Thoughts on Swap Shop Change

[JimClark]

Charge a fee to use the B$S forum
Have to be approved by a mod to use the B&S forum

[tth]

Charge a fee to use the B$S forum
Have to be approved by a mod to use the B&S forum

I still don't see how that could affect the scamming between buyer and seller?

[JimClark]

If they had to submit positive feedback for evaluation to the mods.

Jim

I still don't see how that could affect the scamming between buyer and seller?

[line6]

Instead of deleting the sold ones . maybe they can be moved to a sold forum. that would clear up space plus they would still be there if any problems arise

JAson

[JimClark]

Allow the poster of the thread to close it.

jim

[tth]

If they had to submit positive feedback for evaluation to the mods.

Jim

I would agree with the Positive Feedback idea. Only thing about charging a fee is that most of the items sold are at a substantial loss to begin with. Add that to shipping charges with paypal fees and the seller may as well be paying the buyer. I just don't see how charging a fee to use the Swap Shop would be benificial? I do on the other hand wish there was a Buyer/Seller Info Subforum or Positive/Negative Feedback format within the forum somewhere.

[sailr]

That makes sense. Also good suggestion to have date in the photos! It could be as simple as a piece of paper next to the item with the date written on it. Pretty hard to fudge that. If it's just a 'date marker' on the photo it is suspect. Anybody can do that in paintshop, photoshop, etc.

The reason not deleting a post is if there is a poblem with the transaction after reciept of the item.


So its agreed that the number of posts will not stop problems.

I like the idea of immediately deleting a post without a picture.
That will be implemented.
I also like the idea of a picture with the post and a date on the picture.

Keep the ideas coming.

[Diegoboy]

if a buyer1 posts "I'll take it if..." (ex: if it will handle x?)
then buyer2 posts "If buyer1 doesn't get it, i'll take it"
there should be some standard before the seller opts for buyer2. Be it a set time frame, Be it buyer1's next log-in, something...

[skellyo]

if a buyer1 posts "I'll take it if..." (ex: if it will handle x?)
then buyer2 posts "If buyer1 doesn't get it, i'll take it"
there should be some standard before the seller opts for buyer2. Be it a set time frame, Be it buyer1's next log-in, something...

I've had to weigh this kind of thing many times when selling something on other forums. It's a real pain in the rear. I feel that if I give someone my Paypal address after they state the want the item, they should either be able to pay within a short time from the next time they log onto the forum or they should be able to PM me and let me know if there will be a delay with the payment. It's very tough to wait on someone dragging their feet with payment when you have someone else ready to pay immediately.

[JimClark]

Well on th picture front if Steve can set the forum up so it preserves the EXIF Data that data will show when the image was taken and when it was modified.
there are plugins for browsers that will allow you to view the EXIF Data by right clicking on an image
Jim

[chummer]

100%

I used to get kinda bent about a item selling with no one posting about it on the thread. but you have to realize this might not be the only place the item is for sale at. and this is not eBay the seller doesn't have to sell it to you or me if he don't want to. you as a buyer are not "owed" anything. we have all lost out on good deals and it does stink. but im sure most of us have got a few also.

Jason

This makes sense! More people should be made aware of this.

I have seen this countless times in the swap shop. "I was the first one to say I would take it" . I have seen members post items for sale on many different forums so if it sold elsewhere (forums, friend) or if he just decided to keep it then it's up to him.

I also don't agree that everything should be posted, I think PM's should still be allowed provided I post "PM sent". Why? Simple! It's none of your business! If I think the seller can inform me if the item is good or not for my applications then why drag it out in usless postings. Not always necessary, but it should be allowed.

[Jesse J]

Great idea on this thread! I have a few things to say as I am sure doesn't surprise many of you guys. When I first started out, I hit a few bumps and knocked heads with a few whom I now consider buds. All in all this is a top notch forum with lots of great people. I have read through these posts and have comments on the main topics and have made suggestions on each.

1) Ratings: I have been burnt on two dealings out of probably hundreds here at OFE. One had 76 or more posts, if I remember correctly, and the other over 500 and had been with the forum for as long as I have. I don’t think the number of posts nor join date have any direct relationship with a person's honesty in dealings.
a. Suggestion: (I may be dreaming here) add to the personal page of each member a summary of seller ratings from other forums that is a live feed from the other forums; this link would be provided by the individual, but come direct from the forums (kinda like sending academic transcripts from your school to a third interested party – you have no control over it, just that it goes to the third party, i.e. OFE).
b. Suggestion: I second the positive/negative feedback option (like RC tech and others). This would allow sellers to rate the buyer as well and make buyer feel better that sale will be smooth.
c. Suggestion: require more details on personal page, name first/last, city etc. that maximize traceability yet don’t infringe on privacy. I am leery of short bios on the personal page. Maybe even a phone number or something that if you are feeling burnt, the moderators could disclose to buyer in extreme cases.

2) Sold threads: I really like to be able to go back to an old thread, so 100% disagree with deleting the entire thread. It is nice to be able to see how much things are going for or refer back to a prior sale.
a. Suggestion: Why not add an icon to the thread title? It is frustrating opening threads only to see that the item is sold, especially when not updated in OP, which to me is sloppy and inconsiderate dealing.

3) PMs: I have come back to using pms from thinking all should be in the thread. I know I would have probably not sold many items as quickly if I did not use PMs. I am also very diligent to observe times on this and other forums when selling across multiple forums. I use them to inquire about the item when I am unsure and don’t want to start a frenzy of posts that lead to a quick sale.
a. Suggestion: no change; don’t require all trading to be on the post but suggest strongly that when a pm is sent to write as a bare minimum “pm sent”. This acts as a time marker but does not imply pending sale.

4) Discussions in sale threads: Don’t see why it’s a big deal. Sometimes discussions end up being productive, even if it doesn’t directly help the seller get the item sold – I don’t mind it in my threads as long as it is polite and constructive and remains pretty much related. Besides it keeps my thread at the top = free bumps!
a. Suggestion: no change

5) Avoiding burns: Make Paypal work for you. They earn off each transaction, so I consider them my employee in a way. My first burn, I waited too long and account was gone before I got to the claim status. Granted, in the OP there were dire circumstances involving sick children and even death of the seller (go figure). In the other case, I am still believing the seller was honest, but ended up being quite sloppy about his dealing here (that case Paypal got my cash back to me) and I do still feel bad for the guy.
a. Suggestion: require seller to state in OP when and how the item will be shipped, e.g., I will ship tomorrow via USPS priority – that way you know to expect it in a few days and not more than a week.
b. Suggestion: file a Payal claim if item does not arrive when seller has stated. This would require seller to state shipping method and date.
c. Suggestion: Buyers be leery of sob stories and pleas of sympathy. Red flag terms should be, my kid is sick, I am going through a divorce, and anything related to “I may not get these out right away” without any reasonable timeframe stated. I don’t see why anyone should put something for sale and accept money if they are not willing and able to get the box out the door next day or so.
d. Suggestion: New to the forum buyers, do a little reading up on the seller in past sales (do a search in the trade forum for threads started by that seller). Actually, this might be an attainable request for each person's personal page: add a link to each sale thread started so people could quickly access their "track record" this will also reveal the comments made by the buyers.