Frequently Asked QuestionsBefore you move on to the ads, please take a minute to read this page. Reading the Rules before you start will help to keep your Ad from being automatically seleted.
Contents
- The Rules Important To Read Before Placing An Ad
- The Disclaimer
- What is "The IBMWR Marketplace"?
- Who Can Post Ads?
- Why does it exist?
- Who Is The Marketplace Editor?
- How Did It Start?
- How Does it Work?
- Can Spammers Get My E-Mail Address From the Marketplace
- When Does it Get Updated.
- How do I Look Up Ads
- Can I get the Ad's Via E-Mail?
- How do I Enter An Ad.
- How Should I Write the Ad?
- Why Is the Input of the Forms So Restrictive?
- How do I change the price on my Ad?
- What is "HTML Code" and Why Can't I put any in my Ad.
- How Can I Get Pictures Of My Stuff to Display?
- What if I have my Own Web Page?
- My Ad Didn't Show Up, Why?
- How Long Will My Ad Stay on The Marketplace?
- A Note for users of America On Line
- How Do I Buy Long-Distance?
- Where Can I Find Price Information?
- What if I Have A Problem With Someone?
The Disclaimer
The IBMWR and The IBMWR Marketplace are not responsible for the quality of items sold through the Marketplace.
Let the Buyer and Seller Beware.
What is "The IBMWR Marketplace"?
The IBMWR - BMW Motorcycle Marketplace © is a Web Page listing of advertisements for BMW Motorcycles, parts and accessories and BMW motorcycle related items only.
It's not that we are elitist, it's just that we don't have the time or money to try to be all things to all people. Actually, many IBMWR members own and ride bikes other than Beemers. It is not supported or endorsed by BMW AG, BMW NA, or any other organization or club in any way. All costs associated with producing this page are paid for by IBMWR via donations and volunteerism.
Who Can Post Ads?
Anyone, as long as you are not a Commercial Dealer or Vendor, you are welcome to place an Ad. Some very specialized vendors may place Ad's, if the items are hard to find, or the vendor is the only available source. Some Vintage Items are the best example of this type. Please contact the Editor in advance, before placing an ad of this type.
Why does it exist?
It exists primarily out of frustration with other venues for buying and selling BMW Motorcycle related items. Publications such as the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America's, "ON", or "Owners News", and the BMW Riders Association's "On The Level", provide an excellent Ad Section. However, most of the time when you call to inquire about an item listed, it has been sold or the person has already found an item they are looking for, and you just wasted a long distance phone call. The Marketplace tries to overcome two problems, one, to provide a free, or nearly free way to contact people, by using E-Mail, and two, to provide a constantly updated listing of ads.
Who Runs It?
The list is maintained by IBMWR volunteers. The current version of The Marketplace (3.0) was developed by Mark Ketchum, a long time list subscriber.
How Did It Start?
The Marketplace was originally started by Tom Keen.
>From: tom_keen@coax.net (Tom Keen)
>To: Mike Nolan <mdnolan@concentric.net>>"Seems like it was Feb. 1995 when it got started...
>The marketplace was the end product of spending a month
>of cold winter evenings learning about the web and html.
>Its was an experiment. I thought I would keep it going
>for a few months and if I was either bored with it or
>there was no interest I was going to shut if off after
>the trial period. But... it caught on.">"Not much else interesting, except that it was and is
>the only bmw specific site devoted to bikes and parts.">"I always find the stats interesting... amazing where folks
>come from that visit."
-----In 1997, Tom crashed and burned and Mike Nolan took over. Mike deserves lots of credit for his effort in the next couple of years. He revised the site, creating version 2.0. which allowed search, look-up, an email based update, and form-based submission of the Ads.
In July of 2000, Mike decided to turn responsibility for the Marketplace over. The Admin Team made a decision to utilize a group of volunteers to help maintain the site. Its was also decided at that time to permanently move the marketplace web pages and scripts to the IBMWR server.
As noted above, Mark Ketchum, a long time list subscriber, developed an updated version of The Marketplace, version 3.0.
How Does it Work?
The files for the Marketplace are stored on the IBMWR's web site server. All of the web pages are created "on the fly" by Perl based CGI scripts. The info you see on your browser is the most current ad content.
Can Spammers Get My E-Mail Address From the Marketplace?
Yes, but they have to work to get them. All the listed addresses are hidden by a JavaScript function, so a ROBOT or Crawler looking for E-Mail addresses to steal, cannot follow any of the standard Hyper-Links and find the E-Mail addresses that are posted in the ads. Spammers are usually too lazy (which is why they are spammers), to manually process E-mail addresses.
When Does it Get Updated.
The Marketplace is usually updated about once a day. If you submit or delete an Ad, your request will be processed at the next updating, at which time one of the volunteer Admins will review your request and either accept or reject it. This will cut down on duplicate ads and misuse.
How do I Look Up Ads?
Click on the link for the category of interest, and the relevant Ads will be displayed. The "All Ads, All Categories" link often results in a very large download, so for your own convenience and to relieve load on the ibmwr server, please use the category links.
Can I get the Ad's Via E-Mail?
Yes you can. Use the link on the Categories page for instructions.
How do I Enter An Ad?
To place an Ad use the "Submit" link to call up the submission Form. Fill it out and hit the submit button ... voila! You will receive an email confirmation that your ad was received. Included in that email will be a Ad ID# number and password. Save this email because you will need the number and password it to delete your ad when your item(s) sell or if you wish to modify your ad in anyway.
And please, if you have several things to sell, please don't try to cram it all in a single ad. Place an Ad for each item in the appropriate category.
How Should I Write the Ad?
Starting at the top of the Form, read and follow the instructions for each input box. Read some existing Ads to get ideas for making your Ad attract attention.
When you place an Ad, be honest and don't misrepresent your product or yourself. If we obtain information that leads us to conclude that you are misrepresenting the item(s) you want to sell or have provided false information about yourself, we will pull your ad and ban you from further use of the service.
Why Is the Input of the Forms So Restrictive?
In order for the Ads to be brought up so many different ways, they have to have an exact format. This allows the most flexibility in pulling the Ads up by different types. Currently, there are about 50 different combinations of categories that can be looked up. This makes it possible to find items you are interested in, while skipping those you are not.
How do I change the price on my Ad?
The only way is to delete your old ad and submit a new one.
How Can I Get Pictures Of My Stuff to Display?
If you have your own Web Page, and would like to place a link in your Ad to your page, just enter the URL address in the Ad description. " http://your.page.location... " DO NOT enter HTML code to Link the page. This will cause an AUTOMATIC Cancel of your ad. The program that looks for errors and duplicate Ads will see the link address, and handle it appropriately.
My Ad Didn't Show Up, Why?
There are several reasons why your Ad may not show up in the Marketplace. Ads must contain Your Name and E-Mail Address, and a Price if it is a "For Sale" Ad. "For Sale" Ads Posted without a Price will not be posted. If you post it as "best offer" or "negotiable" great, but you still have to price it. No exceptions.
How Long Will My Ad Stay on The Marketplace?
From time to time we cull the ads and take really old ones out in back of the barn and shoot them. Generally, Ads are allowed to remain on the the Marketplace until the data file becomes too big. This is usually for 30 days.
If you think your Ad will expire soon, find your old ad, send in a cancel and resubmit it.
A Note for users of America On Line
In the past, AOL users could not use the Forms on the Marketplace, and had to submit Ads using regular E-Mail. This was because the Browser included in AOL's Software was not forms compatible. Now it is, so E-mailed ads are no longer accepted. In order to submit and ad to the Marketplace you must be using a recent enough release of AOL's browser. It is forms compliant and will process this form. If you are using an older version of the AOL browser or are not sure, please contact AOL and obtain the most recent version. Using the forms is the ONLY way to submit an ad to the Marketplace.
How Do I Buy Long-Distance?
Ted Verrill's How To Buy A Used BMW Motorcycle is an excellent page to read before setting out on your Bike Purchase Adventure.
Where Can I Find Price Information?
Motorcycle Consumer News maintains a Used Bike Value Guide, that includes a BMW Resale Values Page that lists the current value of most models of BMW's. Classifieds2000 also runs a listing. You might want to cruise their Motorcycles Ads. It might also be a good idea to lookup Ads here at the Marketplace, and at the above sites, that are similar to your item, and note the prices.
What if I Have A Problem With Someone?
If you encounter a problem dealing with someone, We would like to hear about it. Contact an administrator and let us know about it. We may not be able to resolve it, but we sure will try to.
Last Update: Tom Childers 23 September 2008