Rules for posting to buy/sell (WANTED)

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Hi all,

(Hope I'm not about to open a well used can of worms - got a feeling I'm going to have to duck for cover shortly....) :-)

I just attempted to post to the buy/sell forum and was not able to (probably because I haven't quite got to 30 days as a member - nearly though!)
I've certainly more than covered the five posts required.

I'm after a few small bits and pieces that more experienced people here could probably sell since they would have upgraded to something better (barlow, collimator, red light etc).

But that got me thinking about it. I understand why you would do that for people selling items, but I would like to post a WANTED thread. In the case of BUYING, I wouldn't be a rip-off threat to anyone (assuming I pay before I receive the goods). Could someone please explain to me why buy and sell are merged into one forum? If they were separate, you could have stricter rules on the selling forum than the buying forum...

Note : I did read all three sticky's in there.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Thunderchild..

You're right, and it's been brought up a few times recently (no can of worms).

Unfortunately there's no way for the software to know whether you're posting a WANTED ad or a FOR SALE ad.

The workaround, while you're still under the 5post/1month rule, is to simply start a thread in the equipment/eyepiece forum (depending on what you're after), and see what replies you get.

PS: I'm also moving this to the website feedback forum.

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Unfortunately there's no way for the software to know whether you're posting a WANTED ad or a FOR SALE ad.

Hi Iceman, thanks for replying (and for moving it to a more relevant forum - DOH!). Yeah - I figured that was the reason. But is there a reason why they have to be joined together at all?
Actually, now that I've thought about it further, I can see that the "one month rule" isn't going to effect enough people for long enough to change the way the forums should work. I probably needed to nut it through a little more before posting!

It just so happened that the 'first month' of owning my new scope is the exact time that I'm aquiring hardware fever.

Originally Posted by iceman

The workaround, while you're still under the 5post/1month rule, is to simply start a thread in the equipment/eyepiece forum (depending on what you're after), and see what replies you get.

I actually thought about doing something along those lines, but also that would be frowned apon (getting around the rules on a technicality). But if you think it's Ok, then I'll do that. Thanks!