Multiple Threads in the BST Forum

[sneekypeet]

mods dont have the ability to allow such things, it needs to be looked at as an option in the forums, more of an admin thing. I dont even know if its possible or if W1zzard wants to make that bit plausible.

 

[Kantastic]

mods dont have the ability to allow such things, it needs to be looked at as an option in the forums, more of an admin thing. I dont even know if its possible or if W1zzard wants to make that bit plausible.

 

[Mussels]

one problem is that people could change the titles so often, users could lose the old thread.

you know - "i bought X item from user Y, and now the thread is gone! waaah!"

 

[theonedub]

I thought a problem with user thread title changes is inappropriate language or whatnot being used. I think the forum titles (even for FS threads) appear on the homepage, so that could be a problem, maybe?

 

[Mussels]

I thought a problem with user thread title changes is inappropriate language or whatnot being used. I think the forum titles (even for FS threads) appear on the homepage, so that could be a problem, maybe?

that too.


I think what we're looking for here, is some kind of creative solution. People are unhappy with the current method, and theres too many flaws with the offered solution - so nothing will change til we get a better idea to use as the solution.

 

[DonInKansas]

one problem is that people could change the titles so often, users could lose the old thread.

you know - "i bought X item from user Y, and now the thread is gone! waaah!"

If you know who user Y is, you can search by their name. Problem solved.

 

[Mussels]

If you know who user Y is, you can search by their name. Problem solved.

true, but my point stands. it adds complication - its bad enough when people edit posts and DELETE sold items (as opposed to throwing them in a SOLD section, or under spoiler tags or something)

 

[DonInKansas]

true, but my point stands. it adds complication - its bad enough when people edit posts and DELETE sold items (as opposed to throwing them in a SOLD section, or under spoiler tags or something)

Oh man, that drives me nuts. I'm of the opinion if it's sold you should delete it. It's irritating to run a search for an item and have someone's thread come up and have it being sold. If you bought something from a forumite you should have at least one PM from them anyways. It would take a seriously odd series of circumstances to now be able to track down someone you did a deal with.

 

[Mussels]

Oh man, that drives me nuts. I'm of the opinion if it's sold you should delete it. It's irritating to run a search for an item and have someone's thread come up and have it being sold. If you bought something from a forumite you should have at least one PM from them anyways. It would take a seriously odd series of circumstances to now be able to track down someone you did a deal with.

exactly! theres ups and downs to both sides of this whole thing. As i said, we really need some good ideas on how to revamp the system

 

[Kreij]

That why I thought a database would work the best. Each user could have records associated with their name containing fields like;
date entered
Seller
item name
description
search tags
picture
price
Sold
Buyer

You could search by item type or show all items still available by user name, give a date range for currently added items, etc. etc. Offers could be handled in PMs, so there would not be any bumping of threads. When an item is sold, the record owner just sets the "Sold" filed to true, and it does not show up on the active lists anymore (but is still in the database).

Like I said, it would be some work to implement, but would be relatively easy to maintain as you could have tools to clean it up and such. Sort of like a TPU-eBay.

Maybe I've been programming database apps for too long.

 

[pantherx12]

Maybe if it were easier to change thread titles rather then needing to request in that section.

I think a few FS threads is fine personally, its like having departments ha ha

 

[kyle2020]

If members had control over their own thread titles, they would only ever need to open one thread, just keep renaming and editing the original when it comes time to sell, same for buying.

I agree with the annoyance over several threads per person, Ive seen one senior member in particular (not naming any names, thats childish) with 3 FS thread open at once, all with different items - why not just combine them in to one mega thread?

 

[pantherx12]

If members had control over their own thread titles, they would only ever need to open one thread, just keep renaming and editing the original when it comes time to sell, same for buying.

I agree with the annoyance over several threads per person, Ive seen one senior member in particular (not naming any names, thats childish) with 3 FS thread open at once, all with different items - why not just combine them in to one mega thread?

Never worked in retail have you?

More items in one "display" decreases the likelihood of a customer choosing 1 item.

Its comparing a junk shop where you might find something good to a nicely laid out display in a professional shop.

 

[kyle2020]

Never worked in retail have you?

More items in one "display" decreases the likelihood of a customer choosing 1 item.

Its comparing a junk shop where you might find something good to a nicely laid out display in a professional shop.

Yes, Ive been working in retail for almost 4 years now, but we arent in a shop, more like an ad in a newspaper, nothing like ebay or your local asda, just advertise your stuff and hope someone wants it, or is enticed by your price.

 

[pantherx12]

Poor example.

I can put more then one ad in the paper.

If for example you look I had 2 high value items in separate FS threads ( both over 100 or so monies)

and I have 1 general FS thread for items I care less about.

I've 1 "junk bin" type FS "ad" and 2 separate high value items.

If anything this actually helps people who are looking for an item in particular.

 

[Fitseries3]

i can argue both sides to this.

for one... if i put FITs in the title people swarm to the thread to see what i have. that DOESNT work for everyone though. i have established myself as a person who sells MINT, quality items that are usually popular. therefore, people look to see what i have. this may not be true with someone newish that no one knows anything about. people would just skip over that persons thread.


i've listed items both ways, as a collective thread and has a individual item thread.

theres advantages to each.

for an individual item thread, if you have something thats in high/good demand, a title such as "corsair hx750 watt psu" would attract alot of people and it would most likely sell really quick if the price is right. the problem is people get mad that you have 10 threads that only have 1 item.


when you have one thread with lots of items all the items are in one place and its more likely that someone will buy more than one item. it cuts down on # of threads but may not get the same attention as a single item thread. "bobs misc parts" thread would not get near as many lookers as "corsair dominator gt 3x2gb kit"

i know i know... FIT, put the items in the title that you are selling. EX: "gskill 3x2gb ddr3, corsair psu, cosmos s, watercooling supplies, logitech g5". thats a long title and what if you had too many items to list?

theres no one solution that will keep everyone happy here. we all have our own opinion on this topic.


my suggestion though...

3 threads max per person.

ONE WTB thread
ONE collective items thread
ONE individual item thread

and thats it.

once you sell/buy everything you want/need close the thread.

i think that 3 per person max would cut down alot of excess threads but still allow us to get stuff sold rather quickly.

thats my opinion, whats yours?

 

[brandonwh64]

I would also like to proposition changing it from ever 24 hours bumps to ever 4-6 hours like other forums?

 

[pantherx12]

I would be happy with the system fits has suggested myself.

 

[DonInKansas]

If we are allowed to change our own thread titles, we can highlight the popular items that we may sell and also add "....and MORE!" There's no reason to have more than one FS thread if thread titles are alterable. It's not like in other sections where a thread title change would alter the topic and risk off topic conversation; it's a FS Thread. People are there to buy and sell stuff. If everyone has less threads, it allows the "lesser knowns" to spend more time on the front page where they will have more exposure.

Also with this, no one would ever HAVE to close a thread. You wouldn't have to sift past the closed threads and spend the 3-4 days those take to fall into oblivion. I don't know how much clutter dead threads eat up serverwise, but less clutter can't be bad, can it?

 

[pantherx12]

I suggested editable titles soon after my first FS thread.

It be super .


I still think separate WTB threads should be okay.

 

[Fitseries3]

once you get more than one page in a FS thread ppl tend not to look at the first post anymore.

once my threads get to the 2nd page all i get is endless bumps until i make a new thread.

 

[sneekypeet]

I think you all are overthinking this.

I have run 3 sales in 2 years, the latest being Peety's mini sale, and I have no issues moving anything. The numbers next to my thread tell all the story needed. IIRC my thread had like 11,000 views, now I know it isnt just TPU'ers, as I have had many instances where new members have signed up to PM me about my goods. So I dont think titles have much to do with it.

Why dont we work at making the multi-thread rule come into place first and see if it helps, then worry about the title changes.

BTW, no one said you couldn't start a new multi-sale after the first one is empty with a more specific title to the group

 

[Fitseries3]

its because you have an established name like me.

its not entirely fair.

 

[sneekypeet]

sure it is, I had one thread when I started selling here at TPU, it was my 939 rig...IIRC I sold the bulk of the PC in like 5 minutes to Bogmali. I was fresh and had no heat. still made a sale

To me its all about timing, if you have what someone wants its going to sell regardless of HEAT or n00bishness. On the flip side, I have had cases sit for weeks, they dont tend to sell as often as say ram, PSU's or VGA's.

 

[DonInKansas]

I'm with peet on this one. I don't care if your name is fitseries3, sneekypeet, or Z0mGBuYmAHstuff. If you've got good stuff people want at good prices, it will go. I've bought from high and low heat people. If someone's not willing to look at a person's thread because of their post count or name, that's their loss. People have also had deals go bad with high and low Heat people. It's the risk of doing business online.

The fact that people have that many threads going might also discourage new sellers due to thinking that their thread may get lost in the shuffle.