new posters not introducing themselves

by **clerkkent** on Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:31 pm

I've noticed new posters have one post (usually in the 'for sale' section), without doing the 'introduce yourself' thing, and then never to be heard from again. Some of these seem borderline spam, while others are just covering the interweb with something to sell, hoping to make a quick buck. One ad popped up yesterday that is the poster child for these type of posters. Brand new user, First post: 'I have thing I found I want to sell.. make me an offer' Second post: "Fine I'll just go to eBay to get a sense of its true worth."

Is it possible to have an account coding flag or something that prevents a user from posting on any forums *until* they've posted in the 'intros' section? Maybe having one extra hurdle will deter some of these one hit wonders from clogging up the forums?

by **KJV** on Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:35 pm

by **abe lugo** on Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:12 pm

Some forums usually require a 45 day period or a certain post amount before being allowed to buy or sell. Which I think is fair, but i thins particular forum is not a vBulletin style and the owner might not want to do that anyhow.

i do agree with your post, I found this place mostly to buy, but I have read a lot of good threads on build and have commented.

by **deven_science** on Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:22 pm

45 days is a long time. I've been very active in almost every corner of this site, and I haven't even been a member for 45 days yet.

These 1 post sellers are just the few trying to ruin it for us many. I just ignore the SPAM, and go on enjoying my experience here.

by **JaxRhapsody** on Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:16 pm

Most forums im on require 50post before you can make a for sale ad. One forum i joined had every section locked till you made an introduction.

by **ozzmonaut** on Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:52 pm

I would like to see something where an account is closed if there is a long time of no activity. Looking through the member list made me realize that the majority of people who signed up posted only a few posts and signed up years ago. A ton of members never even posted.It would be cool if the accounts just went away after a year of no use.

by **skuuter** on Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:52 pm

I posted in the NEW MEMBERS Forum as soon as I joined...."Post #1"..... :wink:

by **chimichanga** on Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:58 pm

I agree. there should be a certain amount of posts to post in the for sale section.

by **Gizmo** on Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:23 pm

Oopps. I'm guilty! I went back, checked my posts and sure enough I had neglected to introduce myself. So I rectified that problem, hope it makes up for my slackardly ways. BTW, I've bought a couple things but no selling here. Guess I got that right.

Thanks to all the Rats out there
Gizmo

by **KZ1000** on Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:28 am

So when those people who find an old Elgin or a Schwinn Phantom in their barn, They have no knowledge of bikes and don't want the bikes, they just want to get rid of them and they find this site, Then they are told, they must make 10 - 20 - 30 posts, or sign up and wait 30 days and then you can sell your bikes on here. Does not sound like a good idea to me.

by **chimichanga** on Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:19 pm

KZ1000 wrote:So when those people who find an old Elgin or a Schwinn Phantom in their barn, They have no knowledge of bikes and don't want the bikes, they just want to get rid of them and they find this site, Then they are told, they must make 10 - 20 - 30 posts, or sign up and wait 30 days and then you can sell your bikes on here. Does not sound like a good idea to me.

If they can find this site. then they probably know something about ebay or craigslist which most likely will price their bikes at a high amount.

by **Ozark Flyer** on Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:00 pm

You can put up as many barriers to participation as you wish but still have no way to know the difference between someone who is an interested newbie with potential and an idiot who is taking up page space. IMHO the diversity is what make a public forum interesting. Or....You could have them make 100 posts, write a thesis on bike building, fill out an application for admission, and interview before a board of members who were elected by popular vote of 2/3rds majority of the forum membership.....sorry, got carried away there.

I have enjoyed both buying and selling stuff here and don't have 50 posts. In the words of the Beatles, Let it Be.

by **clerkkent** on Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:38 pm

I'm not advocating an entire new set of rules; just enforcement of existing policies, namely:

BEFORE YOU START POSTING - Tell us a little about yourself.

We all enjoy and encourage new members to our community, we ask that basic requirements be respected.

by **B607** on Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:40 am

Okay on the introduction (or lack of...) but I would like to see it required that you list your location below your avatar. A city and state, not just "planet earth" or some such. Leaving it blank is even worse. My pet peave.

Gary

by **Dr. Tankenstein** on Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:25 am

B607 wrote:Okay on the introduction (or lack of...) but I would like to see it required that you list your location below your avatar. A city and state, not just "planet earth" or some such. Leaving it blank is even worse. My pet peave. Gary

+1 on that! What's the harm in putting your location in there? Nobody is going to stalk you! Better yet, no location in your avatar, yet you post stuff for local pick-up.......where exactly is , located?

Cheers,
Dr. T