I propose a change for the classifieds sections

chicane

chicane

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This is a suggestion but it is also implemented elsewhere including forums like M3Forum.net.

Proposed change:
"Before anyone can post an ad in the for sale sections they must have 100 posts or be a member in good standing for a year or more". This prevents fly-by-nighters or others to post their wares without contributing to the forum as a whole and it gives the community a chance to get to know they people they are buying from.
 
Personally, I'd prefer to see what's for sale and make a judgement from that point on versus keeping potential E9 coupe parts and cars away. I also wouldn't compare the M3 crowd with the E9 crowd. We have limited numbers and I'd have to say that the average age of ownership is older, I mean, wiser! Apples and oranges! ;-)
 
Proposed change in c'fieds

I guess I can understand your desire to have everyone that wants to sell a coupe on "our" board to basically be "vetted". I agree that it'd be great to know that the seller kinda knows what they are talking about; that bubbles in the paint aren't from bad paint. Most of us know better.

I'll give a couple of examples of why I respectfully disagree..

A good "barn find". Yeah, I know that this is the stuff that dreams are made of, but when an unmolested car is found by a non-vetted,non-coupe owner, I would rather see it here, than fleabay or BAT, as I, as many, come here with more frequency than other venues. It also allows that person to have the car "reviewed" (ahem..) by the good folks here for free. And hopefully we all learn something about our cars. And sometimes the critics. That's what makes horse races....

The guy in New Bern,NC that bought his coupe from his late friend's widow (more as a favor), and as a self-professed non-car guy, he did appreciate the car, and want it to go to someone who knows coupes, and would love it. (See classifieds if its still there, a very nice, not-buggered up e9)...

Under your proposal, I would not have the 72 Bakail coupe that I bought in June (my 2nd) from a young man from TX, that had a 2002 as well. It was too much of a project for him. But he knew about e9coupe.com. It was his first post, and perhaps his last, as far as I know. Once again he could have gone to other venues to sell, but he knew someone here would love it, and not cut it up into pieces parts as it might have been. He knew it was better than that, and wanted to find a good home. I like to think it has...

I wonder how may first-time coupe owners try to eat that 72 ounce steak, only to realize that they have to cut and run. Coupes to me, anyway, are like a marriage to an iceberg. What you see isn't necessarily what you get. I came close to bailing out on my first one. Thanks to many here, I didn't. But I didn't post much either for fear of looking like the noobie dumbass that I was. (I did call Murray alot..) Read and learned. As Mark Twain (I think..) said "Better to keep your mouth shut and appear an idiot, than to open it and confirm the fact.." And yes, I would have posted it here for sale if I had given up. To those who decide coupedom is too much, or if SHE decides, or if your company downsizes, or...whatever, I'd rather see it posted here for all of us to review, than to just see eight bad pictures and two paragraphs (no rust evident..ran when parked..paint shines up great...chrome just needs a good polishing..brake pedal in trunk...etc) on Ebay. Just my 3.0 cents worth. Dave V. in NC
 
I prefer to see as many adds as possible. This is a small group and the volume of parts/cars out there are not great. So, the more adds the better. Other forums with lots of car parts, I agree with the original poster about limiting sales...but man, its hard to get parts for E9s.
The question I would pose is...how would we benefit by limiting sales posts?
abe
 
I would second Dan's response.

And I think to the point of furthering the already mostly collegial tone found here would be the completion by new and continuing members of some identification aspect of their real-world identity so we can attach a face and place to the forum alias.

It's great for meeting folks at coupe-related events and this is a small enough group that the content coming from those that choose to remain completely anonymous can be judiciously ignored.

Have a great 2009...
 
I can see both sides of the issue but I think the age (maturity) of this crowd takes care of 95% of the problems that other boards have.

Also - our posting volume is low enought that we can fairly quickly weed out the chaff from the wheat....

My thoughts anyway....
 
dang said:
Personally, I'd prefer to see what's for sale and make a judgement from that point on versus keeping potential E9 coupe parts and cars away. I also wouldn't compare the M3 crowd with the E9 crowd. We have limited numbers and I'd have to say that the average age of ownership is older, I mean, wiser! Apples and oranges! ;-)
Click to expand...

Then there has to be some other way of vetting sellers, a feedback forum perhaps or something else. You have guys that just show up here when they have something to sell and others who appear once to sell something e9 related that they came across. Just looking out for fellow coupsters.
 
Not sure if you worry about traffic level or seller credentials.

There are about 1000 members so this is an effective venue for sellers to advertise E9 related stuff, but not very useful for non E9 sales. In a way the system is working fine with traffic that is manageable and relevant.

As for seller reputation, you are right. Other than implementing a feedback system, it is not that easy. I could write a bunch of useless posts really quick (some may say I already have...) My reality is that I have traded E9 stuff with about 15 people here and trust has not been an issue at all.
 
Why? This is the obvious place for anyone who has a coupe or coupe related parts to sell them. If we place unreasonable conditions on posting, then perhaps we risk not having access to cars or parts that are of value to the members here. Caveat emptor.
 
gmad said:
Why? This is the obvious place for anyone who has a coupe or coupe related parts to sell them. If we place unreasonable conditions on posting, then perhaps we risk not having access to cars or parts that are of value to the members here. Caveat emptor.
Click to expand...

Why just caveat emptor? If you put reasonable precautions in place to protect against misuse and fraud.
 
Why do we need to take precautions? Have there been a lot of scam artists using the forum? Not that I can see. There is a difference between the latter and those who feel that their goods and services are worth an inflated value, which to my eye is the most common transgression that occurs. From my anecdotal observations this community is an educated, worldly group that can look after itself.

Like I said before, the restrictions you suggest are quite onerous and could possibly lead to valuable cars and parts not appearing in the forum that makes the most sense.

Happy New Year.
 
chicane said:
... or be a member in good standing....
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Be careful of what you wish for, keeping in mind that this is subjective and you haven't won the hearts and minds of all on the board.

Seriously, I'm against this proposal. Under this plan I would be restricted despite the fact that:
I have a coupe,
I have extra parts for the coupe and
I may have access to parts and/or cars that not all board readers have.
In effect I would be restricted because of the combination that I lurked longer than maybe I should have and I don't post often enough. The forum is not the only medium for communication.

BTW, if it weren't for a "fly-by-nighter" that has a total of one post, I wouldn't have the car in the garage that I do now.
 
cs posters

I believe all sides. I think it's good to see all we can, as a coupe group. I have a bunch of coupe parts for sale but never seem to get many quality responses. It's very hard to judge a person online, it's much better to speak to them. I always want to speak to a person to get a good sense and feel who they really are. I will be bringing some parts and wood trim to Vintage at the Vineyards for sale. Let me know what you need. Thanks, Tom
 
As a very new member to e9coupe forum, I believe the proposal by Chicane to limit postings to be without merit for the following reasons- 1-clearly the audience has no reservation to providing opinions on any posting; 2-these opinions have provided me more insight into sellers and vehicles (with or without 100 postings) than any other forum; 3- this is the best way for limited supply to remain within reach for the non-professional collector.
 
The suggestion to impose new rules is with merit, buy why formally establish restrictive standards when this site has been based on freedom to express coupe related entries? We are a band of coupe enthusiasts brought together BECAUSE OF the loose structure of this site. Chicane has a passion for integrity and has submitted a legitimate concern that may be necessary to impose at a future time. So, I suggest Chicane keep a tally of offending entries over time and report back with the hard evidence so the group can act accordingly. As of now, I do not see why changes should be made on supposition.
 
beachbaby said:
As a very new member to e9coupe forum, I believe the proposal by Chicane to limit postings to be without merit for the following reasons- 1-clearly the audience has no reservation to providing opinions on any posting; 2-these opinions have provided me more insight into sellers and vehicles (with or without 100 postings) than any other forum; 3- this is the best way for limited supply to remain within reach for the non-professional collector.
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I take exception. You may not agree with it but it does indeed have merit.
 
petert said:
The suggestion to impose new rules is with merit, buy why formally establish restrictive standards when this site has been based on freedom to express coupe related entries? We are a band of coupe enthusiasts brought together BECAUSE OF the loose structure of this site. Chicane has a passion for integrity and has submitted a legitimate concern that may be necessary to impose at a future time. So, I suggest Chicane keep a tally of offending entries over time and report back with the hard evidence so the group can act accordingly. As of now, I do not see why changes should be made on supposition.
Click to expand...

Everyone has a good point. Forum comments are great int eh classifieds section but I still believe at the very least some formal feedback system (similar to ebay) and at least if you are new to the board have the decency to introduce yourself to the board in the general section BEFORE you begin posting ads so we know who the heck you are.
 
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