The Sales No-Tolerance Policy

Greetings.

Poll : http://www.rubberslug.com/board/showthread.asp?T=1724

We have had some problems with people doing sales things in places they shouldn't, so we have revised our current policy to the following:

[b]No sales, "offers", or any related advertisements are allowed inside your personal galleries. This means blogs, for sale sections, etc. This means no using blogs as billboards for advertising auctions.[/b]

This is an update from previous varying levels of application of our sales policy. We are not really mean people, but this is simply because there are a few elements of our community that have gotten out of control and we needed to reign them in. I won't go into specifics but please be assured that we like you all. A lot. It's just that some bad things were happening, and we have no choice but to be heavy handed across the board.

Now, *that being said*, it is obvious to me that we are not being forthcoming with site features that will allow a decent exposure for these types of transactions. I know that the partial shop implementation can be a pain and that the forums don't always offer maximum visibility.

I'm starting a new poll where we'd like to hear what you think. Please take time to comment either there or in this thread. There are no promises that we will implement your suggestions, but it seems to be that my (personal) lack of communication on the matter and work on the techincal side is causing some confusion and hurt feelings.

Let's think of constructive ways we can move forward. Cheers, and thanks for supporting the site.

Hello Jason and all Rubbersluggers,
Jason I have a idea that should be done as soon as it can be done,I know your time is limited on programing and all.

As one who has no sales of any kind on this site and only use this site as a showcase for my personal cels,I understand some do and thats OK in the right places here as stated.
I think a header needs to be added to the top of the blog space on the front page so those that have not been here in awhile or have not gone to the forum pages know of the new rules.
something like,
" No sales or offers in the blogs or personal galleries or your site will be turned off until you contact a Mod,THIS GOES FOR EVERYONE"
Also add a small link to the forum post about it under the new header.
This way noone can say they did not know and it would clear up any questions about sales or offers.
This small header should save you guys from all or at least some the banning that has been going on here in the past few weeks,I've seen some very nice sites closed and this is a shame.
You and the Mods here are doing a very good job and I know sometimes you need to put your foot down and are very fair to all,But I know if some of these folks saw the header would not post sales or offers in the blogs as they would not wish to have there sites closed down.
I know in the future this site will have better sales pages we all just need to hold on for now and use the things already here for us to use!

I do think having a "for trade" page should be ok in the personal galleries as this is what collecting cels is all about,but this should be limited to one page per gallery as you should not need any more than one to post trade goods.

Mahoro, Good idea a RS sales shop link at the top of each sponsors gallery home page would be a nice bonus for being a sponsor and would help bring in some more cash to help with the extra memory needed for sales here.

I hope everyone understands this and those that do not?Well you have wrote your own exit blog or post!

Roy

P.S. As a side note I think a all in one email should be sent out with the rules spelled out clear and fair to all.

I think that a RS Shop link would be a fabulous addition to a sponsor's website. :)

I also agree that some kind of mass e-mail should be sent out with the updated site rules. Every person needs an e-mail to creat a RS site, so they must all be on file somewhere, right?
I, too, have seen many excellent galleries temporarily removed simply because the owners were not familiar with the newest rules.


As for my personal opinion on the To Sell, or Not to Sell policy...it's your site. All of us are simply guests here. If you make a rule, we are obliged to abide by it. I don't understand why so many people make a fuss about a service that they are receiving for FREE...

I am very pleased about this policy. I think your "taking a step back" to reexamine the symptoms and causes of the problem would make an excellent opportunity for you to conduct some marketing, qualitative, and explorative research in order to implement solutions which will best fit to all our advantages.

We have the 3 of the 4 P's of marketing here already: price, place, product. We need to find a more efficient and effective way to promote goods and services available.

As someone previously mentioned, advertising would make a great outlet for communication of sales, sellers, and buyers. Networking with sponsors and creating new relationships with marketing firms to promote the sources currently available would immensely relieve the symptoms of the problems.

Maybe even give the RS shop a new separate website, still owned and operated by you guys, by utuilizing target-marketing?? The Exposure...hmm...Ebay...Yahoo...Yahoo Groups....??

Just a thought. :)

I still like that selling on your site is FREE to members who SPONSOR you^^. You [b]could[/b] make a nominal charge of a % to sellers who make a successful transaction using your Shop. It would help on donations and cover the costs of this kind of exposure if you choose to go this route ~_^

the policy is more than clear. it's your site, and if you dont want sales, then that's your choice. personally, i think it makes RS more user friendly, and there are plenty of other outlets for selling cels. :)