121 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

If I posted what I would like to see I would be banned, and I do like everyone here, so I will hold on.   Having said that I will give you a tip:
take a hard look at your WANTED secion and figure out how much money you made from that one.  Open it up and the site will come alive.

Schabi
No one has been banned since I have owned the site. So post whatever you like, constructive please. If I ran this site for the money it generated, it would already be shut down.

[AW33COM]

I did not know you own this website.  You seem like a cool dude and
we've done some business in the past where I was very happy, but when I view
the classifieds section I feel the site is dead and it serves only one purpose:
to sell your stuff.  I don't blame you for it, as I would do the
same.  As an owner you can do whatever you want, and it's not anybody
business what you do.  But realistically speaking there are small
problems: 1. you do not sell everything,  2. your Wanted section has 0
listings, which tells me it makes very little anyway.

 

My feeling is that if you opened up the Wanted section and you wrote on the
top of that page:  Submit $10 every time this website hooks up a buyer
with a seller.  People would donate more than you make by taking $10 up
front.  More, it would be friendlier, more attractive, and websites like
Spec Miata Classifieds wouldn't have a header like this: Friendly FREE for
All. 

 

To give you an example: very often I find myself looking for a specific part
and I want to post in the Wanted section, but the $10 stops me from doing just
that when the part itself is like $20.  On other occasions when I look for
something more expensive, where the $10 post tag would be irrelevant I stop and
say this: I posted last time and nobody replied, what about if I pay again and
nobody replies.  $10 wasted. 

 

I'm fresh off my first race weekend where I did not race a rental SM, but my own.  I did damage

few things, I did learn I need another few, and I would like to post what I need, but I DID NOT do it.

Instead I went on Google and I searched for those used items and I found some. 

 

Maybe a nice compromise would be to list the top 5-10 things you do not
allow to trade on the site as that is your specialty, or allow it to trade but
charge users for those items they way you're doing now.  The rest let go
for free (at least the WANTED items).  I think everyone would understand
that. 

 

As of right now I have a feeling you're hurting yourself by locking down the
classifieds.  I do like this website a lot, and I learn a lot from you
guys, so I hate to see this.

 

[Johnny D]

Oh, you're so getting banned.  

J~

[Ron Alan]

I did not know you own this website.  You seem like a cool dude and
we've done some business in the past where I was very happy, but when I view
the classifieds section I feel the site is dead and it serves only one purpose:
to sell your stuff.  I don't blame you for it, as I would do the
same.  As an owner you can do whatever you want, and it's not anybody
business what you do.  But realistically speaking there are small
problems: 1. you do not sell everything,  2. your Wanted section has 0
listings, which tells me it makes very little anyway.

 

My feeling is that if you opened up the Wanted section and you wrote on the
top of that page:  Submit $10 every time this website hooks up a buyer
with a seller.  People would donate more than you make by taking $10 up
front.  More, it would be friendlier, more attractive, and websites like
Spec Miata Classifieds wouldn't have a header like this: Friendly FREE for
All. 

 

To give you an example: very often I find myself looking for a specific part
and I want to post in the Wanted section, but the $10 stops me from doing just
that when the part itself is like $20.  On other occasions when I look for
something more expensive, where the $10 post tag would be irrelevant I stop and
say this: I posted last time and nobody replied, what about if I pay again and
nobody replies.  $10 wasted. 

 

I'm fresh off my first race weekend where I did not race a rental SM, but my own.  I did damage

few things, I did learn I need another few, and I would like to post what I need, but I DID NOT do it.

Instead I went on Google and I searched for those used items and I found some. 

 

Maybe a nice compromise would be to list the top 5-10 things you do not
allow to trade on the site as that is your specialty, or allow it to trade but
charge users for those items they way you're doing now.  The rest let go
for free (at least the WANTED items).  I think everyone would understand
that. 

 

As of right now I have a feeling you're hurting yourself by locking down the
classifieds.  I do like this website a lot, and I learn a lot from you
guys, so I hate to see this.

 

After your first paragraph the rest is pretty pointless correct?? Why would Jim open it up to compitition with out getting a little cut? I think the classifieds here are strictly a courtesy and only aimed at the SM community for the most part. 99% of the parts for our cars can be found at any one of a 100+ Miata specialty businesses. Then of course the dismantlers and wrecking yards...and of course the CL jokers 

 

Why would one want to step on there own dick to make things easier for a few

[Jim Boemler]

My perception (JD correct me if I'm wrong...) is that Jim doesn't see the site as a revenue source.  Rather, he wants to provide a stable resource for the SM community, but realizes that it can't last unless it can support itself.  He's just trying to get a way for the site to pay for itself.

 

I happen to agree with Schabi, there's probably a better way to do that.  I have some items to sell, and paying for ad space up front has been a barrier for me as well.  I doubt Jim is protecting his turf with regard to products sold, as much as just driving away sellers.  Your post-sale-donation idea would probably draw more ads, including mine.

 

BTW, I'm glad you appreciated the "Friendly Free-for-all" line -- I wrote that one.    Keep in mind, however, how little traffic that site has seen in the past couple of years. 

[Ron Alan]

My perception (JD correct me if I'm wrong...) is that Jim doesn't see the site as a revenue source.  Rather, he wants to provide a stable resource for the SM community, but realizes that it can't last unless it can support itself.  He's just trying to get a way for the site to pay for itself.

 

I happen to agree with Schabi, there's probably a better way to do that.  I have some items to sell, and paying for ad space up front has been a barrier for me as well.  I doubt Jim is protecting his turf with regard to products sold, as much as just driving away sellers.  Your post-sale-donation idea would probably draw more ads, including mine.

 

BTW, I'm glad you appreciated the "Friendly Free-for-all" line -- I wrote that one.    Keep in mind, however, how little traffic that site has seen in the past couple of years. 

I again will politely disagree   Though I imagine a small part(of Jim's big picture)I'm sure this site absolutely brings him revenue...and not from the cost of ads but from what goods and services he offers. We all have used, tired, or brand new items we don't need. If we all suddenly were able to put up free ads, this absolutely cuts in to Jims business. Lets say i had a Tranny for sale that was a fresh rebuild, if I'm smart I price it $100 less than Jims and offer free Shipping. Suddenly there are 6 people doing the same thing and Jim's trannies sit on the shelf and he earns nothing?? Ok, he gets praised for being user friendly and a nice guy...and a dumb business man!

 

Craigslist is free and ebay charges a little... 

[Bench Racer]

Schabi
No one has been banned since I have owned the site. So post whatever you like, constructive please. If I ran this site for the money it generated, it would already be shut down.

    A ban (banned) is, any decree that prohibits something. Your mind is younger and doesn't remember vary well.

 

   ^ Your favorite BS banana.

[Jim Drago]

    A ban (banned) is, any decree that prohibits something. Your mind is younger and doesn't remember vary well.

 

   ^ Your favorite BS banana.

Your still here? Banned is permanent! Your working on it though   

[Bench Racer]

Your still here? Banned is permanent! Your working on it though   

 

 

For we 60's folks, it's all about          

[Johnny D]

With SCCA and NASA and others on different tires, should there be a place with all regions saying, if you want to race with us, here are people willing to rent you tires for this event?

J~

[LarryKing]

Race tire rental?

 

You may be a visionary.

[Ron Alan]

Race tire rental?

 

You may be a visionary.

 

Aahh...his vision may be that he reads all threads...because this sounds familiar

[Johnny D]

Oregon was open tire, went to Hoosiers.

The idea is, top guys (i.e. like Drago) that use the tires for a few cycles (give/rent/sell) there hand me downs.

It's a wait and see idea, but it could take off.

This addresses, No $, want to run that track in SM with my friends and not cheating running a non spec tire from another club.

 

http://mazdaracers.c...res/#entry46769

J~

[Jim Drago]

I did not know you own this website.  You seem like a cool dude and
we've done some business in the past where I was very happy, but when I view
the classifieds section I feel the site is dead and it serves only one purpose:
to sell your stuff.  I don't blame you for it, as I would do the
same.  As an owner you can do whatever you want, and it's not anybody
business what you do.  But realistically speaking there are small
problems: 1. you do not sell everything,  2. your Wanted section has 0
listings, which tells me it makes very little anyway.

 

My feeling is that if you opened up the Wanted section and you wrote on the
top of that page:  Submit $10 every time this website hooks up a buyer
with a seller.  People would donate more than you make by taking $10 up
front.  More, it would be friendlier, more attractive, and websites like
Spec Miata Classifieds wouldn't have a header like this: Friendly FREE for
All. 

 

To give you an example: very often I find myself looking for a specific part
and I want to post in the Wanted section, but the $10 stops me from doing just
that when the part itself is like $20.  On other occasions when I look for
something more expensive, where the $10 post tag would be irrelevant I stop and
say this: I posted last time and nobody replied, what about if I pay again and
nobody replies.  $10 wasted. 

 

I'm fresh off my first race weekend where I did not race a rental SM, but my own.  I did damage

few things, I did learn I need another few, and I would like to post what I need, but I DID NOT do it.

Instead I went on Google and I searched for those used items and I found some. 

 

Maybe a nice compromise would be to list the top 5-10 things you do not
allow to trade on the site as that is your specialty, or allow it to trade but
charge users for those items they way you're doing now.  The rest let go
for free (at least the WANTED items).  I think everyone would understand
that. 

 

As of right now I have a feeling you're hurting yourself by locking down the
classifieds.  I do like this website a lot, and I learn a lot from you
guys, so I hate to see this.

 

 

 

Thanks for the input ( love that phrase for some reason)    The problem is no real way to offer  free wanted classifieds. I have some coupon codes. So what I will do now is put a note in the wanted section to PM me for free listing code.

 

Also thinking of allowing a free classified add or two per person.

 

As to what many said, my goal to keep the site healthy and thriving as place for all of us to come etc. If I can sell some of my products while doing so, I don't mind absorbing the costs of maintaining the site. The donations this year were a huge help and the goal was for the classifieds to cover the hosting and monthly fees, they rarely if ever do.  But definitely think there is a significant value here. If you want to sell your SM, there is no better place. Definitely worth the money. I have an often extend classifieds ads out for free on those trying to sell cars.

 

Any other ideas, let ,me know

Jim

[Mike Collins]

I'm LAZY!  Can we have a "view new content" button at the bottom of the page as well?  

[Mike Oyler]

I'm LAZY!  Can we have a "view new content" button at the bottom of the page as well?  

 

Hey Mike,

 

Added "View New Content" to Footer on all currently available themes.

 

Thanks,

Mike Oyler

[Ron Alan]

Hey Mike,

 

Added "View New Content" to Footer on all currently available themes.

 

Thanks,

Mike Oyler

 

Welcome Mike...you the new Sheriff in town??  The "view new content" button stopped working for me a few months ago. When I'm signed in, every thread I open goes to the last post...even if I havent been on in a week! When i'm signed in and press the view new content button i get "sorry, no new content found"

 

If I sign out and view as a guest the view new content works...any ideas???

[Mike Oyler]

Welcome Mike...you the new Sheriff in town??  The "view new content" button stopped working for me a few months ago. When I'm signed in, every thread I open goes to the last post...even if I havent been on in a week! When i'm signed in and press the view new content button i get "sorry, no new content found"

 

If I sign out and view as a guest the view new content works...any ideas???

 

Hey Ron,

 

Sounds like a browser cookie issue. Are you running any sort of Adblocker or NoScript per chance? I am just giving CV and JD a hand herding cats.

 

Mike

[Ron Alan]

Hey Ron,

 

Sounds like a browser cookie issue. Are you running any sort of Adblocker or NoScript per chance? I am just giving CV and JD a hand herding cats.

 

Mike

 

Since I'm pretty computer illiterate...it would be nothing I did knowingly? Where would i go to reset this things?

[Mike Collins]

Thanks MIKE!!!!  I don't use a mouse so this is great!