Marketplace Forum Restriction For New Members

[electrofaro]

Sometimes I find that I can make a comment even in an area that I wouldn't necessarily think that I could, e.g. this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=393460

I am not left-handed, but I do own a left-handed Rickenbacker, so I made a comment based on an observation.

I'm master of a lot of things, including making off topic replies, derailing whole topics but it does raise one's post count!

You're not left-handed yet own a left-handed Ric? Got it stringed (is that a word?) for right-handed playing? Or just collecting?

I think these rules are okay - it would be bad if these forums degraded to hit-and-run members who only post a few times to sell/buy a Rick. Right now there's a lot of knowledge of Ricks and other guitars/basses which is invaluable if you ask me!

[rickenbrother]

I like that this restriction has gone into place. Since the Marketplace became an area that only active forum members could see, we've had the upsurge of people who register, but never post.
This forum has become like a family for many and we are very welcoming and accepting of newcomers, but we don't appreciate the hit and run opportunists or scammers.

[jps]

+1 on Joey's comment. This forum has turned into something far greater than just an "on-line community"; we have confluences and small gatherings where we get to truly enjoy the fruits of Peter McCormack's labor.

[winston]

The restriction was put in place in response to suggestions from a number of our highly respected long term members. From my perspective it has served its intended purpose well and the input we received was well thought out and much appreciated.

[mdeayton]

I originally joined the forum so I could buy a Rick from a reputable seller in an online community rather than taking a chance on eBay. As a potential new Rickenbacker owner at the time, I found the forum to be a fantastic resource, and therefore I had no qualms purchasing from the Marketplace - however if I had to wait until I had 100 posts in order to buy a Rick on the forum I doubt I would have had the patience to wait that long.

I think by restricting the Marketplace to new members who have 100 posts you may end up discouraging new members from joining, who, like me, preferred to buy their first Rickenbacker from a forum member. I realise that many people who join the forum already own Ricks, but I imagine there are a number of potential members who don't own a Rick but who are keen to join the club by buying a used Rick.

Just my 2 cents worth

[beatlefreak]

The problem is, Mark, that there have been people who join the forun just to buy or sell a Rickenbacker, but then don't contribute to the discussions. The marketplace was created to give active forum members a chance to buy or sell before they have to resort to Ebay.

[mdeayton]

The problem is, Mark, that there have been people who join the forun just to buy or sell a Rickenbacker, but then don't contribute to the discussions. The marketplace was created to give active forum members a chance to buy or sell before they have to resort to Ebay.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the reasoning and agree with the sentiment, but by doing this you are preventing your long standing forum members from selling to Rick-less people who are keen to buy one - which for a forum that, for example, was very welcoming, friendly and helpful to me when I joined up looking to buy a 4003 seems like an unnecessary restriction.

Why stop your established members from being able to sell to the great unwashed, free from the complications and fees of eBay? If it's technically possible, perhaps you could restrict new members from posting in the Marketplace, so they can't join up solely for the purpose of selling, but still give them viewing access in case they see a instrument for sale that they'd like to buy? Long standing forum members would not be disadvantaged by that.

[ozover50]

My thoughts exactly, Mark. If the restrictions could be applied to selling by new members rather than both selling and buying that would be a good thing in my opinion.

Given that there are both 'for sale' and 'wanted' sections in the marketplace I would think it would be possible to set up but I'm no expert in these matters.

[doctorwho]

... You're not left-handed yet own a left-handed Ric? Got it stringed (is that a word?) for right-handed playing? Or just collecting? ...

Just collecting, as I had bid on this on eBay because it was more-or-less local to me, and I was sure that I'd be outbid ... but wasn't.

January 1982 310 JG LH

It will stay strung as it should be (left-handed). I am currently working on it (new strings, Scratch-X/Zymol, ...), which includes adding back a RIC bridge (it had a 'Tuna-Matic' on when I bought it, as shown in the picture ...) and it isn't lining up quite right.

[rickenbrother]

My thoughts exactly, Mark. If the restrictions could be applied to selling by new members rather than both selling and buying that would be a good thing in my opinion.

Given that there are both 'for sale' and 'wanted' sections in the marketplace I would think it would be possible to set up but I'm no expert in these matters.

Aitch you make a good point, though there are no restrictions on new members for asking if anyone has a Rick to sell.

[sloop_john_b]

(it had a 'Tuna-Matic' on when I bought it, as shown in the picture ...)

Hey! How dare they put that tonally superior bridge that improves tuning, sustain, and volume on their Rick! FOR SHAME!

[8mileshigher]

Gary:

What do you mean that you're only going to polish it, change the Bridge and re-string it
Come on ..... We want you to play your Left-handed Ric at the next Mini Con Jam !!

[doctorwho]

Gary:

What do you mean that you're only going to polish it, change the Bridge and re-string it
Come on ..... We want you to play your Left-handed Ric at the next Mini Con Jam !!

Yeah, right!

I do hope to have it fully operational, though, so that any left-handed players who might attend can have another guitar to play.

[collin]

I think 100 posts is a bit excessive.


I think the rule itself is great, but even 50 posts would serve its purpose well. Any member who has participated to 50 posts has already well-engaged themselves in conversation enough to join in the buying/selling, IMO.

[admin]

A persuasive argument, Collin. Stand by for an adjustment to the posting criterion.