|
|
Post by trainman9 on Apr 27, 2024 22:46:15 GMT
Well, now we have a new member seller who seems to be running some kind of business. No posts other than his web site for some kinds of railings.
If no one else thinks its important I do think that if the only thing a new member is interested is having this venue to advertise his business or items for sale maybe they should be better scrutinized. I would never buy anything from someone new to any forum who has not had any postings or some participation other than to sell something.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Apr 28, 2024 1:28:38 GMT
Agreed. It would seem prudent that if the primary purpose to become a member is to promote the sale of or actually sell items that this would bear additional scrutiny as to the business reputation or the efficacy of the products offered. Perhaps the membership application could address this more so that it does currently.
|
|
|
|
Post by david1 on May 21, 2024 23:34:33 GMT
There have been quite a few guys who joined the OGF just to sell trains. Never a word from them on the forum.
The problem with that is that you would have to address that when they join. I guess that could be done but do we what to do that. Also people who are scammers can get thru the way it is now.
Some here are alot smarter then me to figure it out!.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 22, 2024 15:04:33 GMT
Maybe a separate topic of discussion. Remember OGR got their big 'up and coming' with their for sale and buy threads. Mainly the only reason people visit it today. I welcome manufactures selling products if they are a value add to the forum. Best way to share ideas and new products. River Leaf models is a good example. I still lament them closing their doors.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on May 23, 2024 17:58:45 GMT
Agreed. It would seem prudent that if the primary purpose to become a member is to promote the sale of or actually sell items that this would bear additional scrutiny as to the business reputation or the efficacy of the products offered. Perhaps the membership application could address this more so that it does currently. Totally agree. Without getting draconian about it perhaps a bit more vetting for folks who want to join primarily to sell stuff. Is that even a question on the application questionnaire? If they also sell on other platforms, a quick review of their seller rating or feedback would be prudent. If a TCA member the benefit of the doubt for scrupulous dealing until proven otherwise might be granted. What if anything additional were to asked for primarily sellers, must be quick, easy to do, and readily verifiable since this is after all a volunteer endeavor.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on May 23, 2024 18:04:05 GMT
Maybe a separate topic of discussion. Remember OGR got their big 'up and coming' with their for sale and buy threads. Mainly the only reason people visit it today. I welcome manufactures selling products if they are a value add to the forum. Best way to share ideas and new products. River Leaf models is a good example. I still lament them closing their doors. Come for the marketplace stay for the threads could be the motto as buyers are the ones who will be attracted even more so than sellers. It is really more the buyers who will be your most likely new member candidates so they can access the marketplace. That in turn will attract more sellers. It is sort of a which came first, the chicken vs egg question but the buyers and sellers really feed off one another. As the younger folks seem to be more into churning their collection at a faster rate than previous generations, we might see the demographics on OGF trend younger and that is not a bad thing. If has been discussed in other OGF threads on how to attract not only more members but more member participants it just might be via a more robust marketplace activity. Should that be a consideration then the questions become how do we make the marketplace more attractive to sellers and their prospective customers.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 23, 2024 22:54:58 GMT
You Attract more sellers by offering more free advertisement.
Mr Muffins, Pats trains, Train World to name a few. Have them post here on their special runs.
Contact Clubs and share their events and for sale items.
List live train events
link in the YouTube crowd.
Once it catches on, look out it will grow exponentially...
and add in my favorite four letter word... FREE as in free trains that I am not using from under the layout, that will perk up some ears.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on May 23, 2024 23:25:54 GMT
OK JDaddy how does that come about?
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 23, 2024 23:42:37 GMT
First, we start small.
Let me reach out to my favorite Hobby Shop - Great Lakes Hobbies. He has some amazing deals right now.
Maybe you or someone in the forum could do the same for their local Hobby shop?
I will reach out to Pat from Pat's trains. He has some great special runs going on now.
And let me talk to the club and see what current events are going on and what items we can spare?
any one have some free items they wish to donate?
I will be sorting stuff out soon and posting on the for-sale forum. Free - just pay shipping...
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on May 24, 2024 0:43:33 GMT
Agreed, baby steps best to avoid disappointment.
IMO this thread now transcends the simple topic of another new member seller.
Can this thread tangent that we are discussing be excerpted if needed and moved to a new thread where it may get more extensive views/comments?
I have no idea how or who to ask.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 24, 2024 2:24:51 GMT
I am not sure how to do that but we can just start a new thread...?
|
|
|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Jun 2, 2024 5:09:38 GMT
Guys, this is exactly how Brian Vaill wanted this forum to be. He always was looking for and inviting any O gauge vendors to advertise here, for free.
The vendor in question is legitimate and I saw their product at the York Meet in April. It looks quite good and reasonably priced vs. other similar products. I plan on buying some of the railings when I build an elevated line. In fact, I supplied him with the link to this forum at the York Meet to advertise here.
It doesn’t matter how much anyone posts here. All are welcome, or at least that’s what I keep reading from the members here. The members list on this forum are loaded with names who never posted anything or left shortly after joining. It’s their choice how much promotion they want to do and we should be welcoming the interest.
|
|
|
|
Post by Country Joe on Jun 2, 2024 17:23:13 GMT
I agree, Brian. I don’t see how anyone here is harmed by members that only post when they have something to sell. At worst there is no interest in the items for sale and at best one or more members might find something that is quite useful for them. The people who sell don’t bomb the forum with advertisements, they usually have one for sale post or one post announcing the product they are offering.
|
|
