Ok, by popular demand we are going to host another OLF swap meet. The event will begin next Monday morning (10/15) and run until the 25th.
As you know we are constantly tweaking how we run these, and for the most part they are fun and successful for everyone, but we will again be making a few changes.
Basically the swap meet will be set up as a separate discussion thread (much like the off topic discussion, or the CNC discussion). Everyone will have access to read and comment, BUT YOU MAY NOT START A NEW DISCUSSION without getting clearance with Lance or me. Each seller will have the opportunity to create and control his/her topic - think of it as a "table" at a flea market. (All the normal OLF rules apply).
IF YOU WANT TO SELL SOMETHING
Simply let us know you wish to be a seller in this thread (or the other thread is fine if you have already done so) and we will mark your account as a Swap Meet Seller.
The swap meet is open to any registered member who wishes to sell. In the past we have alternately charged sellers to participate and allowed members to sell for free. This time we are going to blend this approach.
* Any member can sell up to 5 items for free
* 6 - 20 items will have a "table fee" of $50
* and more than 20 items will have a "table fee" of $100
* (Current sponsors can sell as many items as they like for free)
Why are we charging any fee? We want everyone to participate in the swap meet and to keep the barrier for entry as low as possible. However we also want to recognize all our sponsors do for us (after all, they pay the bills that keep the lights on) and if it is completely free there is nothing that would stop larger sellers from participating and moving massive quantities of products. This gives them access to "our market" without paying. At least this way we make some attempt to even the playing field.
We recognize it is an imperfect way to do this... but frankly, so is everything else we have thought of. This just seems to have the fewest problems.
Ok, so now THAT's out of the way..
Here are a couple more thoughts.
We want all commerce to happen in the threads. Please do not link out to your web site. (i.e. don't say, hey I have some great cocobolo on sale visit my web site at www.greatfreakingwood.com/cocobolo and order online). The fun of the swap meet is the community exchange.
As items are sold please note that in the threads. Last time there were a few problems with items being sold to more than one person etc. Not a big deal in the long run, but please stay on top of your sales and keep everything as clear as you can.
IF YOU WANT TO BUY
There are no restrictions to buying just visit the thread and do your thing. The only thing that we ask is that you keep the commerce IN THE THREAD. Not in PM or email. That way it helps eliminate confusion about what is sold and what isn't.
COMMENTS / SUGGESTIONS / COMPLAINTS
If you have comments about any of this or suggestions about how to make these swap meets run smoother we are all ears. And if you have a complaint, please understand this is a ton of work for Lance and I to set all this up and monitor it. We are certainly open to suggestions and constructive critisism but please understand that we are trying to do something for the good of the community. So keep that spirit in mind as you voice these.
