***Closing the Classifieds Section***

[jam35]

could you not add a feedback percentage rate like they have on fleabay to everyones avatar that way people could see what sort of seller they are????

 

[sacodetoro]

post count stops people signing up to just sell and it prevents people who have been previously banned as they are normally spotted before they get up to the 50 again.

I've been a member 2 years and have 340 odd posts yet I'm on all the time. I just know how to use the Search button and don't post shit.

Increasing the post count won't stop a proper scammer, a proper scammer has dozens of fine transactions etc and then within a week sells loads of expensive items all at once and then doesn't deliver and they do the disappearing act.

People could be fine for a year and they get put under financial trouble and see an easy way out, scamming.

TGTT storing data is a very bad idea.

Scans of driving licences etc mean fuck all, photoshop is easy to use.

 

[Corty]

just my 2p but ive been a member since aug 07
i thought it was longer than this as i was on the old site too
as of yet i have only just met my 50 posts to allow me to sell
as i read more than post up stupid comment and crap .

obviously in my view 250 is a fair amount of posts to achieve and at my rate there probably wont be any starlets on the road by the time i get there,

Is it not pos. to meet a middle ground ? or have something to do with time served on the site , or even a confirmed address type thing like paypal does?

at least with confirmed address in place you can claim from bad sellers through small claims court or ........ you know there address and find your own way of getting your goods/services?

just my thoughts - and yipee - 52 posts now!

 

[www.glanza.co.uk]

For all of you saying about storing Data (addresses, driving licences etc), the simple answer is WE CAN'T. The Data Protection Act 1998 will not allow us to keep this information, as it is not relevant to our purpose.

There will be no 'sure-fix' for this problem, as whatever we come up with, someone will manage to get around. What we need to do is try and come up with a fair solution, that doesn't inconvenience members like Corty, but safeguards against scammers. In essence, we just need to make it harder for them to come on here, post some meaningless rubbish, sell a few cheap bits to get some rep, and then disappear with members money. How we do that effectively though, is another thing... There have been some good ideas on here, but I don't think anyone has hit the nail on the head yet.

 

[Hazzagray]

Is there no way to verisign things?

for example, in compliance with DPA have a system to verify whether a credit card is registered at that address, same applies for a debit card? used by mods of course.

does that make sense at all?

I dont have the post count and dont want to post meaningless things!

 

[Guye]

At the end off the day I personally believe there is simply no way to have an absolutely safe purchasing environment in a website classifieds section. The best defense is probably for you to do all you reasonably can to properly check out the background details of the stranger you are about to send your hard earned money to. Even doing that is not foolproof. Sadly it's "let the buyer beware" at the end of the day.

 

[gv1.3]

I have some VERY serious concerns about where the classifieds section on this site is going. We have to face reality and that is the bigger the site gets the bigger the opportunity there is for scammers to take peoples money.

As I see it we have two options. We remove the classifieds section totally which is not a route I want to go or we make some additional changes.

Personally I would like to see an adjustment to the rules which MUST be read and accepted before anyone can even view the classifieds section.

For those selling I think the minimum time for being a member should be upped significantly and the post count required. We are looking at sales feedback solutions but lets face it there is always a risk when buying online and even people that have had good feedback can rip people off.

I had heard about a thread on another forum questioning our rules on selling and I think it is pathetic. We can only do so much to attempt to protect our members and we really try to. For every single classified thread a member of the team has to go in read it and approve or reject it. If people think our simple rules are too hard to follow then they can go elsewhere to sell their items or go moan on the Internet. The platform to sell items on TGTT is put here for our communities benefit. If someone wants to register just to sell something then they are not part of our community end of story.

We need to make a decision either the classifieds section goes or we tighten the rules and accept that there will always be some scammers who get through the net.


EDIT: Also regarding suggestions that we hold peoples personal information etc, there is no way that is going to happen. This site is not responsible for sales with either members or traders it merely offers a communication method for those who wish to buy and sell. We will not be holding information, becoming involved in legal issues or anything of a similar nature.

 

[Lidders]

I have some VERY serious concerns about where the classifieds section on this site is going. We have to face reality and that is the bigger the site gets the bigger the opportunity there is for scammers to take peoples money.

As I see it we have two options. We remove the classifieds section totally which is not a route I want to go or we make some additional changes.

Personally I would like to see an adjustment to the rules which MUST be read and accepted before anyone can even view the classifieds section.

For those selling I think the minimum time for being a member should be upped significantly and the post count required. We are looking at sales feedback solutions but lets face it there is always a risk when buying online and even people that have had good feedback can rip people off.

I had heard about a thread on another forum questioning our rules on selling and I think it is pathetic. We can only do so much to attempt to protect our members and we really try to. For every single classified thread a member of the team has to go in read it and approve or reject it. If people think our simple rules are too hard to follow then they can go elsewhere to sell their items or go moan on the Internet. The platform to sell items on TGTT is put here for our communities benefit. If someone wants to register just to sell something then they are not part of our community end of story.

We need to make a decision either the classifieds section goes or we tighten the rules and accept that there will always be some scammers who get through the net.


EDIT: Also regarding suggestions that we hold peoples personal information etc, there is no way that is going to happen. This site is not responsible for sales with either members or traders it merely offers a communication method for those who wish to buy and sell. We will not be holding information, becoming involved in legal issues or anything of a similar nature.

I think that what you are saying is 100% correct, i personally think closing it is a really bad idea.

so i choose the second option which i think is alot better by going on how long they have been a member and by there posts.

hopefully we can come to some sort of arrangment as i bet all this comotion is putting people off from becoming a member. also think that you should have to be a full paid member to post in the classified parts for sale section (think you dont have to now not 100% sure on this)

Thanks john

 

[jam35]

For all of you saying about storing Data (addresses, driving licences etc), the simple answer is WE CAN'T. The Data Protection Act 1998 will not allow us to keep this information, as it is not relevant to our purpose.

There will be no 'sure-fix' for this problem, as whatever we come up with, someone will manage to get around. What we need to do is try and come up with a fair solution, that doesn't inconvenience members like Corty, but safeguards against scammers. In essence, we just need to make it harder for them to come on here, post some meaningless rubbish, sell a few cheap bits to get some rep, and then disappear with members money. How we do that effectively though, is another thing... There have been some good ideas on here, but I don't think anyone has hit the nail on the head yet.

why not just make the classifieds section available to paid members not just to sell but to view aswell.coupled with a minimum post count and how long they have been a member.A couple of other forums im on do the same, as it seems to put off the scammers(not completly) but it will act as a deterrant.i currently am not driving an ep so have no need to purchase parts but when im back to driving one i will undoubtidly be on the lookout for parts and would have no problem with paying a membership fee to have the privilage of using the classified section.after all its only £10.

 

[Rob fulham4eva]

the 1 thing that is definate is that changes need to be made, ive read through most of the posts and do agree with most of them. 1 idea i reckon would help is you must of been a memeber for at least a year, and a higher post count 200 would be about right and also be a paid member to post on any forsale/wanted thread whether buyer or seller.

now ive sold a good 20 items on this site and only recently has 1 of the guys left rep and entered on my feedback, but always had a good transaction on both sides, with this i feel that not enough effort is being put in on the feedback thread from buyers, but i still feel even with that changes still need 2 be made, im sure the mods will make the right decisions regarding the forsale/wanted threads

 

[GT-TD04]

On DTD you cant post unless your elite,alot of moaning goes on but i dont think ive actually seen a bad feedback thread,although im sure theres one or two i missed in the 4 years im a member.
And Elite is only a user group that defines people that are known to members on the site,it wouldnt work as well here as this is really an international site so maybe the post counts will be a good idea,buuuut block the posts counts from going up in certain sections,as in posts only count in tech areas and not chill out.

 

[Texx]

It seems the majority are in favour of upping the minimum post count and period of membership before a classified thread is allowed, but what is the general opinion of also limiting classified threads to paid members only?

There are a significant amount of classified threads opened by members that choose not to pay a subscription, it's also not necessarily a given that some of those members will now decide to pay just so they can advertise in the classifieds. This may have an impact on the amount of items that come up for sale?

Do members feel this is a sacrifice worth making?

 

[joel_ep91]

why dont you assign a few new mod just for the classifieds and there role will be to check the sales background of the person looking sell the item, if it is there first time selling ask some weel know member from there area if theyare trust worthy or get the seller to get a well known member to recommend them or something along them lines.

its just an idea

 

[Sharkman645]

Is becoming a paid member really going to stop a scammer? to them it would be like pay 10 quid to make a 1000 quid. The sums of money recently have not been small amounts, personally I wouldnt send more than a couple of hundred via paypal unless it was going to a trader.

I could list things like higher post count etc to stop this happening but it already been mentioned over and over in this thread; something needs to change to protect ourselves from this minority who is set on ripping us of and destroying the trust among the genuine members and enthusiasts. It’s not down to the mods alone to come up with this solution its up to us as a community.

I think scammers will try and get through no matter what is done to prevent it so we need to be prepared. It is unfortunate that this thread exists, like the majority of people on here I have purchased and sold things without a problem.

 

[HYBRID]

In all honesty there is a small problem that members are overlooking slightly, remember its YOUR feedback that can help others to know if or where there is a problem, sure we try to identify & solve as many situations as possible, but if u have a sale gone wrong, or spot something which is not right, click on the report button & it will raise our alarm, thus allowing us to be able to help out more. The more eyes & ears we have the better to help prevent a situation.

Increasing the post count, & tightening the rules will help alot, however thiking of more recent cases which have happened its more of a concern that 2 long time members have actually scammed others, so the tighter requirements would have not been able to protect members.. which comes back to my earlier point, if you hear or see a problem please help us by making us aware, we have alot to moderate on the site & having an extra 1000 eyes & ears will help alot!

just my 2p
kon

 

[Captain Starlet]

Like said becoming a paid member will not stop scammers. It is a little sum of money to make a big profit.

Also recently and in the past it has been known members with 350+ posts scamming members.

The idea i read which liked would be 100+ posts though change that it is technical posts that receive the count. Also seperate sales rep.

though granted this will not eliminate the problem as there will be scammers waiting to go to work just now with these given posts however it may deter some.

I think something has to be done quick. This thread was started last year and we are still here discussing it.

 

[malcolmgt]

Firstly and foremost i would like to say how amazing a job the Mods do as it is. keeping control of things as they do is brilliant especially since its out of their own time. they dont have to do anything but they choose to.

i do see positives in raising post counts and rep but as people say rep isnt always added by others when it should be.

Im one of those people who has been around for a good while now and i dont know lots of stuff and as such i have a low post count but im sure many can vouch for me being genuine.

i dont think i would ever sell stuff on here just at the thought of it going wrong and people not being happy and spreading bad things about me, i love the site way too much

 

[gglavin]

no point closing we just need to make adjustments & see how it goes, your going to get scumbags that just want to steal & thats goes for everywhere,

 

[fraser dalgarno]

What if you dont have the post count (like me as i dont post often as i tend to do more reading then posting, but am genuine and have sold people parts before today with no hassle etc) but I have the time period? Or does that not matter?

im the same,iv sold some un needed parts,even given them away and iv never had negative feedback,and iv also bought items and never had any problems

perhaps there could be a section of feedback for every paid member who uses this classified section so every1 can see if they hav a good rep for selling or what before they buy(kinda like ebay)ALSO MAKE IT COMPULSARY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK

just an option

 

[mossie477]

i'd imagine a lot of us on here use ebay. possibly only allow for sale threads that are linked to ebay threads from sellers who have verified paypal accounts.. it'd be a pain in the arse for some but its not to hard to set up....