Originally Posted by PatriceJ

when i open a classified ad, the first thing i check is the member's join date.

if they've been here less than 6 months, i next check their profile to see their posting history.

if their history is overloaded with classifieds to sell i consider that person a poser. that is, somebody pretending to be a member who is here only to stick her/his hand into our pockets. i resent that.

the board is free to us. it is not free to Admin. there are expenses involved. advertising revenue can offset those expenses. ideally, they would generate some profit. the more often he breaks even or makes a profit, the more he can afford to add to the board and offer to us for free.

people who want to exploit board members as a market should have to pay for their ads. that way, the rest of us can remain free to post occassional ads offering our extra supplies to each other at rock bottom prices without having to pay any membership or advert fees.

our classified section was created to give members an easy way to buy/sell/trade amongst ourselves so we can help each other makes ends meet. it was never intended as a place for professionals to ply their wares.

let's say you belong to a quilt guild. members are allowed to bring things to meetings to buy/sell/trade with each other. some creep shows up and "joins" but the first thing out of her mouth is "i have such a deal for you." all that member ever contributes to guild meetings are "opportunities" to get in on "bargains". (she may drop in a line or two of general conversation to "cover her tracks".) are you seriously going to tell me that wouldn't ruffle just about every feather in the guild? they'd run her out of town on a rail, nicely tarred and feathered.

the same principle applies here. we are a vitual guild; an ongoing party among friends; a huge extended family. the issue is not whether the seller is honest. the issue is whether the seller is truly one of us or just somebody hoping we're stupid enough to believe they are so they can take our money and run laughing to the bank.