Just so you all know, we're not just ignoring the recent 'incidents' on here. Discussions are going on in the background, and all your opinions are welcome and gratefully received. Keep them coming, as it's good to get your thoughts.
The idea of increased post count/paid member etc i think is great.
However I have noticed in the past that a few people sign up, leave replies in the wanted section along with say a mobile number for them to contact, to a newbie they might not realise but alot of times this is another method of scaming that people use to get around the rules of selling.
It may be useful to have similar rules for replies to wanted threads aswell as forsale threads.
means new people cant just sign up, go to the wanted section and say iv got this that and the next thing and get away with ripping people off.
I have seen it happen and reported it a few times in the past.
Craig
I think..
Raise the minumum number of posts.
Have to be a paid member to advertise parts for sale.
Follow the correct sales template.
Ban anyone that does not follow suit.
Could maybe do an automatic PM to new users stating the terms and conditions/rules of the site and its specific areas, Cars for sale, Parts for sale etc so no one can say "I didnt know the rules"
Definatly dont think it should be closed.
Matt D
take the 10 most requested Ideas & implement the first one ( paid memebers only ) see if that works if not then try second one ( raised post count ) then so on.............
Epic call there bud! Ive seen alot of that. Rep'd
X2. I use reviews and feedback on sites like Amazon for example, all the time before purchasing a product or using a certain seller. The only drawback I can see to this is unless the member is a "serial scammer" like JD, Kitaro, Toby etc. the negative feedback may come too late. Even with those guys mentioned, there would have been a time when they would have gotten excellent feedback from the first lucky customers, then that same good feedback would then draw others in for the kill later. It seems that most times it's a one time transaction where the culprit will then disappear afterwards. Negative feedback won't trouble someone who already has his ill gotten gains and have no intentions of returning to the site. I personal believe that classified transactions will be impossibly difficult to police tbh. That's why I personally use only long standing reputable members, even if it means waiting a while for them to get the items I need, at the end of the day I know I will get it. To help protect against or deter the "hit and run" scammers, most of the ideas giving so far about being paid members, post counts, rep totals etc. are already heading in the right direction.I feel like I'm repeating myself, so I do apologise, but I believe the sales feedback forum is paramount to improving the classifieds experience.
IMO there is no better way in determining a seller or buyers previous reputation than reading comments left by members that have dealt with them before. Some members may feel it's a bit of a task for them to read through another members feedback thread, but personally I would rather do that and make myself aware of the pro's and con's of dealing with a member than just throwing a sum of money in their direction hoping I'll receive what I've paid for.
However saying that, I do think it may be beneficial to introduce a reporting system that enables members to report bad sellers to the Admin for further investigation, although any further investigation will be limited to the information provided from the sales feedback thread. So again the sales feedback forum is paramount in achieving a more efficient system.
Members usernames could be added to the 'Untrusted Sellers' list, but to do this the Admin will need to be provided with enough information to justify such an action. There are always two sides to every story and sometimes only having one side of it is not enough to make a reasonable decision.
I cannot urge how important leaving negative as well as positive feedback is, so if you have a negative comment to make about a seller/buyer then please do so, only ensure it's done in a polite and justified manner. Just remember it's a feedback section not a slagging match section.