Automating "Classifieds" Forums.

[Lambolica]

I'm trying to work out some tweaks to reduce the moderators and resources requirements in the classifieds section of a new forum I'm looking at building. Going from previous experience on another board, the classifieds section contains about 1/3 of the content, but needs to be heavily moderated. Bringing in Infractions made a massive difference to the moderation side and I'm looking for other things along these lines to move towards a more automated section.

Further, I would like to use the classifieds to generate some income by limiting users access to the section buy allowing a threads running at the same time, but if they wish to have more commercial quantities I'd wanting to use the paid subscription to boost their posting rights.

All good in theory, now in practice I would like be able to do the following.

I would like to allow registered users to place (say) 2 consecutive (running) threads in the classifieds sections This limitation would only exist for the classifieds not other forums. Once the item is sold (using a sold prefix the user applies) the ad is automatically moved or deleted so the user has another free slot available and the sold ad isn't cluttering the rest of the section.

I'm unsure if I wish the thread to be deleted or moved to a "recycle bin" forum not veiwable to users/search engines. I'm undecided on the best approach for various reasons.

I would set up paid subscriptions to allow (say) 5 slots. renewable every (say) 3 months,
and another for Unlimited ads renewable every 3 months.

How would such a system be possible in Vbulletin?

I would be using other things as well to assist with the classifieds as well (Itrader etc) however it is the above that has me perplexed.

Any ideas, I'm not great on the programing side and I guess I'm looking for an answer along the lines of
a) There is already a mod for that,
b) It is possible by doing XYZ in adminCP
c) it will require significant mods and you'll need someone to do the code

Cheers
Simon

[your24hourstore]

it will require significant mods, they may already exist.
some do, you can try
close threads automatically by user class
mark items sold
i trader

im working on one now you can check it out (http://fourstateshome.com) I think a mod needs to be made to prune all closed thread by forum

[Videx]

Ya, there's nothing easy about Classifieds. I've been through three of them (all paid). I'm currently running Photopost Classifieds.

Part of the problem is that every single user wants something different, and that's a really hard way to maintain a modification. e.g. You didn't mention auctions. I don't need auctions either, but they're very popular.

[futureaudio]

c) it will require significant mods and you'll need someone to do the code


I've to go with this one. :D

[Lambolica]

Just going on a bit from Your comments above.

I have the following mods tagged for further review as part of the whole classifieds control thing.

General mods for user peer/self moderation and general Being used with sucess in current forums. (except iTrader - yet to be installed)
iTrader - Reasons are obvious, users can get a feel for who they are dealing with.
Dispute resolution - Again let the users attempt to resolve issues
vB Infractions - for Posting in worng sections control.

These one I am looking to use in combination to "Auto Moderate" based on permissions See worked example below
Classifieds: Mark Thread as "Sold" - Users can mark their thread as sold
(I would like to find a way of automating any threads with a [SOLD] prefix to be automatically deleted / moved to recycle forum)


So Ideally I'm looking to create 2 types of forum within the site.
"General forums" for discussions on whatever subject, &
"Classifieds Forum" - for actual buy/sell users.

I am aware that users permissions can be altered based on Post count. The way I see controlling the Classifieds is through a Thread Count.
So -
Threads and Posts in the General forums don't count towards anything.
For the classifieds Forums I would like to alter user group permissions based on the number of threads created, and use Paid subscriptions to allow the user to Start more Classifieds forums threads.

A real world example. ($ amounts and Counts are for this example)
A user Registers to the Forum:
They can post as much as they like in the General sections and start as many threads in the general sections as they like. [ "General Forums" Thread Count = n ]
A registered User would be able to create 1 Thread in the Classifieds section. and registered users permissions limit any further posts. [ "Classifieds Forums" Thread Count = 1 max]
Once the user has either sold that item, or decided to remove the item from sale, they can themselves "Mark Thread as Sold" and Some automated script or mod scans the "Classifieds Forums" for [SOLD] prefix threads and either deletes the thread or moves it to a hidden "General Forum - Recycle Bin" thus altering the [Classifieds Forums Thread Count = 0 ] allowing them to create another Classified Thread once the counters are updated.
If the Registered User decides to Change hobbies (for example) and wishes to create multiple Threads in various Classifieds Sub-Forums for a period of time, they can use "Paid Subscriptions" to boost the number of "classifieds Forum" threads to 10 for $1 per month [10].
If the Registered User is a Business they can subscribe for $10 per month for unlimited "Classifieds Thread" creation [U].
I am unsure of how to deal with users who let their subscription lapse and still have their subscription threads showing. this would be an area for abusing the system ( having a user subscribe for 1 month, post 10 threads then not re-subscribe). Ideally I'd like to possibly have some kind of Prefix to the thread [10] or [U] and if the users subscription lapses, any threads by that user automatically get binned to encourage keeping subscriptions running. I can see alot of requests for "Un-Binning" threads being an issue.
Futher I would like to have a section for "Big Ticket Items" where a user has to subscribe to post just 1 thread in that section or pay a higher subscription for unlimited use This is where the complexities start as this would likely need a additional type of "Forum"

So forum Structure along the lines of the following using R/C Cars as an example
General R/C Car Discussion "General Forum"
Sub Forums
--> New Stuff"General Forum"
--> Old Stuff"General Forum"
--> Jokes"General Forum"
--> etc"General Forum"

R/C Classifieds Forum
Sub Forums
--> Parts Wanted"General Forum"
--> R/C Car Parts for Sale"Classifieds Forum" 1 Thread only per user, unless paid Subscription [10] or [U]
-----> R/C Car Parts For Sale - Recycle Bin"General Forum" - Mods only can view - [SOLD] threads are auto moved here, un renewed subscription [10] & [U] are moved here
--> Remote Controls For sale"Classifieds Forum" 1 Thread only per user, unless paid Subscription [10] or [U]
-----> Remote Controls For Sale - Recycle Bin"General Forum" Mods only can view - [SOLD] threads are auto moved here, un renewed subscription [10] & [U] are moved here
--> Complete Collection For Sale"Pay Per Thread Subscription Forum" - User to pay for each thread created.
-----> Complete Collection For Sale - Recycle Bin"General Forum" Mods only can view - [SOLD] threads are auto moved here.


The above is how I see such a system working in my head it is simple, but I'm not a Coder, I'm still scanning for mods that allow such a system to work, but if anyone is aware of anything please let me know. If the above is not clear please comment.

If anyone can see potential ways a user could abuse such a system that I haven't seen, please comment.

Alternatively, if a Coder see's value in creating such a mod for Classifieds to encourage subscriptions feel free to have a go, or PM me to discuss cost involved in creating such a mod.

Cheers
Simon

[DNN]

who has a new classifieds add on for vB4?