Bad trade numbers on the up?

[BringOnThunder]

Summer holidays are almost over so sales will improve. Nothing much that can be done to stop the scams although I would say the scammers are cashing in on people being too nice and giving people the benefit of the doubt. I buy something, no tracking code within a week then dispute is started ( unless stated before funds are sent, then 2 weeks max) if you can't post something for 3 weeks then you shouldn't be posting the sale. Yes it may sound strict but if scams are on the up things have to change.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[North West Outpost]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

How about a revolutionary idea. A bit harsh but effective. Anyone who has a gun for sale in classifieds automaticly has pm's blocked untill the item is sold, so all correspondence has to be in public.

OR a list of trusted sellers...Look at it from the other perspective.

[Four Leaf]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

Mate of mine got scammed on here a while ago. After hearing nothing he took the name that was used for the PP transaction and found the person on Facebook.

From the Facebook page, he scanned said persons profile to see if anyone made any airsoft references. Turns out the scammer was using the GF's paypal so he was then able to find out quite alot about said scammer.

To the point of looking in the scammers photos on Facebook and seeing a picture of the scammer, holding the MP5 in question, while me and my mate and some others were gearing up in the background of the picture.

From here he then contacted the police and the site the picture was taken at and had the scammer banged to rights. The excuse given was "I have a kid and I need money and didn't know what else to do"

He got his money back, purely through determination, but for future deals he now finds people on Facebook before he buys so he is able to track down said person if anything goes wrong.

Maybe this is a precaution we could all take in future? I'm aware this wouldn't be 100% fool proof of stopping scammers, but it might help people to work out the truly genuine sellers.

[jagillham]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

I like the idea of only allowing seller feedback. That way you have a better idea of who is a good seller, rather than bad sellers hiding behind good buying feedback.

[Bluegill]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

I like the idea of only allowing seller feedback. That way you have a better idea of who is a good seller, rather than bad sellers hiding behind good buying feedback.

Hm, whilst I do see the logic behind that, for people who like buying but don't sell (like moi), when it comes to eventually selling something, it may be difficult with no feedback. Unless there were 2 iTrader stats on a profile ie.

Buyer Feedback - 100%
Seller Feedback - 100%

It's tricky and is a usual case of having to alter a decent system because of wankers who like to take the piss.

[Aitch]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

I know an unresolved deal section works well, I asked over on another forum and I go this

Any issue with buyers/sellers, once the PM evidence has been reviewed the accused users account is locked out of the entire forum (if they are thought to be in the wrong) barr the unresolved issues/user cp/forum feedback areas, once/if the issue is resolved everyone sees it had a good conclusion, restrictions removed, unresolved disputes sees the accused banned from sales if all avenues have been exhausted.

granted, not as busy as here, but the way they ran their sales in various forums over the years gives the users confidence in the sales area, may be worth noting they do not permit two tone sales and don't appear to have the younger players attention and the area doesn't get abused, genuine complaints are usually solved quickly, malicious complaints just don't happen, The user feedback area works great too, using a template to leave descriptions, url etc, any user can set up their own feedback thread, if someone posts dodgy/unwarranted feedback the post is reported, the area needs ZERO moderation as NO user wants their good rep tarnished, it works (for them) whether it could work here is another thing due to the ridiculous amount of scammers on here

[jagillham]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

Yup, but remember buying a bunch of stuff does not make you an honest seller either.

I know you can break feedback down by buying/selling on the iTrader page, but would rather see it more prominently.

[Double 0 Jedi]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

To be honest there are too many variables to second hand sales to solves all the problems. You can sell an item which is in perfect condition and if the person who gets it decides that its not what they wanted after all, they could damage it in some way and then claim it “Was not as described.” Also peoples perception of the term good condition can vary a lot.
When you sell an item why not upload a video of it taken on the day you post the sale. Most phones have fairly decent video nowadays and a video is capable of showing the gun fully working and allows a more overall view than one or two still pictures. If you included a shot of a news paper of that day with the headlines it can be verified as to the date video was taken and thus the condition of the item before it was put in the box. You could even video the product working then being sealed in the box for postage, Yeah it’s hassle and not a perfect solution to all the niggles regarding sales, but it would put paid to some of the , It must have been like that before you sold it to me / It was working fine when I sent it arguments that crop up from time to time.

[Rubberducky]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

Feedback means Jack. I brought an item from a 'reputable' seller and I got screwed over. Managed to get my money back but just proves feedback means dick all.

[eztiger]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

I bought a 2nd hand AEP from these forums last week and with the seller having low posts + no feedback and me in the same position i was a bit nervous about how it would turn out. Luckily it wasnt a scam and the item i bought was as described (if not better!). If your unsure the best thing to do is protect yourself so if you do get scammed you can at least get your money back, eventually.

I prefer either:

Cash on collection, bank transfer or bona fide paypal payment for 'goods' with the buyer covering the paypal fees AND detailing it fully in the payment 'notes' section so the seller cant throw them back to you.

[Fizzy]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

You could just stick your head in the sand and pretend its not your problem, then whine about how nobody appreciates you? Isnt that what the general staff consensus towards the classifieds seems to be here?

Of course, should you wish to donate a percentage of your sale to me, I might investigate a dodgy sale for you

I agree palmer , this forum is now got a very bad rep with airsofters to the point a lot of players I meet refuse to use it . most common reasons are " too many kids scamming " and " i don't want to get ripped off "

And yet the numbers keep going up. BSB's post hits the nail on the head. For example if 1% of all sales go bad and there're 100 sales a week that's 1 bad sale a week. Forum use is on the up overall and combine that with school holidays, airsoft forums' busiest period, so lets say for example that ups it to 500 sales a week. You've now got more chance of being scammed due to the overall volume increase, but even if bad sales stayed at 1% that's still 5 bad sales a week.

[Aitch]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

How about instead you remove dodgy sales types permanently, no excuses that they will just return because they wont, only the really stupid ones do that, then threads like these will cease thus freeing up moderators time to do more fruitful pursuits?

it may even make the forum a less hostile area for folks

[marve114]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

Just thinking out loud here guys
but cant the mods on here some how put a link straight to your facebook page on you profile, All genuine people i think would not have a problem with that !
When ever i buy something i look for good comms a bit of a haggle

Last thing you want is to be had over by some nob !

[Fizzy]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

How about instead you remove dodgy sales types permanently, no excuses that they will just return because they wont, only the really stupid ones do that, then threads like these will cease thus freeing up moderators time to do more fruitful pursuits?

it may even make the forum a less hostile area for folks

The real stupid ones, or the ones who are determined scammers? Trust me, the amount of people that come back (and we catch) is quite high (a big thanks to the diligent forum members!), let alone the odd ones that slip through the net. At least people with bad iTrader ratings should be avoided. sadly that isn't always the case...

[flatline]

Re: Bad trade numbers on the up?

Ive just started a paypal claim after paying for something last friday,normally i would wait and see what the seller had to say before starting a claim but when the seller does not reply to your pm's or email's what else can you do?

Not to sure about naming and shaming as i think a lot of people are petty and do not understand that people have live's (work,kid's ect) that get in the way of thing's like "going to the post office".

I think there should be a public section for users to use when they are having trouble with a transaction (rather than using general chat),that way everybody on the forum can see it and the seller has the chance to defend themselve's.I know name's would still be public but it wouldn't be a case of "he stole my money,ban him".

On a side note,a thread in the lost souls section has been locked,who do i chat to about why it was closed?