Fish market question

[mistahoo]

I like marsh. When I have a question about sw, I go over there and ask first before HFB. They're a much better crowd for sw as they're forum is geared towards it. The members are much more knowledgeable in sw and there's great resources through old threads. I usually ask fw questions on HFB and planted/shrimp/small fish questions on TPT. If you look at TPT, they have tons of traffic, new members all the time, most of which post and share, and their forum isn't mainly about buying, trading, and selling as much as HFB is. It still amazes me that people post over there at nearly every hour of the day. Honestly and sadly, I see HFB mainly as a marketplace more than anything else and it seems that the marketplace is the heart of HFB. Don't take me the wrong way, I still love HFB and it is still a great resource (mainly the old threads and knowledgeable members), but if I'm ever looking to buy or sell anything, I go to HFB first before checking out other forums or sites.

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[mistahoo]

I don't think anybody that is joining to post there sales post will even be patient enough to go and post 30 or so comments about something most of the time when people get restricted from a part of the forum and wants to sell something they will most likely just quit and move on instead of forcing there way just so they can post on the fish market just my thoughts

Better for us. If they're only in it to sell or buy, I'd rather have them take their retail prices on to craigslist.

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[wildosworld]

Here's my 2 cents, for what its worth: As a pretty new member here myself, I was originally attracted to the site for the buy/sell/trade forum. I would browse the lfs (including petco and petsmart) looking for deals and new items. It was actually a girl at petsmart that told me about the site. I almost didn't even create an account here (to view the b/s/t forum), because I was leary of giving out my email address to this unknown site, just so I could check it out. I finally gave in, obviously, and I'm certainly glad I did. I have learned SO INCREDIBLY much from this site, that I am completely sucked in. I've met some excellent people on here as well and have yet to have a bad experience. Granted, I came here as a buyer and not a seller, but if there wouldve been a post count minimum, I'm not sure if I wouldve stayed. At this point, I think I've pretty much reached all conceivable minimums.....so it doesnt matter to me one way or the other. Without minimums, we will see lots of people with one post and out, true. But if we do add minimums, traffic will be lost. Look at MARSH; great forum, but not nearly as busy as here. When I need info on a subject that I'm clueless on, I come here first EVERY time. The sheer number of threads on ANY given topic is an easy 5 to 1 over what's on other forums. Like I said, just my 2 cents. Thank you to all of you that have helped me with so much. I will continue to refer people to the box on a VERY regular basis and I really hope that I will soon have enough knowledge to be able to pass along to others the way you all have for me!

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[imagirlgeek]

I appreciate everyone's feedback, but I'm not going to force a post count to use the Fish Market. If I have to FORCE people to post, then there really isn't any point in having a forum. That's just how I feel about it. I don't like it when other forum's do it to me, and I'm not going to do it here. When I go to a forum and am hit with a required post count in order to participate in a certain section, it honestly feels like total desperation on the part of the forum leadership. If I have something to say, I'll post. If it looks like I'm going to get attacked or ridiculed for participating, I won't. If I am not allowed to participate in a certain section because I haven't done enough in another section, I leave and find a forum that doesn't restrict me.

[johnnymisty]

Just to say im not asking for any high post count just something to indtroduce them to the box with

[supadave]

This ^. I can't agree any more with you Johnny. It seems that most of the forum activity has been in the market lately and a large portion of those members posting there are new members which seem like they can't sell their stuff on craigslist. They don't really bring anything to the forum other than more sales. I'm sure HFB is more than just a marketplace.

You read my post....you quoted my post.....but you didn't answer my question . How does post count minimums promote more use in the other forums on this site ? Whether they use the Fish Market or not...it's not gonna change the activity in the other forums . As Traci stated above ........What will encourage people to post is current members inviting people to contribute by creating threads that ask members to share their experiences, brag on their fish, brag on their tanks, whatever....and having those new people not feel like they are getting bashed on when they do. The only reason I bring that up is because there was a time recently when certain new members were crapped on every time they posted. That doesn't make other new members want to try and contribute.

^^^^^^This is the answer....BOTTOM LINE . The Fish Market has been the same....nothing has changed . It's the same as it was several years ago when we had more activity in the other threads . We had a bunch of new members who only used the Fish Market back then...just as we do now . We didn't have a post count minimum back then....when activity was high .

[moganman]

If anything, I would just require the new members to take an exam on posting sale items. Most of them have to be reminded of posting price and location. We either benefit from the sale items or go our own way and ignore them. Not a big deal IMO. How many of us are ALWAYS starting beneficial threads for all of HFB members to benefit from? When a new member or a member who doesn't post often puts a steal of a deal on equipment, it's OK, but when the new members post what may seem outrageous, it's a sin? All of us, at one point or another were new members and we were granted access to post in the sale threads at our liberty. Let the new guys do the same. We are hobbyists. We can't enjoy the hobby without equipment and fish. All members, new or old, have something to offer.

[imagirlgeek]

I don't think anybody that is joining to post there sales post will even be patient enough to go and post 30 or so comments about something most of the time when people get restricted from a part of the forum and wants to sell something they will most likely just quit and move on instead of forcing there way just so they can post on the fish market just my thoughts

That's what I do.

[Ballinxalex]

Forcing a count is just going to get a bunch of junk post. People will run through and post "nice" on every picture they see just to get the count and then without anything to engage them, they will sell their stuff and leave. Most won't really contribute.

This post has probably done more to get people to respond and engage than a count limit would.

I don't think anybody that is joining to post there sales post will even be patient enough to go and post 30 or so comments about something most of the time when people get restricted from a part of the forum and wants to sell something they will most likely just quit and move on instead of forcing there way just so they can post on the fish market just my thoughts

[cobraden]

Forcing a count is just going to get a bunch of junk post. People will run through and post "nice" on every picture they see just to get the count and then without anything to engage them, they will sell their stuff and leave. Most won't really contribute.

This thread has probably done more to get people to respond and engage than a count limit would.

[johnnymisty]

What can we do differently that invites people to post...other than forcing a post count?

At least by forcing a post count they will be able to contribute and get a feel for everything instead of selling something and disapearing. When there forced to post at least then us regulars here can make them feel comfortable and welcome them to contribute more and be apart of the box

[johnnymisty]

This is a suggestion that has been made a few times, but Karen made the same point that I always do. The Fish Market isn't just for the Seller...it's also for the Buyer. I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a good deal because someone just recently found HFB, and doesn't have enough posts to list their item(s). Also, I'm afraid that it would just make some of those people post a bunch of garbage posts that don't add to anything, just to gain post count.

What will encourage people to post is current members inviting people to contribute by creating threads that ask members to share their experiences, brag on their fish, brag on their tanks, whatever....and having those new people not feel like they are getting bashed on when they do. The only reason I bring that up is because there was a time recently when certain new members were crapped on every time they posted. That doesn't make other new members want to try and contribute.

I agree but the reason i suggest it is because Id like to see people contribute more... As for missing out on a deal I highly doubt it because 95% of the people that come on here and just sell something has it on craigslist or bookoo as well. I think a required post count would help people that do want to come and sell stuff become more of an active member by being able to share with us there experiences and get used to posting

[imagirlgeek]

What can we do differently that invites people to post...other than forcing a post count?

[R_sustaita]

You can't get ripped off if you don't buy. And if it's the Fish Market bringing them to us, it's up to the members to make them want to stay and contribute.

I know. but they dont stay, there are alot of new threads and i havent seen many of the new kids on the block commenting more sharing their knowledge.

[imagirlgeek]

I agree and their prices are insane. i been trying to sale a 29 for $80 with everything and here comes a new guy selling the same stuff i have for $200 if they get lucky adn sell then then are vanish from the forum. there should be a waiting time for them to sale, i dont care for buying but at least to sale they should be active and at least a week into the forum for them to rip us off!

You can't get ripped off if you don't buy. And if it's the Fish Market bringing them to us, it's up to the members to make them want to stay and contribute.