Updated 6/12/12
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Thank you for choosing BladeForums.com. These rules have been compiled based on over a decade of experience, user feedback and inter-forum cooperation. If you have any questions about how rules apply to your situation, please address the moderation staff in the Tech Support Subforum. Please bear in mind that all rules apply site-wide unless stated otherwise.

SECTION 1- Membership Levels Defined:

BladeForums.com is supported by members who have paid subscriptions. These different subscription levels offer various perks and benefits. As such, only certain membership levels may advertise items and services for sale on this site. Below are some general guidelines as to what priviledges each membership has within this area. Put it another way, without the appropriate level of paid subscription, you may not advertise or sell on this site. Period. No excuses.

MANUFACTURERS - Manufacturers & their designated moderators may offer items for sale in their dedicated Hosted Manufacturer Forum. Manufacturers are encouraged to contact us regarding pricing for a Hosted Manufacturer forum.

DEALER / MATERIALS PROVIDER - Dealers are defined as anyone who purchases at wholesale pricing, or purchases items with the intent to resell (flipping). Other terms for dealers include purveyor, broker, reseller, etc. Materials Providers offer raw materials such as steel, handle materials, or other items related to knifemaking in general as typical stock for sale to the forum members or to the general public via their own store front or website.

KNIFEMAKER / CRAFTSMAN / SERVICE PROVIDER (hearafter referred to as "Knifemaker") - Knifemaker's are allowed to sell items that they have personally created or modified in the KnifeMaker For Sale forums, or their own Hosted KnifeMaker Forum. If you are a knifemaker or craftsman and would like your own Hosted KnifeMaker Forum, please contact us.

PLATINUM or GOLD - Platinum or Gold members are allowed to post in any of the Individual For Sale or Trade forums. They may sell items in the For Sale By Individuals

BASIC MEMBERS - Basic members are not allowed to post items for sale. You may post items for Trade in the Wanted To Trade Forums, or post requests for items to purchase in the Wanted To Buy Forums.

REGISTERED USERS - The first level of membership. This one has no perks other than the ability access the Exchange to purchase items or trade. Registered useds are NOT allowed to post items for sale,
If you have not purchased a paid subscription, you are by default a Registered User. As such, you are not allowed to sell items on the forums. You may post items for Trade in the Wanted To Trade Forums, or post requests for items to purchase in the Wanted To Buy Forums.

*The only members who may promote or display their personally built knives, their products, or services in the discussion threads, signature, home page listing or their user profile are "Manufacturers", "Dealers", and "Knifemaker/Craftsman/Service Provider".*


SECTION 2 - Rules/Procedures for Selling, Buying, Trading, & Offering Services:
The implementation of common sense is strongly encouraged beyond this point. This applies directly to the persons involved in the transactions.

Sellers/Selling -
  1. Be 100% sure that you want to sell the item, have it in your possession and clearly list the selling price. There is no "testing the waters" or "gauge buyer interest".
  2. Activate/Enable your ability to receive email and private messaging, from members, moderators, and administrators; you must display your correct membership level.
  3. Be honest and provide an accurate & detailed description of the item. Don't forget to mention defects, blemishes, new, used, or other problems. When in doubt, be pessimistic with your descriptions.
  4. Provide as many photos as possible, in the best lighting possible. It's always nice for buyers to see what they are going to get.
  5. Be specific with all details of payment. There is no eBay style auctioning allowed. If you want to entertain trade offers, say so in your sales thread (For Sale Or Trade); it is allowed.
  6. If you have a Gold or higher membership you may list currently active threads in your signature. Please, no giant billboards and no links to eBay.
  7. Consolidate your threads. If you have multiple knives to sell, post them in a single thread. Or you can do different threads on different days. You are only allowed 1 sales thread, per day, per forum. Let's keep it fair for everyone.
  8. You must wait 14 days (2 weeks) to relist an item.


Buyers/Buying -
  1. Be 100% sure that you can financially afford to purchase the item before offering to do so. If you cannot commit 100% to buying the item. Be responsible and use your best judgement.
  2. Ask questions before the deal is agreed upon, make sure you want the item being sold and that the price is affordable to you.
  3. Be prompt with your payment. The seller has the right to determine how they want payment and if they will work with you.
  4. Provide an accurate shipping address. Make sure the seller has that shipping address. Open and clear ommunication via email or Private Messaging is encouraged between the parties involved.
  5. Do not post in a person's thread unless you have an implicit interest in buying the item. Posts like, "Nice knife!", "Why is the price so high/low?", "I wish I had funds" are not allowed. This means absolutely no commentary or feedback in someone's sales thread. Seriously, if you stomp on someone's ad, your account can and will be locked. The only exception to this is in the Custom Knife Exchange areas (if the maker/craftsman requests and welcomes feedback)
  6. Malicious Buyers will be permanently banned from the forums. If you have a problem being honest, upfront, and are unable to honor your word then you do not belong here.
  7. If you must back out of a deal, it is YOUR responsibility to communicate with the other person WHY you are unable to complete the transaction. Make sure this happens BEFORE any money or items have been exchanged. Problems should be attempted to be resolved between the persons involved.


Service Providers -
  1. Be sure that you can offer the service you specify in the time frame agreed upon, for the price you have offered.
  2. Provide as many photos as possible, in the best lighting possible.
  3. List your prices and terms clearly in your threads or website, don't make potential buyers guess.
  4. Keep your customers updated. If you have personal or other that arise unexpectedly, communicate that to your customers and keep them informed within reasonable time frames as to when the work will be completed.
  5. Do not attempt to sell or ship illegal items using Bladeforums as an intermediary.
  6. Choosing to ignore these responsibilities can result in a locked account and suspension of priviledges.
  7. Repeated failure to communicate, deliver on time, or provide acceptable services can result in infractions leading to a locked account.


Traders/Trading -
  1. Be honest and provide an accurate and detailed description of the item. Forgetting to mention defects, blemishes, or other problems is not acceptable. When in doubt, be pessimistic with your descriptions.
  2. Provide as many photos as possible, in the best lighting possible. It's always nice to see what you are about to trade for.
  3. If you choose not to use insurance to save money, any repercussions will fall on you (Shipper). Insurance is there to protect you, use it.
  4. Package and ship your items in such a way that they are safe to handle, will not arrived damaged, and will reach their final destination intact.
  5. Do NOT post cash value equivalents in your trade threads.
  6. Communication is key, honor your word. If you say you will do something, then do it.


Want to Buy Knives or Gear -
  1. Make it clear in your thread the item(s) you want. List the condition of the item you are looking for (New in Box, Used, Refurbished, etc.)
  2. If you have a Gold or higher membership you may list currently active threads in your signature. Please, no giant billboards.
  3. Activate/Enable your ability to receive email and private messaging, from members, moderators, and administrators.
  4. We strongly recommend that both parties quote the agreed upon terms to each other via email, private message, visitor message so both parties understand their obligations.
  5. Communication is key, honor your word. If you say you will do something, then do it.


Dealers/Selling -
  1. You must have a current DEALER membership to sell on this site.
  2. You are allowed to have any other level of membership and take part in discussions, but unless you have a DEALER membership you may not:
  3. Mention or link to your business in any way (not applicable to Knifemakers)
  4. Use private messaging to sell to members
  5. Include your business name in your username
  6. Use your signature or avatar to promote your business.
  7. Take part in any discussions involving your business OUTSIDE the Feedback forum.


SECTION 3 - Rules for Sellers / Traders / Service Providers (hereafter referred to as "Sellers"):
  1. Rules for everyone:
    1. Selling on this site is restricted to the appropriate designated forums.
    2. Do not list items, or offer services that are illegal.
    3. Do not post items for sale or trade if you do not have them in your physical possession.
    4. Do not list items for sale unless you are 100% sure that you want to sell them - no "testing the waters" to gauge buyer interest.
    5. DO NOT SPAM KEYWORDS. Items listed in the ad must actually be for sale in that ad and that ad ONLY. This isn't ebay or craigslist - If you spam keywords trying to increase the visibility of your ad(s), your ad will be deleted and your account will be locked.
    6. No sales for third parties. If your "friend" wants an item sold, they must create their own account and list it themselves.
    7. Thread titles must be accurate and descriptive.
    8. All ads should be placed in ONE appropriate forum. NO CROSS POSTING OF ADS IN MULTIPLE FORUMS.
    9. All items offered for sale must be priced. Items being traded CAN NOT list cash value pricing; if you do so your ad will be locked or deleted.
    10. Sellers must have valid contact information and provide it to the site staff upon request.
    11. Sellers must have their profile set to allow contact from other members, moderators & administrators via email.
    12. Do not get caught with a secondary or shill account. Both accounts will be banned and no refund will be issued.
    13. Please indicate in the original post after the item has been sold or traded. It'd be nice if you locked the thread too.
    14. You are not required to edit out, or leave in place, the original or final selling price. That is your prerogative.
    15. Consolidate your sales listings. Do not list single items in separate threads. This means 1 thread per day, per individual.
      You want to list multiple threads? Do them on separate days. We will not tolerate people spamming threads.
    16. REPOSTING / RELISTING: You must wait two (2) weeks (14 days) to relist items for sale after the first time they have been listed. Don't try to circumvent this, your sale will be deleted, and your account will be locked.

  2. Rules for DEALERS:
    1. If you are a dealer, you MUST have a DEALER membership to sell on this site.
    2. You are allowed to have any other level of membership and take part in discussions, however unless you have a DEALER membership you may not:
      • Mention or link to your business in any way (not applicable to Knifemakers)
      • Use private messaging to sell to members
      • Include your business name in your username
      • Use your signature or avatar to promote your business.
      • Take part in any discussions involving your business OUTSIDE the Feedback forum.

If you break any of these rules, your ad may be locked or removed entirely, without notice. If it's particularly bad, your account may be locked as well.

SECTION 4 - Rules for buyers
First, see section 2.2 above.
  1. Do not post in an ad unless you are interested in the item / service that is being offered.
  2. ABSOLUTELY NO COMMENTARY OR FEEDBACK IN SOMEONE'S THREAD. Seriously, if you stomp on someone's ad, your account can and will be locked.
  3. THREAD NECROMANCY IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED. Do not bump threads that are older than 120 days. Send the seller a message instead.

SECTION 5 - Feedback
  1. All feedback on sales or trades must be kept to the Feedback Forum and / or iTrader.
  2. It is not mandatory to leave feedback.
  3. We will not edit feedback for you unless it's an obvious error (ie negative rating, but overtly positive comments)

SECTION 6 - Miscellaneous
  1. If any rules seem contradictory, the more stringent rules apply.
  2. WHEN IN DOUBT, ask the moderation staff.
  3. These forums operate on honesty and integrity. As such, we have a dim view of people who act dishonestly. Your actions in the community have consequences. Even if they happen elsewhere.


WHAT IS MY KNIFE / GADGET / SPATULA / TUNING FORK WORTH ?!?!?!?!
In order to curtail potential abuse of membership privileges associated with the forums, questions regarding valuation of knives and collections are limited to those with a membership level which permits selling on this site. Accordingly, registered and basic members may not start or post in threads with such requests whether with the intent to sell or for informational purposes only. This rule applies throughout the site.

Fakes/Homages:
As fakes and homage items are a legal gray area and obviously hurt the hobby, no fake or homage items may be sold on the Exchange. Members may not knowingly sell unlicensed knockoffs or counterfeit versions of knives (or any other goods) based upon the designs of their legitimate owner, manufacturer or custom maker. Additionally, members may not sell any knife or item known or suspected to be other than as described in terms of its lineage and authenticity.

Solicitation:
 Asking a member to click on a link, subscribe to a channel or website, provide feedback, donate money or goods, or “Like” a page on Facebook is considered solicitation. Our members should not be subjected to this type of spam especially under the guise that they may win something. Spark (Site Admin.) does occasionally authorize solicitations for carefully selected causes. Persons seeking such an exemption MUST apply to Spark and MUST wait to receive that authorization before making any such posts.

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THESE RULES TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.