True, But in my opinion, our classifieds doesn't really work. Too isolated! I think it was better as a forum, that would show on the "today's posts" listing

Originally Posted by: Victor Laury

Snip........ Too isolated! ........Snip

How can Classifieds (clearly listed in the main menu) be isolated? Have we humans become too lazy to make the effort to use our index fingers and make a couple more clicks?

I agree, too isolated. I only look at the posts from the last 24 hours. Whenever I need a part I post it in the forums, not the classifieds because then people see it and respond. I have don that 3 times and recieved PMs really quickly.

Guys, I moved these posts to their own thread. I think we probably should discuss the Classifieds module a bit more because I'd like to know what you think of it.

Do you think we should put a block on the main page (like the gallery) that show the latest classified ads?

Don't know about others, but I never look at the front page, so boxing it there won't make me see them any quicker. I have to go find them to see them. Which I do, several times per week.

Mike,

I mean no offence here, but adding more to the front page is making it look more like a dogs breakfast.

It's over loaded to the hilt as it is (IMO).

I thought you had in mind a simplification last week, by rationalising columns or are you still canvasing for ideas?

Mike N

I was thinking more like a link to the classifieds area possibly showing the number of ads or the last single ad posted. I was also considering something similar for the gallery. But, yes cleaning up the front page is something I want to persue.

I agree with victor. I think that the classified is way too isolated and too restrictive. We are all here to exchange ideas, make our cars better, and to rely on the expertise, experiences, and enterprise of one another.

Open discussions about items for sale, and bartering for fair prices in an open forum gives everyone the opportunity to offer opinions concerning value, proper application, etc., about items of particular interest, if this reasoning makes any sense.

Yes, the act of selling is somewhat selfserving in that there is an exchange of goods for money. The prime motive for most of us would be to facilitate the purchase of another part we desire, not to necessarily line our pockets with wealth.

I think that this club sights forums should not only offer open exchanges of information and ideas concerning our cars, but a forum for bartering goods for ours cars with relevent discussions about those goods without the feeling that spamming is a prime motive.

It's late and I'm not sure this makes sense; just my two sense.

Mike, this is no ridicule of anything about this club. You have done an amazing job for all of us. It just appears to me that the classified is way under utilized and may benefit by linking it in some way to a discussion forum.

Dan

Leave it the way it is - you can calculate how isolated it is based on hits (from site admin view) or from views (seller's view). While I didn't SELL my item, I got a hell of alot of views. There's nothing wrong with it...in fact, I purchased my Z right here from these classifieds.

The Japanese once said that the Americans are fat, dumb, and lazy. That really stirred up a hornets nest in the good old USA. Well, some of us are and some of us aren't. And I can't help but wonder if a couple of clicks on the mouse doesn't say somrthing. I check the classifieds everyday. As far as I can tell I'm no worse for wear, yet.

It's quite easily explained. Those who are actively looking to buy things will find it easy and are confused as to what's so difficult about it. It's the passive buyers that miss out!

One more for the Victor party, I believe it should be more visible. Though, it would be cool to have it as an option (ie show classifieds with latest threads or not).

I must admit, if use is a consideration, then the classified area needs something.

Almost a year ago I found some rare series one parts that were available for FREE in Washington. They were hidden in the Classified section for everyone to see. I posted a thread to bring them to light, and got replies from a couple of longtime and savy club members. I miss (and have missed) things too, and it does help when they are put in your daily path to stumble over, but, that is not usually where you find them. I am a firm believer if what you are doing isn't working, change what you are doing...If you are looking for early Z parts, actively look everywhere that they have a good chance of being first-then look elsewhere! I am all for making things easier, but at some point, you have to take responsability for what you didn't do when you didn't find what you said you were looking for!

The best answer is somewhere in the middle...make it easier to see what is in the classifieds, and actually look in them...

Will

Unless I'm looking for something specific I rarely visit the classifieds. I'm sure that there have been items that I don't need but would like to have and never seen because like others have already said the classifieds are too isolated.