A new knife trade system?

[rwdata]

I have read many posts concerning bad trades and I have to admit to being too cautious now to even consider it anymore. Rarely does the fraudulent party make good on their trade, even after being outed by the vigilant members of this forum. Even rarer is the party being ripped off able to recover any restitution.

I am of the firm belief that there really is only one way to remedy these fraudulent activities. I propose that all members involved in trades should be gold members. If someone needs to be a gold member to sell on the forum, then the same should apply to all trades. That would give a little more credibility to each member involved in the trade. But the main thing that needs to happen is to have all trades sent to a intermediary who would confirm the contents and condition as stated in the original trade conditions. This intermediary could verify all conditions are met according to the trade guidelines set by both parties and then would communicate his results to each concerned party and would then proceed to forward the packages to the members of the trade once given the okay.

Of course this means an increase in shipping costs and time of trade, but the peace of mind would certainly be worth it. The forum would benefit with an increase in membership dues collected and a possible increase in membership as trade interest would be increased.

I have found the moderators do everything in their limited powers to help in these fraudulent activities, but their hands are really tied and there is a limit to what they can do. I am sure that someone can enhance this idea so that we all can rest easier where trades are concerned.

It's just an idea mind you. One that could be limited to all newer members involved in trades until they have a solid trade history.

 

[AddictedToGear]

The trade history and seller ratings are the best to go off of. If none is present then having the newer party with no feedback shipping first is always the best idea. I remember my first trade was for a Ps3 of mine for knives and two people did not want to risk high dollar items due to me not having feedback. One guy took the leap and ended up very happy as I was not a fraud.

 

[treeshaker]

The added job of, as you say intermediary would likely never work, but you are 100% correct on the trade area. Most trade post are actually "for Sale" post hidden by non payers. They give you an email once you reply and you are now buying without protection. Also as paying members , we spent $$ , $$ that only helps if your task here is to sell, buyers who pay rec. zero benefits, in any exchange area. This is huge if you are a collector. Trying to type "i will take it", while many Golds, are dealers, but that, I feel is accepted. Otherwise how many "catch & releases" can one Gold have a month ? Is 20-40 acceptable ? Notice the reply's within the thread, not using the PM system, which Golds have. This allows for more time to Google the item, stalling the seller. It is also bad to purchase or sell with a Paypal Gift. First you lie, and secondly you have no protection from Paypal.
Only two places on the net exist, that I am aware of, that this is not common. This site is by far still the best, if your skill and luck happen to meet. But fair, certainly not.
Was spelling ok ?

 

[evanPGH]

The trade history and seller ratings are the best to go off of. If none is present then having the newer party with no feedback shipping first is always the best idea. I remember my first trade was for a Ps3 of mine for knives and two people did not want to risk high dollar items due to me not having feedback. One guy took the leap and ended up very happy as I was not a fraud.

This is the way I've always done it as well. Party with less feedback ships first no matter what.

 

[rycen]

This is been discussed a few times and the end result is there's really no way to feasibly implement this. Think about all the logistics involved.

 

[Spark]

That or you have to be a member for 6 months with 100+ posts before trading or something.

 

[Stoney26]

Unless there is someone who is willing to have their mailbox cluttered with thousands of knives pending trade, i dont think that idea can be executed. It would literally be a full-time job for a person or group of people

 

[treeshaker]

That or you have to be a member for 6 months with 100+ posts before trading or something.

It's your site, make the rule, and enforce it.

Well there you go, trading is settled, now let's address the buying issue. How about a 4 hour delay for non payers, or a $20 fee each time, if they want to purchase early. 100% to the site owner.
Next a $5.00 fine for each post beyond, "I will take it" in the thread. All Golds and above have PMs, a non-payer can pay the $5.00 fee once the 4 hours is up, if they need to talk. Three post within exchange thread during a 30 day period = an additional $50.00 or 30 day ban. We can stop these guys who ask only to stale the sale. I got called on reporting this, and that was incorrect. The same Gold member is still posting questions in every item thread, he is a "deal staler". Meaning , "Wait, let me ck ebay, or another site". I do not, nor will I buy from members who sell to non-payers on this site. To me it is a matter of supporting the person, who has invested money and time to own this site, as well as my way of honoring those who paid to see the show. I no longer respond to non-payers, any thread. I don't pay with "gifts" as that is a lie, and I don't email with non-payers. My father has owned his own business since 1955 and I have owned mine since 1983. Brick and Mortar cost money. My spelling and grammar may not be 100%, but I pay my way.

Regarding the exchange area, it appears the site is either unable to control dealers or unwilling. Is this a rule or not ?
Otherwise why have it. I am very excited to see Mr. Spark in this conversation.

 

[benchwarmer380]

It's your site, make the rule, and enforce it.

Well there you go, trading is settled, now let's address the buying issue. How about a 4 hour delay for non payers, or a $20 fee each time, if they want to purchase early. 100% to the site owner.
Next a $5.00 fine for each post beyond, "I will take it" in the thread. All Golds and above have PMs, a non-payer can pay the $5.00 fee once the 4 hours is up, if they need to talk. Three post within exchange thread during a 30 day period = an additional $50.00 or 30 day ban. We can stop these guys who ask only to stale the sale. I got called on reporting this, and that was incorrect. The same Gold member is still posting questions in every item thread, he is a "deal staler". Meaning , "Wait, let me ck ebay, or another site". I do not, nor will I buy from members who sell to non-payers on this site. To me it is a matter of supporting the person, who has invested money and time to own this site, as well as my way of honoring those who paid to see the show. I no longer respond to non-payers, any thread. I don't pay with "gifts" as that is a lie, and I don't email with non-payers. My father has owned his own business since 1955 and I have owned mine since 1983. Brick and Mortar cost money. My spelling and grammar may not be 100%, but I pay my way.

Regarding the exchange area, it appears the site is either unable to control dealers or unwilling. Is this a rule or not ?
Otherwise why have it. I am very excited to see Mr. Spark in this conversation.

I dont really understand what a deal staler is. If a buyer wants clarification about a product and asks I would call them a smart consumer. If, while their questions are being asked, someone else decided they want said product as is and says "ill take it" that is their choice as well. As a free market it is the seller's choice to sell to whomever they want.

I have no doubt that monetary fines would drive members away.

 

[treeshaker]

that is a member who has PM but does not use it in order to delay transaction. Pm's would not be fined.. I bet membership would double. We both paid. And the non payers would certainly join, at least 40%, what do you think?.

 

[benchwarmer380]

I think that the current infraction/warning system works pretty efficiently.
This is just one medium to buy and sell knives. I think that if you fine people for simple stupid mistakes like idle chatter in a sales thread people will take their business elsewhere. Why stop there? Might as well fine people for swearing in the discussion forums or getting snarky with a mod. Shoot, you could put an entire graduating class of a small town through college with a thread or two in Whine and Cheese.

 

[rwdata]

I have to agree with benchwarmer380 on the sale infractions. The infraction/warning system works just fine. Now if they could just fix the trading.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

We have three types of "bad trades".

1. Newbies show up here, aren't aware of the pitfalls, enter a deal with a scammer.
2. New scammer, knows just what he's doing, talks a good game but steals your knife.
3. Oldtimers, used to good deals with good people, forget to check out an unfamiliar member.

How do you check them out? Click on the name, go to the profile, look at their iTrader ratings. Also on the profile, look at their Post Areas, see what their interests are. Look on the left to Find latest posts and see how they talk to others.

If you have any suspicions, stop right there and pass on the deal. Do not trade (or buy or sell) with someone you don't have a good feeling about.

In the end, you are your own best defense. Be alert.