Recently opinions were sought with regard to items which had lately come to our attention with regard to the Trading Section as a whole:
So - a brief synopsis of the replies we got on this subject shows us that there are seven in favour of the post count being extended to 25 posts.
Also, we have the same amount wishing for between 10-15 posts with two opting for things to be left unchanged.
So, since the limit is now 10 we feel a rise in it to 15 shouldn't make anyone too unhappy.
Those who expressed an opinion regarding a time frame of 'probationary' Forum membership before which time new members would not be able to use the Trading Section would appear to be wanting anything between a month and three months with the first figure being in the majority.
This will all have to be monitored 'manually' for the moment, although perhaps when the new provider is set we may be able to bring some filters into play which will circumvent this.
As to contributions to the Forum for its upkeep costs, these suggestions have been pointed out to the Owner and he will doubtless reply at some point.
The Rules and Guidelines will be amended to reflect these changes and we will do our best to maintain a degree of vigilance but, please, if anyone does spot anything we miss please contact us via the 'report to moderator' function at the bottom of the page. This will be preferable to a direct answer post since then the matter can be (hopefully) dealt with by PM rather than a potential 'slanging match' on the Forum pages.
It is ESSENTIAL that advertisers a] add the location where the item(s) can be seen and collected from and b] state whether their goods are on offer elsewhere (you don't have to say where elsewhere, merely that they are advertised somewhere else).
Any ads not fully complying with these conditions will be removed until this information is made available.
We have tried as best we can to be democratic here but anticipate not everyone will be in full agreement with these changes, but to any dissenters we can only say 'we tried'...
John (and Admin Team).
SO, VERY BASICALLY THE RULE AMENDMENT NOW REQUIRES A MEMBER TO HAVE BEEN ONE (a member, that is) FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH AND TO HAVE MADE A MINIMUM OF FIFTEEN SUBSTANTIVE* POSTS DURING THAT TIME.
IF ANYONE CONTRAVENES THIS RULE ANY POST THEY MAY MAKE IN THE TRADING SECTION WILL BE DELETED.
THIS MIGHT SEEM TO BE A BIT DRACONIAN, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER THIS - THE RESOURCE EXISTS FOR REGULAR and ACTIVE MEMBERS' BENEFIT AND THIS CHANGE REALLY IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.
*For those who want to know what 'SUBSTANTIVE' posts means - here is Valerie's explanation from her earlier-posting:
"Note to new users :
This forum is a discussion forum which facilitates contributing users to exchange/sell surplus fish/items.
You need to have made 15 substantive posts before using this section (this excludes "Hi and welcome to the forum", "Great tank" ... ).
Anyone contravening these rules is going to be banned without notice.
Thanks - Valerie"
This post-count has now been raised to fifteen, but I hope everyone gets her gist (ie that they are not trivial posts merely to reach the required amount).