I have talked about the upcoming platform evolution with the forum software previously. Here and here.

 

As more information for developers comes to light, it's become clear that almost all of our customisations and modifications to make our forum-based Classifieds will no longer function. And while the new platform has many clear advantages to me, many of the mods we would want to do will not even be possible at all.

 

So it leaves me with a few choices:

 

• Spin off the Classifieds to another section of the website not integrated with the forum database. (Cheapest, easiest)
• Build a new website specifically for hi-fi classifieds, with all and everything I want, completely custom. (More cost, endless possibilities)
• Start building an entirely new Classifieds system from scratch that will work within V5 software (highest cost, longest development, but integrated with the forum database).

 

The last option is the best one as far as the StereoNET brand and community is concerned. I am leaning towards this, but this is going to come at a significan time and money investment. I have two concerns. Firstly is the amount of time the current system is taking up for myself and the volunteers. That would need to be addressed so that admin is optimised and much less input is required from us. Secondly is as being discussed here. particularly in the more recent part of the thread in regards to those simply not doing the right thing. 

 

Another consideration is the current Trader Feedback. It's going to be a huge undertaking to import that into a system that would work with a new platform, but I see that as crucial given the year's of history here in this sytem.

 

If we're going to invest in this, it needs to recover that investment over time but also almost enforce the right thing being done. That's on me to strike a balance between enforced rules, paywalls, and the interface so that there's no option other than to do the right thing. More on that - down the track. I don't foresee any changes to the costs to sellers to use our new system - just better ways of ensuring a level playing field and that all are doing the right thing.

 

So assuming I make the decision to go ahead with the last option... 

 

What would be your StereoNET Classifieds wish list?

What are the features it should have?

How could the current system be improved?

What would you like to see?

 

Let's open up the discussion and throw ideas around please.

 

To start with, I'd want it to look more like a marketplace/trading site, and less like a forum trying to be a classifieds. That's my goal.

It needs better seperation of categories, so you browse all ads (like the classifieds now), or tick categories to filter just the type of products you are interested in. Similarly, I'd like to be able to show just VIC ads, or just QLD for example. Beyond that, perhaps even price filtering. Eg, show me all preamplifiers under $2000 in Victoria.

Ok I’ll start,

for me security in the forum is paramount ,

only ever  personally  met 2 or 3 people On SNA

,but know over 100 from buy sell and various conversations over the years ,

I understand buy sell,is my personal responsibility for secure transactions ,

but I do rely on the feedback and general history ,of other members when dealing with them ,

it would be good to have the option ,to be able to bulk pay rather than every  item sold,like an invoice of the week or month ,

🙂

 

 

Thanks for offering input. Not entirely sure about the first part about meeting people. Is there a suggestion there?

Our security is unbelievably good, and the running joke among our service providers is that we have banking level redundancy and security. While they laugh, they also know I take it very seriously.

 

In regards to paying fees monthly rather than per item, I can't see any changes coming in that regard. It's hard enough getting people to pay what they agreed to pay as it is, but to do as you say we would have to have standing billing agreements and keep cards etc on file with people's accounts. While I trust our security, no system is foolproof (Optus anyone?), and I'd hate to have a breach that included credit cards and other financial information. Unless your selling items daily, I really don't see it as a big deal to have a single transaction per item sold.

 

Until I read your last paragraph, I was going to list all the things in your last paragraph. 
 

in addition, i’d like a prompt, when reposting, to consider lowering the price. As the market has slowed, the classifieds are getting junked up with relisted ad after relisted ad for stuff that will never sell because the seller is ignoring the market feedback that their price is too high. 
 

I’d even go as far as ‘no relisting without a price reduction’ but I doubt that would be popular. People like their false hope ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

5 minutes ago, RankStranger said:

in addition, i’d like a prompt, when reposting, to consider lowering the price.

 

Most Excellent Suggestion. Added !!!! 🙂

 

Thanks.

OK well this escalated relatively quickly on our end. Development has started.

 

The plan is to build a new classifieds system that fully integrates here in the forums, slipstreaming many custom addons currently in place, such as Trader Feedback, Repost, Report Sold Elsewhere, Seller's Fees, and all the working parts that have been modded to work together, into one system. It is being developed to work with the existing platform so that we can flip the switch over - prior to V5 of the forum software. That way, when the new V5 platform arrives, it will just be one system that needs upgrading rather than trying to make multiple systems be compatible.

 

Again, now is the time for wishlist stuff. 👍

A rather microscopic suggestion:

• make a field for age / year of purchase of unit for sale;
• if amplifier or CD player : make a field for remote included: yes/no

--

I'm relieved to read that the new classifieds will integrate into the SNA forum rather than flip to external site.

Cheers

Great suggestions. Both noted! Thank you.

I think a rebuild on the existing framework with a better search capability (eg show me all "CD players") would be more than helpful and create something unique for SNA.

 

I know the forums were tested in categories in the past and the great unwashed rejected it, but it is tedious scrolling through lots of ads to find what you might be looking for.

 

I don't think anyone has really nailed a classifieds implementation for audiophiles yet. here's your chance!

Have no opinion one way or the other on how the classified section should work, but it seems to me to be another example of how much time, effort, and money you ( @Marc ) and your team constantly put into this site to keep it as good as it can be and to keep (most) of the members happy. Well done and good work to all of you!

We'll strive to make it as good as it can be. It won't all happen in Stage 1, but that will lay the foundations to improve upon the system for future stages. It's a work in progress 🙂

Further to the existing suggestion about being prompted to lower the asking price after multiple attempts to sell, I think it best to allow two repeat listings, after which the price must be lowered by a meaningful amount and if not sold then no re listing would be possible for six months.

Although this would be, almost certainly, deeply unpopular, I think this is a bullet that must be bitten. I have been guilty of re posting many times myself with zero success and the only thing that comes from it is that it just entrenches the feeling that nobody is interested in the item, either at all, or at the asking price.

Another pet idea of mine is a compulsory listing fee. This could/ would cover two consecutive listings for the same item, after which, three possibilities emerge.

1. A (meaningful ) price adjustment.

2. A second  (but lower ) listing fee after the price alteration, for two more listings, and if not sold subsequently, then listing (for that item ) is not available for six months.

3. A higher listing fee for those blow ins who just join to sell and are never seen again, so if no meaningful community contributions are made within 25 posts then the listing fee would be double the real member rate, OR unavailable to those who have no intent to assimilate into the community, without which we are nothing

I understand that these will be unpopular but I do not and will not apologise for them.

 

As it stands the current system is facing an existential crisis and without trying to make this into a sad movie or be a drama queen, I am a life member and I damn well care ( deeply  ) what goes on as this place for various personal reasons, which I cannot go into.

  Suffice to say that this place is far more important to me than buying and selling and always will be

 

What ever I can do personally , which may not be anything, I am prepared to do and my intent is not self aggrandisement in any way,so I am ok with running the gauntlet of howls and jeers.

Don't ever apologise for offering opinion that you are passionate about @rantan. Thanks for your input.

Some of the suggestion attract some difficulty in admin/management but do plant seeds for further development, so thanks.

I have to say I don’t agree with the idea of telling/forcing people to lower their price. 
Price setting is up to the seller and you have the option to agree or not. 
There are circumstances where things take a long time to sell due to the smaller pool of people that can afford the item and the seller may be in no hurry at all to sell. 
 

Will there be a one button response for low ballers?

You know like" Am I ever gonna see your face again " type response button😁

I think any real world implementation of that would only be a suggestion, not a demand.

In time, we will have a lot of data and historical sales values. We may even be able to suggest a price-guide when members create an ad.

Just thinking out loud for now.

1 minute ago, joz said:

Will there be a one button response for low ballers?

You know like" Am I ever gonna see your face again " type response button😁

 

No, but maybe we should build in the "Boss" key, like good old Leisure Suit Larry.

5 minutes ago, Marc said:

 

No, but maybe we should build in the "Boss" key, like good old Leisure Suit Larry.

*memory unlocked*
 

Imagine showing kids these days sitting at an Amiga 500 waiting ages for a picture full of green dots to make out the silhouette of a naked lady. Ahhhh the memories 🙈😂😂😂😂

The Classifieds have certainly come on in leaps and bounds--the new scheme is top stuff and sounds equal or better to the current market leaders WW. Great work team!

 

My two cents worth🥴--

 

I could not find a Preview button before placing an Ad--for checking /spelling adding another pic /etc.

Hmm- the reminder to lower ones price if relisting --good but I'd not make it enforceable per se-the suggestion is fine.

RRP if Known is handy --saves having to scramble it in the Copy.

 

I'll probably be shot for mentioning this but the loophole ( judiciously blocked by the other major contenders !) is the ability to converse Buyer/Seller, Via PM's here allowing personal details / emails TxT's / Contacts /etc-this can be a source to circumnavigate the system and negotiate "deals privately"--how to get this in line is virtually impossible  as far as I can see without resorting to the heavy handedness AG/EB for example resort to if one attempts to out the rules🙄.

 

Good luck with all,

 

Willco

 

14 hours ago, Willco said:

I could not find a Preview button before placing an Ad--for checking /spelling adding another pic /etc.

 

Interesting suggestion. We'll still be bound by core Invision functionality by keeping the Classifieds integrated within the forums - and I'm not sure a Preview function has ever existed. We can hope that might be an option with the upcoming V5 platform release. I'd be surprised if it weren't, to be honest. In which case, we'd be able to adopt that in the classifieds too.

 

I should post a reminder to all to not expect "too much" with Stage 1 release. It will be designed to just replicate and relace the existing functionality, in readiness for V5 platform. Once that switch is flipped, then we will be able to implement all the extra functionality once we understand what is possible within the V5 architecture.

 

Work has commenced, and some of the backend framework is already working this morning. Testing looks good. A long way to go yet though, of course.

On 27/2/2024 at 4:23 PM, Marc said:

I think any real world implementation of that would only be a suggestion, not a demand.

In time, we will have a lot of data and historical sales values. We may even be able to suggest a price-guide when members create an ad.

Just thinking out loud for now.

just spit-balling but maybe there could be a section below the window where you enter the item details that, prompted by a "show me recent similar listings" button or something, populates with recent similar listings or the main details of.

 

It could be based on keywords or categories or an ai search of the last year’s worth of ads or whatever. It might help sellers by providing price guidance or ideas for what details to include. Might not be practical but I could see the value

Hmm. I wonder if you could train an LLM on the classifieds 🤔

7 hours ago, RankStranger said:

just spit-balling but maybe there could be a section below the window where you enter the item details that, prompted by a "show me recent similar listings" button or something, populates with recent similar listings or the main details of.

 

It could be based on keywords or categories or an ai search of the last year’s worth of ads or whatever. It might help sellers by providing price guidance or ideas for what details to include. Might not be practical but I could see the value

 

Great idea! Have noted it. That sort of thing will be Stage 2 obviously, once we've migrated the existing system, and then after we move to V5 of the forum software. Thanks for your input 🙂

7 hours ago, RankStranger said:

Hmm. I wonder if you could train an LLM on the classifieds 🤔

 

I have no doubt at all. Might be a bit early for us, but certainly worth exploring down the track.

I think this has been mentioned in the past in another wishlist thread, but being able to sort by State would be nice.

Even better, could there be a dropdown list of States where I can check which State/s I want to see results from?