You asked, so here’s my opinion. Spending all of that time and effort just trying to protect someone from getting butt-hurt because they might miss out on something they wanted is silly. I would hope we’re dealing with adults here. You win some, you lose some.

I rarely sell or buy..

So my .02.. Para.. it's not worth your effort/time to try and police what is sold vs here other sites..

I think it's fair to require someone to declare that it's cross posted but give 7-10 days as an exclusive here first.

How about this - the default is items are listed here and elsewhere. It's assumed.

Otherwise, forum members can place wording at the top of their classified that this item is only offered on SigForum.

I'm not a regular classified seller, but IMO its OK to change the rule. Sellers regularily list items across multiple 'channels' literally for anything being sold. And I think the rule of first person to close the deal is an acceptable idea for almost everyone. Sure you potentially can enhance your ad with exclusivity on Sigforum, but that's on the seller not the forum.

I've bought a few things, and personally feel the Classifieds are a great aspect of the Forum.

The exclusive listing rule is a plus. That said, IMO the major benefit is having the opportunity of buying from people whose character and reputation are proven and, again IMO, if it's burning a lot of your time, the exclusive listing rule could be dispensed with and the Classifieds would still rock.

I do like two ideas mentioned after I posted.

1. A dealer section
2. Restricting private sales to members with “x” amount of time as a member and posts not in the Classified section.

I’m of the opinion that the effort far exceeds the return.

Para, I think you're experiencing what I've seen over the years: parental fatigue. You keep trying to enforce a discipline, it keeps getting broken. Not by the same people for the most part but it still has the same effect on you.

Same thing for those with multiple children. By the time it gets to the youngest, they can get away with murder.

I think at this point, the goal should be to minimize aggravation for you and the ones monitoring the classifieds. I say do away with the rule and let it be known to buyers that items may be posted elsewhere and that prospective buyers can't be bitching about it.

Sellers, on the other hand, have the option to add as part of the thread that it's a SIGforum exclusive ad for whatever consideration that may get them.

I've bought a couple of things over the years but never sold anything. In other words, I don't come here for the Classifieds.

If there is a way for you to restrict that section to members by minimum time and post numbers (using a feature of the software), I'd make it something like one year and 100 posts. Something significant.Maybe more.

Otherwise, closing it wouldn't bother me and it would lighten your load considerably.

I wish I could offer something constructive as I use the classified’s section a fair amount. All I can throw out there is that I’m in agreement of letting this rule go by the wayside. I sincerely thank you for its intent, but it’s not worth the grief you deal with. I do think sellers need to be timely and responsive to their ads though. A pinned “dealer” section might not be a bad idea.

I haven’t bought anything in a while from here, but then I’ve cut back on my discretionary spending in general.

I’ve always appreciated the rules and behavior in the Classifieds. The rules seem simple enough. I’m sorry that you have had to expend so much energy and time on member screwups.

Thank you for all of your efforts to keep SIGforum the great place it is.

I was not aware that members were still posting ads on multiple sites to the degree its occurring, since that has been an established rule. If its that out of hand, and a PITA to monitor and enforce, then a change is called for. Your house, your rules. And thanks for keeping things sane here on SF.

Personally, I think the rules as they exist are appropriate, and IMO elevate the status/privilege of transacting in the SIGforum Classifieds. And honestly, those rules really set SIGforum apart when compared to other venues/forums.

Any chance a dialog box could be added to the process of starting a new discussion/listing thread in the Classifieds where the user would have to click a check box (or boxes) acknowledging their agreement to comply with certain specific posting rules in the SIGforum Classified Section. The rules could be boldly posted in that dialog box, perhaps along with the penalty for non-compliance. This wouldn't completely eliminate the issue, but it would hopefully eliminate a good chunk of the burden imposed by those not following the rule(s). Just a thought.

Thank you for all you do, including asking for our input/opinion(s) on such matters.

In my opinion, the juice isn't worth the squeezing. In a worst case scenario, a member is somewhat disappointed that they won't get a thing they wanted to purchase, but it not harmed otherwise. I'd let it go. Perhaps switching to a policy encouraging rapidly marking a post as sold if it sells elsewhere or otherwise becomes unavailable.

Needless to say, you do a superb job here as Admin, and if this change makes your job a little more streamlined and enjoyable, the cost to our community is almost zero.

Thanks Para!

Your Forum-your rules.
Can you tweak the Classified tabs? Specifically when some one clicks new post, the official Sigforum disclaimer comes up that this item is ONLY listed here. Maybe insert a check box that the member has to check to complete the ad ensuring compliance?

I use the Classifieds frequently. I don't think the exclusive listing rule is worth the effort it takes to try and enforce it. While members may be inconvenienced when an item they wanted sells elsewhere, it's really not that big of a deal. As long as sellers monitor their ads and mark items as SOLD, the forum will still run smoothly. Thanks for all of the work you put into making this forum the best.

I appreciate the intent of the rule but the effect has been that the Classified have diminished in value. I neither post stuff for sale there nor have I bought something of import in many years. The amount of eyeballs has dropped and success rate with it (buying and selling…). Not a bad thing as it limits spamming of non-core interest items

It's apparent that no amount of notifications or reminders have eliminated cross posting. While I prefer the exclusivity of the Classifieds Section, I appreciate your frustration policing the scofflaws. Should the decision be made to keep the Classifieds exclusive, may I suggest that the penalty for noncompliance should far outweigh any potential benefit of cross posting on other sites. For some, the suggestion of banning or suspending offenders (from the Classifieds) may sound harsh. It will however quickly reaffirm the mission of the Classifieds Section which has been to provide a free, virtual market place for active members to exchange items. It is my firm belief those who violate the exclusive listing rule are either infrequent contributors or are simply ignoring the policy.

Sounds like your head's getting sore from banging it against the wall. Some folks can't be troubled with rules and some can't be bothered to read them. I think it's a good rule and the few things I've sold here over the years haven't been posted anywhere else, I found it a pretty simple rule to adhere to.
My only idea was already posted above, a pop up with a checkbox if not too much trouble would make sure everyone knows the rule. If they agree to it and then violate it, they deserve a beating.

I'll chime it with the folks who are saying to drop the rule and let it work itself out. We're all adults and can deal with disappointments. It's not worth the effort or headache.