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One thing that might make putting the classifieds visible to everyone a bad idea is this:

Suppose George puts an ad up on the classifieds and Henry (a non subscriber) sees George's ad and sends George a PM that he'll take the item that's up for sale. George doesn't have the ability to see if Henry is a paid subscriber but assumes he is (or just doesn't care because his item is sold)

**The names mentioned above have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.**

I say if you want to see what's up for sale, pay for the subscription. It's only $0.99 per month. It's not like its a huge price that needs to be thought about long and hard before making the plunge. If you pay for it and you don't like what you see (doubt it), at least you're supporting the OLF. That in itself is enough reason to join. Do you want to turn on your computer tomorrow and try to log into the OLF but it no longer exists?

One vote from me for keeping it as is.

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

At the OLF Swap Meets, all business MUST be conducted on top of the table. The buyer is identified in the thread. Same deal here. Identify the buyer in the thread (which is exactly what I have seen, and what you will see if you go into the classified section and read the threads.)

I honestly have not heard any idea that supports the notion that a hidden Classified is in any way supportive of sponsors or vendors, unless the idea is to keep the classified section down to a dull roar. Have the vendors here asked that the classifieds be hidden from public view? I would venture a guess that there are two general groups of vendors: one group that does not want swap meets or classifieds at all because they believe it will take part of their market share, and one group that thinks the swap meets and the classifieds are a good idea and believes that it will not have an overall negative impact on their market share. The classifieds and swap meets would not exist if the majority of vendors were in the first camp.

Right now, the way the hidden classifieds are set up, every potential seller and every potential buyer must pay a fee. With an open classified section, every buyer and every seller would have to pay a fee. The difference is that using a hidden classified section, the OLF might get a few or maybe (eventually) even dozens of "lookie-loos" who pay the fee but never buy or sell anything, just look. I think that is a teeny tiny revenue stream compared to the potential buyers and sellers that would peruse an open classified section, with all those juicy worms dangling, and many would bite (buy) or become comfortable enough to sell something.

To me it just makes business sense to open the classified section to public viewing. And from my selfish point of view, when I do list something in the classifieds I want more people to see it because I want it to sell, because I have over-bought (from most of the OLF vendors, and some boards that I've had resawn) way, way, more wood than I will ever build with in my lifetime and I need to sell some of it.


Hmmmm...... I don't think that's a fair statement. Give Lance and Brock more credit than that - this isn't a house of cards. The OLF won't topple (or even suffer) from an open classified section.

This is getting a bit silly, and I have probably already said too much, so I'm going to leave it at that.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Brock,

I completely understand the need to defend the interest of the OLF vendors, after all they do make the OLF viable and we are grateful for that. But at the end of the day, these folks are only paying a monthly for the targeted exposure which the OLF can deliver to there intended customers and as you know it's all about numbers. The classified have huge potential to cultivate ongoing interest in our shared craft, especially from what would normally be the more casual browser. After all it only takes one cool pickup to seed an ongoing commitment to the craft and we all know where that leads...just ask Stewmac, Allied, LMI etc, etc.

Most vendors have been in the game long enough to understand the value of the flow on market and would also have long ago come to terms with the fact that classifieds for secondhand and small time one off sales come with the retail territory, they never go away. They understand folks are always going to be selling their unwanted stuff in the local rag, on Craig's List, Ebay, or any one of the other thousand or so outlets.

With this in mind, I think you may find that most astute managers would willingly embrace 'open view' classifieds at the OLF seeing it as an opportunity to take advantage of the increase in targeted traffic flow to where they already have a banner and if you offered them the opportunity to participate with one off specials and clearance items etc, the classifieds could be quite symbiotic.

I know you did not ask for my opinion so I won't charge but the classified really do have the potential to work for everyone but not if they are kept hidden. Paying a fee to actively participate and allowing folks to list and buy, why yes, that makes perfect business sense. Pay a fee to let the fish see the bait? No one even caught a cold doing that.

Cheers

Kim

Lance,
Sorry, dude. I missed this thread until this morning.
I had trouble subscribing at the onset of the Classifieds, and decided to wait for the software to get adjusted and to watch for any chit-chat about it here in the house.
I must have missed Bruce`s post the day it came out (and that ain`t like me).
Payment sent your way.

However, I have to agree with Dennis.
A little better clue as to one might be getting into would in fact be an incentive.
Heck, Uncle Wally`s orphan bindings might just do the trick.

Coe Franklin

Kim,
That`s called chumming!

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

I paid for access to the classified section several days ago and I still don't have access to it. I would have prefered to see if it was worth it before paying. but since I paid, I'd really like to see what's there...

I'd very much apreciate it if Lance or Brock would patch me up.

All set... it should be automatic, but sometimes due to the Paypal site it doesn't work. I am happy to flip the switch for ya

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Coe, your set now too!

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com