The Trading Post has been implemented for several reasons.
1. Members had repeatedly asked for a more efficient feedback system similar to eBay's where points are awarded for positive transactions. It became clear that each feedback point had to be tied to a specific transaction, which meant that the buying/selling system had to be completely replaced. We experimented with a couple different systems, and the Trading Post (SR Classifieds) system was the best all-around system that provided a structured method of leaving feedback, a sufficient administrative back end, as well as being cost-effective and easily modified to suit our needs. The Trading Post system you see here has already been heavily modified compared to when it was first installed, and we expect to continue on with small tweaks and fixes - just like any other software program.
2. The post whoring that took place in the former Marketplace was unacceptable. Because of people making irrelevant posts, criticizing the prices or item for sale (or both), "bumping" threads, and generally carrying on conversations that most of the time had very little to do with the thread starter trying to sell his/her item, there was far too much waste for someone to sift through. Transactions will now be held privately, and people won't waste our time and database usage. I regret that relevant questions can no longer be posted for everyone to see, but this is the price we pay.
3. The least important reason for doing this is my own desire to cut back on the number of forums here for easier navigation and moderation, and to make 3geez.com function more like a full-featured website rather than simply a forum. 3geez is by no means shrinking, but the ability to transfer things like buying and selling to a dedicated system made the Marketplace forums obsolete.
Originally Posted by forrest89sei
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