Today DG reminded me that we have the Trade Zone here at the SZ and that it hasn't really got going yet.

I'm sure we aren't alone in thinking that area has great potential to be a help for the community members and perhaps if we do it right, even guests and the wider community. Obviously something isn't quite happening right in there as only a very few have tried to use it.

So, here's an open request for ideas and thoughts on how we as a community can possibly help improve/build on/kick start the gift we have been given by the team that initially set up the SZ.

I'm coming at this from an angle of it perhaps having potential to help people who are taking steps toward walking away from the current system. With that in mind I'm sure it could be used to help people distribute their homemade wares etc. That's just a thought though and please, ANY thoughts are welcome. It's all of our's community and all of ours future

I think the crafty ones could indeed sell their work etc. Those people who have unwanted stuff could offer it to whoever might pay shipping but there is another possible use. This is just a spit ball idea but I know a lot of folks on YouTube do swaps. They make friends on there over a common interest or whatever and agree to a swap. They then put together a little gift package for each other. Of course some people abuse the generosity of others etc and you can see videos on you tube of people complaining about a user but perhaps it would work o.k.if certain rules were established. This could be a small gift or something homemade etc. This is just an idea.

I've not come across that Youtube swap thing I-b. Can you link me up to a video or summat that tells us a bit about it? No worries if you're on your mobile.

Well I have no specific video to link to but my wife has done some swaps before as a member of a make up community. So they send each other make up etc. I just figured it would work with other stuff too. Just go to you tube and type swap and you will find some examples I am sure. Another thing they do is giveaways which might not come under trade but it could be fun. All you need is a prize. Again just an idea.

I'll have a look I-b, was just being a bit lazy really

I see absolutely no reason why the Trade Zone can't be used for giving stuff away, iirc that's been done in there before and I'm all for it I also see no reason why we couldn't set up an SZ LETS style scheme in there. At present we are a small forum and it would currently be pretty limited but it's something I have a bit of experience of and I'd be prepared to keep tabs on the 'accounts', someone would have to and as I'm kind of pushing such ideas I ought to put my efforts where my mouth is
Who knows, such an idea may even draw in fresh blood for the sket to consume

Where is the trade zone exactly?

Underneath the SZ banner there's the "Home, News...." bar. If you put the mouse over "The Zone" it's on a drop down menu.
Just click Trade Zone. It does work on mobiles too but on a mobile you have to click "The Zone" to bring up the drop down menu iirc.

sanctumzone.co.uk/the-zone/trade-zone.html