# Handling Marketplace Topics
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319
**Category:** Site feedback
**Created:** [January 27, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319 "2020-01-27T23:39:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RGJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RGJ)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/1 "2020-01-26T17:49:50Z")
> [@\[Paid\] Plugin - Manually Activate Invited Users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/paid-plugin-manually-activate-invited-users/139697/6):
>
> It’s starting to look like more a #Support thread
Almost every #Marketplace topic ends as a #Support topic lately.
I’m not sure if this is good or bad.
> [@\[Paid\] Plugin - Manually Activate Invited Users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/paid-plugin-manually-activate-invited-users/139697/6):
>
> Isn’t that possible to bulk activate pending users with the rails console?
> [@\[Paid\] Plugin - Manually Activate Invited Users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/paid-plugin-manually-activate-invited-users/139697/1):
>
> I don’t know code. I’d like it as a plug-in
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/2 "2020-01-27T23:04:50Z")
> [@RGJ](#):
>
> Almost every #Marketplace topic ends as a #Support topic lately.
> I’m not sure if this is good or bad.
I won’t swear, but I think it’s been the case that it’s been for topics that likely don’t have enough budget to actually pay for for work. This one has no stated budget, but basically implies that there isn’t much of one. My guess is that the budget is on the order of $50.
Is it worth $500 @DavidO? $200?
---
### Author:  [@RGJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RGJ)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/3 "2020-01-27T23:39:42Z")
> [@pfaffman](#):
>
> but I think it’s been the case that it’s been for topics that likely don’t have enough budget to actually pay for for work
At the risk of hijacking the topic (please split into a new topic at will) I recall at least two other recent topics without an insufficient budget but which turned into a #Support topic anyway:
This one had a $500 budget which sounded pretty realistic to me [[PAID] PunBB forum to Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/paid-punbb-forum-to-discourse/137805), it has 13 support replies and one marketplace reply.
And then there was [I need someone who can install a voting plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/i-need-someone-who-can-install-a-voting-plugin/137779) where the OP even explicitly reconfirmed they’d rather want to _hire_ someone and then was told to make _another_ marketplace topic if they “really” want to hire someone (!).
> [@I need someone who can install a voting plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/i-need-someone-who-can-install-a-voting-plugin/137779/10):
>
> Honestly, it would probably be way better if I just hired someone to do this. I need a discourse developer.
> [@I need someone who can install a voting plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/i-need-someone-who-can-install-a-voting-plugin/137779/11):
>
> Most of the community here has previously advised you that this is a task that can be DIYed easily.
>
> That said, if you really want to hire someone, make a new post in #Marketplace
---
### Author:  [@justin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/justin)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/4 "2020-01-31T16:55:54Z")
This has been moved to #Contribute > Site feedback for more meta discussion – I think the marketplace category could use a little bit more moderation in seeing these divergent topics.
I’m watching it now, but in the future if we miss something and a topic goes off the rails, please feel free to:
- Point discussion to the appropriate category or topic
- Flag it to have a moderator move or split the topic appropriately if needed
I’ll also continue to encourage our community to include a budget range when posting as well.
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/5 "2020-01-31T16:59:18Z")
And maybe include in the topic template that if the budget is under $100 ($50?) then just post in #Support. In general, if it’s truly a $10 problem, most of us would just tell them how to do it.
---
### Author:  [@justin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/justin)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/6 "2020-01-31T17:12:11Z")
I’m behind the idea of encouraging low cost requests just to go to community support, but I’m not 100% certain the topic template is the right place to put it. Sometimes folks don’t even read things 🙂
For now, I think trying the redirection approach is a good starting place. In my mind, it’s the similar to the viewpoint we have on shadow banning – direct discussion is much better at changing behavior.
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/7 "2020-01-31T17:43:21Z")
BTW, @RGJ can’t read this topic.
---
### Author:  [@Falco](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Falco)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/8 "2020-01-31T17:45:08Z")
I agree with @RGJ here. People shouldn’t be offering support on #Marketplace topics. Posts who aren’t about offering service and wanting the job should be flagged as off-topic.
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### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/9 "2020-01-31T17:51:07Z")
> [@Falco](#):
>
> Posts who aren’t about offering service and wanting the job should be flagged as off-topic.
I agree with that, with a caveat that topics created without a budget over $100 be flagged as off-topic or moved to #Support.
Does that sound right? If they don’t offer a budget, reply with “moving to #Support because there is no budget” and re-categorize?
---
### Author:  [@justin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/justin)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/10 "2020-01-31T17:55:48Z")
> [@pfaffman](#):
>
> with a caveat that topics created without a budget over $100 be flagged as off-topic or moved to #Support.
First step should be to ask for a budget if there isn’t one. If no or too low budget is offered, there are a few paths topics can take:
- If it’s a complex development task, leave it alone to close, but someone should probably communicate that the likelihood of getting help is very low for the budget available.
- If it’s reasonable to answer as support, flag to have it moved.
At the same time, someone might want to take a task for $30 bucks if it’s reasonable. Not everyone getting started has enough in the pipeline to turn away an hour’s work for $30-$50.
Additionally, off-topic discussion in #Marketplace will either be deleted or moved to support.
---
### Author:  [@Falco](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Falco)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/11 "2020-01-31T17:56:05Z")
> [@pfaffman](#):
>
> I agree with that, with a caveat that topics created without a budget over $100 be flagged as off-topic or moved to #Support.
Not sure.
If someone puts an announce on your local newspaper wanting a baby sitter for $0.20 cents a day would you call then to say that it is too low?
If the OP explicitly asks for price feedback, or is someone brand new to Meta, maybe a hint here and there may be ok, but shouldn’t be a rule at all.
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/12 "2020-01-31T18:01:08Z")
> [@Falco](#):
>
> If someone puts an announce on your local newspaper wanting a baby sitter for $0.20 cents a day would you call then to say that it is too low?
No, but neither would I call them to suggest free baby sitting services.
> [@Falco](#):
>
> If the OP explicitly asks for price feedback, or is someone brand new to Meta, maybe a hint here and there may be ok, but shouldn’t be a rule at all.
Yeah. A rule is hard, but there could be a norm and we could decide on a _nice_ way to help them get their problem solved if it seems that their budget is missing or wildly short of reasonable.
---
### Author:  [@RGJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RGJ)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/13 "2020-01-31T18:03:20Z")
> [@justin](#):
>
> At the same time, someone might want to take a task for $30 bucks if it’s reasonable. Not everyone getting started has enough in the pipeline to turn away an hour’s work for $30-$50.
Completely agree, people who are willing to work for the lower end of the scale should have an opportunity to earn some money as well. If there are no takers, then OP will eventually understand that they’re apparently not offering enough.
Personally, I just ignore whatever happens in #Marketplace for a budget that is too low - _for me_. No need to flag or tag.
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/14 "2020-01-31T18:08:49Z")
> [@RGJ](#):
>
> Personally, I just ignore whatever happens in #Marketplace for a budget that is too low - _for me_ . No need to flag or tag.
That’s what I usually do (I think), so then we’d flag anyone’s attempts to help as off topic and they’d think that there were no responses.
And there’s a recently-updated topic now from someone in `@customer` that has no budget, but if they’re paying \>=$100/month for hosting, it’s a decent bet that they have a budget.
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### Author:  [@tobiaseigen](https://meta.discourse.org/u/tobiaseigen)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/15 "2020-01-31T18:55:03Z")
I am a bit conflicted. Personally, if I see a marketplace topic with a request that has an easy answer, I feel compelled to respond to help the person. Especially if they are new and don’t know their way around yet, or if the problem is a common one and providing the answer is likely going to be helpful to others.
It seems a shame to let a request hang with no response, or to make someone pay for something unnecessarily. But then of course I understand there are folks here who make a living providing help to people.
Maybe in future I can PM those people to direct them to an answer if it exists elsewhere, without cluttering the marketplace topic and discouraging others from offering paid support?
The [I need someone who can install a voting plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/i-need-someone-who-can-install-a-voting-plugin/137779) topic is an interesting case study - @jobro did you eventually get your problem solved, with or without paid support?
---
### Author:  [@justin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/justin)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/16 "2020-01-31T18:58:19Z")
> [@tobiaseigen](#):
>
> Maybe in future I can PM those people to direct them to an answer if it exists elsewhere, without cluttering the marketplace topic and discouraging others from offering paid support?
I think it’s okay to engage requests that end up being easy to answer for community support, but we need to move them out of #Marketplace. So please keep helping people, but when you see topics like this, please flag so we can move it to the appropriate category to continue discussion.
---
### Author:  [@jomaxro](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jomaxro)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/17 "2020-01-31T19:02:33Z")
> [@justin](#):
>
> please flag so we can move it
And if you’re TL3, feel free of course to move it yourself.
---
### Author:  [@RGJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RGJ)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 7:18pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/18 "2020-01-31T19:18:26Z")
> [@tobiaseigen](#):
>
> @jobro did you eventually get your problem solved, with or without paid support?
This turned out to be a customer of ours so there was just a switch to be flipped for this plugin.
> [@tobiaseigen](#):
>
> It seems a shame to let a request hang with no response, or to make someone pay for something unnecessarily. But then of course I understand there are folks here who make a living providing help to people.
When I have a problem with my bike, I take it to the repair shop. People sometimes tell me that I can fix my tire myself, but I don’t want to get my hands dirty and I want to spend my time doing things that I like (or earn money) instead.
When I take my bike to the repair shop, the last thing I want is to be told that this is an easy task which I can do myself. I made a deliberate choice to outsource this task. Of course, when I demand a new tire, I appreciate it when I am told by the shop owner that patching it is less expensive. But I don’t want to be told that I can do it myself, especially not by other people that are hanging around in the repair shop.
Same thing here: people are explicitly posting in #Marketplace. They do know that #Support exists, and still they post in marketplace. Let’s assume that is a deliberate choice instead of assuming they’re missing an ‘easy answer’. What is easy for some people is very hard for others.
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### Author:  [@Falco](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Falco)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/19 "2020-01-31T19:20:30Z")
Exactly @RGJ! Imagine going to the coffee shop and being lectured how it be easier to DIY.
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### Author:  [@tobiaseigen](https://meta.discourse.org/u/tobiaseigen)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319/20 "2020-01-31T19:35:59Z")
> [@RGJ](#):
>
> When I have a problem with my bike, I take it to the repair shop.
That’s a helpful analogy - thanks! I get it. 👍
> [@Falco](#):
>
> Imagine going to the coffee shop and being lectured how it be easier to DIY
Hah! Except when I’m traveling and I can’t do anything about it, I do prefer to make my own coffee because it’s cheaper and often better than what I can get at coffee shops.
Of course I make coffee in my own home and not in a coffee shop, because that would be ridiculous.
[Next page](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-marketplace-topics/140319.md?page=2)