Regardless of how everyone feels about the issue, at the end of the day it's the 'powers that be' who will decide what goes on here. Can they be swayed or influenced? Has the poll gotten anyone's attention?
The 'sticky' posted by Mr. Wilson is posted in the ATCM section.
In his second post in that sticky he states that "This is not a sales forum." (meaning, the ATCM section). I wholeheartedly agree with that.
ATCM section is for gaining and sharing information, not for sales.
However, the Cue Machinery section is best positioned as an area to conduct sales. Sales of cue related machinery, fixtures, tooling and etc. are routinely posted. It seems that's where the CMs 'business' is already being conducted. How are pins, bumpers and everything in btwn. any different when it comes to the things the CM needs to do his job?
It all comes under the same heading of tools, supplies and equipment to build the cue. The forearm and the tool-bit that cuts it are of equal importance, at least to the CM.
Also stated was that sales should be conducted in the Wanted/For-Sale section of the Main Forum. This has many ramifications.
As I've watched this thread unfold, I've had a recurring thought.
Is the reason for putting the sales in the W/FS section to allow everyone on the forum equal opportunity to purchase said item?
That would be a considerate gesture except that 99% of the people that frequent that forum are either buying or selling cues or cases. They have no interest whatsoever in cue parts or supplies and if they did have a sudden urge to buy a butt-sleeve or whatever, they'd toddle down to where the CMs hang-out and make their inquiry there.
The W/FS section moves pretty quick to say the least. If you're only on there once a day, you're already 3 pgs. behind.
Cue parts & supplies are cue-maker specific. Put them where the CMs are.
Conversely, when we want to sell a cue, we take them up to the proper forum, W/FS. It's about target audience/market.
It would seem that this is a very simple problem with an equally simple solution. All that's required is a decision.
If there are voices in the background who take exception to this, I ask that those voices be brought forward so that we may address their concerns; as a group, as a democracy.