TexasCHLforum.com

I have been noticing quite a few "1 post wonders" asking for more info on guns advertised in the classifieds section for sale by contributing members.

Check this thread: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=45312" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
4 newbies trying to buy this gun.
2 of them being "1 post wonders".

Some have 2 or 3 posts, but I never bothered to see what sections their other posts were in.

I'm not sure that I am comfortable with this. I personally would not sell a firearm to someone who is not a contributing member.

Trying to figure out why I see these posts and all I can come up with is the "BOTS" that scan our forums (Google, Yahoo,...etc....) and these "1 post wonders" come to this site, register and buy? Or try to buy?

I recommend that we restrict the sale of Firearms (and everything else as far as I am concerned) to contributing members only (45 posts).

Your thoughts?

EDIT: Added link to typical thread & formatting.

it may be easer to restrict who can see the classifieds

That's a great idea!

Maybe a necessary password to access them?

Is there anyway to eliminate the BOTS from scanning our forums? I am not sure that I want someone knowing what I have sold or have for sale that came here from a BOT.

How do the BOTS get into the site without passwords anyway?
I am somewhat IT challenged.

AEA wrote: I recommend that we restrict the sale of Firearms (and everything else as far as I am concerned) to contributing members only (45 posts).

Your thoughts?

I think the Market section should be for members only.
Not to just anyone who quickly registers with the sole purpose of buying.

AEA wrote: How do the BOTS get into the site without passwords anyway?

They don't need a password to browse.

Send them a PM and tell them to go away.

I would if their names were not greyed out and not clickable.

Current users online......see the BOTS!

Registered users: 2up1down, AEA, alphonso, BB 09, Bing [Bot], BrianSW99, Dan20703, Divided Attention, Google [Bot], Lano, MAFWG, Mel, mikeintexas, mr surveyor, MSNbot Media, seamusTX, Sidro, sookandy, Texas10X, XnTx, Yahoo [Bot]

Here's a suggestion: PHPBB, the forum software used here, allows you to put newly registered users into a "Newly Registered Users" group. They will be removed from that group once they reach a defined number of posts set by the board admin.

Access to the Classifieds section could be restricted for anyone in the Newly Registered Users group. That would also lighten the moderator load of having to police the classifieds to make sure people have the minimum number of posts. It also would mean the classifieds would not get indexed by bots.

Brian

That's the answer I was looking for! Thanks BrianSW99.

Now if the site Owner and Mods agree to implement these changes that I think would be good for the site/contributing members.

I understand the rule about posting items for sale requiring a contributing member. However, it should up to the seller to decide who to sell the item to. Personally to me it sounds like a "Waiting Period" and a bit ironic coming from members of a gun forum.

Just my .02 cents.

BrianSW99 wrote:It also would mean the classifieds would not get indexed by bots.

Brian

This is the second reason for this suggestion which is not a "Waiting Period".

i8godzilla wrote:I understand the rule about posting items for sale requiring a contributing member. However, it should up to the seller to decide who to sell the item to. Personally to me it sounds like a "Waiting Period" and a bit ironic coming from members of a gun forum.

Just my .02 cents.

Maybe, but if I'm putting something up for sale here, I'm trying to give the "family" (known members) first dibbs. Otherwise I would just list it on TexasGunTrader.

Just my opinion.

USA1 wrote:

i8godzilla wrote:I understand the rule about posting items for sale requiring a contributing member. However, it should up to the seller to decide who to sell the item to. Personally to me it sounds like a "Waiting Period" and a bit ironic coming from members of a gun forum.

Just my .02 cents.

Maybe, but if I'm putting something up for sale here, I'm trying to give the "family" (known members) first dibbs. Otherwise I would just list it on TexasGunTrader.

Just my opinion.

Very few spam bots get through the anti-spam features on the forum. The few that do, as well as the live spammers, are quickly caught by the Moderators and their registration and posts are deleted. When a poster is responding to something and the response is in context, it's not a bot. Search bots from Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask and many others are the way most of our new members find us, so blocking bots is not something we can do.

The Market Sections are for the convenience of our Members and were added after several requests. They do not generate any revenue. If someone is concerned about selling to anyone, new Member or otherwise, then don't. If someone is worried about an item for sale being found by a bot, then don't list it. Again, the Market Section is free, it's for the use (or non-use) of our Members.

Chas.

OK, thanks Charles.

As long as people posting items for sale conform to the guidelines (minimum number of posts, etc.) I'm not uncomfortable with a new member being able to express interest in something being offered for sale. If it bothers the seller, that's another issue.....but then he doesn't have to sell it to that person.

i8godzilla wrote:I understand the rule about posting items for sale requiring a contributing member. However, it should up to the seller to decide who to sell the item to. Personally to me it sounds like a "Waiting Period" and a bit ironic coming from members of a gun forum.

Just my .02 cents.

with this and with Chas' and
TAM's responses ... free market and all that. I very much do appreciate only active members being allowed to sell, but who can buy should be decision left to the authorized seller.