FreeLunchRoom - The #1 Freebie Trading Forum on the Internet! » Getting Down to Business » Member Tutorials

[monksmom]

See if this helps...especially new traders...not a tutorial but a set of guidelines...print them, stick them up on your computer so they'll be readily available.

Simplified Rules for Traders

1. NO INITIAL CONTACT!
Three words but for some reason, not everyone is able to either read them...or comprehend their meaning, so let's clarify...

If you have NOT been contacted by someone without a trade thread FIRST, you may NOT:

A) Send them a friend request (UNLESS they have posted in the "more friends" thread) - NO!

B) Add a perky lil note to their PUBLIC profile page (VM/vistor messages). - NO!

C) Send them a pm (private message). - NO!

D) Send them an instant message of any kind, whether yahoo, hotmail, aim, or ANY other type/kind/name of messenger service! - NO!

E) Send them an upstairs message when in chat room, meaning talk to them OUTSIDE of the chat room public viewed space. - NO!

F) Suggest in any way, shape or form or even intimate a trade - first. - NO!

G) Set up trades in the trade manager before there has been a request for trades or it has been approved or expected by the referral. - NO!

H) Suggest or even imply any intimidation, guilt, coercion, or any method whatsoever to attempt to make ANYONE feel they MUST work with you! - NO!! NO!! NO!!

This is pretty detailed yet am willing to bet someone somewhere will come up with another scenario but the point remains AT ALL TIMES....

IF YOU HAVE NOT FIRST BEEN CONTACTED, DO NOT CONTACT THEM!!!

lol...is that easy or what!

There is a 3 strike policy on spam.

1i) Exception to this rule is wishing folks a Happy Birthday.
Per admin, 11/21, wishing folks not on your friend's list a Happy Birthday is ok, within reason.

Please note the exceptions to the exception...
If the user reports it, it becomes spam and is admonished as such.
If folks do it excessively, it will become a problem and notice taken.
If there is any trade reference or proof that trades were pursued by the poster of the Happy Birthday, well, you got it...that be a no-no:)
And it's got to be their birthday to offer this sentiment.

So we have NO FIRST CONTACT by traders with the exception of wishing folks a Happy Birthday - and ONLY Happy Birthday, exceptions apply.

2. Please note that as of 12/11/08, a new bumping rule is in effect. You now have three (3) trade thread bumps per 24 hour period of time. This means ANY 24 hour period or cycle, to coin Admin:)

There are no longer "friendly" bumps of any kind, however, feel free to now converse within your trade thread if you see fit and by all means, stop by a friend's thread and say "hi" anytime...However, it will no longer count as a bump, meaning it will no longer bring the thread to the top.

Where do you bump from now?



Now, that's handy - it TELLS you how many bumps you have left so there's never a question, never an issue and now one less thing for folks to report! How kewl is that?

Remember the "official" bump only takes the last reply on your thread to the top of the trade area.

You will still need to edit those bumps should you wish it to say something other than what the last post on your thread said or keep your page looking fresh with current date/time stamps or reply to your trade thread, which also brings the post back into live feed view. Have fun with this - post replies to your trade thread or on a friend's without concern about bumping rules:)

2b. ***Traders and Trade Threads!

1. You may NOT bump your thread the same day you create it.

2. You MUST list your sites - NOT your referral links, just your sites AND what you are paying.
(This is how to verify/validate trades in trade manager AND with your referrals!)

3. Do NOT post your referral links in your thread!

4. Do NOT post any links that may be considered in any way to be referral links.

5. As of 12/9/08, you will no longer be allowed to "accidentally" post more than one thread. FYI only.

6. You may have a link in your trade thread for folks to contact you, whether it be PM me link, Reply to this Thread, or both. Both are not required if the Reply to this Thread is used.

3. You may not SPAM or attempt to SCAM ANYONE on the forum. Every one of you know this one already & if you have any questions on it at all, go read marbleeye's great tutorial - Identifying the Scam. A 3 strike policy applies - 3 strikes and you are permanently banned.

Many have already been scammed or even spammed. Yet, if it's happened to you and you've NOT contacted a moderator over it, well...blame yourself when it happens to someone else. My apologies if that sounds harsh and I do totally understand there is a certain level of spam we tolerate or blow off. In that, think to yourself...would someone else be able to "handle" this as I am? If the answer is "no"...well....think about those who will follow you...that's all...

4. You may NOT give your trade links to friends so they can have trades worked in your behalf. That should be common sense. Your "friends" can send those folks looking for those trades to YOU as it is YOUR site.

5. You MUST quote a new member when posting in the Welcome thread. A rule of thumb for what is an "old" post is 6-8 hours since they have posted and/or a use of BEST judgment. NOT definitive, just a go-by when you ask yourself if you should go back through a day or time period.

New--> 5a. Effective 12/14, you MUST multi-quote new folks entering when appropriate. Appropriate means simply that if there are 2 or more new folks you are planning on quoting, you MUST do all of them in one post, not 2 or more individual posts. You should NOT be seen in the welcome with several posts in a row and remember, there is a time indicator on each post so it can easily be tracked.

To Multi-quote:
1. Find first post you wish to include in your reply.
2. Click the "+" sign, bottom right of that post.
3. Continue this process until you have all the posts you wish to reply to.
4. Click the "Quote" to the left of the now "-" sign on that last post.
5. This brings up all you have quoted at one time.
6. Go into Advanced mode to add individual replies or even remove quotes if you are also capturing your prior post. NEVER remove quotes from new users you are responding to.
7. Take just a minute to review before you hit submit by previewing the reply.
8. If you SEE those you quoted and it says "Quote", then you've done good and can go ahead and post it safely.
9. If you do NOT see those you have included by using that "+" sign, then hit your Back button and try again:)
10. If you require further instruction, ASK or please click here.

Also, a reminder that self-promotion in the welcome thread is a ban offense. Please feel free to verify that fact on the Introductions & Welcomes sub-forum - Introductions & Welcomes - Free Lunch Room

6. You may NOT post or reply to anything in the Lunch Theft Forum if you are not directly involved with the alleged offender or the situation. Everyone appreciates trying to help out friends or empathize with folks who have hit a snag, however...the rule remains - you canNOT respond if not part of the problem. You will receive a ban.

7. No SELF-PROMOTION. You may NOT have any type of real or even implied self-promotion outside of your trade thread, your signature block and whatever you place in Location. That would also mean not using "pm me" anywhere else.

That includes:
NOT in status line
NOT in welcome post responses
NOT in replies for help around the forum
NOT in visitor messages
NOT in pms where it is not a communication between actively seeking referral and trader
NOT in emails, ims or any other communication method where it would be considered initial contact.

If in doubt, ASK a mod BEFORE you do it!

8. Check here for anything else. This is the link for the entire set of rules here on FLR to include a variety of other concerns so make sure you've read it - well! Intolerance is growing...rapidly...and there's been enough warnings...haven't there? No worries, no need to be confused...those that have not yet been updated to reflect current rules shown here will be dealt with soon by admin and glad.

9. No use of any scripting, period. Please review and look for updates next week.

Folks...all of you...all of us...have got to realize that even though there is tons of competition, you do NOT have to stoop low in order to survive...and thrive here!

Realistic expectations are always going to be essential...Keeping a positive, progressive attitude is mandatory...And...Ms Patience can NOT be forgotten, even if'n we wanna...she's the most integral part of this forum, from our admins all the way down to the newest member...she MUST remain alive, healthy...and a positive entity:)

Above all else, find reasons to smile...put on your best face, be real...don't mimic, don't copy, be yourself and in that, the best YOU you can be! THAT's what's going to move you forward..

Simply...be PREPared to do and be your best...

Patient
Realistic Expectations
Positive attitude...PREPared:)

Good luck to everyone and by all means, safe trading=happy greening!

[monksmom]

lol...you can run but you can't hide from this one...it is what it is...and you need to know it:)

[monksmom]

Added a note on ltco posting...

Originally Posted by monksmom

See if this helps...especially new traders...not a tutorial but a set of guidelines...print them, stick them up on your computer so they'll be readily available.

Keep in mind, these are simplified as we seem to be making them into some monstrous oddity, when in fact, they are pretty simple. Human nature, though, is always gonna try to make something harder than it really is...especially in order to make it more productive for THEM.

Bad choice, at least here on flr:)

Would strongly suggest ANYONE wanting to go trader and especially new to the block to read...and heed. Banning IS happening, it is GOING to continue...and if you're here for the RIGHT reasons, you do NOT want to go there...do you?

Simplified Rules for Traders

1. NO INITIAL CONTACT! Three words but for some reason, not everyone is able to either read them...or comprehend their meaning, so let's clarify...

If you have NOT been contacted by someone without a trade thread FIRST, you may NOT:

A) Send them a friend request (UNLESS they have posted in the "more friends" thread) - [COLOR="Red"]NO[/COLOR]!

B) Add a perky lil note to their PUBLIC profile page (VM/vistor messages). - NO!

C) Send them a pm (private message). - NO!

D) Send them an instant message of any kind, whether yahoo, hotmail, aim, or ANY other type/kind/name of messenger service! - NO!

E) Send them an upstairs message when in chat room, meaning talk to them OUTSIDE of the chat room public viewed space. - NO!

F) Suggest in any way, shape or form or even intimate a trade. - NO!

G) Set up trades in the trade manager before there has been a request for trades or it has been approved or expected by the referral. - NO!

H) Suggest or even imply any intimidation, guilt, coercion, or any method whatsoever to attempt to make ANYONE feel they MUST work with you! - NO!! NO!! NO!!

This is pretty detailed yet am willing to bet someone somewhere will come up with another scenario but the point remains AT ALL TIMES....

IF YOU HAVE NOT FIRST BEEN CONTACTED, DO NOT CONTACT THEM!!!

lol...is that easy or what!

2. You must adhere to the bumping rule of only 2x each calendar day. Should you bump someone else's thread...great - it's nice to help friends - however, remember that does count as one of your bumps and you WILL get your thread locked. lol...I personally know this one:)

NOTE: If you do get your thread locked, PLEASE don't panic...it's short term. Just look at your thread and note the time and mod that locked it.

When the 24 hours is up (or whatever lock time is placed on that thread, their note will tell you), contact that or any mod on shift and ask please to lift the lock. Our mods are tremendously wonderful ladies and deserve all the respect we can give them so manners DO count...WE made the error in judgment, NOT them:)

THEN...remember to go BACK into your thread and REMOVE the big, ugly block of slap they've left behind.

Everything else will function during this short lock period, just not your thread...this one is NOT a crisis, it is not a ban, it's just reminding us all that we ALL must follow the rules:)

Sidenote on LTCO posts: ONE reply per trader per post, period. You WILL receive a 1 day ban if you fail to adhere to this one. Now...how do you know if you have posted in a thread that already has 6 dozen responses? Simple...

At the LTCO main page, where you see the string of threads, look to the right hand side..

See two columns marked "Views" and "Replies"?

Click the number aligned with a thread you are thinking about replying to...in the "Replies" column.

A small pop up block will come up and in that you will see everyone who has posted in that thread...and you, too, if you've already been there:) The tools are there...just use them:)

3. You may not, in any way, shape or form, SPAM or attempt to SCAM ANYONE on the forum. Every one of you know this one already & if you have any questions on it at all, go read marbleeye's great tutorial - Identifying the Scam.

Many have already been scammed or even spammed. Yet, if it's happened to you and you've NOT contacted a moderator over it, well...blame yourself when it happens to someone else. My apologies if that sounds harsh and I do totally understand there is a certain level of spam we tolerate or blow off. In that, think to yourself...would someone else be able to "handle" this as I am? If the answer is "no"...well....think about those who will follow you...that's all...

4. You may NOT give your trade links to friends so they can have trades worked in your behalf. That should be common sense. Your "friends" can send those folks looking for those trades to YOU as it is YOUR site. :proud

5. You MUST quote a new member when posting in the Welcome thread. A rule of thumb for what is an "old" post is 6-8 hours since they have posted and/or a use of BEST judgment. NOT definitive, just a go-by when you ask yourself if you should go back through a day or time period.

6. You may NOT post or reply to anything in the Lunch Theft Forum if you are not directly involved with the alleged offender. Everyone appreciates trying to help out friends or empathize with folks who have hit a snag, however...the rule remains - you canNOT respond if not part of the problem.

7. No SELF-PROMOTION. You may NOT have any type of real or even implied self-promotion outside of the ltco responses, your trade thread, your signature block and whatever you place in Location. That would also mean not using "pm me" anywhere else.

That includes:
NOT in status line
NOT in welcome post responses
NOT in replies for help around the forum
NOT in visitor messages
NOT in pms where it is not a communication between actively seeking referral and trader
NOT in emails, ims or any other communication method where it would be considered initial contact.

If in doubt, see rule #1. If still a doubt, ASK a mod BEFORE you do it!

8. Check here for anything else. This is the link for the entire set of rules here on FLR to include a variety of other concerns so make sure you've read it - well! Intolerance is growing...rapidly...and there's been enough warnings...haven't there?

Folks...all of you...all of us...have got to realize that even though there is tons of competition, you do NOT have to stoop low in order to survive...and thrive here!

Realistic expectations are always going to be essential...

Keeping a positive, progressive attitude is mandatory...

And...Ms Patience can NOT be forgotten, even if'n we wanna...she's the most integral part of this forum, from our admins all the way down to the newest member...she MUST remain alive, healthy...and a positive entity:)

Above all else, find reasons to smile...put on your best face, be real...don't mimic, don't copy, be yourself and in that, the best YOU you can be! THAT's what's going to move you forward..

Not breaking the rules...
Not manipulating the rules to suit a need...
Not whining or complaining about not making millions...
Not making derogatory comments to or about our fellow traders...(well, unless it's a proven lunch theft issue & even those should be limited as negative DOES create negative:))

Simply...be PREPared to do and be your best...

Patient
Realistic Expectations
Positive attitude...PREPared:)

Good luck to everyone and by all means, happy greening!

[Sonia123]

Good post! Everything in one spot!

[Goku]

nice job i just subscribe to it

[lieraonig]

thanks MonksMom!
You always have great advice

[tdeboard]

Great job!! Thank you!!!

[monksmom]

Originally Posted by Sonia123

Good post! Everything in one spot!

Originally Posted by Goku

nice job i just subscribe to it

Originally Posted by lieraonig

thanks MonksMom!
You always have great advice

Originally Posted by tdeboard

Great job!! Thank you!!!

No...thank YOU for reading it:) Hope it makes your lives just a bit easier...that's the intent!

[kazoo2020]

Good information. Always nice to see a reminder on all this.

[monksmom]

Thanks:) Now, went ahead and added 2b....for new traders and new threads:)

lol...C'mon folks...if'n you aren't sure, then please...ask someone:)