poll Should comments be allowed in sales threads?

[Dave]

I personally think it is a daft rule not to allow comments in sales threads, especially for websites.

Take this thread for example: https://www.namepros.com/threads/ea...keting-website-for-sale.1065993/#post-6577384

I posted in the above thread highlighting that the basics of security, with regards to the ssl certificate, were not even checked before offering the website for sale. Things like this are red flags that need to be public attention in my opinion. My post was removed.

Posts that highlight honest pros or cons to a product or service being offered for sale should be allowed. Outright derogatory or negatively biased posts of course should not be allowed.

Anyone else agree?

Edit: Just to make it clear. I think questions are already allowed but this post is more to do with general comments that provide worthwhile information about a product/service that does not need to be worded as a question.

 

[JB Lions]

Yes, you should able to ask questions. Domains are pretty self explanatory most of the time. Websites are more involved and if you have any questions, you should be able to ask them.

 

[xynames]

Maybe but it would be too tempting to ridicule the domains being offered for sale, or the lowball want to buy offer prices.

 

[creataweb]

Sometimes there are scammers in the domains section and they try to get people to pay fast and with irreversible options like BTC. Some fall for it and lose money. Sometimes comments could save them from that headache.

 

[JB Lions]

I personally think it is a daft rule not to allow comments in sales threads, especially for websites.

Take this thread for example: https://www.namepros.com/threads/ea...keting-website-for-sale.1065993/#post-6577384

I posted in the above thread highlighting that the basics of security, with regards to the ssl certificate, were not even checked before offering the website for sale. Things like this are red flags that need to be public attention in my opinion.

Posts that highlight honest pros or cons to a product or service being offered for sale should be allowed. Outright derogatory or negatively biased posts of course should not be allowed.

Anyone else agree?

I don't see that rule, actually the opposite:

Under Sellers
Respond to questions in a professional and timely manner to produce trust with your potential buyers.

Under Buyers
3. Inquire why sellers are parting with their site:
a. Don’t have the time to maintain it
b. Lost interest
c. Doesn’t make enough revenue to support time investment
d. Requires significant upgrades

Seems like it's ok to ask questions.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/websites-for-sale-guide.865078/

I'm guessing you had a post deleted, since I don't see yours in that thread?

 

[Dave]

I'm guessing you had a post deleted, since I don't see yours in that thread?

My post was deleted for the following reason.

"Comments in sales threads are not allowed. If you see a problem, please report it".

I think questions are allowed but general comments are not. I posted how the SSL certificate for the site is not valid and my post got removed. This is worthwhile information relating to the sale that doesn't need to be worded as a question.

 

[JB Lions]

"Comments in sales threads are not allowed. If you see a problem, please report it".

That literally goes against the rules I just linked too, the website for sale rules.

It's an obvious thing to ask questions if you want to buy something.

Even tho yours wasn't a question per se, I think it's ok in this case. You're not trolling him or anything like that, what you brought up is a legit observation.

 

[Dave]

Maybe but it would be too tempting to ridicule the domains being offered for sale, or the lowball want to buy offer prices.

Those would be deemed as derogatory, disrespectful and of course should not be allowed. Worthwhile and honest posts providing information pertaining to a sale should be allowed. As @creataweb mentioned, comments could save people from being scammed, so that is one example of where comments would be helpful.

 

[equity78]

Websites yes, domain sales no. Easy way to bump certain domain sale posts to the top all the time. PM a question, think it's a scam? PM a mod.

 

[namerav]

Maybe it'll create complications so NO.

 

[MapleDots]

More conversation makes for more exposure. More exposure means more sales.

I made a constructive comment

PLYW.com

I said....

Could stand for Plywood (huge potential)

thought it was a positive comment which could have helped the OP.

Got deleted

 

[JB Lions]

My post was deleted for the following reason.

"Comments in sales threads are not allowed. If you see a problem, please report it".

I think questions are allowed but general comments are not. I posted how the SSL certificate for the site is not valid and my post got removed. This is worthwhile information relating to the sale that doesn't need to be worded as a question.

Maybe try again but this time, go the Jeopardy! route and put it in the form of a question, see if it stays this time. I just checked the site out and I would ask - Why am I getting a Your connection is not secure message when trying to access your site?

 

[Dave]

Websites yes, domain sales no. Easy way to bump certain domain sale posts to the top all the time. PM a question, think it's a scam? PM a mod.

What if a domain is stolen? If somebody has evidence and they're sure it is stolen, it is better to make it public knowledge asap as opposed to risking a buyer paying for the domain name before it is too late.

I think there are also other legit cases where comments are acceptable. Is the domain name currently on auction elsewhere. Has the domain name sold recently, such as within the last few days, and is now being offered for sale at a much lower price? All usually red flags of suspicious activity. I suppose the latter could be worded as a question but still I think this is all worthwhile information however it is worded.

Why am I getting a Your connection is not secure message when trying to access your site?

I already know the answer. I think it is beneficial to others for me to provide a definitive comment on the matter rather than wording it as a question. In my opinion.

 

[MapleDots]

I think if moderation is too heavy handed you leave yourself open to dissatisfaction. When that happens someone eventually gets so annoyed they open up a competing forum. I had that happen on a forum of mine where I did not allow one car type. The members conversed via email and a number of them left to form a new one. They ultimately solicit the current member base and then the large scale banning starts. Nobody wins, member bases split and the damage is done. I think the op should be able to make the choice. Make an auction topic and say "feel free to discuss" or only bids. In the end that would make it better. I tried a few times to encourage discussion in a topic and the mod shut it down. If the op says it's ok it should be allowed. Same goes with off topic, the op can say stay on topic and notify a mod.

Just my opinion on this

 

[Kenny]

Hi Dave,

Comments in sales threads are not allowed.
We understand you are trying to help and we appreciate your efforts, but in the future please use the report button.

Also, if you notice others violating this rule, please use the Report feature instead of replying to them, so that we can get things back on track (on topic).

Please refer to this thread for further clarification:
https://www.namepros.com/threads/pointing-out-a-scam-to-warn-others.1043956/

Rule: 6.1.1 No Sales Crashing: Do not post anything in a sales listing that could devalue an item or hinder a sale from taking place successfully.

These are the rules. Please refer to the link above.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Peace,
Kenny

 

[Eric Lyon]

To clarify, constructive and relevant questions are allowed.

Comments/Statements are not allowed.

I think if moderation is too heavy handed you leave yourself open to dissatisfaction.

About half of the members we hear from think we moderate too much and the other half think we don't moderate enough. That indicates we're doing it the right amount.

What if a domain is stolen?

This has been discussed here: https://www.namepros.com/threads/pointing-out-a-scam-to-warn-others.1043956/

Hope that helps,

 

[HotKey]

I posted how the SSL certificate for the site is not valid and my post got removed. This is worthwhile information relating to the sale that doesn't need to be worded as a question.

Hey Dave, just curious as to why you think a valid/invalid SSL certificate for a website is relevent to its sale? Whether or not a site is running https is up to the site holder, and seller does not mention that he is offering secured hosting along with the sale of the site..

I think it is for this reason the comment was removed, it detracted from what was actually being offered in the sale.

Maybe just a PM to the seller would have cleared it up.

 

[HotKey]

Of course, invalid certificates could turn off potential buyers..

 

[Dave]

Hey Dave, just curious as to why you think a valid/invalid SSL certificate for a website is relevent to its sale?

Shows incompetence from the seller. I think if they can't get something as simple as that right before offering it for sale, then it makes me wonder what else could possibly be wrong with the site that is for sale.

 

[Kate]

Many webdesigners are incapable of properly configuring a webserver, or host websites on servers that they can't control. IMO that alone doesn't make the sale suspicious. It could be a red flag if other things turn out to be wrong like blatant scraping or site cloning (=copyright issue).

If you are buying contents, you usually are going to host it elsewhere anyway.