MarineFlake
Member
The only one real problem in dealing with with public, is the public.
As for the theorized problem with non members, it doesn't seem to me that you eliminate the question of "motives" just because you have been, whats the pc word Im looking for, coerced perhaps, into purchasing a membership to a club for the right to post on a public internet site...and Im Italian, I know a little bit about "coercion". ; )
Let me be clear, I am not a member though I have been in the past. I'll spare everyone the details as to why I am no longer a member, however, I suspect other non members as I do, contribute more than just sales ads. Maybe not in this forum, but hey, its a big site, and there is more than one (*gasp*, I said it...) marine/reef forum on the internet. (I belong to three)
I have no regrets and sleep *very* well at night regarding dealings in this forum, on eBay, Craigs List and other public forums. Honestly, given what I have sold equipment for, I consider it a matter of being a good neighbor posting items here first because, and I can't speak for all, they get sold on this forum *far* cheaper than I could or would sell any where else. Don't get me wrong, Im no power seller but what I have posted have been great deals, some stuff I just give away. If it was free would it be allowed, just a thought...Others, maybe not so much but if people are able to pick up equipment or corals here on the cheap and decide to sell them later or that *same* day whose business is that? Seriously? If the deal is honest and no one lodges a complaint (Which I have seen none in the roughly 4 years I have been on RC) then capitalism is alive and well here on RC.
Quite frankly, given the in-frequency of genuine posts, it would be a quiet place indeed with out some deals stirring the pot. I think neuroslicer hits the nail on the head above, one would definely be looking at fragmenting, from what I can see, is a less than tightly glued together band of people who, I thought, come here to share deals, ideas, think out loud, etc. Its a package deal, this internet thing.
Taken to the extreme, I suppose the site admin should demand anyone selling items on this site must be a member, but then as was stated previously, this isn't eBay and collecting fees, at least for now, does not seem to be the motivation for running this site nor its for sale/trade section. Given that, imo, it shouldn't be a goal of any of the clubs who call this or any other public site home either.
Interestingly enough, someone mentioned getting the club its own forum. I think that would be a wonderful experiment in FAIL. Not trying to be rude, just honest. Seems there is already a site and if a member felt strongly about this or some other topic, perhaps that site would be the place, in private where non member prying eyes couldn't see, to bring up such topics. Perhaps even discrete email. Just saying, what would be the motivation for someone to post such a hot button issue on a public forum when, as a member, one would have access to Administrative email addresses and a whole site dedicated to nothing but 'club business' (Startin' to feel like joining a new Church around here...; ). Doesn't seem to me the 'private site' gets a lot of traffic as it is or perhaps people just don't understand what to use it for other than collecting dues. Again, just some honest pondering.
Now if you will excuse me (non-member inclusive), I am off to read and perhaps post to some other parts of this wonderful, public, internet forum ; )
Can't we all just get along and have some Pi?
As for the theorized problem with non members, it doesn't seem to me that you eliminate the question of "motives" just because you have been, whats the pc word Im looking for, coerced perhaps, into purchasing a membership to a club for the right to post on a public internet site...and Im Italian, I know a little bit about "coercion". ; )
Let me be clear, I am not a member though I have been in the past. I'll spare everyone the details as to why I am no longer a member, however, I suspect other non members as I do, contribute more than just sales ads. Maybe not in this forum, but hey, its a big site, and there is more than one (*gasp*, I said it...) marine/reef forum on the internet. (I belong to three)
I have no regrets and sleep *very* well at night regarding dealings in this forum, on eBay, Craigs List and other public forums. Honestly, given what I have sold equipment for, I consider it a matter of being a good neighbor posting items here first because, and I can't speak for all, they get sold on this forum *far* cheaper than I could or would sell any where else. Don't get me wrong, Im no power seller but what I have posted have been great deals, some stuff I just give away. If it was free would it be allowed, just a thought...Others, maybe not so much but if people are able to pick up equipment or corals here on the cheap and decide to sell them later or that *same* day whose business is that? Seriously? If the deal is honest and no one lodges a complaint (Which I have seen none in the roughly 4 years I have been on RC) then capitalism is alive and well here on RC.
Quite frankly, given the in-frequency of genuine posts, it would be a quiet place indeed with out some deals stirring the pot. I think neuroslicer hits the nail on the head above, one would definely be looking at fragmenting, from what I can see, is a less than tightly glued together band of people who, I thought, come here to share deals, ideas, think out loud, etc. Its a package deal, this internet thing.
Taken to the extreme, I suppose the site admin should demand anyone selling items on this site must be a member, but then as was stated previously, this isn't eBay and collecting fees, at least for now, does not seem to be the motivation for running this site nor its for sale/trade section. Given that, imo, it shouldn't be a goal of any of the clubs who call this or any other public site home either.
Interestingly enough, someone mentioned getting the club its own forum. I think that would be a wonderful experiment in FAIL. Not trying to be rude, just honest. Seems there is already a site and if a member felt strongly about this or some other topic, perhaps that site would be the place, in private where non member prying eyes couldn't see, to bring up such topics. Perhaps even discrete email. Just saying, what would be the motivation for someone to post such a hot button issue on a public forum when, as a member, one would have access to Administrative email addresses and a whole site dedicated to nothing but 'club business' (Startin' to feel like joining a new Church around here...; ). Doesn't seem to me the 'private site' gets a lot of traffic as it is or perhaps people just don't understand what to use it for other than collecting dues. Again, just some honest pondering.
Now if you will excuse me (non-member inclusive), I am off to read and perhaps post to some other parts of this wonderful, public, internet forum ; )
Can't we all just get along and have some Pi?
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