Forum suggestion - business directory

[William Antrim]

Is it possible to have all of the current business owners provide a little RP story about their businesses? What they sell, a picture of the store etc. This could all go into a large thread on the forum with their names and contact phone numbers (plus those of any employees) and act like a pseudo-Yellow pages for those of us who dont know which car dealer is which etc and we can find the products we want to buy and contact the right people? 

Yes this is "meta-gaming" in the purest sense of the word (the phone numbers being available outside the game) but I think it might well lead to more RP within the game and thus I would like to think that it can be allowed and authorised by the adults? 

I cant see any obvious negatives. 

 

[DJ]

or maybe have it as an app in the phone? where people could advertise there business with a short description and a call here button?

 

[ShadowDirector]

is it possible to have all of the current business owners provide a little RP story about their businesses? What they sell, a picture of the store etc.

Not totally apposed to doing this, however would it not make sense for you to go in game and attempt to speak to the owners of each store? - Maybe you will get an idea on why they acquired the shop in the first place maybe get a different feel for the place. I find actually going over to people and asking what you are curious about tends bring a lot of natural RP to a situation apposed to posting it all on a forum (A post on screenshots/videos on specific shops would be nice to see though)

names and contact phone numbers

I would be fine having my name out there, but hell no would I want my Personal Phone Number out there for the entire place to view. I would be all for this, if you could have a business phone number instead. Maybe "1" for the owner and another inside the shop itself that rings when people call and allows whoever's working at the store/ in the office to pick up the phone at that time. I think this way people would chill at the stores more as if they don't they will miss out on potential clients. (Unless they have direct contact with the owner)

This is my personal opinion and not the opinion of STAFF.

 

[William Antrim]

The problem with what youve just described is the exact reason why its so bloody hard to get hold of business owners as it stands. Youve explained in a microcosm just how awkward it is get hold of people. This suggestion alleviates that issue and makes way for those interactions to happen. Otherwise youre just stuck with tweedle and hoping the people actually read it. 

An alternative option might be an "email" service to the shop - each shop has a group inbox that people can write to/message off their phones and say hi im looking XYZ item (shop dependent obviously) and all employees can see/action and respond to messages. If these messages also contained return contact details then employees could start their roleplay with a tweet/email/text back to the client and go from there. This would sort your worries out and also create a convenient, easy way to start off a good story while retaining the anonymity you stipulated you preferred. 

 

[George Harris]

Rejected - This would suit more of a Yellow Pages on the In-Game phone.
Thanks for the suggestion!​