Parts Market threads - questions about non-Lotus items

[the1sen]

Hi,

Questions for Moderators.

I have seen all sorts of things for sale in the Marketplace. Everything from Lotus, and Miatas, to Lotus parts, tires, computers, cameras, lenses, etc...

When someone posts an 'ad' for a vehicle, Folks have often chimed in to voice an opinion on price, and I have seen moderators remove said posts. I have also seen posts "modified" based on inappropriate commentary, ie - "that color sucks, and it gets dirty easy, and your mom is a ho" or something to that effect.

However, in the "Parts Market" it seems there are no rules and someone who is making a sincere effort to sell a decent piece of gear, pr parts are met with rude commentary, negativism, open pricing complaints, and just blatant ignorance. Specific thread I'm referencing is http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f95/...8/#post1235307 which was deleted by my request.

Based on all that, I would like clarification on the following:

1. as to what one can or cannot sell in the Parts Market
2. as to what the forum policy is while making such a sale in the Parts Market
3. as to the monitoring of said postings and what one should do when faced with a problem post from another forum member in the aforementioned forum

I appreciate any Moderators clarification of this matter, and thanks for your help.

[RacyTracy]

I will try to answer your question, but it will be from my point of view. If other moderators answer it also, you'll probably get slightly different answers from everyone.

First let me say, I try to read over as many posts as I can. Do I read them all? No. I'm here for many hours a day as it is. Reading and moderating every post would require more hours a day that my real job. I try to concentrate on areas that seem to have more problems, although I admit I seldom venture into the political threads. I figure if you've entered the coliseum with the lions willingly, you're on your own, up to a point. I usually wait for someone to report a post before I go there.

For sale threads are a different story. There are, of course, forum rules that cover the entire forum. Then, there are additional rules that cover some Marketplace forums. This however seems to cover just automobiles, not parts. I don't see any rule that specifically prohibits someone from commenting in a 'parts for sale' thread. But have I deleted post even if they are within the rules? Yes. Sometimes I just find them very annoying.

So what governs 'parts for sale' threads in my mind? Common sense. Under the title it states- Lotus related parts for sale or wanted by private individuals. Lotus parts please. Not tarps.

Is that followed to the letter of the law? No. At least not by me. Something like your computer I would let slide. Someone else may not. If you're selling your grandmother's antique table lamps there, I'd move it to the 'Other' category.

A while back I proposed a more black and white set of rules covering all Marketplace forums except the 'Dealers' forum. As they would say in Washington, it got killed in committee. So for now we live with what we have. For the most part, it works. Rarely, as in your case, it doesn't.

I had not read your for sale thread or it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did. If you would like to re-post it, feel free and I will lock it. PM me when you want to do this and make sure I'm here. This applies to anyone.

This isn't contractual law here. There are rules, we attempt to enforce them. But the forum is also ruled by common sense and courtesy too...as well as other factors.

I'm always willing to explain any action I have taken, or not taken...just ask. In your case, I just hadn't seen it. Sorry.

[the1sen]

Thanks for the reply.

There is absolutely no need for an apology. I just wanted to understand the policy behind that section of the forum. Didn't realize it was such an undertaking.

The discourteous, mean, and flat out ignorant nature of the commentary was to undermine the sale of a legitimate item, in this case something not Lotus.

I really appreciate the answer, and thank you for taking time to reply.

Take care.

Originally Posted by RacyTracy

I will try to answer your question, but it will be from my point of view. If other moderators answer it also, you'll probably get slightly different answers from everyone.

First let me say, I try to read over as many posts as I can. Do I read them all? No. I'm here for many hours a day as it is. Reading and moderating every post would require more hours a day that my real job. I try to concentrate on areas that seem to have more problems, although I admit I seldom venture into the political threads. I figure if you've entered the coliseum with the lions willingly, you're on your own, up to a point. I usually wait for someone to report a post before I go there.

For sale threads are a different story. There are, of course, forum rules that cover the entire forum. Then, there are additional rules that cover some Marketplace forums. This however seems to cover just automobiles, not parts. I don't see any rule that specifically prohibits someone from commenting in a 'parts for sale' thread. But have I deleted post even if they are within the rules? Yes. Sometimes I just find them very annoying.

So what governs 'parts for sale' threads in my mind? Common sense. Under the title it states- Lotus related parts for sale or wanted by private individuals. Lotus parts please. Not tarps.

Is that followed to the letter of the law? No. At least not by me. Something like your computer I would let slide. Someone else may not. If you're selling your grandmother's antique table lamps there, I'd move it to the 'Other' category.

A while back I proposed a more black and white set of rules covering all Marketplace forums except the 'Dealers' forum. As they would say in Washington, it got killed in committee. So for now we live with what we have. For the most part, it works. Rarely, as in your case, it doesn't.

I had not read your for sale thread or it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did. If you would like to re-post it, feel free and I will lock it. PM me when you want to do this and make sure I'm here. This applies to anyone.

This isn't contractual law here. There are rules, we attempt to enforce them. But the forum is also ruled by common sense and courtesy too...as well as other factors.

I'm always willing to explain any action I have taken, or not taken...just ask. In your case, I just hadn't seen it. Sorry.

[kestrel74]

Originally Posted by the1sen

Thanks for the reply.

There is absolutely no need for an apology. I just wanted to understand the policy behind that section of the forum. Didn't realize it was such an undertaking.

The discourteous, mean, and flat out ignorant nature of the commentary was to undermine the sale of a legitimate item, in this case something not Lotus.

I really appreciate the answer, and thank you for taking time to reply.

Take care.

The Mods put MANY thankless hours of time in here.... and the pay stinks !