Just a Thought....

[BurkStar]

I've been reading posts here in the GB&U and the Sale/Trade forums for awhile. I'm getting the impression that "newbies" don't quite understand these forums. I'm basing this conclusion on the fact that the majority of the complaints are about well established sellers/traders by individuals with less than 50 posts. Now I'm not trying to start something, especially since we were all novices at one time, but I think it needs to be stressed that these forums, the ones by individuals, are not on-line stores. These people are trading and selling for several reasons;
1. They enjoy trading
2. They are trying to upgrade their collections
3. They are trying to make money to upgrade their collections
4. They are getting items/money for an upcoming show
5. They just flat out need the money

Sellers/traders are not required, either by rules or etiquette to have to deal with someone that they either don't trust or like. I'm not suggesting that we need more rules, but I would like to hear some suggestions that would benefit everyone and especially help novices have a successful first trade/sale.

Once I started writing the "poll" I couldn't really think of any real good ideas, so y'all come up with something, even if you just write that I'm an egotistical a$$hole thats' full of it that doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[Mike G]

Before I comment on this, I'd like to hear what the membership thinks.

I will say, though, that making more rules isn't the answer.


Let's hear what everyone has to say!



(Edited to add: )

The poll suggests a moderator monitor all deals.

I think this would be impossible to accomplish. I myself don't have the time to do this, and neither do the other moderators. Keep in mind, that the moderators are VOLUNTEERS , and we don't recieve any compensation whatsoever. This would be too time consuming, and require a staggering amount of hours.

 

[BurkStar]

Code3, I agree, as a matter of fact when I voted in my own poll it was to leave things as they were. What I was really hoping was that someone would come up with a good suggestion that would benefit everyone and would cut down or at least help resolve some of problems that are occasionally occuring.

 

[TheBadGuy]

I say leave em as they are. First off, Each party has a say in weither or not they do business . So if someone has less than 50 posts and wants to trade, Then they might be tempted to ask to recieve the knife first then complete my part of the transaction. I personally would never do this. Truth is I think I had maybe 15-20 post when I conducted my first trade on BFC and I didn't even bother to check the other parties at the time I mailed the knife. Turns out he had even less. That made me very nerous as I waited for the mail man each day. Everything turned out great. Since then I have had numberous trades all with outstanding outcomes. And it is still amazing to me. Total strangers, online, sending out goods, sometimes hundreds of dollars worth or more, Just on the other persons word. If thats not a show of faith, I don't know what is. BFC has shown me that there are still allot of good people out there.


And they are all Knife Knuts!!

 

[jjcoolay]

Well does'nt that just say something about human nature? That contrary to what is said, most ppl are trustworthy and not scam artists.

Btw, the number of posts should not be the sole way to judge someones crediability. What happens if the person posts alot in a short period of time? Instead, look at the date they joined, and the type of posts that are made.

I personally view myself as still a newbie despite being here for a few months, with many posts and several transactions under my belt.

I say keep things the way they are. Moderators have enough to do. And besides, what are the mods suppose to do if a trade goes sour other than contact the person, or ban em. Are the mods going to take responsiblity as the gurantor?? Of course not.

 

[BurkStar]

The ratio of problems to the number of trades made in my guestimation is pretty low, so I'm not saying there's a major problem. As a matter of fact the biggest problem is the fact that my backs hurting and I can't get to sleep and am bored. But like I said, if someone could come up with a suggestion that could make cut down on the few problem trades that do occur it would make this post worthwhile.

 

[TheBadGuy]

I think this forum here(GB&U)Is the perfect way to eliminate repeat problems, But I see no way to stop the primary incident. If someone comes on here and is out to burn someone and looks hard enough, He'll find a trusting member and most likely get away with it. But b/c of the GB&U, he wouldn't get away with it twice.

As our Mr. Bush says:

"Fool me once...........................Shame on me........


Foolmefool.....Never get fooled again!!!"


I know its off topic, But I felt SO bad for the poor guy, Thats after I laughed my A-S off of course.

 

[SIFU1A]

i say leave it alone - the GREAT majority of trades/swaps/sales/buys go fine right now, imho, have only had one problem, a recent one, and it invo;ved another knife forum, not BF or USN. i bought a knife described as carried lightly sharpened once and in excellent condition. imagine my suprise when i got the thing and the tip looked like it was dropped on it and it showed major heavy duty wear on the blade from cutting something which scratched the crap outtta the blade - lock up/etc is fine, but i would say it was MAYBE 80% and thats generous. please be honest ibn your evaluation of your products for sale/trade, i mean, the other guy is gonna see the condition anyway, so why 'exxagerate'??? i often have traded knives i described as 95% and the buyer said in there opinion it was LNIB, so i would rather err on the low side than the high side, myself. obviously, if ya dropped the thing and the tip is smashed, IT AINT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE!!

but, all in all, i think besides a few mishaps/misdeeds/and, regretabbly,a few out and out rip-offs, the system right now works fine, we do a pretty good job of policing ourselves, imho, leave well enough alone is what i say, FWIW, in gen'l, BF members are honest beyond reproach and good folks. too bad a few rotten apples can spoil the whole bunch (isnt that a song, LOL)

greg

 

[Geraldo]

I'm not a high volume trader, nor have I been here forever, but I'll say my piece. Leave it alone.

It took me quite a while to reach 50 posts. I have a friend who doesn't have ten, but is an honorable trader on this forum and others. The number of posts or length of time one has been a member really has no correlation to one's character.

My only problem was with a new guy, but it wasn't much of a problem, and in the end he came through. He was also very patient with me as USPS dragged their feet on delivery.

I don't worry too much on this forum, because if someone bones me on a deal, they will lose much more than I will.