Suggest only OP can bump in "Domain Names Wanted" threads

[james haw]

Any reply in a 'Domain Names Wanted' thread bumps it to the top of the forum list, but they're too frequently bumped with a non-OP user post which doesn't 'update' the thread in any useful way for the rest of us.

Replies (bumps) are usually just from non-OP:
"PM Sent" (90% of the time) - "I can't PM" - "Is OP here/replying"


I know this arguably keeps the area alive and active, but I don't think it's useful activity.
I really don't need to know JohnSmith has PMd the OP in some thread, and importantly nor does this have any useful reason for all of us to see that thread at the top of the list.

Bumps should be:

• OP criteria update
• OP confirm still looking
• Etc
  
• OP just bumping for visibility, but only OP should do this and limited to X hours to provide structure, information, and give a fair chance for all

Problems with the current bump criteria:

1. Old threads become active to the top of the list where OP is not active, not logged in for months etc, because some user replied "PM sent"
2. OP doesn't have full control over bumps (specific time and day can be useful)
   
3. Bumps are not from useful activity such as OP feedback, OP criteria, OP still active, etc
4. The bumped threads have no valid or fair reason to be above any other thread, ie it's fine for OPs to bump every 24 hours, however currently it's just: Some user who happened to confirm a PM in one thread rather than some other thread (ie random bumping)
5. Currently the area is a random bump fest with inactive OP threads going to the top, no updates from (some) OPs because their thread is being bumped and they get PMs automatically from the random user bumps (who can blame them)

Suggestion:

1. Only OP can bump a thread in "Domain names wanted" forum
2. Bumps can only occur 24 hours of OP's previous post (no spam bumping etc)

Improvements from only OP bumping:

1. We know and can see that the OP is still actively looking
2. Likely to encourage more OPs to update their threads, with criteria, or other feedback
3. The order of the threads in the forum listing is more useful - based on OP still actively seeking, or has provided new criteria or feedback on offers so far
   
4. Threads with non-active OP get pushed to lower pages where old threads belong (can still be revived by OP if needed)
5. OPs can still be contacted in old threads (PM) but without bothering the rest of the forum users with old requests, and pushing newer ones down needlessly
6. No threads at the top of the list where OP is not active - allowing more space at the top for those who are trying to actively buy

I know the free/auto bumps caused by users posting might be welcomed by some buyers, but it's not an organised way to declare you are seeking a domain name. You might be losing out on offers because you've not bumped or replied in ages or a page or two of other user replies. For certainty you are losing out on your thread being at the top of the forum list for threads where the OP is long gone.

I don't want to make it harder for people buying, or easier for people selling, just a bit more organised and things listed at the top of forums for a useful reason. This would surely benefit buyers and sellers alike?

Your thoughts?

 

[Eric Lyon]

Thanks for the suggestion. If there is enough interest in it, we may be able to custom-build it into the forums, because it is not possible with the existing settings.

You may also prefer to use the sort options that are already available that help with this issue:

• Sort By: New Requests

 

[james haw]

@Eric Lyon Thanks.
I do use the sort option, but there's a (slight) inconvenience of the DDoS protection, and it only orders by created datetime which doesn't include newly updated by OP. But it helps, certainly.

This was mainly to get a better organised area, and OPs to update, as half the time no one knows if they're still looking. This would push the inactive ones onto lower pages and have a better sorted area.

Not urgent of course so will wait and see if anyone else cares

 

[timestamp]

Here is an example from some buyers:
Pm + post "pm sent" -meaning bump my thread, do the work for me for free.

Ban pm sent and allow bump every week.

Or ban replying, if something is missing pm OP to correct it.

 

[james haw]

I can see your logic in banning replying altogether, the post should stand on it's own with just the OP posting and PMs (no replies in the thread). But it's useful for sellers to know they've sent their domain(s). You can see your avatar next to the sellers in the forum listings when you've posted in there, quite useful so you don't have to rake through conversations to check if you've contacted them, and buyers don't get dupe PMs etc.

My issue is just the fact that bumps are from "PM sent" which should not be bumps

 

[timestamp]

In DN wanted section there is a room for PM sent button.

PM sent | Share | Quote | Reply

 

[james haw]

Here's a perfect example:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/short-brandable-drone-products-website.898113/

• November 27th 2015 OP creates thread asking for domains
• 51 replies from members since then with no other reply from OP - 3 pages of people sending in their names but no nod at all from the OP as to what is happening
  
• Members have asked "is OP there", "has anyone sold to OP", "has anyone had a PM" - still no OP reply
• On December 15th 2015 I commented to state OP was last seen December 2nd 2015 (2 weeks ago since they even logged in)
• Yesterday 6PM (GMT) someone posted, again bumping the thread to the top
• People still reply "PM sent", thread is still bumped above more legitimate active threads, no-one knows what's going on
  
• OP last seen January 28th 2016 - over 2 weeks ago
• The post has been live now for over 11 weeks with no response from the OP

Maybe OP hates the name(s) everyone has provided in PM, fine, I don't expect a reply from them, but a reply in the thread is needed to confirm they are still looking, for everyone's sake.

Are people wasting their time posting and PMing the OP? Is this thread dead and so unfair that the post is being bumped and pushing other legitimate posts from being at the top of the forum list? Is the OP even looking, reading the PMs?
All this free bumping and the OP may not even be interested. The OP should be bumping here really, as with other threads, otherwise legitimate wanted threads are fighting to be at the top of the forum list with dead threads and potential time wasters.


With a requirement that "only OP can bump a thread", this OP would have posted "still looking" or "UP" and so at the very least let everyone knows they're still looking, the bumps would be legitimate and fair, and people who've already PMd would know OP is not interested in any PMs they have not replied to!




To the OP of the example post:
I've no problem with you personally you are doing what most people do and within the realms of how the system currently works. I'm wanting to change this because we have no idea if you are still looking, and this happens a fair bit, it provides uncontrolled bumps, and sometimes the thread is dead and is bumped (I've seen "OP account suspended" and bumps happen )

 

[domainbartender]

I believe bumping brings more activity to the wanted section, and that's the most important section in any domain forum. In the past when bumping wasn't allowed, the domains wanted section was hardly being used at all. I know it's a bit of an inconvenience, but I think having an active buyer section is important.

 

[james haw]

Thanks for commenting

I believe bumping brings more activity to the wanted section, and that's the most important section in any domain forum

Constant activity is welcomed, bumps are necessary, but the current activity is meaningless from users posting "PM sent". I think we can still have plenty of activity and it be more useful for all concerned.

Quality over quantity - Does the forum or any member benefit from a thread being bumped by a user stating "PM sent" and when the buyer is no-where to be seen for weeks? Is this fair on active buyers who are replying "Replied to all interested PMs, thanks, still looking" etc? Their threads are pushed down by inactive buyer threads, and random users stating "PM sent". This is not quality activity.

In the past when bumping wasn't allowed, the domains wanted section was hardly being used at all. I know it's a bit of an inconvenience, but I think having an active buyer section is important.

But "pointless" activity is not important, and my suggestion will not stop activity it will stop poor activity. Again, quality over quantity,and I don't think the quantity will suffer that much anyway.

In "the past" there were less members, and "no bumping" means no activity at all, so "the past" is not really something we can use as a gauge of the potential effects of my suggested changes

I'm just suggesting we improve that area with useful activity. I think there are enough users now to make that happen.




Currently, there is no separation between active professional buyers, and inactive ones who provide no feedback. What's the point or advantage in a buyer being informative and professional in reporting their status ("PMs checked and replied where interested", etc) when OPs who do nothing at all are getting the top spot in the thread list just as much?