Classifieds, Public or Private?

[LM7_67]

I can make the classifieds section visible to all who come to our site or to only paying members. Which does everyone prefer?

[67CamaroRSSS]

It would probably be better if anyone browsing could see.

[ngtflyr]

My opinion FWIW is that only paid members should be able to post an ad, but anyone can view them.

[LM7_67]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm pretty neutral on the matter. I'll wait 'til I get a couple more responses before I create the section.

[camaro_z28_1969]

Who is going to monitor the ads? On some of the other boards I belong to, I've seen some strange things posted in the classifieds. One solution would be that paid members can post an ad without any 'approval' by someone, while ads posted by the general public would go into 'limbo' until approved. Once approved, they would then show up. This way, inappropriate ads would be caught before they posted. But that would be a full-time job. And I don't know if the software supports that type of feature.

On the other boards, most of them only allow members to post classifieds. And you've always got the problem of people posting ads in the general forums instead of the classified section.

john

[67CamaroRSSS]

My opinion FWIW is that only paid members should be able to post an ad, but anyone can view them.

I didn't mention posting adds but I agree with this.

[LM7_67]

I would have to check if the forum software can support a paid members can post, guests can view sort of arrangement. I'm pretty sure it can do it though.

If people post For Sale threads in the wrong sections, I can always move them.

[richd]

Rich D,
I think also, that anybody can read them, but only paid members can post an Ad.