Need opinions about businesses selling on our site...

sfdon said:
Perhaps look at the craigslist model.

Parts for sale by Owner
Parts for sale by Dealer.

The definitions are fairly clear. An individual selling off unneeded parts on an irregular basis.
A dealer has a continuing supply.
If you don't want to look at dealer inventory- don't click on that category.
Click to expand...

+1
 
I like it just the way it is! I've been using UBB forums for over 15 years and this one is great. The active user community will grow because coupes will be sold to younger enthusiasts that were born when Windows '95 was the installed operating system, and the MacBook didn't exist.

Keep it as is and adjust as needed.

You can have all of my file attachment space if you give me a larger PM allowance!!! :)
 
sfdon said:
Perhaps look at the craigslist model.

Parts for sale by Owner
Parts for sale by Dealer.

The definitions are fairly clear. An individual selling off unneeded parts on an irregular basis.
A dealer has a continuing supply.
If you don't want to look at dealer inventory- don't click on that category.
Click to expand...
this works, and i would be fine with it.

not withstanding qthegenius, i never have had an issue when Ben posted stuff from LJI, he did it when they were introducing a new part which brought attention to the newly available part. Coupeking + Coupeguy rarely post items for sale, I took Coupeking up on the alpina style lug nut special he offered us ... and i certainly have and will buy more things from Don. wherever these guys post, it will get my attention. these guys have all contributed to information on this board as well as selling parts - this is what separates them from many. the point is, it doesn't matter where they post, i will look at them. i presume that long term members with cottage industry parts would not be part of the dealer section - such as the many perfect things that Stan has brought us.

here's an outside benefit to this approach, there probably won't be as many posts in this forum, this means that their posts will be more visible on the first page for a longer period of time - which would be a win for them.
 
for sale...

I agree with stevenhose on the 2002faq...I'm not a computer guy, but I feel like the loading of the ads there, is part of why it has become sooo sloooooow for each click...I also agree with sfdon on the CL approach of individual/dealer.
I'm always reminded of what F1 cars looked like pre-advertisments...not that that is relevant, except for the "only a virgin once" relation...
Thanks for doing what you do, and doing it well.
 
You can also have an unaffiliated cars and parts section if you want. I know I post lots of unaffiliated stuff.
 
I am with Markos and others. Keep it simple. Keep it as it is. It has worked just fine. New and improved is hardly ever either. Steve
 
Leave the site as it is. Other forums that have businesses involved keep pushing all their products even if it has nothing to do the the type of car the forum is designed for.
 
deQuincey said:
one of the good things of this forum is that there is no other distraction, no banners, no adverts, nothing

the stucture is good and you can find what you want to see

i participated in other local forum until they decided to go for banners and adverts, i felt too many sticks in my wheel to be free to participate satisfactorily, i gave up

if you want to leave a space for business adverts, just create a subforum, the sort of thing you decide to see or not, it might be in the classifieds

if we need money, i will be happy to donate better than being molested by banners or adverts

my 02 !;-)
Click to expand...
a huge +1
 
I think most of us know where to find CK, LJI etc and their websites list a lot of parts that we all happily buy. These guys are great and they provide a valuable service and we should go to their websites and buy stuff from them.

If, from time to time, they introduce a new part or have a new batch of a product that has been unavailable for a long time, I would welcome a post here to notify us of that. For example, when CK staggered 16" wheels became available or when a special deal to our group ($100 for Alpina style lug nuts) comes up.

My 2 cents
 
sfdon said:
Perhaps look at the craigslist model.

Parts for sale by Owner
Parts for sale by Dealer.

The definitions are fairly clear. An individual selling off unneeded parts on an irregular basis.
A dealer has a continuing supply.
If you don't want to look at dealer inventory- don't click on that category.
Click to expand...

I would be totally in favor of this system. This basically offers the best of both worlds: most of the site stays as it is but we also get one centrally located place to find offers from these businesses whom we often depend on and who depend on us. It is clear no one wants banner and ads but at the same time it is in our best interest that these guys stay healthy as well.

It's a win/win situation.
 
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