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New Classifieds or Old Classifieds section?

Which classifieds system do you prefer?

  • Old Classified as it now is (forum based)

    Votes: 35 23.0%

  • New Classifieds.

    Votes: 115 75.7%

  • Neither.

    Votes: 2 1.3%
  • Total voters
    152
WebSlave

WebSlave

It is what it is, but certainly not what it was.
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OK, I have been running both the new classifieds section I installed a while back along with the old system, but I don't want to run it this way forever. One of the benefits of the new system is that it addresses one of the major complaints I have heard about the old system: It puts a time limit on the life of every ad placed, and it will expire and go away after that time limit lapses. The old system, being forum based, will not do that and required me to manually go through every section and delete all of the old messages.

But I have no idea which one people prefer at this point. I am toying with the idea of having the old system restricted to only paid members being able to post ads, but leave the new system open temporarily to give people incentive to use the new system a bit more.

But in any event, a choice needs to be made and relatively soon so I can streamline the display of the classifieds sections. The non-chosen system will still be active for a while for viewing and contact info from prospective buyers, but once we shift over to the chosen system (whichever people prefer), the non-chosen one will no longer be open to accept new ads.

So let me know which you prefer. And heck, if you haven't tried the new system yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you don't try it out and don't vote on it, then the decision will be made without your input.

Thanks.
 
Ive seen the old ,But like the idea of new one better It gets to be a pain in the butt when you reply to an ad and told I'm sorry its already been sold.. so a time limit is the way to go it may free up space here JMO
 
I really like the new ones better, but I don't think most people will switch to the new ones until the old are gone. I've put duplicate ads in each forum (new and old), and the views in the old classifieds are much much higher, surely out of habit.
But I have no idea which one people prefer at this point. I am toying with the idea of having the old system restricted to only paid members being able to post ads, but leave the new system open temporarily to give people incentive to use the new system a bit more.
Click to expand...
Much like the change from free based to fee based, I would suggest the band-aid approach for this transition: just do it. Certainly you'd want to give 7 days' or so notice to everyone that you're going to yank the old classifieds, and give them an opportunity to put their ads up on the new forum. I agree that you might want to leave it free for the time being, so that people are encouraged to wander in and look around.
 
ms_terese said:
I really like the new ones better, but I don't think most people will switch to the new ones until the old are gone. I've put duplicate ads in each forum (new and old), and the views in the old classifieds are much much higher, surely out of habit. Much like the change from free based to fee based, I would suggest the band-aid approach for this transition: just do it. Certainly you'd want to give 7 days' or so notice to everyone that you're going to yank the old classifieds, and give them an opportunity to put their ads up on the new forum. I agree that you might want to leave it free for the time being, so that people are encouraged to wander in and look around.
Click to expand...

I agree. I don't put many ads up but I got far more hits in the old forum than in the new.

Just do it.
 
wilomn said:
I agree. I don't put many ads up but I got far more hits in the old forum than in the new.

Just do it.
Click to expand...

Haven't placed ads in either but I did browse both and found myself in the new ones a little more lately. I like the layout. I think it will be a better bargain and hopefully will increase the classifieds use and functionality.

Bthacker
 
The new classifieds are excellent. You MUST go to this format to compete with the other sites! The photos on the ad list are a must for buyers to remain interested in browsing the forums. Good work!
 
Intense Herpetoculture said:
I would like to see the new system have a more easier found link, sort of like the "photo gallery" has at the top of the page.
Click to expand...

If it is decided to go to the new system, what I will do is make ALL of the regular links to the classifieds off of the main forum pages link directly to the new classifieds sections. All of the old forum based sections will be moved into a "Classifieds archives" and kept there until all of the ads have become so old as to be useless. Then they will just be deleted as well as the archives themselves. At some point, before the final transition, I would just shut down everyone's ability to post new ads in the old classifieds completely. That is the warning shot to go on to the new system, as now there would be no choice if you want to post classified ads.

I want to make it an orderly and painless transition as much as possible.

Thanks.
 
An expiration date on the classifieds is a great idea. Go w/the new classified ad system.

I always check the "new posts" first and I get really ticked when someone has posted on a 2 y/o ad and it gets bumped up and you think it's a new ad that is until you check the date! Just really annoying.
 
i really like the new the only thing is, would there be a manage classifieds like we have now in our user CP? because i really like that area. and also because like the photo galleries they do not show up when you hit "new posts". you have explain how they are different systems and i understand that.... but that is where i view 99% of the classifieds, by viewing "new posts" so yes i do like the new but i like some of the other "benifits" of the old
 
robin s. said:
i really like the new the only thing is, would there be a manage classifieds like we have now in our user CP? because i really like that area. and also because like the photo galleries they do not show up when you hit "new posts". you have explain how they are different systems and i understand that.... but that is where i view 99% of the classifieds, by viewing "new posts" so yes i do like the new but i like some of the other "benifits" of the old
Click to expand...

There is a link in the green menu bar in the new classifieds that says My Ads. This is a control panel for all of your ads that you can manage from there. Below that to the right of the screen, there is a section you can use to search ads. You can search based on a keyword, or all ads placed in the last day, 7 days, 14 days.

I think it will just take time for people to realize that there is a dividing line between the classifieds and the forums with this new system. I don't think this is a concept that will be difficult to understand and accept, however.
 
I agree that the best way is to do it. I think that a 7-day warning of the impending closure, followed by closing the old archives for new posts, and then after another 7-day period just dump the old ones... free up a TON of space, and make it possible to allow the other to flourish. You'll see a bit of a change in the amount of viewers, but I think that it will only be a brief period of confusion and dislike but once you've made the change final, people will quickly get used to it and won't even really remember what they are "missing"

If the new system is better for you, for the members, and for the site, it's the obvious way to go. :) And since you're already making a lot of changes, now might be the right time to make those changes also.
 
I like the New classifieds section way better than the old one's. The best part is you can see a picture of the animal and the price without opening up the ads.
 
Hey Rich, just a question here.

Are you one of those guys who, when he has a bandaid to remove, particularly when it is attached to a fair amount of hair, that s l o w l y pulls just the tiniest bit of the edge of the bandaid up, then waits, then pulls up, s l o w l y, the next little tiny bit of bandaid and hair, continuing the process interminably, or, are you one of those guys who grabs and yanks, hair be damned?

I think this is a hair be damed situation.
 
No. I leave the bandaid on until it falls off in the shower. :)
 
only one thing i see that might occur.. for those of us which have highlighted ads in the old forum. ok i just bought one ermm like three days ago... oh to hell with it, it's a damn dollar just do it... i sound like i screw my shoes on everyday
hey mike nice to see that you are "well endowed" LOL
 
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