Another new member seller | O Gauge Forum (2024)

There have been quite a few guys who joined the OGF just to sell trains. Never a word from them on the forum.
The problem with that is that you would have to address that when they join. I guess that could be done but do we what to do that. Also people who are scammers can get thru the way it is now.

Some here are alot smarter then me to figure it out!.

Dave

Totally agree. Without getting draconian about it perhaps a bit more vetting for folks who want to join primarily to sell stuff. Is that even a question on the application questionnaire?

If they also sell on other platforms, a quick review of their seller rating or feedback would be prudent. If a TCA member the benefit of the doubt for scrupulous dealing until proven otherwise might be granted.

What if anything additional were to asked for primarily sellers, must be quick, easy to do, and readily verifiable since this is after all a volunteer endeavor.

Come for the marketplace stay for the threads could be the motto as buyers are the ones who will be attracted even more so than sellers. It is really more the buyers who will be your most likely new member candidates so they can access the marketplace. That in turn will attract more sellers. It is sort of a which came first, the chicken vs egg question but the buyers and sellers really feed off one another.

As the younger folks seem to be more into churning their collection at a faster rate than previous generations, we might see the demographics on OGF trend younger and that is not a bad thing.

If has been discussed in other OGF threads on how to attract not only more members but more member participants it just might be via a more robust marketplace activity. Should that be a consideration then the questions become how do we make the marketplace more attractive to sellers and their prospective customers.

You Attract more sellers by offering more free advertisem*nt.

Mr Muffins, Pats trains, Train World to name a few. Have them post here on their special runs.

Contact Clubs and share their events and for sale items.

List live train events

link in the YouTube crowd.

Once it catches on, look out it will grow exponentially...

and add in my favorite four letter word... FREE as in free trains that I am not using from under the layout, that will perk up some ears.

First, we start small.

Let me reach out to my favorite Hobby Shop - Great Lakes Hobbies. He has some amazing deals right now.
Maybe you or someone in the forum could do the same for their local Hobby shop?
I will reach out to Pat from Pat's trains. He has some great special runs going on now.
And let me talk to the club and see what current events are going on and what items we can spare?

any one have some free items they wish to donate?

I will be sorting stuff out soon and posting on the for-sale forum. Free - just pay shipping...

Agreed, baby steps best to avoid disappointment.

IMO this thread now transcends the simple topic of another new member seller.

Can this thread tangent that we are discussing be excerpted if needed and moved to a new thread where it may get more extensive views/comments?

I have no idea how or who to ask.