250 Post Rule?

Well where to start? Lets see, I can remember when we didn't have a BST forum, we didn't have an error coin forum,we didn't have a metal detecting forum, when the BST first went in we had a 25 post threshold, everything was ok for awhile and then we had our first problems, those problems were linked to the BST being so readily available to people we did not know very well, had put no time into the forum, did not have a stake in the forum so we changed it a bit and went to a 50 post threshold and added if I remember right a 10 day period of time, well that worked ok for awhile but you know some people are fairly patient especially if it profits them at the cost of a few days and a few posts to get to where they could take advantage of the trusting nature of our membership and they did just that took advantage of a few members took their profits and left.

The staff fielded complaints, but in the end there is no real recourse, we cannot make anyone do anything especially if they dissappear, don't care if they ever post again here or any combination of variables which can be thought of.

So we responded by increasing the post count, and the time which a member must be active on the forum, we found that with time and posts the members develope somewhat of a relationship, people become involved, they become online friends, they develope and grow with the the people here and we have far less problems with spammers,rip offs and unsavory characters sticking around to cheat our members.

So to make a long story short, we have been where you are thinking we need to be, we have grown by experiance and believe it or not through input from our membership as to what they want as a whole, you know somewhat democratically even though the forum cannot operate as a complete democracy we do our best to involve our members, stick around long enough and you will see that.

I'm quite happy with the standards and strictures of this forum. If I wasn't, I'd walk. Which is exactly what I did on another forum which had problems with personal attacks and such, and the administrator refused to listen to my suggestions and those from others to institute stronger control measures.

Stick around, learn, and make your own observations, odentheviking. As others have stated, it won't take you long to pass the 250 mark. Just don't expect to get any "quality" posts out of the "never-ending story" forum, lol.

Quote:

"I agree completely with the original poster and although I understand the underlying intent, I think the post threshold is excessive. Then again, if those are the rules... So since you guys own the basketball, I guess I have to play HORSE, even if I'd prefer PIG. The trouble is, I find myself unable to meet MY quality post standards very often. To me, this is not one. Regarding grading posts, well, I learn a heck of a lot more reading the consensus of others in private than venturing my own guess in public and I shiver to think of the responses if I say VF for something that's G (I've seen many posts that are not exactly tolerant of novices or controversial posts). So here's my challenge to all: put 50/100 to a vote. The new year is a good time and democracy is a good thing. BTW, I'm not looking to sell anything."

+1!!

I agree with the 250 posts, sure it takes a while but, isn't that true of just about anything worthwhile. I increases my respect for those I deal with and I hope when I someday reach that number my reputation will shine through also. Keep up the fine work moderators and others I appreciate it, and I sure most others do also.

Quote:

"Adam is correct. You will get over the 250 mark quick. Try grading some of the coins as people post them. It will give you practice and give you another post."

Again I say....I mean no disrespect here, I am just asking......BUT! (Don't you hate a big "but"?)
Adam is not correct,(if I am reading the rules correctly), until I get 250 quality posts I can not post anything. I know why this is, I myself fell prey to an e-bay scammer. He sold 50 or more worthless coins all for under $10 until he got a positive rating of +50 then started selling very pricey coins,(like the 1770 Pillar Dollar he scammed me with). By the time I discovered the coin to be fake and tried to return it he had over 30 negative feedbacks and was shut down by e-bay. If I send someone on thisd forum money for a coin, it is nice to know they have alot invested in their name here.....meaning 250+ posts. What I don't understand is if I can reply to a forsale post, why can I not post an ad for a want to buy? Is it because the person that might reply to my want may not have 250+ posts? Is it too complicated to say that you must have 250+ posts to respond to a want to buy ad? I am just asking.

My main line of collecting is Copy and Couterfeit Pillar Dollars. I don't know the coin grading system and would not want to even try to grade someone elses coin from just a picture. I am very sure that when someone posts a question on this forum, the last thing they want to have to read is a post from a guy w/less than 100 posts saying "Yes, I agree with the last 7 posters, its a MS-69".

Quote:
"as for "running out of material - after posting most of you interesting stuff", you could comment or offer opinions on other peoples questions or coins, without posting anything about your own. often it fun to let it (your comments) be about someone else."

Yes, I agree. But like I said in my original post, There are experts on here that really know their stuff. I do not want to look like a fool or have my opinion shot down, that does not help the guy asking the original question. Also, I work 40 hours a week, I have 3 kids 16 to 9 years of age, I have 3 horses to exercise, 2 dogs and a diabetic wife that have to take a daily walk........I have just a short shot here and there to catch up on what is going on here on the forum. I was shocked to get up this morning and see 15 replies to this post!

Quote:
"Stick around, learn, and make your own observations, odentheviking. As others have stated, it won't take you long to pass the 250 mark. Just don't expect to get any "quality" posts out of the "never-ending story" forum, lol."

Point Taken!

Quote:
"Nope, it's not negotiable. Sorry."

Thank you, I do love a short direct answer! If that is the answer than I accept it with no issues. I will post when I can and offer good quality posts and wait my turn. I will earn my right to post here like everyone else, at 251 posts.

But I would be willing to bet there are a very large number of people that joined this forum, put on a few posts and asked a few questions, maybe even they got over 50 posts like me, but got frustrated with watching the for-sale and for trade ads. Because their somewhat limited scope of collection never came up,(maybe its stuff that most of you over 250 posts guys have in your junk box!), and they just gave up and went back to e-bay.

Thank you for your consideration, Respectfully submitted, Paul.

You are probably right with this comment. I have well over 1000 posts & almost never see anything I would be interested in buying.....& most of the items I would like to buy are snapped up before I see them. I don't have a problem with that because IMO the primary purposes of the forum is to gain knowledge & communicate with people that share the same interests.

We have all been there, and soon, you will have 250 quality posts.