Howdy,

With Jeff here at the OTD Heuer forum having sporadic access to the net over the holiday as well as Keith and Steve (Over at the Chronocentirc Omega Discussion forum) only having sporadic net access to the net over the holiday as well, I'm keeping an eye both here and over at Chronocentric. So I might be stretched even thiner than I usually am.

Since I traditionally keep an eye on things here, I suspect I don't need to say much, other than if you have any thing to report, drop me an email. I'll try to visit each forum every morning to clear out any SPAM posts that have avoided the filters, otherwise everything should be the same as usual. I am usually pretty diligent about returning emails, unless I'm sleeping, out and about and/or if Da Bears are playing...

That's the downbeat minutiae, now "While the cat's are away... The mice will play!"

One of the things I have always thought would be a fun event for a watch discussion/collecting forum was an organized "Flea Market" event. Yes, I know we have a dedicated ChronoTrader forum for that purpose, but many people don't visit that forum regularly and the discussion forums provide a more intimate and focused place to mention which watches you're looking for and what watches you have which would be on the selling block among people who share your interests directly.

So, here is what I propose...

We will for TWO DAYS ONLY waive the restrictions against posting FS (For Sale), FSOT (For Sale Or Trade), WTB (Want To Buy), WTT (Want To Trade) messages in both Chronocentric and OnTheDash Discussion forums. Here are the guidelines:

• This two day event will begin at MIDNIGHT GMT (the message board's time) on New Year's Eve, and end at MIDNIGHT GMT on 2 January 2007. Meaning New Year Eve and New Years Day GMT time will be the time when you can post your "commercial transaction posts".
  • I may let the posts continue a little longer than the stated end point above, but I (or Steve, Keith or Jeff) will post a notice when the Flea Market is over, at which point all FS, FSOT, WTB, WTT, etc. posts will once again be against posted Guideline and will be subject to removal without notice.
• No anonymous posts: Clearly post your name and email address in the listing so people may reply to you off-line.
• Respond to all posts via email. Don't even post a "Check your email" in reply.
• If the item has been sold: post a "item is no longer available, Thanks!" reply to your posting.
• If you post pictures, make sure they are pictures of the item offered or clearly state they are not.
• No repeat listings in one day. You may only make one listing per day for an item.
• If you're listing multiple items, please consider making one big post of all the items you're offering, or post them within one thread to try to keep the forum as tidy as possible.
• List only items that you personally own or seek.
  • No ad's for dealers, or stores nor links to commercial sites. There are plenty of outlets for them. This is a collector's Flea Market for fellow collectors.
• Be accurate in your descriptions
  • remember the guy you sell to today, may well be the guy you need to buy from next week.
• I'll reserve the right to add or change guidelines as needed.

Suggestions for other guidelines can be made to me via email. I will consider them and may include them.

If this event goes smoothly this time, it might be repeated in the future on an Annual, semiannually or even quarterly basis.

What do you all think?