This is not complaint... but it's a suggestion to amend some rules. 7 days back I registered here to hire someone to write a 5 day mini course for me. But to create a new thread on "buy & sell" section I've to wait for 14 days and should post minimum 25 post which I feel not fair. So far I've purchased around $1000 stuff from this forum members like website, domain name, text link, submission service etc. I'm not telling that I'm dissatisfied with my purchase... but my purpose is not met. I'm a customer looking to buy something; I didn't come here to sell my stuffs. In this non-monopoly market it's not good idea to restrict a customer from buying product/service. My suggestion: Create a new section called “Service Wanted†or “Hiring†etc. Allow all new members to create new thread there. I absolutely agree with your rules where you restrict new member from “selling stuffsâ€. This is one of the best ways to control spammers. But there shouldn’t restriction for buyers. Never the less I love this forum. It's excellent Mahesh Bhat
Sorry, you will have to wait like everyone else... the rule isn't in place to restrict sellers, it's in place to keep the forum from being only a marketplace.
anyway having a certain number of posts and waiting a certain number of days gives people assurance that you won't "sell-and-run" here. that, imo, is not very well-looked upon. unless we're talking about ebay. anyway once you're an active member you can sell or buy anything you like. shawn's given that flexibility.
I don't think there's a danger that this would occur. But why not charge a small fee for those who want to offer a service. Seems to work well for "some other forum". It also adds credibility to the one who wants to hire someone.
Frankly I'm more worried about the site becoming a chat room rather than a market place! I hope sellers don't start getting charged a fee, but if Shawn decides that it is necessary, so be it.