Thoughts on ... Classifieds/Selling Product Area

In recent weeks departments and individuals more and more have posted 'for sale' items in the forums and elsewhere, which are generally restricted.

What are user's thoughts on a separate forum/classified area where individuals and departments could post for sale items (apparatus, old equipment, etc.) in an area? The main issue is how to really 'know' its truly a department or individual -- versus an individual with a for-profit business or a business posing.

To be clear, any area would NOT be for businesses to post their stuff in a free for all (or free, for that matter..lol) ... but for individuals selling one-off stuff or departments looking to buy or sell things from other departments.

Thoughts?
Dave

Thoughts?

Dave

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on April 11, 2008 at 1:20pm

Dave:
Have the interested parties email you with their tax exemption number. You can verify it; they can advertise. If they don't have a number, then they are for profit and they can buy advertising. Not for profits will also have the 501 status that can also be verified (IRS).
You have my thoughts.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Chiefy on April 11, 2008 at 3:07pm

I think anytime you have an outlet for the firefighters to sell or buy from each other, it's a good thing. Firefighters are collectors; of memorabilia, junk, patches, stories and scars. Doesn't matter. They collect, and to have an outlet to buy, sell or trade would be beneficial. Just one more reason to be on this site as opposed to another.
As far as legitimacy, you never know who is on the other end of the Internet and I don't believe you can prevent phony firefighters from taking advantage of the site. This site is wide open without requiring references and verification, but that is one of the attractions of this site. A firefighter that makes 2 fires a year gets to benefit from Firefighter Nation just as much as those who make a couple of fires everyday.
We are all firefighters one way or another and if someone want to take advantage of a friendly little forum garage sale, then so what.
It a good site and I wouldn't sweat the small stuff.
Keep up the good work.

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Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on April 11, 2008 at 4:00pm

I'll bite.
Art is on to something, but maybe set it up eBay style and have a portion of proceeds go to the site to pay for upkeep, etc. The nonprofits, well give them a break and no fee. But a listing fee isn't a bad idea. Might pay for more bandwidth, possibly a firefighter burn fund.

Allen

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Permalink Reply by turk182 on April 11, 2008 at 4:27pm

I think it would be a good idea. And I like the idea art posted.
On thing you don't want to happen is for it to be bogged down with equipment manufacturers ad's.

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Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on April 11, 2008 at 5:53pm

If you don't you will miss a great opportunity .

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on April 12, 2008 at 12:52am

Allen's got a great idea! I'm sure it costs money to keep this site up and running. An eBay style area would ensure that there were always funds available for this purpose, or possibly a fire service related charity. And every Firefighter I know including myself has some fire "stuff" that they're looking to buy or sell. There's my 2 cents. Stay safe!