Not currently but there are a couple of options that I've been exploring. The first is a new marketplace system. You can see it here. To date we've been playing around with it to see how it works. If we move it into production we'll thin down the number of categories to be a little more similar to what we currently have. It does have a feedback element on sellers and buyers though I need to spend some more time to see how it really works.

The other option is to implement a vBulletin add-on called iTrader. I've seen a lot of sites that have used this and it may be an option if we don't implement the new marketplace.

 

You could, in the meantime, just post a new section called "feedback", and every NAMer could have their own thread to link to. They could then post their feedback link to their signature.

I had an unresolved situation for a decent amount, and I really dont want to air my dirty laundry. Then again, I want to warn others and make accountability a factor when resolving an issue.

 

So if there is something wrong in a transaction you had PM me with the info on what happened. Often just having me contact the seller/buyer and asking to get the deal sorted out is enough to get it back on track. Also, if we do find evidence that someone intentionally did a member wrong we can remove them from the site.

Thanks

Mark

 

I like the new format of the marketplace. When's it going to kick off?

 

No date yet...I need to spend some additional time with its functionality and get a better feeling of what it offers.

Mark

 

I like the new marketplace, the separation is good especially when I'm looking for a certain part.
I hate having to rummage through 100's of wtb/wtt posts. What annoys me most it finding a thread with the item I'm looking for just to find out that the blooming thing has been sold. Remove them from the equation place then in an archive threads tittled "SOLD"


FYI that what I have done on MMMC


Regards,

Scott

 

I think this should be brought to the top of the thread, sense it will be going live in a couple days.

Also, will Itrader still be used with this or will the new marketplace have its own feedback entity?

 

iTrader will still be used.

 

No offense but the new market place is kinda of annoying. Maybe I'm just not used to it yet. But I've seen similar marketplaces on other sites.

 

Can't say I like the new format, but would appreciate a good search or categorization function.

I'd appreciate the same look and feel - forum on the right side, links etc. on the left.

A agree with previous posts that the wheel forum should have some mandatory (or suggested) fields: wheel diameter, maker, width, etc. Unfortunately, not all sellers know this information, so making the fields mandatory" may be difficult except for dia, width, offset.

I'm missing the "jump to" box that's in the lower right of the other forums.

Feedback and spurious posts in the f/s threads - can't really avoid them, I'm afraid. NAM is better at not grapping, but nobody's perfect. If you want to see grapping, go to vwvortex (hint: 4x100 VW wheels >15"dia fit most of our R50/53 Minis).

I kind of like having to search through the threads for what I want - sounds inefficient when I say it that way - but it feels more like a garage sale, uncovering a major "find" is great. Unfortunately, making my search as a buyr efficient makes the task of the Seller more difficult, since they have to categorize the item before it is sold.

Miscellaneous thoughts, enjoy your day...

 

6) No non-MINI-related items Please use your discretion. For example, a camera might be allowed since you can take pictures of your MINI while a gift card to Home Depot would not. If the Marketplace moderators can not see the item being directly MINI-related it will be removed without warning.

If a camera is permitted because you can take pictures of your MINI, why are camcorder batteries excluded?

Many of us utilize video equipment (cameras and/or camcorders) and it's VERY handy to have extra batteries on hand, especially during spirited runs/gatherings.

If NAMers are able to purchase extra batteries and SAVE MONEY at the same time, that's part of the MINI spirit!

Actually, I think it'd be great if the "Off-Site Sales" folder could be used for all types of products that NAMers are selling off-site--not limited to MINI-related items. With the iTrader feature in place, both parties have the option of letting other NAMers know how the transaction went.

 

So, if I understand this correctly, all ads will cost $5.00 going forward, unless an Alliance Member?

-Ed

 

That is only if you want to advertise services offered to other members. Such as doing taxes, or graphic design etc etc. The fee is only in the Services Offered area. ALL other types of ads are still free.

 

Then it becomes another free for all type listing site, that not the intent.

Someone advertised a bed, that too was removed. A case could be made that one needs to sleep sometimes to be fresh when driving a MINI.

 

All very good points; however, perhaps removing the camera example from the guidelines would reduce confusion and save you some moderating work.

Maybe a poll could be created to let NAMers decide if non-MINI-related items should be listed in the Marketplace?

Heck, if NAM is going to allow eBay listings--why not take the next step and allow listings for non-MINI merchandise? Caveat emptor & all that...NAMers will recognize what's a good deal vs. a bad deal and certainly don't need to be micro-managed regarding their purchases.

 

Now, if it were a bed made out OF a Mini Cooper, that'd be a different story! (this one's a mitsubishi...)

Gotta say I really like the old one better. Make the search engine as robust as possible, give some guidelines for keyword searches in the, umm,
guidelines", and let it go. Tiny pictures and all that, well, it's too much. Call me a curmudgeon, but why fix what ain't broke?

 

The pictures are clickable to supersize them

 

Thanks for the clarification!

Ed

 

Maybe it's just change, but I don't like the new Marketplace. I find it difficult to tell when new items have been listed since I last looked. Also, there is no way to learn from other people's questions and input about the various items that get listed. In the old version if someone asked a question about an item and the seller responded, everyone else looking at the item for sale got to learn more about that item. It also helped the seller because he could simply answer that question once in the thread, instead of answering the question multiple times in private inquiries from would-be buyers as with the current set-up. Likewise if a seller was a known bad seller, fellow NAMers would be able to call the person out and let everyone know.

 

One can view all items listed in the Last Day, Last 7 days, Last 14 Days or all ads and then sort them according in multiple ways. This can be done for all ads, or the all the ads of a certain group such as 2nd Gen and narrowed even more to all ads in catagory such as 2nd Gen parts.

Communications are not limited to PM's. All listings can have posts. Plus the use of itrader helps to weed out sellers and buyers that are not reputable.

 

does a post 'bump' the listing to the first page?

 

Bumps do not do anything, it would just be shown as a comment.

Placing an Ad or making a comment in an ad does not raise post count either.

 

great, so, ads get relegated to page 10 and people create 'new' ones to keep them on the front burner.

 

Not sure if im diggin it to much...... idk


Jack

 

I know...it's a change...

I was reluctant at first myself but the more I worked with it when setting it up and getting it customized for NAM the I began to appreciate what an effective tool it can be.

Play with it for a bit once it gets a bit more populated. I think many of you will find it's easier to find what you are looking for when seeking out items.