ped

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1354635897' post='1888472'] The main problem with adding features to support good ideas like this is that unless your platform was designed to cope with extension in this way, you can quickly end up with an unmaintainable system that consists more of exceptions than rules. And doing it 'the right way' isn't cheap. [/quote] Yeah, precisely. We're limited to some extent by the platform. Even the classifieds add on was a third party 'hook' made by someone to fit into the software. Unless we hire our own person to totally code something from the ground up, these bolt-ons are never going to suit us perfectly. This has been proven in the feedback thus far about the new section. [i][u][b]So do we all like the sound of a single payment for a one off advert and the option of a single yearly payment?[/b][/u][/i]

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1354635645' post='1888463'] I made the assumption that it would be the same procedure as banning people from OT, (for eg.) ........ ........though that does have the knock-on effect of also banning the user from several other areas which they may have been able to make useful contributions to. [/quote] Yeah, that would be very hard to keep track of and to moderate. It would also mean we'd have to get involved in every sale and confirm the status of the deal,etc. Simplicity is the key, I think.

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1354634830' post='1888448'] How about a subs benefit of 1 days preview on all sales threads before it goes on free full view to all members? Might help some people grab an elusive piece of kit or bargain? If say that, plus every sale thread has a £1 insert fee would be a great plan [/quote] Again, simplicity is what we need initially. Things like this sound easy but are actually very difficult (and expensive) to maintain and code. Nice idea though

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1354634728' post='1888446'] I'll admit - I've been lazy and haven't read this whole thread! But... I've just had my first proper nosy at the classifieds section. I quite like it, adding a "bump" button would be pretty cool. My main (and currently only!) issue is that I tend to just hit "New Posts" and read the results (and before anyone says - I know I can select Classifieds in the search criteria) - I like reading the posts without needing to change my search (I don't just read the for sale posts currently, I jump between). If we could get the classifieds incorporated into that type of thing and get rid of the "for sale" section (so not having both) - then I'd be totally happy. I like the idea of prices being added from the get go! [/quote] Thanks - yeah one of the issues with the classifieds 'module' is that it appears under different criteria in the search. I too use the 'view new posts' as my home page.

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1354634341' post='1888436'] a simple % of the selling price is paid on a sale being made, anyone not forwarding said amount is blocked from future sales until it is. [/quote] Hi mate Thanks for this - remember the key is simplicity, though. This would be very difficult to enforce with basic software. I still like the suggestions thus far of a fee to insert a single ad, or a single fee for unlimited posts a year.

Hi guys More good feedback. Please make sure you look at my last post where I explain why a % fee isn't actually very easy and where I suggest items below a certain cost are free. £20 was just a comparison to TB, so don't get too hung up on the actual cost yet. I think it's clear that the new section could be scrapped. I'll talk to the web guy and see what our options are in terms of 'packages' - Ideally I'd like a single price per advert as you lot suggest, and offer an alternative yearly fee too. Thanks guys ped

Thanks for the feedback so far, some great points. Points 3,4 and 5 are just ideas really, not especially critical. I think charging a percentage is a good idea, but it's actually quite hard to implement without some sort of modification, ala the new classifieds section. This is also what Talkbass have a simple one off fee. However we might later be able to offer extras to paid members like they do (but you already get an avatar for free!) This is what a flat fee is best at least to begin with. The average passer by would have to weigh up the cost against using something like eBay, and I think we can happily compete on those grounds. Smaller items could be sold in a sub-forum for items totaling less than a certain amount, where listings are free. One day when we can afford it we may be able to introduce a % fee (capped to not penalise people selling expensive things). I also feel ANYONE should be able to view the marketplace, after all, it means there's thousands of potential new customers for you to flog too. This is good for footfall and for you as a seller.

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1354624439' post='1888221'] Am I the only one who doesn't see any pics in the new Classifieds section? This happens in Firefox and Chrome - I just get grey squares where I imagine the pics should be. EDIT: I mean the thumbnails - I can see the main images in the actual ads [/quote] The uploads system is broken at the moment (fix happening at the moment) so it's all grey there at the moment.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1354624239' post='1888214'] 1 I like the regular market place. 2 I always leave a donation if I make a sale and would prefer it to stay that way. I guess though that some don't, so I understand the need for a fee. My donations have probably amounted to more than the suggested fee . 3 the bump button would work, although not sure if it's necessary really 4 good idea 5 the seller should be free to give what details they want to. If they don't then it's their problem and the item may not sell or if it does, then may be not for the best price. [/quote] Hi Gary, yes, thankfully kind souls like yourself donate often, which is very kind and has fuelled us thus far. I'll see to it that donators get access in return for donations made, or something like that, because you're right, many have donated in the last few weeks.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1354624209' post='1888211'] I prefer the new classifieds section by far. However, it's a nuisance that some items are posted in there whilst others are still using the old forum. It's got to be one or the other IMHO. Adding a 36 hour bump button would only encourage people to get their friends to write useless replies to bump it up instead. [/quote] Yes sorry that was our fault, it wasn't/isn't clear. We'll use one or the other, though.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1354624141' post='1888207'] Part of me is thinking, 'Ha! I just knew the Classifieds were going to cost money!' and another part is thinking, 'If I owned BassChat, I would have charged a sub A LONG TIME AGO...' People don't like change. Particularly BassChatters, who are a conservative lot. I support your latter six points completely, Ped. Clear and concise ads sell stuff, simples. Keep the regular marketplace forums for chatting about stuff for sale, and have people link to a proper ad in the classifieds. Then you get the best of both worlds and everyone's happy. I would be glad to cough up a nominal sum for the privilege of using the classifieds - as long as you're not expecting a donation as well! Look at the alternatives, people! eBay, anyone?? Gumtree?? I don't think so. [/quote] Thanks.. yes I'd actually like to try to give free access to recent donators if possible, as a thank you.

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1354623661' post='1888192'] I much prefer the old style of buying and selling, but think a 36hr bump button would be good! I'd be happy to pay a sub to use it too. [/quote] Thanks - I'll show a link to the plugin later so you can see it, it's literally a button next to 'post' which says 'bump' but it's greyed out for 36hrs each use. It even shows how long left until it's clickable again. Quite neat...

Hi guys Please see this thread. Thanks for all the feedback http://basschat.co.uk/topic/193461-bcs-new-classifieds-section-your-opinions-please/ ped

Hi guys Thanks for all the feedback. Please take a look at this thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/193461-bcs-new-classifieds-section-your-opinions-please/ Cheers ped

Hi, yes I noticed it's a blob rather than a star now (though still a star in mobile site). It's on the list. Actually this whole 'bug' is something that's fixed altogether in the new software update which we're pricing up right now. Literally as we speak!

Hi everyone. There have been a few threads about the new classifieds section. The reason behind it was to initially have thumbnails of products next to their regular forum thread. However that was difficult/expensive so we found this marketplace plugin which does that, however in a different format. Installing and sorting it has taken a while, and it's caused a few problems, too. However it still isn't finished, and I don't know how long it's going to take. It's been quite a difficult transition, limited by budget and time constraints. Several people have mentioned that they prefer the 'regular' forum layout of the marketplace, for several reasons: 1 - it allows conversations about items 2 - it works better from a mobile device 3 - it's less rigid However there are also some problems with it: 1 - some people don't state prices, making work for mods 2 - bumping - some people bump more than once in 36hrs 3 - lack of detail in some ads can be frustrating. BC is YOUR forum, so we have listened to your feedback thus far on the (as yet) unfinished classifieds section. We certainly don't want to do something that you lot don't like. However we also need to make some money for the forum; recent developments with attacks and what have you have reinforced the need for constant top notch security, too. How would you feel if we: 1 - carried on using the regular marketplace forums 2 - charged a yearly subscription fee to be able to post adverts there (~£20) to help pay for developments 3 - installed a new 'bump' button which only works once every 36hrs on your thread 4 - develop the marketplace to allow thumbnails next to threads for everyone 5 - develop a better form for selling items with fields for things like location, price, etc to make adverts clearer Feedback greatly appreciated. As you now we're generally tied down in what we can offer at this point because of limited funds, however things can change and be modified and improved as we move onward. Ideally we'd make it all free, but you'll understand that we aren't able to afford that with advertising becoming difficult and the huge numbers we support here on BC. Do you prefer the old forums to the new classifieds section?? Cheers ped

The MAIN reason we wanted to try this is because of the thumbnails which will make browsing through much nicer (IMO). For that, this plugin was the easiest and cleanest way of doing it. To have thumbnails on the normal forum isn't possible. If it doesn't work, we'll go back to a normal forum. Just let us give it a shot and we'll go from there.

Well all I'm going to say is that if it doesn't work, when it's finished, we'll modify it or lose it. Nothing ventured... If people decide to go elsewhere then that's up to them, but I can't think of a better place to sell a bass, regardless of the selling format. We'll see. Even I have yet to be convinced, so we're all on the same page.

OK guys Had a busy weekend and we have now fixed a few issues; all we have left is the image uploader and a few small niggles. We're looking ahead now; I've secured the services of a great developer who has the time to commit to being the BC tech guy, long term. He has a list as long as my arm so as the money trickles in we can knock them down. Where the problem for us before was finding the support and being able to communicate our needs to those who offered, it looks like we're now settled on that front. Thanks to all who have donated thus far; I've just sent off a bunch of thank you emails to everyone, as ever, to your paypal email addresses. The donations box is back on the homepage and I'll also have a link in my signature soon, good idea! Cheers to all ped

Also the 'paid' marketplace listings which display an image as the thumbnail rely on at least one image to be uploaded for it to work, so until it's fixed, we're sipping fumes! We have plenty of server space and bandwidth.

Hi guys yeah we're fixing it now. Cheers

Yes we're working on that now, cheers ped

I've been using E2c headphones for a long time with my Vbass unit. It seems they have been replaced with the Shure SE102 - can anyone confirm this is the case, and are they exactly the same sound? I know there might be better sounding IEMs out there but I'm used to these and what I hear from them is exactly what I hear on record when in the studio so I feel they very accurately produce the sound of my bass. Funnily enough I don't like them for music at all. Cheers ped

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1354384370' post='1885457'] I would also love to buy stickers, and I think they were included in the original list of new merch for sale when the shop was going to re-open (which it did in September IIRC), but I seem to recall Ped saying that the samples he got weren't of satisfactory quality for the price, or something along those lines...? Can anyone help? [/quote] In order to have some decent vinyl stickers to sell if have to spend some cash on stock and also post them all myself which just isn't possible currently.

Hi guys I have spoken to our new web developer today. We've discussed plans for ALL the updates and customisations we need, including a general site update to the latest software. It's going to be great to have the constant support we so badly need, but this is also going to either cost us quite a bit of £ up front, or it'll take a while for things to trickle through. Your donations thus far have helped us pay the costs incurred by the recent trouble with the malware thing and the random bugs here and there. We're really grateful for every one of them. Some people have asked me 'how much should I donate' because they don't want to appear insulting by sending a small amount. Truthfully there is NO amount too small, but most people donate between £5 and £20.. please see i'm only saying this to help people feel less insecure about donating, rather than saying you need to donate a certain amount. So please keep them coming in and I'll be able to send the new developer off with a list of jobs to do THIS WEEK, which will make the site better for us all. Many thanks ped