BEST THING YOU’LL READ TODAY...

[GwrxMod]

...if you don't want to lose your BST privileges. 

 

We're near an all time high in the percentage (25%) of ads that were removed today due to violations. DO NOT use the Classifieds Forums if you won't read or follow the rules. This is especially true for long time members who have double-digit BST warnings and continue to violate the SAME BST rules over and over and over again. The rules are not that complicated. 

 

DO NOT PM me with comments/questions. Post any BST related  comments/questions here https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/262-classified-ad-support/ 

 

Rant over.

 

- GwrxMod (The Most Hated Person on WRX 😆)

 

 

Edited March 3 by GwrxMod

[GwrxMod]

And just like that, 2 out of the next 3 ads have violations. 🤯 

Edited March 2 by GwrxMod

[stimpmeterp]

Hey.

 

Just a question.

 

If 1 out of 4 are not getting the rules, do you consider that the rules may be in need of more clarity?

 

It’s really interesting how angry site admins and mods come off when we are supporting the site, and not intentionally trying to violate rules.

 

Thanks.

[GwrxMod]

12 hours ago, stimpmeterp said:

Hey.

 

Just a question.

 

If 1 out of 4 are not getting the rules, do you consider that the rules may be in need of more clarity?

 

It’s really interesting how angry site admins and mods come off when we are supporting the site, and not intentionally trying to violate rules.

 

Thanks.

 

We don't enforce rules based on intentions. However, when someone has a pattern of "unintentionally" breaking rules over and over again, it's no longer unintentional.

 

What's not clear about it now? Give us feedback on what you think requires more clarity. We're not trying to make things complcated. The rules were made with input from members and have not changed much since the inception of the Classifed forums. 

 

Post suggestions here: https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/262-classified-ad-support/ 

 

Almost without exception, the rules are broken because that person has chosen not to read the rules or decided to ignore them.  

Edited March 3 by GwrxMod

[jmck]

At my joint we have all sorts of complicated rules, like

 

You can't play as a fivesome, 

Check in at the pro shop before teeing off, 

When it's posted as cart paths only, you need to keep the carts....on the paths......only.

 

You're doing better than we are if it's only one out of four who are two dumb to figure it out or too self-centered to care.

[ChitownM2]

Out of curiousity, what are the 3 most frequent infractions?  Listing more than 10 items, not waiting 24 hrs / having more than one ad & relisting items sooner than 30 days?  

[Unteachable]

8 minutes ago, ChitownM2 said:

Out of curiousity, what are the 3 most frequent infractions?  Listing more than 10 items, not waiting 24 hrs / having more than one ad & relisting items sooner than 30 days?  

2 open ads, the 24 hour rule and the 30 day rule by far are the most. 
and most of the people who break those rules do it constantly 

[Howie]

1 hour ago, Unteachable said:

2 open ads, the 24 hour rule and the 30 day rule by far are the most. 
and most of the people who break those rules do it constantly 

Give the habitual offenders a timeout? Within a certain timeframe, first offense is one week, second offense one month, third offense receives a permanent vacation to FB Marketplace/eBay?

[GwrxMod]

12 minutes ago, Howie said:

Give the habitual offenders a timeout? Within a certain timeframe, first offense is one week, second offense one month, third offense receives a permanent vacation to FB Marketplace/eBay?

 

It's already being done though we're not that punitive yet. It takes at least 3-4 warnings within a year to get a 7 days suspension. Almost no one gets their BST revoked unless they're serial offenders with double digit warnings or accumulate multiple repeated warnings for the same violation within a very short timeframe. Even then, it's only after multiple long term suspensions have been issued. Maybe we're too lenient? 

 

 

[WUGolfer3118]

Honest question, can’t the two ads/24-hour wait violations be eliminated with the forum software? I’m assuming not or it would be done already, but those two things are tied to post creator usernames and should be easy to block. 

[stimpmeterp]

16 hours ago, GwrxMod said:

 

We don't enforce rules based on intentions. However, when someone has a pattern of "unintentionally" breaking rules over and over again, it's no longer unintentional.

 

What's not clear about it now? Give us feedback on what you think requires more clarity. We're not trying to make things complcated. The rules were made with input from members and have not changed much since the inception of the Classifed forums. 

 

Post suggestions here: https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/262-classified-ad-support/ 

 

Almost without exception, the rules are broken because that person has chosen not to read the rules or decided to ignore them.  

 

Well, for one thing, it takes at least a dozen clicks, then some copying/pasting and then direct messaging (with its own set of rules) just to let you know I sent you money.

 

Rather than have us read a page of text with instructions, what if the payment you got provided enough information on the back-end to pin our BST post? This takes dummies like me out of the equation. It allows you to take the money and pin the ad. We don't even need to talk to one another - a win/win for all involved!

[bcflyguy1]

49 minutes ago, GwrxMod said:

Maybe we're too lenient? 

 

 

You absolutely are, but I applaud your efforts to be gracious. As the old saying goes, you'll always get more of what your tolerate.

[GwrxMod]

4 hours ago, WUGolfer3118 said:

Honest question, can’t the two ads/24-hour wait violations be eliminated with the forum software? I’m assuming not or it would be done already, but those two things are tied to post creator usernames and should be easy to block. 

 

Good question but Moderators don't deal with that side of things and would not know if the current software can handle it. It would definitely help alleviate the majority of warnings being issued. I'll bring to up it up for discussion. 

 

In the meantime, anyone using the Classifieds should do their due diligence prior to placing an ad.  

 

- Close any open ads

- Wait 24 hours if there were any open ads

- Don't relist any items that were listed within the last 30 days

- No more than 10 items

- Include in-hand images of all items being sold

- Have a price for all items including items for trade

...

 

Edited March 3 by GwrxMod

[GwrxMod]

2 hours ago, stimpmeterp said:

 

Well, for one thing, it takes at least a dozen clicks, then some copying/pasting and then direct messaging (with its own set of rules) just to let you know I sent you money.

 

Rather than have us read a page of text with instructions, what if the payment you got provided enough information on the back-end to pin our BST post? This takes dummies like me out of the equation. It allows you to take the money and pin the ad. We don't even need to talk to one another - a win/win for all involved!

 

This has nothing to do with BST rules violations. It's a procedural issue and should be in the Classifieds Help Forums:  https://forums.golfwrx.com/forum/262-classified-ad-support/ 

[jsixman]

The pinned ad fee IMHO is way to difficult.  Too many steps.  Unclear rules.  I'm just stating not complaining.  

[GwrxMod]

22 minutes ago, jsixman said:

The pinned ad fee IMHO is way to difficult.  Too many steps.  Unclear rules.  I'm just stating not complaining.  

 

Please read my answer in the post just above your post. The pinned ad fee has nothing to do with this topic. We're discussing the recent rise in BST rules violations. 

[Gxgolfer]

There is an extensive post with step by step directions with a frequently asked questions. 
 

The directions and rules are contained when the fee is purchased. 

 

Not sure where 12 clicks come from or how clearer it can be?  Everything is laid out and link to read. 
 

Buy from store, send PM. Read what was purchased. 
 

It’s not about complication, it’s reading comprehension. 
 

eBay and other platforms are way more complicated. 

[Gxgolfer]

5 hours ago, WUGolfer3118 said:

Honest question, can’t the two ads/24-hour wait violations be eliminated with the forum software? I’m assuming not or it would be done already, but those two things are tied to post creator usernames and should be easy to block. 

Unfortunately not as the board is too large and any modifications would affect the core. It would be easier to remove the rule. 

[stimpmeterp]

14 hours ago, Gxgolfer said:

There is an extensive post with step by step directions with a frequently asked questions. 
 

The directions and rules are contained when the fee is purchased. 

 

Not sure where 12 clicks come from or how clearer it can be?  Everything is laid out and link to read. 
 

Buy from store, send PM. Read what was purchased. 
 

It’s not about complication, it’s reading comprehension. 
 

eBay and other platforms are way more complicated. 

 

Thanks for asking! I had a feeling you'd chime in with the always chipper and positive attitude for your customers. Here are the 12 clicks, and these do not include PayPal click-throughs:

 

1. Hyperlink to Pinned Ad fee

2. Pinned Ad fee click to add to cart in Store

3. Another Pinned Ad fee click to Add to Cart

4. After added to Cart, click to Review & Checkout

5. From Your Cart view screen, click "Checkout"

6. From Checkout screen, click "Place Order and Pay"

7. From Completed order screen, click to copy Order Number

8. From BST ad screen, click to copy link to Ad

9. Click to Compose New Message to GXGolfer

10. Request to Pin Ad in subject line

11. Paste Order Number

12. Paste Ad Link

 

 

 

[Gxgolfer]

Noted on your 12 clicks. You could save a few by having two tabs open. It takes me 4 clicks and typing the pin date as well. So making a modification to give members that ability won’t save many clicks. The majority are required for purchasing which cannot be eliminated. 
 

Also, thank you for illustrating how many times instructions and rules are presented and not read or followed during the purchasing process. 
 

Have you benched marked this versus other payment platforms?  Seems pretty standard for acknowledgement of payment services. If you are referring to the last steps to send a message, if there was any other way, we would have done it.
 

Maybe AI will do it someday. 

[koiuh11]

pretty easy to read the rules, its at the top isn't it lol takes 1-5 minutes to read and understand. too bad human behavior doesn't change LOL. i have made the same errors but the repeat offenders need more penalties IMO , only way they will learn

[Birddog2]

On 3/3/2025 at 1:40 PM, GwrxMod said:

 

Good question but Moderators don't deal with that side of things and would not know if the current software can handle it. It would definitely help alleviate the majority of warnings being issued. I'll bring to up it up for discussion. 

 

In the meantime, anyone using the Classifieds should do their due diligence prior to placing an ad.  

 

- Close any open ads

- Wait 24 hours if there were any open ads

- Don't relist any items that were listed within the last 30 days

- No more than 10 items

- Include in-hand images of all items being sold

- Have a price for all items including items for trade

...

 

There are a lot of ads I see without in-hand images, seems this would also be on the short list. 

[GwrxMod]

13 minutes ago, Birddog2 said:

There are a lot of ads I see without in-hand images, seems this would also be on the short list. 

 

Report those ads for us to review. We will remove ads without in-hand images.  

[MK7Golf21]

It might be a good idea to prevent so many violations to have the user go through a checkpoint page of the rules and agree each time they try to create an ad. Not sure if that’s possible but I imagine would help. 

[Gxgolfer]

We looked at requiring that for every post and reply.
 

What was observed was that the vast majority follow the rules when posting. The majority of violations are people are failing to read or comprehend step by step directions.  
 

Prompting for acknowledgment is just another click for something that will still be ignored. 

[MK7Golf21]

9 hours ago, Gxgolfer said:

We looked at requiring that for every post and reply.
 

What was observed was that the vast majority follow the rules when posting. The majority of violations are people are failing to read or comprehend step by step directions.  
 

Prompting for acknowledgment is just another click for something that will still be ignored. 

 

Not needed for every post/reply, that would be excessive. Only when clicking on "Start new topic" in the bst for an ad which takes them to a page of the rules they have to put a checkmark next to each one and hit an agree button before being taken to the page to create their ad. Something like that, not sure if it's possible with the forum software but should it seems like a similar feature should be available. 

 

Honestly, people are so focused on getting their item sold and all that entails (taking photos in good lighting, pricing, shipping golf equipment which sucks etc.) that they accidently skip over trying to find and read through all the rules. If it's forced on them in a convenient location (creating the actual ad) it would more than likely prevent violations. They don't really have an excuse then.

 

Anyway, just a few thoughts. 

[Gxgolfer]

I just double checked the options as I thought we did do it before for first time access but, it does not seem like a default option in the current board software.   Not sure if its only one time, if it would really lessen the violations as this doesn't seem a technology issue. 

 

It seems more like speeding in a car or parking in a no waiting zone.

[dank1204]

I'm going to apologize straight up because I've been guilty of breaking some rules here and there. Honest apology here. I could see how it's laziness and/or not reading through it all. 

 

Today I made the infraction of uploading the wrong type of photo (HEIC) which I could see being a common problem. New school tech.

 

But a real question: if you don't want the order number to be in the subject line of the message, what would be the best subject line? Not asking to be dry. Understand posting a link in the subject would be weird, but is the Order # that bad? 

[Gxgolfer]

On 4/8/2025 at 6:49 PM, dank1204 said:

I'm going to apologize straight up because I've been guilty of breaking some rules here and there. Honest apology here. I could see how it's laziness and/or not reading through it all. 

 

Today I made the infraction of uploading the wrong type of photo (HEIC) which I could see being a common problem. New school tech.

 

But a real question: if you don't want the order number to be in the subject line of the message, what would be the best subject line? Not asking to be dry. Understand posting a link in the subject would be weird, but is the Order # that bad? 

Anything but the pin number as per directions because people think putting it in the titles is the same as putting it in the message body.  Everything needs to be in the message body.

The only thing required strictly is a link to the ad with type written store order number.

 

NO COPY/PASTE of the order number or screenshots.  Just the link to ad and type written number.  The link will turn into an ad embed which is ok.  The step by step instructions include all this info.