TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Mar 04, 2003 3:48 pm

Just my 2 cents, but I don't like seeing those three blue featured ads at the top of each page of the classifieds listings. They take up the whole screen space and at the top of each page I have to page down to see the first non-featured ad. Yeah, not a big deal but what it conditions me to do is ignore anything in that first area of each page. Wonder if it does that for others.

Tue Mar 04, 2003 8:20 pm

I agree. I'd rather get right to the new adds. Even on the main classifieds page.

Tue Mar 04, 2003 8:54 pm

Featured ads allow some sellers to voluntarily help TheSamba.com remain a free site for the majority of visitors. Sorry they get in the way of your frenzied searching, lol.

Jen

Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:17 pm

You mean featured adds pay TheSamba? If that's the case then I'd rather scroll down. Anything to help TheSamba.

Wed Mar 05, 2003 11:05 am

I guess I'm going to get crass now. I don't know how to say this in a nice way. I voluntarily help TheSamba without getting in the way of other users because I recognize what a fantastic value and service it provides. I'm tired of two-tier systems where if you don't pay up you get inferior service. As fantastic as TheSamba is, it seems it is steadily moving in that direction. Although you have been moving in the direction of featured ads that appear on the home page, this is the first time such a revenue enhancement is getting in the way of my moving about the site. Will you next make certain forums available only to paid subscribers? Maybe you need to look at your operation and cut some costs. I haven't a clue how to run a website so this is probably not a significant cost factor: do you really need to keep 36,000 images on your server? Everett, this site is great and I will continue to send you a check every six months or so to help out. God bless you for taking so much time and trouble to help the V-Dub community. But something is happening here and I've got to speak out.

Wed Mar 05, 2003 11:23 am

That was a rant...I don't do that too often...hot button, I guess...

Wed Mar 05, 2003 11:26 am

Yeah, I know what you're saying. It's the fear of a good thing going bad. It's not too bad right now, but what's it gonna turn into in the coming months or years. But at the same time, it doesn't seem like Everett is trying to profit from this site. Just trying to keep it going.

Wed Mar 05, 2003 1:45 pm

whats the big deal? It's a way for Everett to generate some cash to help pay for the site without having to charge for every ad. And before you jump on the charge for every ad bandwagon think about all the little parts that would never be listed if he charged for every ad. I sure wouldn't list any 79 super beetle junk if it was gong to cost me money, I'd throw it in the scrap metal bin and be money ahead for doing so.
It's such a small thing, and it's not changing the function of the site or what it costs you to use it. Things change, get used to it.

Your skipping over the featured section does bring up an interesting point though, Maybe the new blue ads should be scattered in groups of two over the first few pages?

Wed Mar 05, 2003 2:16 pm

Scattered would work for me. Makes them leap out at you but keeps them from taking over the page.

Thu Mar 06, 2003 1:04 pm

I agree, it could be shown in a less-expansive manner. It is changed.

Other rants were ignored, email me privately for discussion, if you wish.

The #1 cost for the site is the photos in the Classifieds. I have "unlimited" storage but not unlimited bandwidth.

Storage = The size of files parked on my site.
Bandwidth = Files transferring from my site to your web browser.

Thu Mar 06, 2003 2:18 pm

Nah, Everett. No more rants. Thanks. You da man.

Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:44 pm

Hey Everett, what's the difference between a rant and a discussion? I thought we were having a discussion in this thread. What do you mean "other rants ignored"....what other rants?

Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:49 pm

Note your title and discription of the site forum:

Site For site feedback, questions, suggestions, and announcements/discussion of new site features

Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:59 pm

That being the case why don't you limit the number of pictures on a classified add? I can't see why anyone could possibly need to post this many photos in order to attract attention to a sale.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/index.php?photo+200211241836035177

Just my 2 cents.

Thu Mar 06, 2003 11:05 pm

holy crap thats alot of pics.

good idea mowser, maybe like a 5 pic limit? i deffinatly know by 5 pics if i am going to pass right by to the next car or if its something i would like to follow up on and at that point its time to talk via personal email and get more pics that way.

Fri Mar 07, 2003 3:29 am

I agree, one main pic and 4 others is enough to get your point across. Free websites are perfect for placing stuff for sale. That's what I do. I'll post a couple pics and a link to my website for any further ones.

Fri Mar 07, 2003 7:55 am

That is 1 thing I am considering...

Right now, the Classifieds shrink any big photos down to 640x480, which made a big difference.

Fri Mar 07, 2003 1:28 pm

Show me an ebay seller that has more than 5 photos on their add and I'll show you a guy that has more money than brains. And they have to pay for their adds plus a % of the sale

Wed Mar 12, 2003 2:06 pm

A lot of the cars on eBay have more than 5 photos.

The vehicles on eBay are fixed fee, not a %age. I think it was $80 last time I checked? More if you have a reserve.

Wed Mar 12, 2003 8:32 pm

5 seems a little low, I like a dead on shot of all 4 sides, one of the engine, one of the dash, and a couple of general interior shots. Certainly no more the 10 would need to be posted. The ad above is definetly overkill.