The exchange is there for a reason. Please use it! I'll let the current threads stay but they will be locked. If more of these "urgent" FS/WTB threads pop up I can't guarantee they won't magically disappear...

I don't think this is an issue that ever had any exceptions to it... it's not that hard to do fellers.

Well, since you started this thread, here are some of my thoughts.

I've thought about the Exchange on more than one occasion when I've dropped in to see what's what. But I've only gone in there twice - once was today. One reason was because I had no idea what was in there by now.

I also have some parts I'm going to be selling sooner or later and have thought to myself that if I did post them nobody'd know about it without intentionally going into the Exchange to look.

Here's my point. I would think that some kind of mechanism which announced a new listing or change in pricing should have an alert associated with it. If there's some automatic post of a notice it would be slick. However, one idea that's come to mind is to start a SINGLE thread that folks could post to: "My car's for sale", or "Need 650cc injectors" or "Price drop on b16 turbo to $$$" as long as it's associated with a related item in the Exchange.

I don't know what will ultimately work, but I think you can see what I'm talking about. Just some notifier of a new listing with a short blurb about it should suffice.

There - my $.02.

I think you guys have some good ideas and I'm sure there is a way to implement them, but it kinda defeats the purpose and the spirit of the exchange.

The exchange isn't necessarily supposed to be associated with dsmcentral.com. It is basically bringing back what we lost when dsmtrader went down. Its a FS/WTB only site that all dsmers can go to whether they are a member of dsmcentral or not. If we get the amount of stuff FS on the exchange that the trader had before it went down, and implemented Kazz's idea, then our entire forum would be flooded with automatic FS posts. This is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We felt dsmcentral had way too many FS threads.

Remember the exchange is in its infancy right now. I think we should be patient and let it mature and hopefully grow. You might feel differently about it then. Right now, I see it as a better form of the FS forums on here. Its no harder to click on the exchange link than it is to click on the FS forum link.

That's my take on it anyway. What do the other mods think? Should we temporarily reopen the FS forums and allow threads to be posted but not replied to? If so, should we only allow people who have 100 posts or more to create FS threads? Just a couple ideas to allow FS on dsmcentral, but cut down on people joining just to post a FS thread. I can see both sides so I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Keep it separeate...

hmmm could do like on honda-tech. have a stickied thread where people can list the parts they are selling and provide a link to their for sale ad. only allow people to post their link, and thats all. keep it closely moderated to remove any reply's that dont follow the rules. once their item has sold, they must request that their post be removed from the thread. if they dont request it to be removed, remove it like 30 days after the post was made, so the thread wont become extremely long.

I wish I knew the options. Limiting it to a single thread helps somewhat and the removal at sold idea is cool but I have no idea how to manage.

Is there a "new posts" function on the Exchange? That'd serve in a pinch.

Not bitchin' ya know - tryin' to be he'pful ...

But all that requires someone to sit and babysit the site. I think that's what the mods are trying to get away from. Nobody wants to sit and watch a site for people breaking the rules. If I know kicks, he's applying the KISS principle... Keep It Simple Stupid... I think it works fine like it is. If you want to buy or sell something, you know exactly where to go... if not, you don't have to look at it.

I like having the forums cleaner, but also miss some of the dialog that goes with buying and selling. When Adam or Bud are selling their cars again it makes for interesting conversation that does not result from an exchange ad.

What Spy recently did with his injectors was a nice approach. He started a thread discussing his need for the 1000cc injectors and opened a WTB ad on exchange. I would not want to see a thread opened for everyone that has a handful of bolts for sale, but I can see that some related threads could be allowed.

Hey!

agree'd 100%...... also agree with the fact that the items for sale are kinda hidden unless you go to the exchange.... with the old system, I would see something for sale, not looking for it, and say "hey thats a good product" and would buy it.... if that item was on the current exchange, I would have never seen it if I wasn't directly looking for it and concequently would have never bought it

just my .02

i concur!

I guess it kinda depends on your buying style. Conservative buyer vs. buyer of opportunity.

I don't like it I miss the F/S threads.

I appreciate everyones input. This can help us make DSMCentral Exchange a better place to buy and sell. With that said I don't see any reson to revert to the old ways of posting for sale adds on DSMCentral it's self.

People want to post FS adds on DSMCentral because there seems to be more members available on it. Like Nate said the Exchange is in it's infancy. It will not grow until we use the Exchange in place of the forum as a buying and selling tool.

I'll talk to Mike and Cory about some of your ideas.

Thanks!
Marcus

Marcus, your absolutely right...

We're having a similar problem here at work. We recently upgraded some software, but people don't like it because they don't know it. So they end up using the old software and totally defeat thte purpose of putting the new stuff in place.

It only takes a second to click on the exchange site and see what's new... hell, it even shows you the lastest additions on the front page! No worse than clicking on the FS threads IMHO.

I think the exchange is a great idea. As Rob stated, people aren't used to it or comfortable with it yet. Sure it takes a little more effort to use, but that's traded off with a much better format, and more detailed search functions. I'm very happy with it.

I'm just surprised the mods gave up their ability to "review" the items before they're posted.

I like the exchange as it is. Some of the back and forth sales banter is sometimes interesting, but I haven't missed it too much.

My only suggestions are:
1) That maybe the first page lists all the items added in the last 24 hours so it's easier to see the newest stuff without going through a couple of pages.

2) Could there be a listing for all non-dsm stuff. I understand its a DSM exchange, but I sometimes sell non-dsm items to fund the money pit I drive. I'd rather deal with people on this board than list stuff in the paper and deal with God knows what.

I ain't proud: I'm an opportunistic bitch, bitch!