Why no "For Sale Or Trade" forum on HSM?

[BCRider]

I might be answering my own question because such forums are prime ground for scammers and other neerdowell sorts. And from personal experience on a motorcycle forum the source of lots of moderation work.

But what about if someone wants to offer up something they obtained but cannot use? A "Freebie" or "Pay It Forward" place where our members can offer up their cra.... er.... bartering jewels to others when they have no use for something?

Do such things end up here in General? If so I've yet to see any.

I ask because I've got some goodies from package deals in the past that I realize I won't ever use. So I'd like to offer them up for shipping costs to someone that can use them.

[polaraligned]

So I'd like to offer them up for shipping costs to someone that can use them.

I guess if you are giving them away, technically, it is not "for sale or trade".

[wierdscience]

This question comes up once a year at least,see this thread-

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/33148-Why-no-quot-for-sale-quot-forum?highlight=forsale+posts

George,IIRC,has in the past allowed some for sale type posts,if it was someone selling out due to death or illness.

[DICKEYBIRD]

Hiya Bruce, Happy Holidays!

There are no sale or trade posts allowed because our generous benefactors make their (some of it) living from the advertising in their magazines & web sites. Member sales, trades & I guess even giveaways take away profits from them. I think the sign-up blurb even says that. I forget, it's been so long! (Who reads 'em anyway!)

It's been cussed & discussed before.

[Axkiker]

Hiya Bruce, Happy Holidays!

There are no sale or trade posts allowed because our generous benefactors make their (some of it) living from the advertising in their magazines & web sites. Member sales, trades & I guess even giveaways take away profits from them. I think the sign-up blurb even says that. I forget, it's been so long! (Who reads 'em anyway!)

It's been cussed & discussed before.

What website could I post for sale stuff on that would benefit this site. I will have some stuff soon and if will support the cause ill give it a try. I just wasnt aware of any.

[BCRider]

That certainly makes sense. A whole lot of sense in fact.

Thing is that in my immediate case I've got something that I'd happily GIVE away. But if I had to post a paid classified ad then depending on the cost of the ad it may not be worth what I have to pay for the ad and shipping to the next person.

[polaraligned]

While that does make sense, I doubt they make notable money on the private "for sale/wanted" ads. I will bet 99% of the revenue is from commercial advertisers.

I am on a forum that will allow you to post "for sale/wanted", but for that privilege, you need to pay $25 per year.

[BCRider]

well, we'll see. I've done what I likely should have done in the first place and PM'ed George directly with the question.

I'll bet I've got you all curious as cats now at what I've got though.....

[Paul Alciatore]

It has all been said before, but the owner of this BB is Village Press. They publish magazines and those magazines have both paid advertisements and a classified section where you and I can purchase ads.

https://secure.villagepress.com/

You can click on the individual magazines at the top of this page. I believe you can place ads in any of them. And if you go to the individual magazine web pages and scroll down about half way, you will see that you can buy advertising space on these BBs.

I am not an employee of Village Press, but I believe that is the basic reason why they do not allow "For Sale" posts.

As said above, this has been brought up before. I have even suggested that a limited, non commercial amount of ads for single items should be considered. George, our moderator and the Editor of several of the magazines published by Village Press has said that it has been discussed and that it may happen sometime in the future. But apparently, it is not a high priority on his agenda or that of any one else at Village Press.

Again, as stated above, George has given permission in a few cases. I do not know his criteria, but you can contact him. He does answer PMs and e-mails.

For more on this, including posts by George, search the archives of this BB.

If you want a machinist BB that does allow ads, you can go to Practical Machinist. They have two whole boards devoted to ads one for whole machines and another for tools and accessories. And they even allow some commercial ones. But they do not allow ads for "home shop machines".

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/

I am sure there are others.

What website could I post for sale stuff on that would benefit this site. I will have some stuff soon and if will support the cause ill give it a try. I just wasnt aware of any.

[GNM109]

I've done quite well on eBay and Craigslist both buying and selling. I can understand why they don't have such ads here on HMS. It's fine with me.

[Puckdropper]

I wonder if setting up a site for HSM exchange would be ok. Posting announcements of things for sale/swap would be against the spirit of the rules, but having a site we occasionally mention when someone asks about suppliers might.

[alanganes]

George has addressed this in the past, I won't try to speak for him. I do know there have been a few instances when I and others have had stuff to offer up for cost of shipping to folks on the board, asked George via PM with the details and was allowed to do so. I presume it is a case-by case thing. I would PM him with the details and see what he says. He's a reasonable guy.

[boslab]

1-800?, seems sensible
Mark

[Jaakko Fagerlund]

If the reason is about supporting the forum, then as someone said how it works in other places is to have a fee that has to be paid to the forum owners to be able to post for-sale-stuff.

[1-800miner]

George has let me and others post " free, but pay the shipping" threads several times.
I think everyone asked him in advance for permission. He has been very helpful to that cause.
But in order to have a for sale department, some one will have to police it.
And George is already overworked and underpaid.