For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

[Nick M.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

How about some major advertising/announcements in the driveline and restorer informing the membership of the new format for this site and some general instruction on how to use it. This may be a way to stimulate more activity here from those not currently aware of the benefits, etc....

[Vinnie P.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

Spring Restorer, page 18 and Summer Restorer, page 23.

[Bill C.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I don't see the difficulty in turning on/creating a for "sale module" on the forum.

From a software perspective, I know it is not a difficult issue at all.
The hosting company you guys are using already has a database connection setup, since all the posts are stored in one. The COTS package you are using should have the capability.


More and more people are turning to the internet for current information.
I do not open the YELLOW PAGES to get address information/telephone numbers, just GOOGLE it and grab the info in a fraction of a second.

Why can't an online "for sale" forum and the Driveline co-exist?
Give members a choice. If they want to reach people in print, then follow the existing advertising rules, if they want to run a quick add (don't have to prepare an add 2 months in advance ) then they should be able to.

Beside -
it would give the organization an oportunity to get additional advertising sponsorship revenue.

If the stupid "Corvette Forum" can make this kind of stuff work well, NCRS should be able to do the same.
Just an FYI --- that forum is where a GOOD BUNCH of us post our parts for sale. Stuff sells pretty good on there and there is a not a wait for the hardcopy to arrive via snail mail at our front door.


My 2 cents ---

[Dave F.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I don't see the difficulty in turning on/creating a for "sale module" on the forum.

From a software perspective, I know it is not a difficult issue at all.
The hosting company you guys are using already has a database connection setup, since all the posts are stored in one. The COTS package you are using should have the capability.


More and more people are turning to the internet for current information.
I do not open the YELLOW PAGES to get address information/telephone numbers, just GOOGLE it and grab the info in a fraction of a second.

Why can't an online "for sale" forum and the Driveline co-exist?
Give members a choice. If they want to reach people in print, then follow the existing advertising rules, if they want to run a quick add (don't have to prepare an add 2 months in advance ) then they should be able to.

Beside -
it would give the organization an oportunity to get additional advertising sponsorship revenue.

If the stupid "Corvette Forum" can make this kind of stuff work well, NCRS should be able to do the same.
Just an FYI --- that forum is where a GOOD BUNCH of us post our parts for sale. Stuff sells pretty good on there and there is a not a wait for the hardcopy to arrive via snail mail at our front door.


My 2 cents ---

Agreed that even a sub forum can be easily created. Other DB's I participate in do this regularly, eliminating them sometimes depending on how "hot" the subject matter is. I don't fear us ever being confused with CF if we had such a feature. In fact we should be the leaders in restoration parts and services options in the google age. And it seems such a change could be accomplished without going through the exercise of mass mailings, petitions and board meetings etc.

[Terry M.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I guess I missed the post that said this was a hard change to make, otherwise why all the posts about how easy it is?

I think the effort is to keep a level playing field between those with Internet access and those without. Without that level field the concern is that those without Internet access will leave the organization.

[Dave F.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I guess I missed the post that said this was a hard change to make, otherwise why all the posts about how easy it is?

I think the effort is to keep a level playing field between those with Internet access and those without. Without that level field the concern is that those without Internet access will leave the organization.

I completely understand that concern, especially for those with parts for sale. My impression was why the concern for posting a "part wanted" thread or "hey, where can I find _____?"

[Patrick H.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I think the effort is to keep a level playing field between those with Internet access and those without. Without that level field the concern is that those without Internet access will leave the organization.

I would suggest that the Driveline is probably not a reason they stay in the organization. Perhaps that should be evaluated first, to see why those who belong to NCRS and don't use a computer remain members.

Patrick

[Rick S.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I am still waiting for delivery of the last Restorer. So who do I blame for the non delivery, NCRS or USPS? With a computer generated For Sale section, who do I blame ,NCRS or me for not finding a part? Lets stop clinging to the old way and move forward.
Rick

[Henry S.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

With the success of the Driveline Online do you think maybe now may be the right time to offer other options like a "Classified Section"? Could it be like the Field of Dreams, build it and they will come?? The board has done a SUPER JOB with NCRS business handled and offered online in the past and I have confidence they will in the future also.

Take care,
Shooter

[Rob M.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

Dick,

I think you won't find a club or organisation where 50% or more members will be on the forum (unless the forum is their core-business). The usage of a forum shouldn't be the lead indicator of internet usage of our members). Ask them if they use google/email/ebay/news sites/etc. and that will be the primary indicator if the are on-line civilians...

PS I'm in favor so am I number 1 on the petition list??? :-)

greetings,
Rob.

[Kevin M.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

Regarding this issue...

I admit, I am one that thinks that an online For Sale / Wanted forum would be an asset.

However, I have not looked at the online Driveline.

My reason for that is simple... my hardcopy Driveline had already arrived by the time the online version was available... I read it, and there wasn't really a reason for me to look at the online version.

Just something to consider when looking at that low number.

[Mark L.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

The current NCRS statement on this subject has now been posted above under the new tab "NCRS Information". If you have not had the opportunity to view it please do. Thank you for the thoughtful comments that you all have provided.

[Joe W.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

Greetings!

Our past:

Before the Internet,
the printed copy of the Driveline was the only means for members to list
their "For Sale" and "Want Ads" and for the paid advertising of the supporters.

Technology:

Times have certainly changed haven't they?
As much as I like to receive a magazine subscription in the mail,
the time has already come where they can be printed off of the Internet.

Our present:
As much as I hate to admit it, (I'll be 47 in 6 days) even medium print is
getting harder to read. The black and white print in magazine format is very dated
in terms of advertising and in the best interest of NCRS, advertising on the new forum
may very well be the ticket.

Our future:
There are other things to consider here -
The paper used, the added material to our landfills for those who,
choose not to recycle, the printing costs. In a subtle way, NCRS would be
helping save the planet in addition to reducing printing costs. This would be a
great opportunity to consolidate.

I think NCRS has done a wonderful job creating our new format here on
the forum and I think we should utilize it, respectfully paying tribute to those
who made the Driveline what it is - How it started, at the present and how it comes
full circle into the 21st century for tomorrow. We have the technology.

Rudy

[Barry K.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

Once the number of members that have logged on the DB increases somewhat (over 50%) the Board of Directors will look at other avenues. Too few members that use it now

Dick,

I think you won't find a club or organisation where 50% or more members will be on the forum (unless the forum is their core-business). The usage of a forum shouldn't be the lead indicator of internet usage of our members). Ask them if they use google/email/ebay/news sites/etc. and that will be the primary indicator if the are on-line civilians...

PS I'm in favor so am I number 1 on the petition list??? :-)

greetings,
Rob.

I need to agree with Rob on this one. I used to have and run a forum on our clubs website and so few percentage of members even bothered to register for it, let along use the forum that I simply got rid of it. No point maintaining something that so few people bothered to use.
Look at ALL Corvette related discussion forums on the web, add up every single Corvette owner in the world that uses any of the forums , and you will still have what is only a very small percentage of corvette owners that visit or use forums.

I think the thought process here is backwards. NCRS will look at and consider a buy/sell section on here if NCRS member usage of the DB gets to at least 50% and yet they claim they don't want it on here as to not take away from the Driveline, doesn't make sense.
Since it's been stated that the percentage of NCRS members that use the DB is so small i'd seriously doubt that adding a buy/sell section in here would adversely affect the ads in Driveline. YET, if membership increased usage here to over 50% they would consider a classified section and at that point I could see it affecting Driveline ads (revenue). So, what's the real issue because what NCRS directors are saying is conflicting with reality.

[Ian G.]

Re: For Sale or Wanted To Buy Ads

I have to respectfully request we add a forum for want ads as well. It shouldn't interfer with search results because it would be in a separate forum on this site. Why not add the advertisers onto this forum? That should go a long way towards taking care of the conflict of interest that seems to be a major hurdle to getting this done. While I'm happy that we have the driveline online now, you have to admit its not the most user friendly way to have it setup... numerous download links separated by page nos, etc, rather than saved as HTML that you can browse through. It's a great first step though. Also, it doesn't meet the need to have a quick way to ask about parts. there's a one month lead time for it, etc. This forum seems like a natural way for us to network together to get the parts we need and help each other doing it.

~ian