Suggestion for the Classified Ads Section

[Maximus]

I was looking at the Classified Ads and it struck me, as a UK member, that it's virtually impossible for me to use.  Looking at the board I have no way of telling where the sellers are, apart from going into every thread which isn't practically possible.

I realise that most board activity is probably US based, but a significant number of FOG users aren't, and the rest of us aren't wanting to purchase from the US.  No offence guys, but massive shipping and customs costs, plus different voltage.  As a Brit I'd probably be looking for UK only listings.  Or maybe for something rarer, Europe too.

So, to help grease the wheels of commerce, and make the Classifieds easier for everyone -
Would it be possible to either:

a) attach a flag symbol next to the main board listing title to show country of origin for each post.  That'd make it easy for me to scan down and see if anyone is nearby. 

or

b) Have separate boards for each country to list on.

or

c)  Make it mandatory for all listings to begin with country of origin in capital letters.  So for example
"UK - RO150 Sander nearly new - For Sale"
"USA - CTL36 with spares - Sold"

Actually, and thinking as I go, I like this last option a lot.  Sticking to a mandatory format of
"LOCATION / Item description / Status"
would really help a great deal!!  [thumbs up]

Thoughts anyone?

 

[mikeomalley]

Agree Spiff. Mike

 

[peter halle]

The classified area is an unmonitored area of the forum that is totally under the control of the posters and the repliers.

I am not in charge of the altering of the forum code to make things happen, but based on many years of experience I offer the following respectfully:

a.  not going to happen - custom programming
b.  not going to happen - no real need for a courtesy area
c.  Mandatory? - Could definitely be a request, but if the posters don't then it won't be effective.

I would urge those who post to indicate their country or origin.

Peter

 

[Xoncention]

IMHO not required.  Most people have their location (approx) set for their user account.  Interested purchasers have no problem in sending seller requests for more details.  Personally, I would like to have these messages excluded from the unread button - don't need to know there is a dentist till I need one perspective  [wink]

 

[Maximus]

I was kind of working out the options as I typed there, so by the end of my post I'd come to the conclusion that the first two suggestions were very unlikely for the reason you state.  But I thought I'd leave them in to show I'd considered the options.

Mandatory is perhaps the wrong choice of word, but a definite board policy and sticky announcement would help transition it perhaps.  Yes of course, it needs willing consent from members.  But I really feel it would help us all to a) find what we want and b) sell our stuff faster.  So it's a win-win on all sides.

At the end of the day, Festool is bought by folks who like to organise stuff efficiently, and who take pride in precision.  My suggestion fits well with this ethos I think.

 

[peter halle]

[member=63019]Spiff[/member]

If I am reading the classifieds, which is not that often I admit,and notice that someone hasn't mentioned their location to at least a state, I have sent PM's to suggest that they add.

At his point based on posts here previously Festool is devoting attention to a new website.  They have also written that they are looking at new software to host this forum

We are ALL in the seat to see what happens in the future.

I will try to be more active in checking out the classifieds and urge posters to give at least a very general location.

Peter

 

[Maximus]

IMHO not required.  Most people have their location (approx) set for their user account.  Interested purchasers have no problem in sending seller requests for more details.  Personally, I would like to have these messages excluded from the unread button - don't need to know there is a dentist till I need one perspective  [wink]

You missed my point Xoncention.  If you click here >>>http://festoolownersgroup.com/classifieds/

... you'll see what I mean.  If I'm looking at that page I have no idea where the items are, unless I click on every individual listing, which is tedious and puts me off.  I just haven't the time.  If I could see at a glance, from the classified listing page, where those listings came from, I'd be way more likely to find, and buy something.  Why keep something that's not efficient, when it can easily be upgraded and made better? [smile]

 

[Maximus]

[member=63019]Spiff[/member]

If I am reading the classifieds, which is not that often I admit,and notice that someone hasn't mentioned their location to at least a state, I have sent PM's to suggest that they add.

At his point based on posts here previously Festool is devoting attention to a new website.  They have also written that they are looking at new software to host this forum

We are ALL in the seat to see what happens in the future.

I will try to be more active in checking out the classifieds and urge posters to give at least a very general location.

Peter

Sounds exciting - I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop!  Thanks to all the board mods for doing a great job here by the way!! [smile]

In the meantime, I just counted and of the 29 listings on the first page of the classifies, 2 give mention of location.  27 do not.  And that's just page one.  I went there to rummage for bargains and possibly make an impulse purchase, as one does, but soon discovered it was too much of a faff for non US members  [sad].  Hence my suggestion.

 

[peter halle]

[member=63019]Spiff[/member]

If I am reading the classifieds, which is not that often I admit,and notice that someone hasn't mentioned their location to at least a state, I have sent PM's to suggest that they add.

At his point based on posts here previously Festool is devoting attention to a new website.  They have also written that they are looking at new software to host this forum

We are ALL in the seat to see what happens in the future.

I will try to be more active in checking out the classifieds and urge posters to give at least a very general location.

Peter

Sounds exciting - I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop!  Thanks to all the board mods for doing a great job here by the way!! [smile]

In the meantime, I just counted and of the 29 listings on the first page of the classifies, 2 give mention of location.  27 do not.  And that's just page one.  I went there to rummage for bargains and possibly make an impulse purchase, as one does, but soon discovered it was too much of a faff for non US members  [sad].  Hence my suggestion.

Only time will show how Festool USA handles anything involving the internet. I honestly can say that I haven't seen anything to write home to mom about in a while.

Good luck searching on the classifieds!

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

I will give you some useful information. 99% of classifieds is from the USA. Problem solved.

 

[Maximus]

I will give you some useful information. 99% of classifieds is from the USA. Problem solved.

Maybe the current system is part of the reason for that.  Maybe I should not bother looking and stick to The Evilbay

 

[Xoncention]

IMHO not required.  Most people have their location (approx) set for their user account.  Interested purchasers have no problem in sending seller requests for more details.  Personally, I would like to have these messages excluded from the unread button - don't need to know there is a dentist till I need one perspective  [wink]

You missed my point Xoncention.  If you click here >>>http://festoolownersgroup.com/classifieds/

I guess it depends on how you use the forum.  If I were to be seeking a particular tool in the classified section, I would not start there.  I would use the search option and set the parameters there.  Say for example I wanted an OF 2200.  I would look just in the classified ads (not the whole forum) section and limit the scope of my search to the last 30 days.  2 messages to look at.  Not a problem to evaluate.  I would prefer the search to have more boolean options, but that being said, I have not had any real problem in getting to the conclusion reasonably quickly.  If I were in a library, I would not read every book cover in the hope of finding the topic I were seeking.  There are index systems available.  This forum has something akin to this.  Whilst I agree that it would be convenient if people were a bit more objective in how they express their wares, the gamut of people who use this resource makes adherence to a particular structure impractical.  8)

 

[Maximus]

IMHO not required.  Most people have their location (approx) set for their user account.  Interested purchasers have no problem in sending seller requests for more details.  Personally, I would like to have these messages excluded from the unread button - don't need to know there is a dentist till I need one perspective  [wink]

You missed my point Xoncention.  If you click here >>>http://festoolownersgroup.com/classifieds/

I guess it depends on how you use the forum.  If I were to be seeking a particular tool in the classified section, I would not start there.  I would use the search option and set the parameters there.  Say for example I wanted an OF 2200.  I would look just in the classified ads (not the whole forum) section and limit the scope of my search to the last 30 days.  2 messages to look at.  Not a problem to evaluate.  I would prefer the search to have more boolean options, but that being said, I have not had any real problem in getting to the conclusion reasonably quickly.  If I were in a library, I would not read every book cover in the hope of finding the topic I were seeking.  There are index systems available.  This forum has something akin to this.  Whilst I agree that it would be convenient if people were a bit more objective in how they express their wares, the gamut of people who use this resource makes adherence to a particular structure impractical.  8)

True for focused searches, but a large percentage of sales generally in life are a result of chance encounter, rummaging and unplanned impulse.  Who here doesn't enjoy walking into a good tool store purely out of curiosity and emerging with an arm full of new goodies you hadn't known you needed?!  8)
The current system hinders that.  Just my opinion.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I will give you some useful information. 99% of classifieds is from the USA. Problem solved.

Maybe the current system is part of the reason for that.  Maybe I should not bother looking and stick to The Evilbay

I don't think the system is to blame, but it's because of its language and location. This is mainly a US forum and as such the vast majority of visitors are Americans and Canadians. The remaining group comes from many different countries. If someone from one of those countries posts an ad he will have very little response. I myself have tried a few times in the past but I got zero response, so I don't bother anymore.

Is eBay the only option in the UK? I admit I don't like it much either. Luckily here in Holland we have a very large classifieds website called marktplaats.nl (market place) where you can find everything Festool imaginable. Maybe you should try it if the language isn't too big of a problem for you. Most Dutch sellers do not mind to speak English though some may be a bit wary of foreigners due to scammers. I know a now inactive Australian member who got loads of stuff from marktplaats.
 

 

[geoffshep]

Location is not always easy to determine, even when you go into the ad. Often have to look for clues, in the pictures - eg:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/classifieds/c18-cordless-drill-kit/

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Location is not always easy to determine, even when you go into the ad. Often have to look for clues, in the pictures - eg:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/classifieds/c18-cordless-drill-kit/

Or even the currency they are selling it in....£?..$?...€?...is usually a good indication of location.

 

[Paul G]

The classified area is an unmonitored area of the forum that is totally under the control of the posters and the repliers.

I've never been able to post a reply, can others?

 

[peter halle]

The classified area is an unmonitored area of the forum that is totally under the control of the posters and the repliers.

I've never been able to post a reply, can others?

No they can't either.  What I should have said was the repliers to the ads via PM or email.

Peter

 

[Paul G]

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

 

[bobfog]

Just buy new - problem solved. The price that used Festool's go for is idiotic and nobody in their right mind should buy a 3 year old tool for 75%+ of the brand new price.