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.
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.
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?