Sales forum

EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
edited July 2006 in Community
I was just doing my usual patrol of the forum (you know, harassing people, eating dohnuts, doing background checks into any users that look suspicous...) and I've noticed that there are lots of people that use the Trading post, but have no identity here. No posts outside of the trading post, no location in the profile, no avatar, no nothing. I can't say that there are imminent threats because I don't know that and as far as I'm aware there haven't been any incidents, but would it not be a good pre-emptive measure to add a rule such like that users must be active/established members to be able to use the trading post (or at least have an active/established member to vouch for them) and/or possibly a post count requirement?

I wouldn't see this as detrimental as the people I'm looking to filter here don't contribute to the site at all in any other way anyway, so no loss there and it would be at least a safety screen for members wanting to buy/sell items there.

Thoughts?

Comments

  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    I dont know. It seems to be a double edged sword to me. I think it should stay as is until a situation arises. The best thing to do is to remind people to be cautious when dealing with a trader/seller/buyer that has no prior references and is new. I am just amazed that some ass hat(s) have not posted scams in there yet, but im sure the time will come.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Enverex, thank you for being alert and looking out for the welfare of the Short-Media members. Posting at the Deal Depot and Trading Post only requires membership. Membership is as simple as registering at Short-Media Forums. Is there a potential risk of trading with rank newbies at Short-Media? Of course, yes. Although none of the staff possesses the ability to discern all threats and to be omnipresent, we do patrol DD&TP. So far, the DD&TP has been a very safe place to conduct private trades. The only problems that we, the staff know of during the past two years has been with established members.

    We invite you at any time to contact us directly with any concerns over the DD&TP - or any other area of the S-M for that matter. An alert membership is just as important as an active staff.

    Again, thank you for being an asset to Short-Media.
  • zero-counterzero-counter Linux Lubber San Antonio Member
    edited July 2006
    In that case, you could ask for a sponsorship if they will only be selling items and nothing else. That would help pay for them using the site as a medium for the sale of their goods.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    I dont think that will work, as I believe brian will not even take donation to the site, something about the irs I think, not sure. If we charged to use the D&TP, that would make us a profiting business I believe. Not sure, so dont quote me (seriously).
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Interesting proposal, but it's already addressed through the site proper in the form of advertising. Any legitimate business can advertise through Short-Media forums. The owners gladly accept paid advertising. We don't accept spammers. Private trading is accepted and encouraged. It's a service to the members. I know I've made many trades through the DD&TP. What we don't want to do under any circumstances is mix private-member trades with commercial activity.

    And just to keep the facts straight, I, Leonardo am a member first and unpaid staff second. I realize no tangible gain from Short-Media.
  • Sledgehammer70Sledgehammer70 California Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Here here!
  • WingaWinga Mr South Africa Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    I have a lot to thank Short-Media for. Not only for the experience and knowlege I have gained, but for the trust and faith the members have had in trading with me.
    International trade or trade outside of US borders is already treated with a lot of mistrust. Trading with an African country is almost shunned. Yet the members here have welcomed me with open arms.

    Until a few months ago we weren't allowed PayPay accounts. Our only method of payment was money order or (dare I say it) bank transfer. Yet I have managed to buy a lot of great stuff from members on this forum. MtGoat has on occasion got new stuff for me from Newegg, which he then ships off.

    I would never have been afforded that luxury on e-bay or many other sites with stricter requirements. I can only say thank you SM for having such an open policy and allowing us honest guys to trade as relative newbies!
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    And in Winga, we have an example of someone who has taken the time to build up trust and become a valued member of the community - which REALLY goes a long way towards others trusting him as a trader. :)
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    This seems to have lost its topic now anyway *sigh*.

    Ok, next point is validation. People say things like "Oh, I've got 5928509 positive feedback with my eBay account BlahdeBlah" but who is to know that is even this persons account? I could just go through, pick a high feedback account and post saying it's mine...
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    For the ebay accounts, that's true. I usually don't pay much heed to the eBay feedback, I pay a lot more attention to the Heatware.
  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Enverex wrote:
    People say things like "Oh, I've got 5928509 positive feedback with my eBay account BlahdeBlah" but who is to know that is even this persons account? I could just go through, pick a high feedback account and post saying it's mine...
    You can send the person a message through E-bay to confirm their identity though, couldn't you?
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    General Keebler wrote:
    You can send the person a message through E-bay to confirm their identity though, couldn't you?

    I think the eBay messaging only works while they have an active auction. I'm not entirely certain, though. I do know that eBay is doing as much as they possibly can to prevent buyers and sellers from cutting a deal outside of eBay - "for the buyer's protection" - riiiiight, for the protection of eBay's profits, more likely.

    Now I'm way off topic.
  • Sledgehammer70Sledgehammer70 California Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    No you can e-mail any user or contact any user if you know there name. They can prove it is them by e-mailing you from there ebay account or responding to your request. It is just a pain in the butt.

    Butt this is the case with any site liek that or any rating feedback site like Heatware.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    No you can e-mail any user or contact any user if you know there name. They can prove it is them by e-mailing you from there ebay account or responding to your request. It is just a pain in the butt.

    Butt this is the case with any site liek that or any rating feedback site like Heatware.

    Yes, exactly, but I trust Heatware much more than eBay feedback. The best method is to email through eBay, throught Heatware, and through Short-Media private messages. The the replies come back through each media with consistent information, you have lowered the risk quite a bit.
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