Important Changes to The Broker Forum Website
TBF
Keeping with its strategic objectives of improving the Search experience, as well as maximising the Safety experience, The Broker Forum is introducing a series of new changes that will be unveiled in the coming weeks. In the first of a series of articles dealing with new changes, The Broker Forum is very happy to introduce some key changes to its website that were put into production in the past few days, and have already been well received by those members who had early access to them.
1- TBF Gives
Priority to 225 Top Lines Held by Its Members 
The Search algorithm developed by The Broker Forum production team has been altered to provide greater emphasis on 225 lines of stock in the top of the search order through the introduction of the Hot Tag. Members wishing to push specific inventory lines to the top of the listing will be able to do so, by rotating 75 lines per day. The Hot listings will only be valid for three days, and must represent stock that is ready to move immediately.
2-TBF Introduces New Condition Codes
TBF members will now be able to browse through listings uploaded by vendors with part condition code attached. Please find below the description of the different codes vendors can now use to qualify their parts when posting onto The Broker Forum. Vendors will now have the opportunity of qualifying their parts as being either, New, Pulls or Refurbs.
| Condition code | Search result label | Equivalence code | Long description | Short description |
| New | New | Parts come directly from the manufacturer’s production floor, normally sourced through authorized distributors, and are free of all defects, no scratches, no bent leads; in excellent condition, and all same lot code/date code. | New | |
| Pulls | Pulls | Original Parts previously used and recuperated. Defects may be possible. | Pulls | |
| Refurbished | Refurb. | Parts that have been cleaned and leads straightened in an effort to restore them without altering original markings. Programmable, refurbished components should be erased. | Refurbished |
3-TBF Makes Improvements to the Member Profile
With the addition of the Quality Center, members will now be able to gather additional information regarding a current or prospective business partner through key improvements made to the Member Profile. Members will now be able to view how many moderations were done for a specific vendor, how many stock checks were passed or failed or how many escrow transactions have succeeded, were cancelled or aborted, for both buyers and vendors.
4-TBF to Focus on Verified Members
From now on, TBF members who have the Verified status will see their priority increased in the Search engine, within their current search order category.
All Verified members must also provide the following information to The Broker Forum on a yearly basis:
- Valid Business license
- Warehouse information
- 5 trade references, including 3 references outside of main trading area
- Banking information
In addition, members who wish to be Verified vendors on The Broker Forum must provide either China Electronic Chamber of Commerce sponsored CNOKCN membership proof or official notarized certification (including lease details) that the goods are being held at said warehouse .
These are just some of the changes The Broker Forum is introducing for 2013. We will be updating you shortly with more information. We invite you to contact us at support@brokerforum.com or get in touch directly with your account manager should you have any questions regarding our new improvements or any other issues related to your experience on The Broker Forum.
Best regards,
Jean-Michel Stam
Vice-President, Operations
The Broker Forum
