Changes to Marketplace Access

**Adam** · 05-16-2009, 01:42 PM

New Marketplace Access Requirements

The Photographer's Marketplace is a very widely-used section here at PentaxForums.com; we've been offering it since the launch of the site. It allows forum members to buy and sell their used photo equipment at great convenience and with traffic from tens of thousands of users.

Changes have recently been made to user access requirements to the Photographer's Marketplace. Starting on May 16th, 2009, only Site Supporters and Pentaxians will be able to post new items for sale in the Marketplace.

In order to be able to post threads (sell items) in the Marketplace, you must meet one of the below conditions:
1. Donated at least $10 to PentaxForums.com (Donate here)
OR
2. Made at least 1,000 forum posts ("Pentaxian")
OR
3. Made at least 200 forum posts and been a forum member for 2 years ("Pentaxian")

We are also going to allow interested sellers to resell items, sell items in bulk, and sell items commercially (solely for profit), provided that they pay an additional access fee. All items must still be photo-related. The reseller access can be purchased via PayPal using the User CP payments page (PentaxForums.com). It is $10/month and discounts are available for long-term access. If you are a reseller, you must have this access for the full duration of your Marketplace threads

Please note that all forum users are still able to look for items in the Marketplace (post in the 'Wanted Items' section), buy from others, and leave feedback, regardless of donation status. Access to these sections and features remains unchanged.

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Marketplace documentation has been updated to reflect these changes. All donations are processed automatically, and you will be given instant access once you complete your transaction via PayPal. Donations can be made via PayPal (see the User CP for automated donation options), or using a credit card through PayPal. Alternatively, we can make arrangements for paper checks or money orders for non-Paypal users. All Site Supporters and Pentaxians will have unlimited access to the Marketplace for personal use.

Threads created in the Marketplace prior to this post will be allowed to continue, even if started by users who do not meet the above conditions.

The reasons for these changes are twofold. Firstly, abuse of the Marketplace will be reduced, and fraudulent users will no longer be able to post threads. We also wanted to make the Marketplace available to commercial sellers. Secondly, we would like to avoid placing advertisements on the site, but at the same time, we still need funds to cover increasing server and maintenance costs. This is a fairest way of doing so without impeding your PentaxForums.com browsing experience.

If you have any questions about these new changes, please feel free to post in this thread. Thank you!

*Steve Beswick* · 05-16-2009, 02:45 PM

I was thinking of buying a bumper sticker. Does that count as a donation? Also, do donations provide lifetime access, or just 1 month?

**Adam** · 05-16-2009, 03:41 PM

Bumper stickers don't count as donations at the moment, because they're not processed through our forum donation system. However, I might decide to change that later down the road.

Each donation gives you unlimited access to the Marketplace for a whole year.

*Nick Siebers* · 05-16-2009, 09:59 PM

Well, I can certainly understand it, but I don't like it.

Moose · 05-16-2009, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Adam

The reasons for these changes are twofold. Firstly, abuse of the Marketplace will be reduced, and fraudulent users will no longer be able to post threads...

And unfortunatly punishing those who are honest and dont fit in with the Pentaxian profile.

Personally I dont like seeing forums try and make money from the members who make a forum what it is. Alot of the knowledge and information that is provided on this forum (and forums like it) is free.

For those of us, like me, who dont spend there lives here, making the 1000 posts or 200+2yrs will take along time to happen and I am not about to make a forced donation for something I have used twice since being a member. I provide my knowledge to this community for free, I would have though that this would be far more valuable than trying to make $10.

Why not make it 50 or 100 posts and make it that your post count does not increase in the For Sale section. This way, people have to participate in other sections of the forums before they can post in the market place...

Moose

*Ash* · 05-16-2009, 10:13 PM

I may be in the minority, but I think this is a great idea.

At the cost of 'penalising' the honest newbies or infrequent posters, it will more than likely add an element of reassurance to the buyer.

And really, it's no big deal to donate $10 or more to a forum that offers probably the biggest marketplace of Pentax gear the world over.

Good stuff Adam.

Moose · 05-16-2009, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ash

At the cost of 'penalising' the honest newbies or infrequent posters, it will more than likely add an element of reassurance to the buyer.

isnt that what the seller feedback tool is for?

*Ash* · 05-16-2009, 10:40 PM

One would have to have already sold a few items, AND buyers would have had to provide feedback for that person for this to be useful.

Edvinas · 05-16-2009, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Adam

The reasons for these changes are twofold. Firstly, abuse of the Marketplace will be reduced, and fraudulent users will no longer be able to post threads.

I don't know how will it help against fraudulent users. Would I be one, I would be happy to pay $10 for the right to post to the marketplace and then to sell non-existing FA 31mm limited for $600...

If you would restrict marketplace to Pentaxians, then yes, it would help to avoid fraudulent sellers. However now any fraudulent seller can buy the right to sell for $10.

And what about those poor forum members who are not Pentaxians, however have few positive feedbacks as a sellers?

*Ash* · 05-16-2009, 11:49 PM

There can be no guarantee in any measure that is made to prevent frauds from participating.

Nevertheless, it will still be a disincentive for a fraud to have to set up a PayPal account , put $10 in it, donate and then post their single fraudulent sale on the marketplace.

Edvinas · 05-16-2009, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ash

There can be no guarantee in any measure that is made to prevent frauds from participating.

So, if it doesn't help, why to bother with all kinds of restrictions at all?

Originally Posted by Ash

Nevertheless, it will still be a disincentive for a fraud to have to set up a PayPal account , put $10 in it, donate and then post their single fraudulent sale on the marketplace.

Currently it is just the same. If user's the only message is in the marketplace, it is suspicious. It's up for buyer to decide.

Thing is that possibility to buy the right to sell in Marketplace does not help to decrease risk for buyers at all.

**Damn Brit** · 05-17-2009, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by Moose

And unfortunatly punishing those who are honest and dont fit in with the Pentaxian profile.

Personally I dont like seeing forums try and make money from the members who make a forum what it is. Alot of the knowledge and information that is provided on this forum (and forums like it) is free.

For those of us, like me, who dont spend there lives here, making the 1000 posts or 200+2yrs will take along time to happen and I am not about to make a forced donation for something I have used twice since being a member. I provide my knowledge to this community for free, I would have though that this would be far more valuable than trying to make $10.

Why not make it 50 or 100 posts and make it that your post count does not increase in the For Sale section. This way, people have to participate in other sections of the forums before they can post in the market place...

Moose

It's cheaper to donate $10 to the forum than to pay Ebay fees and this forum costs money to keep it running. Don't forget there is no advertising on here.
Yes, the members make the forum what it is but the forum has to be there in the first place.
Your dissent is noted but it's not going to change anything I'm afraid.

Moose · 05-17-2009, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Your dissent is noted but it's not going to change anything I'm afraid.

Not a worry at all. I work on the pretext that if I dont like something, I have a say and then get over it.

I didnt want to be one of those people who piss winge in the forums and not actually say anything

Onwards and upwards.

John

**Damn Brit** · 05-17-2009, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by Moose

Not a worry at all. I work on the pretext that if I dont like something, I have a say and then get over it.

I didnt want to be one of those people who piss winge in the forums and not actually say anything

Onwards and upwards.

John

Good attitude mate.

Jebus · 05-17-2009, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Don't forget there is no advertising on here.

Just add advertising then.

It's easy for those that are bothered by it to download AdBlock Plus plugin for Firefox and Voila, they are gone.

That way you make money from those who don't care about the adds and those that do care just block them anyway.