When the new post was made on this thread, that got it selected for "closed" status, whether it was spotted by a mod, or whether it was done automatically. It will be the same for the next post. Say, for example, you didn't re-up next year. You would be dropped down to Web member. That would automatically make all of your posts appear as Web Member, no matter when they were posted, just as if I change my signature today, all of my previous posts would show that signature. I could be wrong on that, but I suspect I am not. Take this post, for example: http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...D-a-FREE-Shirt!

Now, assuming the above, where you failed to re-up as a charter, all of your posts, including this one, would show as web member. Further, assuming that I really wanted some Lunar Eclipse pallys, and maybe even a free t-shirt, I might post a response on this thread. Or, i could PM, you are exactly right. I usually go back to an old thread, as that seems to stir up interest by the other members. When I post, "Hey Karin, you got any of these palys ready to frag?" That would trigger the post to be closed, same as the one in question.

You are right to say that it doesn't really matter because it isn't deleted, just locked for future posts, I assume until the member's status goes back to Charter, or the rules change. That's true. My initial point, however, was not about whether you could go back in time and inquire about an item previously offered for sale. My initial point was that I feel it would be only fair to leave open posts started by web members before the rules change until that offering had run its course, and the web member was either asked or volunteered that the offering was no longer valid. Again, yes, it could be handled by PM, but shouldn't the original poster have the flexibility to decide how his/her business is handled?

I don't really have a dog in the hunt either way, so the rules change doesn't really affect me personally. I just think that in the interest of fairness, old posts should remain open to posting until the business is concluded.

Thanks
Richard