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View Poll Results: Would you like to see a protected trade section?
No - I want it free always 11 11.70%
Yes - £5 one off fee would be fine 27 28.72%
Yes - Let me pay £5 a year to keep it safe 52 55.32%
Yes - but I don't want to pay owt 8 8.51%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 01-04-2013
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Default TRADE SECTION PROTECTION

A fraudster who operates on a range of forums occasionally comes for a tickle for a few days on here. He's sacked off the 'FOR SALE' section since his ads are so retarded that it's obviously a scam - now he simply PM's people to offer them stuff so it's out of the moderators eyes.
I got a PM today asking about the chap and I banned him instantly - tomthedon. A clear scammer.


Right - so there are obviously manymany MANY trusted people on here, people who've been on a long time or well known etc. But also new guys to the sport who are genuine and shouldn't be treated like second class citizens.

I propose a fee - either anual or one-off to essentially use the trade section - it would give you a badge of trust in some way (yet to be decided) so even when someone PM's to offer something out of the eyes of anyone else, if they don't have that badge in their profile, ignore them.

What do people think, what's fair? I don't want to go thru thousands of users by hand but I could somewhat automate the process I think.

I'm not looking to take the mickey - I don't want your money - but discouraging fraudsters is the only aim. It's been pointed out that Ebay fees are INSANE and here it's free and works well since everyone is generally honest. The real users of the website ARE indeed honest. It's outsiders that do this on various websites that are the problem.

I don't want to create a 2-tier system where people feel excluded from a part of a FREE forum like rcracechat became back in the day. This isn't about that - I hate to see people getting scammed, so feel free to put in your opinion. If you wouldn't like it, TELL ME, and also why.
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Old 01-04-2013
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How about rewarding your most loyal servants. For instance you get a free gold pass if you have more than 1000 posts and been a member since, say 2005
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  #3  
Old 01-04-2013
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True this - good point mate. Over 1000 posts shows you're not going anywhere in a hurry and likely to be well known.
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Old 01-04-2013
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LOL at DAZ 10 posts over the 1000

No I agree I will only buy from regular contributors and wont sell to just anybody either. You have to be sensible. I think the trader forum could do with a makeover in some way maybe as said a STAR value for ease of trusting somebody. A charge of some kind is also a good way from one off chances.
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  #5  
Old 01-04-2013
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It helps if people will reply to your trader feedback when you have made a sale, even if it's to say you where a good buyer too as sometimes this swings both ways.

It would be hard to work out who is worth a 'star' or something similar. There are users on here who may not have posted over 1000 items, or been into racing since 2005 etc (no dig just using as a reference) but may have only started racing in the last year, or simply do not use the forums as much as they may not have alot of contact with a PC etc.

It is something to think about though as your right about scammers. Perhaps a small fee would not be objectable, but I would then say what would happen with the money ? This again isn't a dig, but a previously mentioned site ended up with some rather nasty arguments about where money went..and then didn't. It was run more as a business than for the sport (like oOple is for the sport). I guess as long as that is seen (perhaps the money is used to upgrade servers etc etc for the site) I doubt many would argue with it. Making the fee small to would also help. Enough to push away scammers, but not so much people worry about cost (perhaps £5-£10 for a year).

If possible to perhaps under the users avatar there could be a trade feedback score, similar to Ebay in that it shows your positive feedback perhaps too which would be your indicator that you are safe to trade with etc.

Lets wait for others to reply, get some different views, then move forward from there
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Old 01-04-2013
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Maybe a little off topic but a sugestion would be to include the first part of there post code.will also allow people to see whos close so can collect
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  #7  
Old 01-04-2013
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Stunning news as it is to some - the oOple race series and invernational have always been non-profit and seperate from me (oOple) in that way totally. I've had my costs reimbursed for trophies and stickers and such like as have all the other guys on the team that have put their own money into stuff. The sponsors we've managed to get sorted for the oOple series again are to help with the costs and to make a better event and totally seperate from me and oOple - it's a charitable / club account controlled by someone else.

For me, the best way to at least try protect people is to make them a part of it. The PM offers are the biggest problem now - the only way to keep that safe is to make people be a part of it by joining.

People see adverts on here and join to buy something - I can see it being really off putting to find out you need to suddenly pay money to join in on the action.

It's been suggested I 'charge' a nominal fee for adverts - this isn't protecting people, it's only about earning money. Nothing wrong with earning money - I am self employed and freelance and oOple is all I have - but I don't really like that route.

This is free - it's just how you want to be protected. The forsale section probably sees thousands of pounds change hands every week - I feel personally responsible if someone is scammed.

Can even keep it all open and just let people choose to become 'trusted' members - photo id and addressed utility bill photocopy with a fiver in an envelope along with your full name, dob and phone number etc. Stick it in a drawer and forget about it unless someone is scammed - which probably wouldn't happen from someone who goes to those lengths to prove their honesty.
Again - for those longtime or many-post members - it could just be automatic that they gain their wings of trust. Or something like that.

I hated the them and us on racechat - we all moved to Doughtyuk.net - I set up the forum on here only because Doughty was sponsored and I wanted a place to talk about non-losi stuff.
I don't want to profit from it - but the idea of a trusted member makes me feel warm inside. as for money - I can buy some stuff and give it away in competitions if you like. Might get miself a maccyD's from it tho also.
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  #8  
Old 01-04-2013
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Not trying to have debate about Daz's comment, but just coz you have posted over 1000 times is insignificant. Look at Captain Lip, he's not on here now (as far as I know) and he was posting multiple times per day, and look at the trouble he caused. Was entertaining to read though.

I don't believe that just because you don't post alot, or you joining time is recent, you should be penalised. I used oople as my refrence for 10th racing when I was looking to change to 8th in '09, yet only felt the need to join the forum in '11 and I rarely feel the need to post.
Im not trying to put any noses out of joint here but for half the posts I read, they are either nonsense, inaccurate or personel jokes that everyone else on the forum is not involved with. Freedom of speech is not something I want to see regulated, it is after all what makes this forum what it is.
The point im trying to make is quantity is not always quality.

I don't often buy or sell, but what I do sell is in excellent condition and I usually buy parts for the cars I have sold, so the car is in perfect working order for the seller which is something I probably didn't have to do but I would hate it if someone described the item as excellent working order and it simply isn't.

I totally support the idea for a small fee for traders.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jo90 View Post
It helps if people will reply to your trader feedback when you have made a sale, even if it's to say you where a good buyer too as sometimes this swings both ways.
Fully agree, sold my 210 for a good price, the buyer was happy but told me he was not leaving me feedback and did not leave a reason. Thank you 33sport.

Very long winded but I think I covered my point.
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  #9  
Old 01-04-2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy View Post


I propose a fee - either annual or one-off to essentially use the trade section - it would give you a badge of trust in some way (yet to be decided) so even when someone PM's to offer something out of the eyes of anyone else, if they don't have that badge in their profile, ignore them.
Just a thought,

You could do the 'badge of trust' now for those with say 10 trades or in the Trade forum and also with a good feedback poll

When and if the 'badge of trust' is implemented replace the badge with the a new one to show they have paid the fee.

I voted, Yes - Let me pay £5 a year to keep it safe
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  #10  
Old 01-04-2013
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Why not just make it a rule that paypal gift is not allowed full stop. Paypal allready protect the buyer, also recorded signed for postage. Always gonna be scammers around, but trade section will die off with a £5 fee required, only a minority will pay it imo. Try it out and see, you could allways refund it if it doesnt work.
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  #11  
Old 01-04-2013
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What about it being optional though? Yeah I don't want to pay but then again if I want to sell some RC stuff it will go on here in seconds - it will go on ebay in a week and you'll pay for it!
Optional means you've at least been checked out and stand out. Feel free to sell on ebay - it's crap.


paypal gift is fine between friends - I don't like people asking for it though.
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  #12  
Old 01-04-2013
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I don't see the fee putting them off,how about the first 20 items have to pay into an oople account,once the item is recieved then you send the funds,that would put them off
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  #13  
Old 01-04-2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reg View Post
I don't see the fee putting them off,how about the first 20 items have to pay into an oople account,once the item is recieved then you send the funds,that would put them off
This is a great idea but i think it tasks jimmy with too much to deal with. The other issue I see is the people who have earned trust will still need to pay the fee. I dont think I fully understand the process you have in mind though.

Pay fee along with proof of address and id? Dont get me wrong, ive sold stuff on here and ebay and would easily pay a fiver. I just think a lot wont.

If I were you Jimmy I think i would remove this thread and just announce that its coming into effect in x weeks. You might get a better idea of who, if any wont be happy
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  #14  
Old 01-04-2013
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I think the feedback system as it is isn't good enough as I have sold 4 items on here and bought 1 but I havnt received any feedback, that I can see?????
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  #15  
Old 01-04-2013
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I've only read through part of the topic, but in general the first step is indeed for buyers to watch out themselves and keep themselves up to date on 'the trends of scamming.'

However, I can understand it's still an unwanted phenomenon on your forum. You want a safe, free trading environment, and you don't want the 'spam' feel that these scams and crazy offers often feel like (at least to me).

--------------------------------------

Could you perhaps make a system where members below say 100 posts (and have been member for less than a month) pay a small fee to enable entrance to the trade section? (i.e 5GBP fee per year+1GBP per topic as long as you stay under this amount of posts).

This rule will enable new members access to the trading section if they really need/want to sell something, but at a charge to prevent scammers (with fresh/new accounts) from getting in.

People who make a 100 posts or more and use the account for more than a month usually are people who have more business on the forums than just selling stuff, and are people who have interest in a good reputation.

In addition to this you could perhaps make more easy referral to the trader feedback (when you click a member's name, in the dropdown menu a button saying 'see trader feedback' - meaning EVERY member will have 1 trader feedback topic accessed in the click of a button), and if someone has a perfect or a very bad trading reputation, mark it on their profile?

Also as a last thing, for long time/term members who have gotten bad feedback (and it's backed up that it was a scam or bad sale), you could charge them for next sales before banning them from the trading section altogether if they scam again?

I know these are all pretty serious ideas and it is a pretty serious/heavy subject, but I'm just throwing some ideas out there
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  #16  
Old 01-04-2013
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I think the whole 'PayPal gift' thing is due to PayPal (or should I say Ebay it's owner) ramping up charges. To be honest Ebay is disgusting now compaired to when it first started. YHou get charged about 5% for a sale, + the insert fees then add VAT too. I sold a car recently for £220, I got only £190 out of it after ebay/Paypal took it's money. Thats a ridiculous fee if you ask me when eBay stood for general people trading when it started. But, as with all things, got big, cornered things, took over, decided what people would pay and ended up just a shop front.
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  #17  
Old 01-04-2013
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Find myself agreeing with Daz on this one...................
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Old 01-04-2013
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I think the whole point is the £5 is not REQUIRED, it is however an option to prove you are genuine. If people choose to trade with un verified vendors, then that is their own gamble and at their own risk.
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Old 01-04-2013
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Although £5 is a small amount, you will only get those that sell through oOple on a more regular basis and probably loose those that only have the occasional or small items to sell.

Taking a small percentage of sales doesn't help either as in the case of a spammer, he's already walked away with your money. Stopping paypal gift is a good solution as it gives you some cover and sellers only need to add the extra onto the sale price beforehand if they so wish.

Another forum not related to RC but of similar size that I'm on, used to not allow anyone to sell until they had been on for 30 days and had posted at least 25 times with some worthwhile content. This does involve a bit of policing though as they can post 25 times saying hello, so their posts would need checking before allowing them to sell.

Also on the subject of the other forum I mentioned they would run the "For Sale" section much the same as this one and it was very buoyant with hundreds of sales each week from big items, to items costing pennies. They decided to move on and use one of the marketplace sale sections which took a percentage. Over a short period of time it had lost the small sale items and became a more trade section or for regular sellers and basically lost all its appeal as somewhere to sell/buy those bargains.
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