Does anyone feel like this board has become

[Stusdesktop]

I'm torn on the subject.

While I appreciate the original posters desire to see less of the one post wanted threads, I also dislike pigeon holing people purely on some theoretical good post count.

I don't post a great deal, preferring instead to read, learn and try things. There are so many people around here who have nearly all the answers, my input is laughable. Then there is the rest of RC (especially the diy section), too many ideas and not enough time to try them all. I'd imagine a lot of people who are relatively new are doing something similar, trying to keep on top of everything as they learn. I think they're also the same people who you want to keep around and not alienate, they are the ones who in a few years will be answering questions for new comers.

Having said that, a WTS/WTB/trading thread would seem like a decent approach and having it stickied would keep it out of the way of the "info" threads.

 

[TomBONAIRE]

My 0.02 cents..

I believe that the main purpose of having a hobby oriented forum like RC is to share knowledge, experiences and help each other. Yes, I am a newbie and don't even have a saltwater tank yet and I read this forum everyday and gain knowledge. Yes, I am planning my tank and 'am gathering hardware needed to set one up. And yes, I was going to start a WTB thread as well (Maybe cant now).

The reason that I don't have a high post count is because I have nothing meaningful to add. I am still learning and reading the already existing vast knowledge in RC. All the questions I had were already asked and answered as well ( search functionality does miracles ). Maybe once my tank is up and running, I would have questions but for now I would not keep posting just to increase my post count.

Which then leads to the 50/90 rule. If a person has 50 MEANINGFUL posts, he would mostly have started a tank by then and would have had most of the hardware. Maybe the stuff selling here might be an upgrade to him, but that does not mean that its a necessity. I think newbies too should have a shot for ask/purchase stuff as well because it might be a necessity for him. This is an expensive hobby, and beginners like me would love to keep the costs down and if we are getting some used hardware for cheap, its great. I could search at eBay or CL to get stuff, but I'd prefer to get it from an experienced local reefer who has first hand knowledge and instructions and could help me setting it up. We tend to make more mistakes because of our inexperience, but at least the used hardware is where we could cut our losses.

Being a newbie is hard and this post is not intended to offend anyone, but just to point out what we appreciate being a part of this community. So please do not judge all newbies based on a few bitter experiences. After all, everyone was a newbie at some point in the hobby..

PS: I do believe that not thanking someone is indeed rude.

I'm in similar circumstances. Kudos. Well said.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

How are we alienating people by telling them that they cant have lf posts unless you hit 50/90?

 

[cardiffgiant]

i had a guy that had 2 posts ask me to paint his harley and he would give me a couple frags when he got his tank up and running. HE DIDNT EVEN OWN A TANK BUT HE HOPED TO IN THE UPCOMING YEAR ! i said how about you pay for the paint job and when he finally gets a tank i would trade him a couple frags. guy was looking for a $4000 paint job for a couple frags and then told me i was a jerk and i dint know how to run a business. ahahahahaha.....yes i do ...keep business and my hobby seperate. i never met the guy nor have i ever seen him back on here ever again ! weird.......
if ive dealt with someone in the past and had gotten to know them and like them.......i would work with them but holy crap. but before he called me a jerk he asked me if i had any equipment laying around he could have for free. some people have no shame:wildone:

Man, that tops my oddball trade stories. :eek1:

 

[gary greguire]

Wow realy glad there wasen't a thread like this when I joined or I probably wouldn't be here. I think my first post was how do i join, second post was can I attend your swap, and third I have lots of softies for sale. That first swap was great I met lots of great people sold a bunch of coral and had a great time.

I think some of the folks you see here looking for things are people that someone sent here, from the club or one of the shops. They were probably never told to take a little time to introduce themselves and talk about what they are planning before jumping in and asking for what they are looking for.

I agree with if you don't like it don't respond!!!!!

But lets not try to scare the new people away. I mean then who would we sell our old junk to.

At least this thread got everyone talking the club was getting a little boring.

 

[Flanders]

I think its a more general statement from people who have been here for many years.

It seems more like people who have been here for many years don't seem to care, and a few people who have been here for a year or two somehow think the forum went in the crapper during their comparatively short time here. It's ridiculous. The one constant on the internet is some people will be annoying. It's nothing new.

 

[Jacwil]

I dont think you understand the point and I don't believe anyone has stated that RC has gone to crap.

Furthermore, telling some of us that our opinions are ridiculous isn't going to help anything!

 

[jfl14609]

Gary I think the point is that people are just coming here to get deals thats it. They try to look at the for sale forums and with the 50/90 rule they cant so they find a loophole in the want to buy. But whenever you contact them about something they are looking for they come back with really insulting offers ie "I will give you $75 for that mp40" that was a classic I had a while ago

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

It seems more like people who have been here for many years don't seem to care, and a few people who have been here for a year or two somehow think the forum went in the crapper during their comparatively short time here. It's ridiculous. The one constant on the internet is some people will be annoying. It's nothing new.

I've only been here a year and I've seen several posts about how the group doesn't seem as close knit as it once was. I'm not sure, I wasn't here 5 years ago so I can only go by posts I've read and this is probably the 3rd or 4th thread I've seen that was started by well respected posters.

I'm sure some people like yourself just brush it off, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to do that.

 

[jfl14609]

I dont know that I really care what people do its more of an annoyance. I kind of enjoyed wit when the new people came on and asked questions it kind of made the forum exciting. Right now it seems like the only active topic is led as its a new technology and being we have one of the best people as far as led knowledge goes in our forum its the best place to be.

 

[Paul B]

I have been here, I think 7 or 8 years and I didn't even know there was a buying and selling forum. I have never been on it. But I just went there and saw it. Interesting.
OK now I don't have to go there any more because it doesn't interest me. :beer:

 

[Gravesj1s]

For the most part I try to stay out of debates.But, I cant help noticing that things may have been taken out of context or misinterpreted.
Despite what some may think this is not the first time a thread like this one has surfaced,and in fact within the past year.

Now that complaint thread developed after a trendy pattern of people using the forum for what was looking like their own personal swapsheet/garage sale.There were threads showing up with an item relisted that was just sold a week ago,posted backup for sale with a higher asking price.Ive also seen coral I sold for next to nothing relisted within the same week though again at a higher price and less in size. Would that bother you?
(And no I dont remember who or even care who,its not about that so please dont ask)

So going off of that,and maybe noticing more than usual wtb,fs,L/f threads pop up is likely the basis for the thread.

Personally, I dont think Eastam is way off base in asking for a change,though maybe a different approach might have been better.More democratic,perhaps.A poll conducted then brought to the atten of the mods is a fair way to go about.Imo.I dont know what you guys /ladies think of that but thought it was worth a mention.

From what the mod posted back a pg. RC isn't going to pose rules specifically for one forum and it seems some adendum to the terms of use is out.But he did not rule out the possibility of a sticky for rules of etiquette ,only that it will likely not be enforced.
Eastam ,here I bought you a beer :beer:
-Steve

 

[cardiffgiant]

Gary I think the point is that people are just coming here to get deals thats it. They try to look at the for sale forums and with the 50/90 rule they cant so they find a loophole in the want to buy. But whenever you contact them about something they are looking for they come back with really insulting offers ie "I will give you $75 for that mp40" that was a classic I had a while ago

I'm prepared to offer you $76.

I had a guy from the main forum try to buy my old blueline pump from me. The shipping on it was going to be a bit steep. He talked it down and I was comfortable with the price. They he asked me to include a bunch of free frags in the box. I told him that 1) there wasn't room in the box, 2) you don't want to ship an external pump in the same box with bags of water, and 3) going from ground to overnight delivery would increase the shipping by about $100. I offered to ship the corals separately if he paid the actual shipping.

He flat out accusing me of trying to cheat him out of his money and insulted me. Real nice.

But, my experience across the board (new people, folks that have been around, and people from the main forum) is that these incidents are exceptions.

 

[Flanders]

I've only been here a year and I've seen several posts about how the group doesn't seem as close knit as it once was. I'm not sure, I wasn't here 5 years ago so I can only go by posts I've read and this is probably the 3rd or 4th thread I've seen that was started by well respected posters.

I'm sure some people like yourself just brush it off, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to do that.

It's true that the group isn't as anywhere near as close-knit as it once was.

I understand the issue. I'm not telling anyone they have to brush it off. I'm saying I think it's silly. Complaining about a constant on the internet will get you nowhere. I am sorry if me saying that bothers people.

 

[jfl14609]

I actually decided to give it to him for free when he told me he was broke for spending $100 bucks on a head of todds torch lol

 

[Henry Colf]

Well I have been following this thread so here is my 2 cents..
This thread is getting really old.....
I think the new people have a right to look for equipment at a cheaper price on here regardless of their post count. If a new member wants to save some cash and buy on here kudos to them. I don't think they should be able to sell anything until the 50/90 is met. I'm glad that they are finding their way here early in the hobby, they can learn from all of our errors. This only works if they listen though...Reef Central was a big secret back in the day and only if you knew someone who was a member you found out about it. I was in the hobby for about 5 yrs. before I found my way here and spent alot of money to watch things die...so for the guys who have been on here for a couple of years get over yourselves you were new once too....

 

[Eastamherstbias]

...so for the guys who have been on here for a couple of years get over yourselves you were new once too....

and boom goes the dynamite. We are all wired differently and I don't know how to get over myself or what that really means but I will sit in a room this weekend and conduct introspection. Serenity Now.

I just think the 50/90 rule should apply to LF threads in all areas of RC.

I agree this is getting old.

This thread was not to attack new people.

No one will stop coming to Reef Central because of this thread.


When I made the thread, there was a rash of people under 25 posts asking for things. Most of those threads disappeared mysteriously for some reason.

If we want to move on to my second biggest issue, Bashing products instead of investigating your problem has occurred.

"My xxxxx Led light just killed all my SPS" as the title and everyone reads it and puts doubt in the readers mind. Then you find out it is a new tank and they are dosing chemicals with the light 3 inches from the water. But you have sullied the companies good name.

 

[jfl14609]

And here is the point where a discussion turns into people getting angry an thread closed well it was nice having a open discussion guys!!

 

[NirvanaFan]

I thought people that hadn't achieved 50/90 weren't supposed to start threads looking for stuff? I was under the impression they could respond to a thread that was selling something in the local forums only.

 

[Seefour]

How bout a clause in that 50/90 thing where anyone who has been a member for over 2 years doesnt have to have 50 posts to sell something? I've been a member here for 5 years and because I don't post useless "nice tank"s or ask "how do I get rid of Red Slime" every time I see it my post count is very low. I think I have found an answer to every one of my questions so far simply by searching the forums . That search button is quite valuable...