are ruining our hobby!
Seller: Screw you guys, I'm going somewhere else.
Response17: Is it still for sale?
In between that mess I get three PMs from the seller complaining about the rude responses, three PMs from buyers who think the seller is rude, four reported posts from random readers of the ad, and then the seller responds to someone else's post in a rude manner because *I* allowed it to happen to him, which sets of another round of PMs and reported posts. Don't forget to add in the "trolls" who only post to insult others and sellers who are "one post wonders" and it becomes a full time job. I do NOT have the time or energy to babysit. Frankly, I shouldn't have to but it's obvious that many adults are hardly "grown up".
Sellers are supposed to post contact information. I can enforce that so there is a means of communication for every ad. I can't imagine why someone would post an ad with no contact information whatsoever and still expect to sell anything - but they do. Of course, these are usually the same people who complain incessantly about how selling parts here "sucks". Sellers are still allowed to update, modify, and respond to their own ads so they have the ability to mark it as sold or ask one of the moderators to delete it. Buyers still have the ability to ask questions - just not in the ad. If the seller would update the ad as more information is available then the only thing missing are the public responses - which are what caused all the problems in the first place. Honestly, whenever I see a good deal on something I want I contact the seller directly via phone or email right then. There's no value in waiting for them to respond to an ad if it's something I really need/want because their response will usually be that the item is sold. Maybe that's just me.
As for traffic, the Classifieds sections fall at or near the bottom of the list in views, threads, and posts. As much as I hate the comparison, Moparts manages to list about 100 times more classified ads and they strictly enforce their "contact information required" and "classifieds are NOT discussion forums" rules so it can (and does) work. Their ads have a much shorter lifespan as well.
The Classifieds have been a thorn in my side for the last three years at least. They are one of the largest sources of complaints (buyers and sellers). However, I do think they are a valuable part of the site or they'd have disappeared a long time ago. There are few "automatically" enforceable rules because they are part of the forum (ie. I can't have the software determine if an ad has contact information - I have to personally look at every one). It is possible - and probable - that the classifieds will change again. One of my goals is to move the classifieds to their own software which will make them more like true classified ads such as craigslist, AutoTrader, etc. The software can enforce posting rules and time limits without me spending 4-5 hours per week on it.
As far as what "we" owe "our" members, well, that's an interesting statement. *I* honestly don't feel that *I*
owe anything to anyone. Maybe that sounds a wee bit conceited or arrogant but... this site exists for the exchange of information and to provide a community for people with a common interest. At this time, this site is solely funded and maintained by
me. I have a tremendous amount of help from the other moderators and they all volunteer their time as well. I do this (and I think the others do too) because I really enjoy it and I think that it is important for the owners/fans of these cars to have a place where they can find information, help, support, and even new friends. So, it's more likely that "we" owe the moderators some common courtesy and try to make their jobs as hassle-free as possible so they can enjoy all of the other great things that come with being part of the community.
I'm open to suggestions on how to make it better AND less of a hassle.
Troy
