Amendment to the 'bumping' rule?

[Jeff]

The bumping rule was recently amended: http://sythe.org/showthread.php?p=10258892#post10258892

Excessive bumping**: Posting twice in a row if 8 hours has not yet passed including if you delete your previous post (Bumps made by users other than the owner are considered spam). Replying to a customer's post with "thanks," "added," or anything of that nature before 8 hours has passed also counts as excessive bumping.

Does this mean we are now permitted to bump once every 8 hours?

If this is true, I highly disagree with this.

Please post your thoughts or simply correct me if I'm wrong.

 

It's fine. It still gives everyone the same advantage as it was before, except with a sooner time to bump.

 

[video]

Confirmed with Nick. The caveat is that any post, even a reply to a customer, counts as a bump. So you can only have 1 post in your thread every 8 hours regardless of its intention.

Among other reasons, the rule was implemented to create a more level playing field

 

[malakadang]

I actually think the updated rule is a fair compromise. During the 1 bump every 24hours rule, people were actually bumping their threads via "thanks for the trade". This will typically mean that the 'big' traders get more of the spotlight as opposed to the 'small' traders.

This new rule enables people to bump 3 times a day, but posting comments like 'thanks' are considered part of this quota. This will equilibrize the amount of spotlight (time on page 1) that small traders will get in comparison to big traders.

The only downside to this rule however, is that I find it is rather desirable to keep an open line of communication with the customers. This new rule doesn't allow for that really, especially if you trade more than 3 times a day on a thread (which many do).

 

[Jeff]

It's fine. It still gives everyone the same advantage as it was before, except with a sooner time to bump.

I honestly think 8 hours is a little too soon.

I know the concept is the same as before, however a major drop down to 1 bump every 8 hours would simply induce a lot more spam then needed.

If I may suggest here, I think the minimal time to bump should be once every 12 hours, considering most people in the past bumped once every 12-15 hours (this was during the time of bumping once 'daily' rule).

I actually think the updated rule is a fair compromise. During the 1 bump every 24hours rule, people were actually bumping their threads via "thanks for the trade". This will typically mean that the 'big' traders get more of the spotlight as opposed to the 'small' traders.

This new rule enables people to bump 3 times a day, but posting comments like 'thanks' are considered part of this quota. This will equilibrize the amount of spotlight (time on page 1) that small traders will get in comparison to big traders.

The only downside to this rule however, is that I find it is rather desirable to keep an open line of communication with the customers. This new rule doesn't allow for that really, especially if you trade more than 3 times a day on a thread (which many do).

I agree with the added rule of spamming to customers replies with 'added' or 'thanks'.

I just disagree with one bump per 8 hours.

 

The staff have decided that one bump per 8 hours is fine. If things get out of control, we will amend the rule once again. Till then, we will not be changing the rule.

 

[iBuyStoof]

Then why can I not bump a new thread before 24 hours? Should that be changed?

 

[Spraynwipe]

Yep staff recently voted and discussed the rule again. We came to the conclusion that 8 hours seemed more fair than 24, as a lot of members felt that bumping only once per day was not enough. This should hopefully cut back on the people who get infracted for bumping several times a day then wonder why it isn't fair, when they should have read the rules in the first place.

 

Then why can I not bump a new thread before 24 hours? Should that be changed?

To get things straight, the rule was never defined as one bump per 24 hours, just one bump per day. So, some staff interpreted it as literally one bump per 24 hours, while others took it as one bump on Monday, one bump on Tuesday, one bump on Wednesday, etc.

You may now bump your threads every 8 hours (starting from the time the rule was amended).

 

[Dave]

I think it was a good way to amend the rule, eight hours is a lot better of a time-frame that the old 24 hour rule. But aren't you allowed to respond to any questions/post a response if you're requested to do so?

 

[SuF]

To get things straight, the rule was never defined as one bump per 24 hours, just one bump per day. So, some staff interpreted it as literally one bump per 24 hours, while others took it as one bump on Monday, one bump on Tuesday, one bump on Wednesday, etc.

You may now bump your threads every 8 hours (starting from the time the rule was amended).

I think he means the thing that won't let you post on your own thread for 24 hours if no one else has posted.

 

[iBuyStoof]

To get things straight, the rule was never defined as one bump per 24 hours, just one bump per day. So, some staff interpreted it as literally one bump per 24 hours, while others took it as one bump on Monday, one bump on Tuesday, one bump on Wednesday, etc.

You may now bump your threads every 8 hours (starting from the time the rule was amended).

Edit, just saw Suf's post, thanks, and yea I'm not complaining, more curious as to whether that has been looked at, don't want any new members to be confused as to why they can bump less than other people.

 

Confirmed with Nick. The caveat is that any post, even a reply to a customer, counts as a bump. So you can only have 1 post in your thread every 8 hours regardless of its intention.

Among other reasons, the rule was implemented to create a more level playing field

Not exactly.

You're allowed to respond to a customer before 8 hours have passed if it's a legitimate concern that needs addressing. If there's any reason to believe you're posting simply for a bump, it's not allowed. The common examples are replying to a customer's post with "thanks," "added," or anything of that nature.

Here's a more specific situation:

You bump your thread for the first time that day at 07:45. Customer A posts at 08:00 that he's interested in buying 100M RSGP. You reply at 08:05 that you're having trouble seeing him online MSN while he's still on your thread/forum looking to buy. We would not infract in this situation. Your thread is still at the top of the forum and your post doesn't really raise it. At the same time, your post was addressing a concern.

In a similar example:

The same Customer A posts at 08:00 that he's interested in buying RSGP. You leave your thread for a few hours and see that is has died. Customer A is no longer on the site. You reply at 9:30 "added, thanks" or "not seeing you online". We would consider this an infractable offense.

We will give people the benefit of the doubt initially if they're able to justify a case like the first one described. But if it becomes a trend with a specific trader there could be issues.

I hope this clears up some questions.

 

[Pockets]

Not exactly.

You're allowed to respond to a customer before 8 hours have passed if it's a legitimate concern that needs addressing. If there's any reason to believe you're posting simply for a bump, it's not allowed. The common examples are replying to a customer's post with "thanks," "added," or anything of that nature.

Here's a more specific situation:

You bump your thread for the first time that day at 07:45. Customer A posts at 08:00 that he's interested in buying 100M RSGP. You reply at 08:05 that you're having trouble seeing him online MSN while he's still on your thread/forum looking to buy. We would not infract in this situation. Your thread is still at the top of the forum and your post doesn't really raise it. At the same time, your post was addressing a concern.

In a similar example:

The same Customer A posts at 08:00 that he's interested in buying RSGP. You leave your thread for a few hours and see that is has died. Customer A is no longer on the site. You reply at 9:30 "added, thanks" or "not seeing you online". We would consider this an infractable offense.

We will give people the benefit of the doubt initially if they're able to justify a case like the first one described. But if it becomes a trend with a specific trader there could be issues.

I hope this clears up some questions.

This basically addressed the very concern I came to post about. Thanks Nick.

With that taken care of, I think it's a pretty good update and should lead to more active threads.

 

[Jeff]

Thanks heaps for everyone's response.

I just thought of something that needs clarification.

If I have something for sale and a user post their bid/starting bid, does quoting their post and replying with 'Leading' (within 8 hours of OP's previous post) also constitute as spam?

Only asking this because I've seen it done many, many times.

 

[RuneScapeJJ]

Question;

If I have something for sale and a user post their bid/starting bid, does quoting their post and replying with 'Leading' (within 8 hours of OP's previous post) also constitute as spam?

Has already been answered in this topic.

Answer;

If there's any reason to believe you're posting simply for a bump, it's not allowed. The common examples are replying to a customer's post with "thanks," "added," or anything of that nature.

I'm pretty sure 'Leading' falls under this rule aswell. Anyone that is able to post on these forums should be able to realise they are leading.

 

[Maidak]

I believe there is a mod you can get that a thread itself will not be bumped for X amount of hours even if there was a post in the thread. I'm not sure if this can be implemented in this version of VB but it can be something to look into. This would completely eradicate infractions for early bumping and give mods more time to look into the more important things.