12-09-2008, 10:23 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh area
Posts: 2,096
iTrader Positive Rating: 100% | FAQ for the For Sale and Trade Rules Q: What is considered a 'participating member'?
A: Members who are active on the forum and provide quality contributions to the current discussions, or post new questions or information relevant to the hobby.
Posts that do not add to a discussion on the board are not considered 'quality contributions.' "me too" "nice tank!" "I agree" " Two words, Sham Wow!" are example of posts that are not considered quality contributions. Also, posting "Who do you like better, Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers?" in the Water Bucket forum, while interesting, is also not considered a quality contribution. Q: How do you calculate the amount of 'participation' needed to post on the For Sale or Trade Forum?
A: It's actually an elegant equation that we have devised:
P= (T-S)xZ(logV)/SxS Where P=participation V=number of visits S=sales threads T=total threads Z=participation coefficient. We consider this accurate to +/- 0.01. A member's participation is considered satisfactory if P is greater than or equal to 1.01. Feel free to use the equation to evaluate your own participation.
Or, if you're not mathematically inclined, consider yourself active if the total number of quality, non-sales posts is more than the number of sale/trade threads started. Keep in mind that APC 's success is based on members' participation. If you're 'straddling the line' we suggest considering adding a few more posts to the forum. Member participation is what APC is about! Q: Wow, I haven't been really active on APC but I have a lot of Sale threads. Does that mean I have to make a bunch of posts to 'catch up'?
A: Yes. Go sit in the corner for a 30 minute 'time-out' first. Hey, don't be turning around! Keep your eyes looking into that corner!
Actually, no. As of the implementation of the new rules (Dec. 2008 ) the staff will consider everyone having a 'clean slate'. If you've fallen out of the category of a 'participating member', maybe it's time to re-evaluate your reasons for joining APC. If it seems it's more about the sales, APC is probably not the place for you. There are several commercial avenues that would be more appropriate for your endeavors. Q: I'm not typically active on the forum, what should I be posting?
A: It's likely quite easy once you think about it. If you're relatively new to the hobby, think of the threads that interest you - is there another question you'd like answered? Want to share your own experiences? If you have a lot for sale on the forums, you're likely doing something right with regards to your stock. If you have a lot of rare plants or new plants, you can contribute your experiences with them to others. If you have success with invertebrates or fish that you sell on the forums, share your experiences with them with our members. We don't need a dissertation that can be published in a scientific journal. It takes only a few minutes of your time, and members' posts makes APC the place you have chosen to frequent. Q: What items can you post for sale on the forum?
A: Anything related to our hobby is considered appropriate - plants, livestock, aquarium equipment, hardscape, etc. Keep in mind that any sales or purchase need to comply with state and federal laws.
Additionally collecting "in the wild" for sale on the forums is not allowed. APC encourages its members to explore their local environments and legally collect plants for their own use if they so wish. Q: I've had problems with a transaction on the Sale forum. What are you going to do about it?
A: We will quote this message:
The staff has no power to address any disagreements or issues regarding transactions made on the For Sale or Trade forum. Be aware that any transactions made through the forum are at a member's own risk. The Rules are made and enforced to make transactions as safe as possible for our members. This includes:
- requirng a 25 post minimum prior to posting on the For Sale or Trade forum. This prevents people from coming on the forum with the only intent to make sales.
- amendments to the Rules to require a 'current active status'.
Additionally, the I-trader feature is available so that members can evaluate a potential transaction with another member prior to any money or items being exchanged. We encourage people to look at the I-trader rating of any person being considered for a transaction, and also encourage both buyer and seller to leave a rating after the transaction is finalized.
We would like to offer some suggestions for members to consider prior to making any transactions:
- is the other member active on the forums?
- has the other member had previous transactions based on the I-trader feedback? Is the I-trader rating adequate for your confidence level?
- is the worst-case scenario of loss of your items or money without compensation something that can be managed from your financial standpoint?
Please feel free to contact the staff if you feel that another member is repeatedly abusing the For Sale or Trade forum. We will monitor further activity by the user and consider appropriate infractions as necessary, however we have no ability to mediate or address any specific transaction. Q: What does 'Hooha' mean? Why did you choose it for your handle?
A: Say it out loud a few times - Hooha! Hooha! Hooha! It's catchy!
Last edited by hooha; 12-09-2008 at 11:51 PM..
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