Suggestion for the Market: Search by Poster Location

[alavaia]

I realize this has probably been brought up before, but I didn't see anything in the search (also didn't see a suggestions forum). I also just want to start off saying that I love this site as is and I've thoroughly liked everyone I've met in person from this site.

Anyways I was just thinking that it would be great if we could search a thread (like the For Sale/Trade thread) by the topic creator's location. I think distance is the biggest obstacle for everybody when it comes to sales/trading so I thought it would be great for everybody if there was a way to sort the threads by distance. Ideally we get to the point where everyone puts in there zip code and it will calculate the miles, etc. For now though, the quickest best use of time would be to just create a new advanced search option where you type in the text of the location you are looking for, and hope the original topic creator named it that (like the bronx, or westchester, instead of a small town/region). Eventually I would think people would optimize the naming of the addresses in their profiles for the search capabilities. You can technically do this now, but it will just search through anything and everything for a match, including non sellers locations.

Any thoughts?

By the way, I know a fairly reasonable amount of PHP (a bit rusty though) and if the database is run off MySQL, I can definitely help with the coding...

 

[KathyC]

The downside I could see to this thought would be that you would get hits from threads are going all the way back to the beginning of the site. Who would want to sift through all of those?
Also many threads where the items are sold are not necessarily marked 'closed' so members may get annoyed receiving PM's for old items they no longer have for sale.
Most of the folks here are fairly local to each other - it being Manhattan Reefs - so location often isn't that much of an obstacle. It becomes less so around swap time when most of us are gathered in one place.

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to just make a Want To Buy thread and then pick someone closest to you to buy from?

..and btw - suggestions are always welcome here..just post 'em up like you did on General Discussion!!

 

[alavaia]

Well it would be easy to sort the threads in descending order by last post (I believe all forums and search results are done like this automatically by default), so that shouldn't really be too big of an issue.

The problem with the WTB threads is that they don't seem to be used nearly as much. Plus I think a lot of people here just like to buy cool looking frags and fish that would be suitable for their tanks after seeing pictures of them and seeing what's available.

I realize that everyone is fairly local, but there are quite a few people from Westchester and Long Island here as well. Also even within the 5 boroughs I doubt too many people from the bronx would want to travel all the way to brooklyn or staten island.

I just feel like I see so many posts in the market place that say "if only you were closer..." I think this feature would just greatly increase the efficiency of the market and thus lower costs for buyers and sellers.

 

[alavaia]

Anyone else?

 

[jaa1456]

Sounds good, but there is hardly anything in NJ that I have wanted, most things have been on LI or further away lol.

 

[NYreefNoob]

how would having a location lower cost ? also seeing this site isn't dedicated as a seller\buyer market. i live in upper westchester alot of the stuff is too far for me, but thats also one of the plus's with so many great members, actually had a guy go and pick something up from someone for me and mailed it himself to me. as where the seller didnt want to ship. Plus there isn't that much daily put up for sale.

 

[albano]

You'll miss a lot of great offers, if you're only looking local.

:shhh: I found my LED lights from MR member in Philly! 6 hour Sunday drive saved THOUSANDS!
Got a BEAUTIFUL Tang from member in Atlantic City...luckily ANOTHER member mentioned that he was going to AC for the day, and he picked up the fish for me (someone that I had not previously met!)

CAN'T BEAT THIS SITE!!!!!!