Recently after a discussion in P&R about the state of our woeful economy I felt it appropriate to list my business and its services in the Marketplace forum. I read the rules and I didn't see anything that opposed such an idea, so I went ahead and did it.

Two days later my thread has been removed because my content was not appropriate for that forum. Now, with all due respect, I feel that the Marketplace forum should be opened to all types of sales, not just those that are Prince related.

I know there are plenty of other ways to sell things on the internet, I use several but I would love to be able to offer my services and products to my fellow Prince fans and orgers. I'm not asking for an Org-endorsement, merely the opportunity to serve my peers.

Mods, orgers, please discuss...

Sounds like a good idea, but it also sounds like a lot of additional work for mods. That work might also require trade/sales legislation knowledge but I'm just fumbling in the dark here.
The idea sure is sound though.

Ben has it set up for orgers to sell/trade Prince memorabelia, concert tix and Prince related artists stuff.

luv4u said:

Is there any reason why it couldn't be expanded?

Like an "Orgs-list" so to speak... There are currently 7 active threads for Prince related things, why couldn't it be expanded to include other goods and services?

I think it can cause trouble if prince.org allows commercial adverts.

dothejump said:

I'm talking about orgers who have goods or service to offer other orgers, I'm not looking for Starbucks ads up in here. I know there are several Graphic Designers here who might appreciate the outlet and so on...

As a small business man myself, I would love to offer what I have available to you all...

^But I assume you don't offer your services for free so that means it is commercial

luv4u said:

But isn't that a bigger problem, in and of itself. The way Prince loves to throw fantrums, I'd figure Prince.org would be the last place anyone would sell their Prince stuff.

I would be with Ren on this one but I also see how it might cause some friction in you know who's britches because he could then very easily say that YOUR business is profiting off of his name, because his name is indeed at the top of each and every page. Then come after you and your business with his salivating lawyers in tow.

Don't fool yourself for one second thinking that he wouldn't either because you know he would.

dothejump said:

Agreed, although I see the plight of the small business person differently from corporate advertising.

I do offer free consultations though...

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Now that's a pretty interesting take on it Hatrina, something I certainly hadn't thought about...

What an unusual gray area...

i don't think it's unusual for a fan site to have a marketplace forum that is restricted to offers related to offers related to the namesake of the fan site.

i know i couldn't go over to my other favorite bands' fan forums and post just any old thing in their marketplace forums, no matter what the economy is like or how tight knit the online community may be on that site. it just isn't something that is done.

there are lots of other good ways to publicize things you want to sell, just like you said - everything from craigs list to facebook to myspace to...well, you get the idea.

meanwhile, yeah, i don't think it's at all unreasonable or unfair to limit the org's marketplace forum to prince-related stuff.

Would create a world of problems, just like those grudgingly acknowledged by eBay, and almost actively encouraged by iOffer.

I know that Ben has allowed advertisers before. Maybe a paid ad would be the best option for non-Prince related wares and the org/org community itself.

I don't mind a small amount of unobtrusive ads on sites that I visit. As long as it would help pay Ben's operating costs.

Org merch would probably be cool too.