Major Additions - vBulletin classifieds mod from Panjo

As of September 2015, the Panjo marketplace mod for vBulletin has been completely rearchitected.

You can learn more about the latest version of the mod on Panjo's vBulletin partner page.

This mod enables you to launch a peer-to-peer community marketplace that is integrated into your vBulletin forum.

Here is how it works:
1) Install the plugin.
2) Customize the categories you want in your marketplace.
3) Contact Chad at Panjo: chad@panjo.com to activate your marketplace.
4) When a seller goes to a new or old subforum dedicated to buying/selling/trading, and clicks on the "post new thread" button, the mod will load a listing creation form.
5) The seller will create a listing. The listing will appear in the marketplace. A synchronized copy of the listing will appear in the appropriate buy/sell/trade subforum.

Is this plugin free?
Yes, this plugin is free.

Can you make money with this plugin?
Yes, you can optionally use this plugin to generate marketplace transaction revenue.

How is it with mobile?
The marketplace loads with layouts that are optimized for high res desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Examples:
Porsche Marketplace <syncs with> Porsche classifieds subforum
BMW Marketplace <syncs with> BMW classifieds subforums
Audi Marketplace <syncs with> Audi classifieds subforums
Belly dancing marketplace <syncs with> Belly dancing classifieds subforums

Gallery:
The marketplace home page

A listing detail page

The listing creation form for a seller


Do you have questions about Panjo? Contact the team at Panjo:
chad@panjo.com
1-424-272-0291

[Videx]

Originally Posted by softsingapore

Click here if you like to see more of my site's users feedback

Oh wow thanks for that.

I'm afraid that's pretty much instantly turned me off on the idea of using Panjo to replace our classifieds. Most especially the part about sellers needing to create a Panjo account!?!? WTF?

[Panjo]

Originally Posted by Videx

...the part about sellers needing to create a Panjo account!?!? WTF?

First, it is important to note that to deliver the marketplace service, aspects of the marketplace are hosted. Due to the hosted nature of aspects of the service, buyers and sellers don't have to "create an account" so much as they have to "connect an account." Buyers and sellers don't need to create a new credential set. They simply need to connect their existing vBulletin account to the marketplace. Why? Here are two reasons...

1) The Panjo plugin helps facilitate the exchange of buyer and seller information in the case of a successful sale. Thus, buyers and sellers need to agree to terms and conditions related to the release of their contact information.

2) For sites using Panjo to generate revenue, the Panjo plugin is involved in the collection of fees. Sellers need to agree to terms related to fee collection.

[softsingapore]

Hi Panjo

Any chance of removing the (Local Pickup) prefix in the thread title? Kinda ugly aesthetically.

Here's a link to it.

[Panjo]

Originally Posted by softsingapore

Hi Panjo

Any chance of removing the (Local Pickup) prefix in the thread title? Kinda ugly aesthetically.

Here's a link to it.

Yes! Sending you an email to confirm exactly how you want us to address this.

[dougdirac]

Originally Posted by softsingapore

Hi Panjo

Any chance of removing the (Local Pickup) prefix in the thread title? Kinda ugly aesthetically.

Here's a link to it.

That's a good idea. In the thread view, knowing something is "local pickup" doesn't actually add any useful information unless you also know the location.

[Gamelobby]

Originally Posted by Panjo

How much does Panjo charge the seller for each transaction?

> If a seller optionally chooses to use Panjo to collect, verify, and transfer the buyer's payment, Panjo charges a flat 3%.

How much can the forum gain for each transaction?

> The forum can set its own final value fee for each transaction on top of the flat 3%. That rate is up to the forum. The forum can charge different rates to different user groups.

Is that 3% on top of PayPal.? (or does Panjo circumvent PayPal)

[Videx]

Originally Posted by dougdirac

That's a good idea. In the thread view, knowing something is "local pickup" doesn't actually add any useful information unless you also know the location.

Or, in our case with a local forum, every ad would have that header. Nobody sells anything via mail order.

[compunerdy]

Some of this info is already outdated since they switched to PayPal.

I have been implementing this and have asked lots of questions, so here is how I understand it.
Panjo currently uses PayPal as the payment processor so the only fee the seller pays is the paypal fee's + and fees imposed by the forums. At this time the PayPal fees are immediately taken out and the seller get the price of the sold item minus paypal fee. What is a little hazy is when the forum owners get paid if they are charging a fee. As I understand it Panjo collects this separately and later from the seller to then pay the forum owners BUT they are working to have this all be part of the paypal system so that at the time of the sale the seller and the forum operator gets paid.

[dougdirac]

Originally Posted by compunerdy

...BUT they are working to have this all be part of the paypal system so that at the time of the sale the seller and the forum operator gets paid.

This is really the way it has to be. The fee has to be up front and very transparent to the seller. It needs to come out of the proceeds of the sale before the it is paid.

As it is now, the seller is paid, then asked for some of that payment back after 30 days. When the seller posts his item for sale, notification of the forum transaction fee is in fine print using nebulous language.

"30 Days after your item sells, [Your Forum] will ask for a [X]% contribution."

To me, that makes the fee sound optional, and I can't really imagine my members wanting to pay a fee that comes a month after they're done with the transaction. I know I'd be annoyed.


Here's a stop-gap measure:

Panjo should instead charge the forum fee (as a separate transaction) at the time the item is purchased. That way the seller associates it with the sale and is just happy to get paid. You also know they have the money in their paypal account because they just got paid!

I don't mind if Panjo then waits a month to send me the fee. I'm more interested in the experience of my forum members.

[compunerdy]

I agree and I pointed out that it looks shady (the fine print) and also in order for this to work they really need to put the forum owners first since without them there is no point.