Classifieds? For sale ad/thread?

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Is there an appropriate place to advertise anything for sale on this site? Or are for sale/commercial ads etc basically forbidden since it's not really that sort of forum?

I don't want to make a for sale thread if they're simply not welcome here.

I just thought I'd see if it's kosher to post something like this on WP simply because I have some items for sale (baby carrier backpacks, fyi, nothing autism related) and if anyone here was in need of one, I'd sell them for a lower price than to some random stranger I'm simply trying to make a buck off of on craigslist or eBay.

I don't think it's appropriate to advertise stuff here at WP. However, you could suggest the creation of a Classified Ads forum. If enough people want it, I would not go against ads in a forum set aside for them. Just don't post them in other forums here. As an alternative, I suggest you post any ads in your local papers, either in hard copy, or their online version.

Selling items through this website could make Alex vulnerable to legal action, and raises other questions, as well.

... Who polices the ads to make sure that only legal goods are being sold, and only by their rightful owners?

... Who oversees the transactions to make sure that they are completed to the satisfaction of both buyer and seller?

... Who is responsible for damages when the promised goods are not delivered?

... Who is responsible for removing the ad when it is no longer needed?

... Who pays the sales tax?

If selling goods is your goal, then eBay and PayPal are better options.

Actually selling stuff on WP I wouldn't want, that is not what this site is for. However, if a user has stuff for sale on eBay, Amazon, Bonanza, eBid, etc and wanted to share those listing with users here that may be interested, then I don't see any issue with that. I think it would be a good way to connect with people. As a seller on eBid and Bonanza, I've noticed threads here and there about people interested in selling online and wondering how to do it and who else does it. I have answered with my 3 years or so of experience.

From these threads I do feel there is an interest in the eCommerce field here where it would be good to have a place for users who are sellers that can showcase their items. That way potential new sellers can see how the listing is arranged, how it is described, the quality of pictures, and see how it is done from someone with experience. Current sellers can showcase their items to potential buyers who may be interested in something they are selling, and users who are potential buyers can find something that they need, want, or like or at least refer them to someone they know who might be interested in the items.

I've seen some people post links to their online sales in their signatures. Is that allowed?

@ Fnord:

Many large online forums have classified ad sections. They pretty much operate on the honour system. The websites take no responsibility for them. It's kind of "buyer beware." Occasionally there's a disagreement/fraud/scammer etc but it's rare. People tend to buy from forum members that have been around a while vs. brand new registered accounts that might not be legitimate. It's all sort of a self regulating thing - even on very very large forums that are much bigger than wp. It seems to work out just fine for them, so it could here, too.

However, I can see reasons for not wanting to have a classifieds forum here due to the nature of this forum vs. it being about a particular interest or industry etc.

@ AspergersActor8693:

I've thought for a while that we should have a forum for discussing business, economics, finance, marketing etc. We have subforums for all sorts of other interests, but nothing where these sorts of discussions fit in exactly. We have forums for science/math/engineering etc but not for more business/money oriented discussions. I think it would be good to have a subforum for all these things as there are a number of us who have attended business school, or work in a related field, or own/operate businesses etc and we could likely learn a lot from one another. Help one another with related decisions, find subject matter experts to solve problems etc.

You've seen those 'Counting' threads - the ones that take up an entire page or more every day, right?

Now imaging that you can no longer find those 'Counting' threads anymore because every time you log in, the first ten pages are filled with nothing but classified advertisements for everything from illegal drugs and fake IDs to escort services and firearms dealers.

Now, where does it say in Alex's intro that this website is dedicated to sales of goods and services, illegal or otherwise?

If you're so hot for those "many large online forums" that you so lovingly described, then why are you wasting your time and bandwidth here, when you could be elsewhere, cornering the markets on digital turnip twaddlers and solar-powered diaper steamers?