"For sale" section thread missing

[Edward M.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I think this is the problem, is the ads in the Driveline. Has anyone sit down and figured out how much money is spent on the ads in the Driveline each issue? So if we put the "For Sale" section over here and the readership fell off of the Driveline how long do yo think that the venders are going to continue to advertise there. Not long, thus a loss of revenue for NCRS.

I think are not considering the possibility that the same print ads that are currently running in The Driveline could be run electronically in the for sale forum. Converting print ads to electronic ads is not rocket science.

[Bill M.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I didn't vote - and I suspect others did not as well - because I did not like or wish to vote for any of the options.

Pay? You gotta be nuts.

Patrick

Agree. Not the right choices. I abstain.

[Michael W.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I think are not considering the possibility that the same print ads that are currently running in The Driveline could be run electronically in the for sale forum. Converting print ads to electronic ads is not rocket science.

This is what I suggested on the now deleted thread- and I'm not a rocket scientist!

[Paul J.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Everyone has missed the point that the NCRS web site is restricted. It is for we dues-paying members. Non-members can only view it for a 30 day period.

[Edward M.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Vinnie, thanks, my point exactly.

If we want change, fine, but there is a mechanism and protocol to effect change. Contact your regional representative.

Done that, and done that, and done that......

The problem ain't my regional rep!

[John D.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Being involved with the Pittsburgh chapter since it started I can tell you that about 20% of our members do not have email. Now if a club does not pay attention to that 20% then that is a major mistake.
Often I look here to see just who is on line. Nebbing to see if some of my pals are on the same time as old JD here.
Read Vinnies reply and you will understand. Only a few 100 people ever look at all the repeat questions that are on here all the time. The vast majority of NCRS doesn't give a crap about the DB here. How do I know? Cause I ask this question all the time in one of the 20 plus phone calls I get every day.
I am on the PC way to much. But I like to take my Driveline to the bathroom or bedroom to read.
Meanwhile to tell you the truth I don't read all that stuff anymore anyhow. Who needs more car parts or cars anyhow. JD needs labor-not parts.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Being involved with the Pittsburgh chapter since it started I can tell you that about 20% of our members do not have email. Now if a club does not pay attention to that 20% then that is a major mistake.
Often I look here to see just who is on line. Nebbing to see if some of my pals are on the same time as old JD here.
Read Vinnies reply and you will understand. Only a few 100 people ever look at all the repeat questions that are on here all the time. The vast majority of NCRS doesn't give a crap about the DB here. How do I know? Cause I ask this question all the time in one of the 20 plus phone calls I get every day.
I am on the PC way to much. But I like to take my Driveline to the bathroom or bedroom to read.
Meanwhile to tell you the truth I don't read all that stuff anymore anyhow. Who needs more car parts or cars anyhow. JD needs labor-not parts.

So you want to not pay attention to the 80% that do? If there was a for sale forum on here you & the other 20% go to the bathroom every two mounths & read the driveline & whatever you do in there.LOL
KEN

[Patrick H.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Being involved with the Pittsburgh chapter since it started I can tell you that about 20% of our members do not have email.

The Michigan Chapter - one of the largest - has 2% of members without e-mail. Virtually all notices are sent out via e-mail.

Patrick

[Don L.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I joined CF for the "FOR SALE" forums. I rarely visit any other sections there - only parts and cars for sale, which is almost daily. I sell and buy parts there and all seems to work well. I have tried numerous times to buy through the Driveline, but missed because I wasn't one of the first to receive the magazine via the slow and costly US mail (EDIT: yeah, I know that the DL is on line, however, difficult to maneuver with the way it's built and sorted.) Additionally, an electronic format for classifieds would/should have controlled access. Have any of us shared our Driveline with non-NCRS members who are looking for cars or parts, thereby allowing these folks to gain privileges of the NCRS without being a dues-paying member?

Again, I JOINED CF BECAUSE OF THEIR FOR SALE FORUMS. Might adding this for NCRS increase NCRS membership?

Feels a little to me like we're making some progress here. Some good points and ideas are surfacing.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Paul, non-members can view for as long as they want, as long as they delete their cookies. I know, because I did it for about 6 months prior to joining.

Thanks,

[Paul J.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Thanks Ken. I should have completed my original thought.

If the purpose of a "For Sale" section is to benefit NCRS members selling cars and parts, then a separate unrestricted NCRS "For Sale" web site is the answer. It will reach hundreds more people and be easily available to anyone who is interested. It would be paid for by charging for the ads (with discounts to members) and by advertising.

This option also allows the Driveline and "status quo" to remain, if that's what everyone wants.

Paul

[Christopher R.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

The argument against an electronic for sale system is that it'll work too well and hurt the existing paper one. The Luddites lost that argument a long time ago.

If we wish ameliorate the harm to the existing paper system, that's another issue.

In the meantime, the vast majority of the membership is harmed by not having the benefit of preferential access to NCRS member sellers. Do you really think an NCRS seller is going to forgo an electronic system (EBay, craigslist, etc.) to wait for the "Driveline"? The NCRS seller should be encouraged to offer his stuff first to NCRS buyers. Not that all of them are Mother Teresas, but I'd prefer to buy from an NCRS guy than an EBay guy.

[Greg C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I think what is driving this is that those in control, fear that if they start an online classified section, folks won't send in the "Free" ads to the Driveline. Without our "free ads", the Driveline becomes a LOT smaller. When the Driveline is smaller, ADVERTISERS are less likely to pay for their ads.... and kills a money maker.

I certainly don't buy the argument that "some members don't have computer access.... that is "tail wag dog".

This needs to be brought up, and continually brought up, at local and regional NCRS meetings. The Organization is for the membership... the membership wants it... so it should be done END of ARGUMENT!

I like the thought of a NCRS online classified, that is only view-able by NCRS members.

PLEASE, listen to the membership... and get this done.

[Gary C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

FWIW, the NCRS Board of Directors make the decisions. Communicate with your NCRS Board of Directors Regional Representative directly.

Gary
...

[Greg C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Thanks Gary... I just did

It has been said that Rome wasn't built in a day... but folks have been wanted an online classified for over 5 years now (at least one of the threads was dated 2008, and NCRS was "working on it" then...

If anyone wants to cut and paste and send it to their rep... feel free



I am petitioning that at the next meeting, you bring up a change to the NCRS Online Forum. I believe that the greater membership would welcome the addition of a classifieds section to the forum. The overwhelming majority of members have internet access and would greatly benefit by a members (NCRS) only online marketplace for buying and selling cars and parts.


A lot of what we do as NCRS members is upgrade our cars to do well in NCRS judging, which encompasses the search for parts anywhere we can find them, whether its at a car show, online, or the Driveline. By not having an online opportunity through the NCRS forum, our search to make our cars better is hampered.


To date, I feel like the excuses, or argument against an online classified has been a "straw man', and efforts seem to be to protect the advertising revenue stream by commercial vendors in the Driveline (less free ads may mean less advertising revenue?) But if the NCRS and its board are elected to serve the interest of the membership, I believe that this would be a welcomed change... or at least, let the MEMBERS vote on it.


The efforts of the board would be better spent finding an alternative revenue stream (if advertising suffers) than by prohibiting the desires of the membership.


Thank you for your time and consideration, and if I could be of any further assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely


Greg Calder (26099)