The $100 Experiment Thread Discussion...

[4815162342]

A $100 thread will be complete and utter madness, but hilarious nonetheless!

[yanksfan09]

Thinking a little more long term, I sort of like the idea of maybe having 1 open sale thread at a time on main page and maybe change dollar amount weekly. One thread could close and another could open. This would address the concerns of some for having too much clutter on top of main page if it was just one active thread per week. Each month could have 4 separate threads where only one is live at a time. It could be set dollar amounts of 100, 250, 500, 1000 etc.. or other amounts that could even change month to month to appeal to collectors of all levels. I think it's a good idea overall as more sales mean that more cards are finding their way to the people who appreciate them most. However I think if there is 2, 3 ,or more active sale threads at a time it may get annoying especially after newness wears off. However 1 thread is pretty easy to skip over for all uninterested parties.

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST section, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

[Joshchisox08]

I'd rather see a $25 or $50 thread. You know for us little guys who don't have the big $$$

[Leon]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST thread, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

That is why we are having this discussion. You aren't the only one with these concerns. They are fair and warranted. That being said, as I told the one person privately, nothing has changed with respect to the BST nor will it change. If we do any of these threads they are just an exception at trying to have some fun. If that turns out to not be the case then we won't do them. There has been no reversal of any policy which I am aware of.

[pokerplyr80]

What's wrong with trying something new? If you don't like the threads don't open them.

[brass_rat]

I understand the concern of having a BST-like thread running on the main stage, but I see them as "pickup threads with prices".

I haven't bought nor sold anything (yet), but I have enjoyed looking at the activity.

I really like Erick's idea of having a single-running thread (instead of three). Why not do a rotation --
Week 1: $100
Week 2: $250
Week 3: $500
Week 4: $1000
(repeat)

Use one thread and just update the title every Sunday. Or use four threads and lock/unlock them at the appropriate times.

That would keep the "clutter" down in a nod to those that don't like the idea.

If people don't like the threads, I'm sure they'll die off on their own pretty quickly.

Either way, it's been fun watching the threads.

Cheers,
Steve

[Bliggity]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

I really like Erick's idea of having a single-running thread (instead of three). Why not do a rotation --
Week 1: $100
Week 2: $250
Week 3: $500
Week 4: $1000
(repeat)

Use one thread and just update the title every Sunday. Or use four threads and lock/unlock them at the appropriate times.

I think these threads have been great, and if done correctly, they won't clog up the front page. But I also think a weekly rotation is probably too fast for the threads to run their course, and would be tough to moderate since they'd have to be changed weekly. It also may not give folks enough time to turn over inventory to have something new at that price point every month.

So what about a once-a-month rotation? Whenever the monthly pickup thread starts, we can also start a monthly "Buy this for X" thread. I think $100/250/500/1000 sounds right, and then start over. Only one thread per month. I'm a low-budget guy and would have fun with a $25-50 thread also, but I think that would just turn into a mess. There has to be at least a little heft to the price to keep things interesting and keep it from becoming a clearinghouse for everyone's reject cards.

ETA: Or, whoever starts the thread can pick a random number, maybe $335 or $1150 or whatever. That would keep things pretty interesting also.

[unamuzd1]

I've never felt compelled to read everything on the front page, so I'm fine either way. What's interesting to me is that so far, they've exposed me to a few items that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise. As a guy who mainly buys just a couple of sets, having these prominently displayed on the main page might get me to branch out a little more.

Or I could be less lazy and go look at more than the 2-3 BST boards I check with any regularity.

I like the threads, but would be fine if they got "strategically re-positioned" or "re-imagined" to either take up less board space, or fit somewhere else.

Morrie

[ullmandds]

a once a month...randomly selected dollar amount for a thread is a good idea.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

a once a month...randomly selected dollar amount for a thread is a good idea.

I like this idea. Each month a different amount or two and keep it at that, with the amount(s) alternating from like $50-100-250-500-750-1000+ randomly. We don't want to bury other thought provoking threads with too much clutter.

[iwantitiwinit]

First I think the threads have been great and they have caused me to check the site more than usual. As great as the $500 and $1000 threads have been I think their popularity might wane as I would think the majority of members do not have the funds to buy a $500 card much less have the funds to repeatedly buy a $500 card and keep turnover of the thread active. Personally, I might buy one or two $500 - $1000 dollar cards but wouldn't buy several.

On the other hand if there were a $100 thread I think many more members would be active and would be repetitive buyers/sellers. Again I could see myself buying/selling multiple cards. I would think that activity would be constant and new cards would continually be added.

Conversely I don't see any harm. Relative to it hurting the b/s/t I don't think it will. If anything I think it would help there will be more members spending more time on the site. As for myself, it's not a function of not having time to look at certain portions of the site but instead no new things to look at or discuss.

So I vote for the $100 thread.

[zachtruitt]

I think the $100 would be a good experiment and I would be interested to see what was posted. I would also be more inclined to buy at $100 vs. $500.

[frankbmd]

A separate section in BST with only one BIN thread where the dollar amount for listing changes periodically seems to cover many of the suggestions. What has been sold and what remains available is always a problem no matter how the thread(s) are formulated and where they are listed. Imagine a Lenox Cobb type listing intermingled on the new BST BIN thread. Imagine the endless bumping of countless active listings once they are off the front page. Imagine having someone manage the thread to keep a list of active listings in the first post. Then imagine being that guy. Trust the MN guy you wouldn't want to do it.

The consequences of this model for the other BST sections must also be considered. I doubt that a dicker-free rule on a BIN type thread could be enforced. A PM offering 900 instead of a 1000 could occur quite easily result in a sale. Who would enforce such a policy. Leon is heading for the door right now. If there is no dicker-free rule, what is the real difference between this and BST as it currently exists, except for the mandatory pricing established by the thread.

What about the guy who has only $750 cards that he wants to sell?

Because the threads are not specific as to era, sport or anything else, constant viewing will occur. Ultimately folks will decide their time is better spent looking for the stuff they want rather than a needle in a haystack. The novelty of the current threads will wear off I predict.

Rather than starting a 12 rung ladder of threads from $25 up to $10000, let's wait and see what happens in the next few weeks. I bet folks eager to expand the current threads may have second thoughts by then.

In reality though, it's not my forum and I have no agenda.

I will conclude with an appropriate quote by Doris Day

Que Sera Sera

[Iron Horse]

I am all for this threads. They are fun and offer a variety of cards for viewing and purchase. I think maybe combine $100-$250 thread. Either way i like it it is fun

[philliesfan]

I like the ideas of threads for $100.00, $250.00, $500.00 and $1,000.00. But I really like the idea for $25.00 and $50.00 because of my finances. Maybe two rotations? 100, 250, 500, and 1,000. And the $25.00, and $50.00 alternating? Any way that is done would be fine with me, I would contribute to the lower threads and dream of the higher priced ones.
Robert

[xplainer]

I was in favor of the suggested 100 dollar thread, as that is more like my ballfield of play.

But after thinking about it, and reading some of these post, it is already available in the BST area.

If have three cards I can let go for 100, 500 or 1000 dollars, just start a BST thread and list them there.

I guess it's the interaction between people is what I like.

LL will make the final decision on it, but that is my take.

And Frank, leave your logic and focused reasoning at the door. No room for that around here.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST section, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. There's already a BST area.

[Piratedogcardshows]

Originally Posted by Tabe

This pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. There's already a BST area.

I agree as well. Ill also add any of the cards that sold would have also sold on the BST. The were all fairly priced and cant see them being overlooked there as opposed to the front page.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Jason

I agree as well. Ill also add any of the cards that sold would have also sold on the BST. The were all fairly priced and cant see them being overlooked there as opposed to the front page.

I'm not sure I agree with this sentiment. I think the fixed price mandate and the high profile nature (and sheer fun/novelty) of the threads on the main page caused some dudes like myself to offer cards at prices they wouldn't have offered on the BST. Plus, it was more rewarding to know the cards for sale wouldn't be quickly buried by sales of beaters, countless WTB requests, and incredibly myopic trade proposals. "Looking to trade my PSA 1 Cycle Pink Chase for your PSA 3.5 Red Cobb."