Masters Marketplace?

Peter-We had a lot of it last week for sure. This week it's cloudy and rainy! I do not want to re-create E-bay or Craig's list at all. I would rather just deal with masters swimmers if I had, say, a suit to sell. I'm aware I could put it on these other sites, but I don't want the hassle. I like the idea of posting it once and then letting people PM you about it. Who do I ask about implementing this at USMS?

Who do I ask about implementing this at USMS?Karen, Since there is start-up and ongoing cost/effort associated with running a Market Place, I would suggest that the proper place to start is to prepare a business case and business plan for the Board of Directors. Once completed, if you send it to me, I will present it to the Board. As part of the business plan, I suggest you also identify who will serve as the Marketplace Moderator. Our volunteer forum moderators would prefer not taking on the additional workload and it will be difficult to get the board to allocate more staff time to managing the spam, unacceptable/improper items, non-sponsor company sales, etc. that will come along with a Marketplace.:2cents:

I think Skip said he would moderate. No clue how to do a business plan (teaching's my game!). If you could give me a place to start, or someone to contact that could help me, that'd be great. Thanks Rob. *I am curious though why it can't just be a thread that is password protected. For example, we can't vote more than once in a poll. Is it too big a jump to make that happen?

If you could give me a place to start, or someone to contact that could help me, that'd be great.Okay as a board member, I’d like to see a business case address the following: Does the “project” align with our mission and goals? Who will take responsibility for the project? What are the initial and on-going costs? What are the benefits to USMS (monetary, additional members, etc.)? What are the benefits to USMS members? What are the benefits to the general swimming public? What are the risks to USMS? What are the risks to our members? And specifically for a Marketplace business case, I’d like to see: What are the rules and policies that manage/control the Marketplace? Who can post items? Who can’t post? What Items can be posted? What items can’t be posted? What liability if any is there for USMS? How will it be mitigated? How long will items be allowed to be listed? Who will update sold items? Is there any Marketplace functionality that should be included? (Seller rating, etc.) I’m sure there are more, but this is a start. With the exception of “What are the initial and on-going costs?”, which will need to come from staff, you should be able to come up with the rest of these. NOTE – I PM’ed Skip a little while ago to see if he would be willing to be “THE” Marketplace Moderator (not just a moderator) I have yet to hear back. Finding someone to volunteer to take on the responsibility of owning the Marketplace would be a big plus.

Consider allowing only currently registered USMS members to use this service/benefit. Personally, I don't understand why the forum benefit is not more widely restricted (beyond workouts) to members only. So you want the forum to be more restricted?

Karen- if you would sell some of your Walnut Creek sunshine, I'm sure there would be plenty of takers.

We all have products that just did not work out for ourselves & would like to clear out of our shelves.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't want to be inundated with ads and stuff, but I'd love to have a place to post stuff to sell or buy, for just masters swimmers. I know how to contact all of the USMS sponsors and other vendors on-line, but I would like to have a convenient place through this website to buy/sell from each other.

Sheesh. And I thought I was the one supposed to give out the homework! Since this looks to be up there with my masters program (that I am 80% done with) I'll see if anyone else wants to take up the cause with me?