This is interesting

[Pico1]

I love to see when the regulars here have stuff their willing to part with. And I also enjoy selling my frags or old equipment once in a while to help support my expensive addiction. Some of my nicest corals are from MARS members that I got at steal of a deal. I have corals from Justin, Karl, Doug, Alex, Tim, Leah, Steve, Maynor, Robert, Xia, and many others that I got for a fraction of their retail price. I also think it's really great when members can trade frags to increase their collection and diversity in their tank. I would hate to never again see when the people above have some frags they'd be willing to sell. The sad thing is through out this year the regulars are posting stuff FS less and less and the new people who haven't said a word to us are coming and selling a bunch of stuff on here. This is the MARS forum, not the Sacramento craigslist.

 

[WarrenG]

As a relative newbie to this forum I've noticed that most of the for sale ads have prices so low that the seller is offering (us) more than they are receiving-a friendly gesture of sharing their bounty in exchange for only a token amount of payment. And don't we become friendly with the people we share with? To me, that's a nice feature of this forum.

And the prospect of missing out on a friendly offering has me checking (all of) this forum's posts more often than I would otherwise.

So now, the real reason for my post...

FOR SALE, CHEAP!

Aptasia anenomes, 10 for a dollar. Local pick up only. You pick-em and you bag-em.

 

[Justin74]

Good explenation Karl. It easy to forget that uh, ya were having a rough summer!What a drag for the people who were just starting out. I guess these people just realized faster than we have how expensive and crazy we must be to keep goin?!

Karl: Right now just a bonified Unarce lavender and green digi
and some zoos. .Nothing you dont have yet that's ready, but I got some things...Buyin time, buyin time

And still got your cali tort Tom, lookin soo damn sweet too!

And Pico, as soon as I get some more healing/new growth in I havent forgot what you wanted either.Lost 3 branches though so, at least another month. But I do want to spread this guy around, cuz it's a keeper

-Justin

 

[yoboyjdizz]

Another thread about this? I've seen more complaning threads then FS threads... Its funny how people say they don't like it but when they see something they need there jumping all over it.. I agree that people should be on here and get to know others, before trying to sell. I mean im really not going to buy something from someone who has just a few post. Im not a member but i do plan on becoming one. When? I don't know when i can find the time maybe. You say FS push other threads off the front page? There is a subscribe to thread link on the bottom click that and you can go to your favorite thread whenever you want. Thus help to keep it from falling off. Or maybe they just disppear because noone else has anything else to say on it. I know my tank thread has been dead for a week because i havent had any updates... Just my thoughts...

 

[boviac]

I agree that when I want something in this area, I look in the classified ads as well as Sac Craiglist. That should be the place for people that aren't regular Reef Central members to post their offerings. I appreciate the trades and occasional selling of equipment as well. So I'd like to see that continue. Lets keep the reef topics going and I support the policy. It sucks being the bearer of bad news but we members and the moderators have to do it for it to work. Keep up the good work.

 

[Nu2SW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8148328#post8148328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Wow. So, if you havn't signed up for mars yet you opinion isn't valued. Do you speak for all Mars members now?

I play softball on fridays right now so i cannot attend any meetings and if you have been on the Mars website you would see the Sign up isn's working.

I posted last night in the by laws about getting a membership somehow even though i cant get to meetings right now.

By the way you are the one complaining about cleaning all this up but quick to get in last nights thread with a guy that has under 50 posts? Whats up with that?

WOW.... your on a roll....

so he has less then 50 posts.... Lets see One, Its not a rule here yet. Two He has been registered since 2003, so thought he may not post much, he may be a ghoster that frequents the boards and gets his info from reading other topics.

AND, since it isnt a rule yet we cant look into what people are selling and punish our selves. we are simply trying to be ORGANIZED, and my examples were just that EXAMPLES. Meaning something to work from, some things me get taken out and some may be added.

What I would like is to see you guys go and ask your local congress man that supports the new Hands free Law for cell phones while driving, If they used there phones while driving...I am pretty sure they are going to say yes, even the person who made the bill Im sure could be accused of it. SOOOO in your thoughts, because he has used his phone driving. He cant make a bill to Better our roadways, because he noticed how people dont pay attention to driving while talking.

Same things here, not a rule yet so its fair game. Some of us would like to see something organized.

So just because he'ds been here since 2003 and has less then 50 posts, I cant look into something that isnt a standard yet.

YOu could send a PM to the Club Membership person and ask them for a address to send a check.

And yes It is my OPINION, that when it comes to something about this club and the club forum certain things should only be voiced by members.

If you dont like that, then oh well...thats the great thing about this country I can have an Opinion.........

Wow what a way to start the morning..... Where's my rum???

 

[thereefgeek]

As much as some of us don't appreciate the fact that the MARS forum is looking more like the classified section of the local newspaper, the BOD has opted not to step in and prohibit sales here. I counted 19 FS threads in the past 5 days of posting (about 2-1/2 pages).

Some of the problems seem to be with someone logging a user account and within their first or second post begin spamming the local Nor Cal forums with fish tank garage sales. This I disagree with to the extent that if you weren't a member of the club to begin with, and you decide to dump your tank for a new hobby, try Craig's List. However, there are many bonafied MARS members looking to clear out a few corals, or unload that undersized skimmer or an empty tank sitting out in the back yard. Some would like to sell a few frags and take the wife out for a nice anniversary dinner, and I personally have no objection to that.

Trouble seems to come from the very territorial attitude that some exhibit, in that "HEY, you don't belong here. GO away". That in it's self doesn't work unless no one responds to the post in the first place. The quickest way to see a post get pushed to the bottom is to not reply rather than chastise the poster repeatedly.

As for stickies, the club has reserved that for announcements and actual club business and not a for a dedicated FS thread. First off, stickied FS posts would need to be maintained by the poster and they'd need to post when it was sold. As it is, I very rarely see happen now. In the actual FOR SALE forum here at R.C. there was a thread for S.F. Bay area FS that turned into something like 98 pages and became a serious mess of this, that, and the other that no one can make sense out of. Posts would go unanswered and/or no one would list when the item was sold and a month later someone would post asking if it was still available. Or worse yet, the dreaded "bump".

BAR tried to restrict their "members" from posting FS and it nearly ended in mutiny. So much so that another forum was created; GSBARF, which, last time I looked was strictly about folks hawking their wares with absolutely no information on the hobby it's self.

NVR has ran a very successful campaign against posting for sale threads, and it ultimately results in their members coming here and to the BAR forum to post FS. MARS decided not to prohibit FS posts, because often times there are some very nice deals on dry goods, and quality livestock offered by our members.

To completely restrict and remove the FS posts would be the only way to make this work. No matter what, someone will be upset by any policy adopted by the club as a whole, especially if all of a sudden they need to buy or sell something. We've discussed this many times, and the best way to deal with it is to let you deal with it. If you don't WTB, don't post and soon the thread will disappear into oblivion. If you don't feel others should be allowed to sell, then don't sell anything yourself. Standard rules straight across the board, no preferential treatment just because so-and-so has nicer corals, or has a thousand posts, or what ever.

Everyone who's upset by having to wade through a bunch of FS threads to find valuable information here on reefkeeping should also consider posting some of that information themselves. Tank pictures and personal experiences are always a nice addition to the forum, and you'd be doing your part in the fight against FS threads. If you want to sell something, fine. Just don't bump it to the top a bunch of times. Obviously no one is interested in what you're selling, so give it a rest. Finally, if you've SOLD what you posted, PLEASE post that as well, so the thread will go away.

Sorry, but the BOD can't enforce a double standard.

 

[Nu2SW]

How is it a double standard if you set a guideline for FS requirements which would promote being active in the hobby and group threads?

 

[shilo_1]

Personally I don't mind the FS threads. But, if you're so against them for whatever reason...what about this....

FS threads are posted in the FS forum. ONLY a link to that thread can be posted here, and then the thread here is closed by a mod....people can read the post, but cannot reply to it (must pm or reply in the FS thread.)
Just an idea

 

[thereefgeek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8150637#post8150637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nu2SW
How is it a double standard if you set a guideline for FS requirements which would promote being active in the hobby and group threads?

It would be far easier to just say no straight across the board, regardless. Policing FS threads isn't exactly at the top of the BOD's list of priorities.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6047282#post6047282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mothra
From here on out let's please keep our "for sale" and "want to buy" threads in the appropriate forums here on reef central. The NVR forum is for the discussion of the hobby and related issues.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6106422#post6106422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
BAR Members and other Bay Area reefkeepers,

Please don't use this forum as a buying and selling forum. If you have items you would like to sell or buy or trade, please post them in the RC buying and selling forum

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6036092#post6036092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
BAR's NPO status is in danger, partly due to all the buying and selling going on in this forum. This has come about during the final review of our NPO application.

This one didn't work out quite like it was intended:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5700838#post5700838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RustySnail
In effort to reduce the traffic of FS/FT posts on the BAR forum I am starting this thread dedicated to equipment FT/FT/WTB. If you are looking for equipment and want to receive an email when something is posted here, click the "subscribe to this thread" link at the bottom of this page; you will get an email soon after someone posts the items listed FS. If you want to "unsubscribe" you can do that on your "MY RC" page.

Please only post items that are FS/FT/WTB; do not post resopnses to posts or questions about the item to this forum (please send a PM or email to the seller).

Sellers; please dont 'bump' this thread; hopefully this thread will be stickied to the top of the forum or remain on page 1. If your item has sold or you wish to update what has/has not sold or additional info that's OK, just realize that each post sends out notices to those that are subscribed to this thread.

Please post your location, price, condition, etc in your advertisement in compliance with RC Sale/Trade rules.

Selling/Trading Do's & Donts

RC Price Policy

RC Location Policy -- Just post where you are located in the greater Bay Area please!

RC Auction Policy

 

[Reefugee]

I nominate Nu2SW as the chief "FS" thread police. He can appoint deputy "FS" thread police. If Nu2SW abuses his power - we take the badge away from him. :lol:

 

[Nu2SW]

LOL.....

Hey I have no problem helping the club out in any way... Just gimmie the power.... lol

 

[Jacob D]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8150561#post8150561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thereefgeek


BAR tried to restrict their "members" from posting FS and it nearly ended in mutiny. So much so that another forum was created; GSBARF, which, last time I looked was strictly about folks hawking their wares with absolutely no information on the hobby it's self...

...NVR has ran a very successful campaign against posting for sale threads, and it ultimately results in their members coming here and to the BAR forum to post FS. MARS decided not to prohibit FS posts, because often times there are some very nice deals on dry goods, and quality livestock offered by our members.

Just a couple of comments from me and I'll get back in the bushes

NVR has never had a campaign so-to-speak, it was simply one request that I posted and for the most part it has been honored by our members and others using our forum. Nobody in our club polices the threads.

I have noticed that one or two of our members have posted stuff for sale in the MARS forum, we obviously don't have control over what they do in other forums, but honestly in the cases that I'm aware of they are (or were) also MARS members.

Last thing is that I agree the sticky post thing turns into a mess (as mentioned by Rich this idea has been tried before in other forums). I have tried to advocate use of the GSBARF forum as a selling forum for all of the NorCal clubs several times but nobody else seems to dig the idea, so I'm done pushing it - but I'd say to anyone that is unhappy with their club's policy on FS threads (whether policy dis-allows them or allows them), you do have other options such as not responding to them or posting them in other forums. Speaking for myself only, running a reef club is enough work as it is w/o having to worry about moderating online forums that we really can't moderate anyway.

 

[Nu2SW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8151680#post8151680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mothra
Just a couple of comments from me and I'll get back in the bushes

Speaking for myself only, running a reef club is enough work as it is w/o having to worry about moderating online forums that we really can't moderate anyway.

Thats exactly why I also gave the idea of a forum on the mars website like BAR has. That way the Bod can appoint someone (ME) to MOD the forum for them so they dont have to worry about it and can go on with getting speakers prizes for the raffle.

I have been an Admin and MOD on forums and website before. So I am familiar with it.

 

[Unarce]

The job's yours, Edwin!

 

[Nu2SW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8151703#post8151703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
The job's yours, Edwin!

HAHAHAHAHA..... IT PONCH.... May I see your Post count and Reg Date.

That was is good Karl. Im going to use that one.......

 

[thereefgeek]

I'd rather just terminate ALL FS posting rather than "appoint" any one individual person to make the ultimate decision as to who does and who doesn't get the "privilege" of posting For Sales. It's not fair, and if everyone can remember, we all had to start out on Reef Central with 1 post. I'm sure if we all looked back on our first few posts here, we'd probably end up wanting to ban ourselves for saying stupid stuff at one time or another.

 

[Nu2SW]

AHhh I cant get the photo small enough, Im going to have to tweak it....

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8150561#post8150561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thereefgeek
Some of the problems seem to be with someone logging a user account and within their first or second post begin spamming the local Nor Cal forums with fish tank garage sales.

This whole thing is silly, I can't believe that this thread is still going on.

It all boils down to intent and Rich nailed what the intent of the rule is. The rule exists on Reef Central, who hosts the MARS forum, exactly to eliminate the kind of poster that Rich mentioned. It's up to the RC moderatering staff to decide if and when that rule is enforced; period.

My comment about lowered enforcement in club forums was due to the fact that we get ~9000 posts per day on RC. There is no possible way for our volunteer staff to read every post; nor do we want to try. Because of that we generally rely on users to report abuses in the club/regional forums. On the other hand, if a moderator stumbles across something that they believe is a problem they're going to work to resolve it; whether the post was reported or not.

 

[fatsuki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8151334#post8151334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee
I nominate Nu2SW as the chief "FS" thread police. He can appoint deputy "FS" thread police. If Nu2SW abuses his power - we take the badge away from him. :lol:

If enough people are interested in a FS forum, then I think one should be created for them. Per the MARS By-laws, a committee can be formed for this purpose (personally, I think a committee of a minimum of 3 to 5 members would be needed to adequately organize and police such as forum). The committee can decide how they want to run the forum by getting imput from the general memebership and getting the approval of the BOD. The newly elected Webmaster can oversee the committee. This committe will then be in charge of policing the forum. The problem is where to have the forum...on the club's website? If it could be hosted on the website, then maybe controls could be put in place for only certain people to post FS items (e.g. MARS, NVR, BAR, etc. members only). Just my opinion...

Jeni