[snoggle]

I was recently posting and searching on another forum and noticed how much easier it is to shop around on there since the classifieds (okay, that's pretty much the whole site) are subdivided a lot more than they are on here. Maybe "Tack and Equipment" classified could be divided up into sub-forums like: English saddles, Western saddles, barn equipment, rider apparel, etc. Also, there could be a sub-forum for "all the time" type classifieds - like ads for people that make browbands, bareback pads or offer training services.

I posted some stuff for sale a couple of days ago and there were so many postings in our classifieds that it was on the second page (aka less noticable) within a few hours. Dividing it up would help this a lot (and decrease the need to "bump" postings so often).

Just a thought.

 

[ChingazMyBoy]

I agree, it sounds like a great idea.

 

[Mike_User]

That is an interesting idea, thanks snoggle. Do any additional members who frequent our Classified area have any thoughts about it?

 

[Alwaysbehind]

Honestly, I think this forum has too many sub sections already. It is almost harder to shop around when you have to go into all the sub sections. I can see it on a forum that is mainly a classified forum (you mentioned that other forum was). But the classifieds here are more of a bonus and not the main portion of the forum.

 

[iridehorses]

I agree up to a point with Alwaysbehind, that having too many sub forums can get confusing. As for dividing the classified into so many subs, it's not a good idea for several reasons.

First is that our classified is really a courtesy. We are a discussion forum not a sale forum.

Secondly, if a member has multiple items to sell, they would have to make a new thread for each type of item. That can be a nuisance.

On the positive side, a sub for Western and English could be a benefit.

 

[1dog3cats17rodents]

Please no, I agree there are already too manmy sub forums. We have horse classifieds and tack classifieds, I don't think we need more. besides, usually people have multiple items. That means each person might have 3+threads instead of just one

 

[Sunny06]

Why not just go to a website specifically made to sell you horse? Geez people, we have WAY too many sub-forums

 

[Honeysuga]

I agree, no classifieds sub forum, we are here to talk not to sell tack and ect.

*Another question about sub forums(sorry not trying to hijack). Nothing against English riders at all, but why are there so many English discipline forums? Don't those three just fit into "english"?

 

[iridehorses]

*Another question about sub forums(sorry not trying to hijack). Nothing against English riders at all, but why are there so many English discipline forums? Don't those three just fit into "english"?

The English disciplines are very specific as to training technique, rider's position, typical problems, etc. as are Western disciplines such as Reining, Cutting, Barrel Racing, etc..

As we see that a good number of members want to discuss their discipline without having to sort through threads that have been lumped together under a general heading, then a subforum is created. To date, we don't have enough Cutters, Reiners, or Penners to warrant a specific forum for them but the option is always open.

 

[Honeysuga]

Okey Doeky, just wonderin, didn't know if there was a special reason or it just happened that way... Thanks Iride!

 

[snoggle]

So several people have said that there are "too many sub-forums", I guess I just don't seen why having a lot of sub-forums is a problem. To me it is much more convenient to just ignore an entire sub-forum that doesn't relate to me rather than to sort through a much more general topic, clicking on every post, to find what I do or do not want to read.

As far as the classifieds being a courtesy - how much of a courtesy is it if it isn't user friendly? If you are looking to buy a used dressage saddle and you first have to click on 15 ads that have everything but a dressage saddle in them, it's a real pain. It also makes it hard for the sellers. Again, how much of a courtesy is it if nothing ever sells because it is so poorly organized?

One thing that would help is if people put what they are selling in the title of their post - "Lots of stuff for sale" doesn't help me know if I need to bother looking at that post or not. "2 Dressage Saddles and Paddock Boots" or something like that is much more helpful. Is there a way to have a little "suggestions" box come up when people post to the classifieds that would remind them of that?