Laser Oriented Classified Ads

My Previous thread got shut down:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f59/would-like-make-ebay-clone-lpf-oriented-66510-2.html

Altough i dont see why it had to be closed, we could defenantly discuss this further, abandoning any ideas that would violate TOS.

I still dont see the reasoning behind this, as c0ldshadow seems to think it might attract people away from here.

Anyhow, it doesnt really matter what i think, as it would indeed, as he states, violate LPF TOS.

Therefor i would like to suggest some changes.

First of all, any listing would be free.

Verifying LPF identity could be done as following:
- When registering onsite, u could be asked if u are a member of , u would then enter your username, and are presented with a unique code, wich u are asked to PM to me, i would then automatically scrape MY OWN mailbox, and verify wether or not i have recieved a pm from that member, containing that code.

As for the "ad content" itself, the user will then have to copy-paste the data himself, as he would on any other sales-method he is using, as we are not allowed to scrape the content of the page.



This would not be for just LPF members, this would be open to anyone(individual) who is offering anything, and i really do think this benefits everyone.

Thanks

Sam

EDIT: i wont be back on for like another 10 hours, please dont shut this thread down before i get back, lets keep this open for discussion, and see what the members say. Thanks

I have no idea what the other thread was all about - but why not just create a laser-friendly (or laser-only for that matter) auction / sales site, with it's own feedback and reputation systems?

Why does it need any of this questionable/sketchy LPF integration and scraping? If you were trying to let users take LPF rep points with them to this auction site, I say that's the wrong approach. 20+ rep points on LPF mean a lot less than 20+ feedback points would on an actual commercial-transaction-only auction site.

So let people build up their own feedback on the auction site, and forget about any/all inter-twanglination with LPF. Everyone happy. Festivities. End of story

Yes, something separate from LPF would be nice, this way other laser-forums could use it as well.

I can understand why the previous thread was shutdown and this one probably will be as well.

First off, whitewhidow is discussing his intention to start another website that would draw traffic away from here, which is understandably frowned on. I understand that its probably not intentional on whitewhidow's part, but nevertheless that is the end result, and he is using their LPF forum to do so.

Second, attempting to affiliate his new site, even just to verify membership, could create the illusion that the site is backed or endorsed by LPF and involve LPF in any legal actions that may arise.

Third, a very similar situation occured on another forum I used to frequent, except the member started a chatroom and tried to recruit their forum members to join. And, he got himself banned for doing so, as they viewed it as him trying to lure their members away.

Fourth, starting any kind of classified or auction site for the sole purpose of enabling people to sell high powered lasers would probably be considered criminal conduct.

And, that's just what immediately comes to mind.

Can't say that I blame LPF here.

BTW, I'm not trying to rain on anyones parade, just trying to shed some reasoning

please explain to me, how this will draw traffic away form LPF??

I really dont see the logic in this, there are marketing guys here at my work, and they are also scratching their heads at this.

Anyways, im really thinking about binning what i already made the last few days,

some of the reactions on here where defenantly not what i would expect from this community

EDIT:nobody is gonna make a purchase, from a classifieds siite, if the seller has no feedback/rep/whatever in place.

So this idea will be abandoned then i guess, thanks, for letting me try to help out.

mark-in-dallas said:

I can understand why the previous thread was shutdown and this one probably will be as well.

First off, whitewhidow is discussing his intention to start another website that would draw traffic away from here, which is understandably frowned on. I understand that its probably not intentional on whitewhidow's part, but nevertheless that is the end result, and he is using their LPF forum to do so.

Second, attempting to affiliate his new site, even just to verify membership, could create the illusion that the site is backed or endorsed by LPF and involve LPF in any legal actions that may arise.

Third, a very similar situation occured on another forum I used to frequent, except the member started a chatroom and tried to recruit their forum members to join. And, he got himself banned for doing so, as they viewed it as him trying to lure their members away.

Fourth, starting any kind of classified or auction site for the sole purpose of enabling people to sell high powered lasers would probably be considered criminal conduct.

And, that's just what immediately comes to mind.

Can't say that I blame LPF here.

BTW, I'm not trying to rain on anyones parade, just trying to shed some reasoning

Click to expand...

There would only be in increase in traffic/backlinks/interest/exposure towards LPF, did u even read the previous, shut-down thread??

Not if i simply state, that we are not affiliated with LPF

This is not the case, it would be anything laser related, also, as a classifieds site, we are not selling anything

Without LPF Reputation integration, there is no site, because with purely classifieds, there is no way of allowing people feedback on sellers.

i cannot express howmuch this saddens me, and quit frankly, angers me, that this is shot down, whereas a payed sticky for a chinese cr*pshoot is gladly accepted,

and dont say, thats cause LPF earns from the sticky, cuz that would be exactly my point!

Thank u

It's an interesting idea... but so long as there is any affiliation with LPF expect c0ldshadow not to like it or approve it, ultimately it is his website.

A sort of "craigslist" with feedback could work, but it will take a rather long time to get off the ground and gain traffic.

The reason why stickies like the one you mentioned are permitted is because they are paid for advertising. If you want to advertise I'm pretty sure c0ld would treat the situation differently.

As for steering traffic away... think of it this way... any time spent on your website is potentially time not spent on lpf.

Rhd's suggestion seems like the most sensible approach.

see, on an AUCTION site, we could have people get their own feedback and rep,

on a CLASSIFIEDS site, there is no way to do this, as far as i know,

how am i supposed to let user A, give feedback to user B, this should only occur after a transaction is made, but i have no way of knowing when a transaction is made !!

so what, i just leave faadback open to everyone, so that anyone can give feedback to anyone, even tough they didnt purchase form him ??

see the problem ?

How does craiglist handle this ?

EDIT: if im correct, craigslist doesnt offer feedback?, for the above reasons

Any time spent on my site, wuold be time not spent on LPF,

except for all the time spent, by non-lpf members, that evertually end up on LPF to make the sale final!!


anywho, if i get 10 members, willing to list their stuff, then im willing to continue this, but as i said, there would have to be a solution for feedback. or i would have to go for an actual auction format

EDIT: i am forced, to go for an auction format.. and am looking into it now.

I still need some initial members, willing to list some items while in test-phase