Canarsie

I just sent a short private message to IB-Dick asking him to respond to the technology question pertaining to this proposal, and that there was no hurry for him to reply. I also invited him to post his thoughts in this thread.

Jaelle

I like the idea of the commercial forum(s). I would like to see a place for non-travel related services. I will admit that I am not unbiased in this - I have a small home based business I wouldn't mind posting about here. However, that is not the main reason I like the idea. If I have to spend money on anything, all things being mostly equal, I try to give my money to someone I know. And, while I obviously don't know everyone on FT, I have gotten so much help on various issues from the FT community, that I feel supporting anyone in the community would be a good idea.

I also like having a minimum length of time and number of posts before you can advertise your service. I could even see a graduated system with more time/posts needed the less travel related your service. For instance travel related services 180/180 mentioned before, and for non-travel related services 240/200. I doubt any spammers are going to go through that in order to advertise their products.

If we do allow posting of services, I think we should explicitly forbid pyramid schemes, anything that is a recruiting scheme, and anything else that is frequently open to abuse. Perhaps even having all commercial posts having to be approved before they can be posted.

Jaelle

IB-Dick

This is completely possible to limit access to subforums based on post count or how long a user has been a member of the site.

Canarsie

While there is certainly by any means no hurry or urgency, I was wondering if members of the TalkBoard were still discussing this topic.

Thank you in advance.

SkiAdcock

It's not been discussed recently but isn't off the table. I know I've got some homework to do, especially given there are multiple ideas being floated. But I also think the OP needs to do some homework as well. Some concerns have been raised in this thread which also need to be address.

I will say that for me due to upcoming long holiday I probably won't look at this much for a month, but doesn't mean other TB members can't or other FTers, and I'll try to follow the discussion inbtwn sightseeing in Europe.

Cheers.

Markie

The above does not represent my views, and hence should not be read as representing the whole of TB.

My views are:

wharvey

I do hope the Talkboard give due consideration to a "Flyertalk Community Marketplace".

Perhaps it could be a subforum under Coupon Connection and hold the same entry requirements as that forum including the requirement that members participate fully in the broader Flyertalk to keep "membership" in that forum. In essence, apply the exact same rules for this Marketplace Forum as we do for Coupon Connection.

I think our members have so much they could offer to other members broader than just travel services. I know I have taken advantage of generosity from several members and know others could benefit as well.

seanthepilot

It may prove to be helpful in keeping 'mature' FT members from drifting away too. Any portion that keeps a member continuously connected to Flyertalk also acts as a tool to keep that person and their knowledge base close. Please look at this as a value added aspect, where the value is both to the members and FT as well.

Henry82

Firstly, I'd like to say that I was intimidated to post in this thread seeing that everyone here are senior members with XX,XXX post counts! However, I like this idea too much to stay silent, so I hope all the veteran members can give my newbie POV a chance or simply take it as a "fresh" perspective on FT's potential. (...putting flame suit on)

I wholeheartedly agree with the above. I've frequented other forums (car, photography, sports) for its particular topic, and all of them have their own marketplace that serves the forum's members. Yet, the FT community has a unique characteristic/advantage over all the other forums: its member population is borderless (both literally and figuratively). We have people from all over the world, and regardless of country of residence, our members travel... we see a lot of the world, and are exposed to broader opportunities and ideas. In addition, without going in depth about the FT demographics, people who travel frequently (whether for business or leisure) are typically more educated, have some level of financial success, and are smarter consumers... but I digress. So, just as Canarsie said above, there are a limitless number of FT members who have products or services that other FT members would be interested in or may benefit from.

There should be a clear distinction between a "Marketplace" and a "Commercial Forum". A Marketplace would be a place for members to trade among themselves, anything from travel vouchers, old camera lenses, watches, stuff... used or new. But a Commercial Forum, on the other hand, would be a place for business transactions between vendors and customers.

+1.

I'm just going to run with Canarsie's idea and brainstorm a bit... (this IS an open discussion right?): There must be qualifaction criteria for access. Perhaps the criteria for Marketplace peer-to-peer trading can follow the standard 180/180 model. However, for Commercial Vendors, I do feel there would need to be a separate, more stringent qualification process (to protect the member customers and maintain the quality of the commercial offerings). Maybe even go as far as requiring a marketing fee as part of being a "Certified Vendor"... additional revenue for FT!

To keep this "FT Commercial Forum" from becoming just another SPAM bucket, how about requiring the commercial offerings to have some element of "FT exclusivity". Just hypothesizing: Gaucho100k sells Argentinian wine, which is something he could market and announce openly and for free elsewhere. However, to post a deal in the "FT Commercial Forum", the offering would have some discount or perk that would only be available to the FT members. (Gaucho100k, if this post offends you or your business, please let me know and I'll remove it.)

In the long run, this setup could benefit everyone. Member Vendors get access to a pre-qualified, generally affluent customer pool and Member Customers get access to exclusive deals while supporting other members of the FT community.^

Canarsie

In all the years in which I have been a FlyerTalk member, I do not recall seeing a TalkBoard as active as this one.

I thought I would bring this proposal back to the forefront for some thoughtful discussion and possible consideration, as no decision has ever been made — to my knowledge, anyway — regarding this proposal.

jackal

I know! We are actually having to WORK this term! Not that that's a bad thing.

Let me as well direct your attention to the chain of discussion started by my post above in this thread breaking down the various proposals and options: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...l#post16265582

I am certainly hopeful that we can move FlyerTalk forward in the modern world of social media and provide a home for these kinds of topics.

Q Shoe Guy

I also lend my support to this motion as the internet, internet based communities continue to evolve. There should be a proper home for such discussion.....

kipper

I would like to see TalkBoard tackle this, along with the topic of referrals in signatures or messages to "PM me for a referral," since those are for-profit as well. IMO, referrals should be done in S.P.A.M., in conga fashion. Should one not participate in the conga, they should not be allowed to list their referral in their signature, potentially earning several referrals, when those who play by the rules in S.P.A.M. can only earn one referral. Same concept for the "PM for me a referral," that is very popular, when there is a conga for those sites in S.P.A.M.

I would think that those who were concerned about people "gaming" their post counts by using OMNI games should support a change like that, since currently, many people are "gaming" the referrals.

Mary2e

I'll take it one step further than Kipper - I support a commercial forum and believe that commercial messages of any kind in signature lines should then be against the TOS.

kipper

We agree again? Ugh--what is happening here?