As User18 mentioned, this thread included both issues with Classifieds as well as Vendors. I would like to explicitly point out that the ideas and issues below are specifically related to vendors with their own official GeekHack sub forums, and these ideas and thoughts are only pertaining to those vendors/individuals and not any other group. I just want to avoid any possible confusion here
I think that when GeekHack Mods give a sub forum to a Vendor/Artisan that they are endorsing them in an official capacity. From the eyes of new members that may not be completely aware of who the vendors are, or what their reputation is, or how long they have been around, seeing a sub forum for a particular vendor/artisan service will inevitably give them the impression that they are a solid and trusted seller. Obviously GH is not responsible in any way for the actions of the vendors, but I think that when an official sub forum is given to a vendor, some additional rules should apply, especially because it will only help their business.
I think one thing that really needs to change is to limit the # of open buys a vendor/artisan can have open any any given time. I think 3 is more than enough. If a vendor still has 3 open buys, limited human resources to get those buys out, and STILL starts more buys, that is nothing but a slap in the face to those who have participated in those previous buys as it will only add more time and delays to their orders. Another solution would be to require time to completion on the buys, but that is obviously a dumb idea. Buys often hit snags well outside of the control of the vendors here. But, by limiting the # of active buys a vendor can have GH would essentially be protecting the vendors by making them finish what they start and not over estimate their time or ability to get items out, as well as the buyers, by hopefully keeping time to receiving their items to a minimum.
I also think having a feedback thread in their forums for feedback, that the vendors themselves can't edit, would be beneficial. In my earlier thoughts, I thought having an anonymous feedback system would be good, as there is a degree of people being afraid to leave negative feedback for various reasons. Policing and proving the legitimacy of the anonymous system would be a nightmare though. Having a thread where customers could leave their feedback, and the vendors could chime in when needed seems like the best bet, but making sure the vendors can just delete threads they don't like would be key here.
I don't think any of these rules are too strict, especially when the sub forum will only be helping them out.