Pay It Forward forum

[ScottH61]

IMHO, you should remove, or at least lower, the 50 posts requirement for the Pay It Forward forum. I'm pretty new here, and I do more reading than posting, at least until I learn a little more. This post makes it 12 that I've made.... it's going to take me FOREVER to get to 50!
I did have some equipment that I would have gladly given away in the PIF forum, but since I couldn't get to it, I donated it someone else who may or may not use it (trying to convert them to hammocks, but not sure it's working!). Had I been able to post it here, I'm sure I would have quickly found someone that would have put it to good use.
Just my two cents. Feel free to cheerfully ignore me. :-)

[NewtonGT]

you also have to understand that alot of people have taken advantage of the PIF forum and thats why its been cleaned up and given rules. because if there wasnt a post requirement then anyone could come in and just claim anything and never post back. and thats not fair for the other guys who are needing something and actually doing whats right with it.

[G.L.P.]

the rules are there for a reason .... if you ask me i like the 50 post rule
before they cleaned up the PIF it was all over the place
it's not hard to hit 50 post you could do it in a few days

[ScottH61]

the rules are there for a reason .... if you ask me i like the 50 post rule
before they cleaned up the PIF it was all over the place
it's not hard to hit 50 post you could do it in a few days

I don't want to post just anything to get to 50. Sure I could do it in a few days, but I wouldn't be contributing anything of any value.

Donating member status should be worth something as well.

Now there's an idea. :-)

I do have some level of frustration though when I see someone make a comment about needing to raise their post count then all of a sudden it's there. Upon looking at their post history, there's a ton of "welcome to the forum" posts in a short amount of time. These folks meet the "letter of the law" but have circumvented the "spirit of the law", and that bugs me.

I for one would rather buy from or sell to someone with fewer "meaningful posts" than one with slightly above the minimum that are really just "empty posts". So that's what I do.

I'm not suggesting a change, but just venting.

Well said. :-)

All that being said, I understand the problem with people abusing the system. Sometimes a rule is needed, even if I don't like it... I'll get there someday. :-)

[Shotgunred]

I don't want to post just anything to get to 50. Sure I could do it in a few days, but I wouldn't be contributing anything of any value.

Welcoming new members in the introduction area is a great way to raise post count and I believe a very valuable contribution. I had never really been involved in any forum before HF, and it was very nice to see that there were people willing to take the time to say Welcome to a lowly noob.

[angrysparrow]

I'm pretty new here, and I do more reading than posting, at least until I learn a little more.

We appreciate your point of view. However, consider this -

You may have spent a lot of time reading and lurking, and be familiar with the people who post here. But because you haven't posted much....we're not as familiar with you. So the minimum post count is all about letting the members get to know you through your posts before participating in PIFs.

We had some problems with folks signing up just to claim PIFs, so setting a required post count was the most reasonable solution. The rule isn't directed at anyone in particular. But as a forum wide rule it keeps things running more smoothly.

[BigTurtle]

everyone is right ive been working on my posts for a month or so and in doing so got to know a bunch of people and throught my post everyone has got to know me. now as soon as i hit 50 posts i set up a pif with some extra cooking pots i had but because people has got to know me alittle they will feel better giving me their info "address and such" and i will feel better giving my info to them so just do your dues and get to know all the fine people here and learn alot in the process so when its time for you to use the pif form everyone is more comphy with the transactions." in fact if i set up the rules i would make a time limmit to be able to use it too like 2 months or something so someone couldnt just come in and write hello 50 times and then take stuff and leave"
anyway glad to have you with us and hope to hear more from you

thanks

BT

[Greenman]

Alright I only need two more then I can play PIF. Can't wait
I have a few things to PIF......

[DoWhatIDo]

Definitely never noticed the PIF. Ya learn new things every day. Well almost to 50!!.

[Timberrr]

Alright I only need two more then I can play PIF. Can't wait
I have a few things to PIF......

You know.... If you're at 49 posts, when you post your first "I'll take it if I'm first" post that will be your 50th post! hoorayyy...woohooo...

Oh yeah: +1 on the donating members are exempt from the 50 post rule. I think folks are happiest if they have options.