Hi all.
A number of punters and SPs have commented on how this forum has changed. It used to be a chatty, fun, interesting and entertaining space where people can exchange ideas and discuss things either seriously or tongue-in-cheek. It has become more about classified ads and SPs promoting themselves through specials etc, or slagging other SPs off in one way or another.
Now I understand that times are tough and SPs need to innovate in respect of their marketing and services. That's all well and good.
BUT, could we not have a new forum category only for "Classifieds" and reserve this one for, as the name suggests, "General Discussion ".
Let's get some idea from punters and SPs alike and if there is a positive response, we can ask ESA Admin to implement this.
P. S. I do not want to deprive SPs of the opportunity to market themselves, let's just draw readers and contributors back to the forum in a more interesting and engaging fashion.

I am in support of your request.

Excellent plan. And esa doesnt even have to do anything. Everybody can post specials on the Off the beaten track forum

On 2022-08-12 11:18:24 Minime V10.1 said:
Excellent plan. And esa doesnt even have to do anything. Everybody can post specials on the Off the beaten track forum

Agree, maybe just rename it to make it more prominent as the area for additional adverising by SPs

I personally think it would hurt business for those of us who use the general discussions page as a means to promote .

A perfect example for me would be Billboards on freeways or highways. the reason they're put where they are is because theres a lot of traffic and that means more people passing by will see whatever's being promoted. if they put them on small streets and roads or on the Television there's not gonna be as many people seeing those adverts .

@Midnight Express, I understand your concern about limiting your marketing space but you already have:
1). Your profiles that provide you with the opportunity to provide all of your details,
2). The reviews from punters that allow for focused feedback, and
3). I am suggesting that a new forum category be created ONLY for special offers etc. so that punters know exactly where to go to find that sort of information. (This is why I suggest, with respect to @Minime that ESA does not use an existing forum category but rather create a new one that can be made quite prominent and visible. )

On 2022-08-12 11:01:32 SloJoeJhb said:
Hi all.
A number of punters and SPs have commented on how this forum has changed. It used to be a chatty, fun, interesting and entertaining space where people can exchange ideas and discuss things either seriously or tongue-in-cheek. It has become more about classified ads and SPs promoting themselves through specials etc, or slagging other SPs off in one way or another.
Now I understand that times are tough and SPs need to innovate in respect of their marketing and services. That's all well and good.
BUT, could we not have a new forum category only for "Classifieds" and reserve this one for, as the name suggests, "General Discussion ".
Let's get some idea from punters and SPs alike and if there is a positive response, we can ask ESA Admin to implement this.
P. S. I do not want to deprive SPs of the opportunity to market themselves, let's just draw readers and contributors back to the forum in a more interesting and engaging fashion.

Absolutely agreed. Great Idea.

On 2022-08-12 11:26:34 Midnight Express said:
I personally think it would hurt business for those of us who use the general discussions page as a means to promote .

A perfect example for me would be Billboards on freeways or highways. the reason they're put where they are is because theres a lot of traffic and that means more people passing by will see whatever's being promoted. if they put them on small streets and roads or on the Television there's not gonna be as many people seeing those adverts .

I understand your views,and also your concern.

Just a few question on it,

1. do you still "notice" these boards if the remain the same for months on end.

2. Does the same "brand" have a board for every product they have or for every special they run.

Selective promoting of specials, services and availabily are noticed, but these constant repeats of the same, thats irrating and what we complain about.

Let me mention this, you not guilty in either of the above.

Totally agree

It is more like the old Citizen classifieds. Read some of my old responses

Punting, good old banter and bitching was what is was about. Shit if you guys can remember Johann(somebody) he used to cause all sorts of kak here.

So now you try and organise a social and you have to be relevant i.e. Have to be on page 1.

So you post something and its never been "Bump to top" and within an hour you are on page 3 or 5

On 2022-08-12 12:25:16 Kooni said:
On 2022-08-12 11:26:34 Midnight Express said: I personally think it would hurt business for those of us who use the general discussions page as a means to promote .

A perfect example for me would be Billboards on freeways or highways. the reason they're put where they are is because theres a lot of traffic and that means more people passing by will see whatever's being promoted. if they put them on small streets and roads or on the Television there's not gonna be as many people seeing those adverts .

I understand your views,and also your concern.

Just a few question on it,

1. do you still "notice" these boards if the remain the same for months on end.

2. Does the same "brand" have a board for every product they have or for every special they run.

Selective promoting of specials, services and availabily are noticed, but these constant repeats of the same, thats irrating and what we complain about.

Let me mention this, you not guilty in either of the above.

Most of the time ,in some of our situations , specials change, working times change, we randomly decide to add a special for the day for whatever reason. I may have compared it to a billboard in one way for the guys to have an understanding of the way me and maybe some other ladies might look at it but I'm not saying it works JUST like a billboard.

I do though still get where you guys are coming from but then also do still believe it would personally hurt my business in a way.