Not good for new users

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Maybe I shouldn't... but, I feel that I need to add my thoughts to this thread. I'm the person that he OP is referring to (yeah, I know, easy to find).

Not much to say apart from what already has been said above; I am/was trying to be cautious with whom I'm dealing with. I know it's not OP's fault, but I do read GB&U and try to keep track of what's going on. I've seen enough transactions go bad, even with established members, that I just couldn't take the risk.
I did try to explain and apologize for the situation "No offense to you, pls, but I can't deal with someone this new and no feedback. Sorry..." as soon as I could.

Also, after another new member that joined the same day, which also had/has his very first post in the same thread to buy another knife, I added another apologetic reply "Again, please don't take this the wrong way, but I can't deal with brand new members. Please stick around and contribute to the Forum and get to know ppl and let them know you.
Yes, we all were new at a point, but I posted to buy my first knife after more than 2 years of being a member.. Of course, you don't have to wait that long... Again, sorry."

I do not have anything against new members, as I was&still am one, and I am considerate towards other new members. As a matter of fact, one of the knives in that sale thread was sold by PM to a new member, but a contributing one.

Again, to OP, I didn't mean no disrespect and I explained why I couldn't deal with you. I've seen that other members would just disregard/ignore 'i'll take it' post from new members and/or just post something like 'still available'... I did not do that, I did try to explain myself...

Anyway, thanks everyone for reading my post (if you did), I usually don't write this much around this parts.

Cheers!
 
TruBlu said:
Was told it was because I am new and have no feedback. How do you get feedback if new people cannot purchase anything???? I'm truly confused. And been reading rules and etc for hours. Cannot figure out how to get feedback back without interacting in a sale or purchase.
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It's certainly a catch-22. The reason for trepidation with new members is that we've been inundated the last few years with scammers. Sometimes it's new members, sometimes it's members with paying memberships that do a few transactions to boost their feedback rating before pulling a big scam for big money. Sometimes it's a "new" member that has already pulled a scam (or more) that's back to try again. 2 accounts got banned just last week for this. It's a risk. And honestly, one that's not worth it when a member can sell to another member with established feedback instead of a new unknown.

If you have feedback or history elsewhere, that might alleviate concerns with some members. Glocktalk, jerzeedevil, candlepowerforums, etc. Even eBay.

When I sell, which isn't frequently, I reserve the right to sell to whom I choose. Maybe you're too new, and someone with more feedback also wants the knife. Maybe I know the other guy better and think that the knife will have a better home with him. Maybe I just don't like you. Sellers prerogative.
 
For new members buying or selling, I'd suggest using a USPS money order for payment. Little less convenient than PayPal, but of either person tries to scam it becomes a federal offense. Doesn't get much more safe than threat of jail time if you scam.
 
dkb45 said:
For new members buying or selling, I'd suggest using a USPS money order for payment. Little less convenient than PayPal, but of either person tries to scam it becomes a federal offense. Doesn't get much more safe than threat of jail time if you scam.
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That’s absolutely a valid option. However, in today’s world of short attention spans, demand for instant gratification, and lack of patience, neither buyers or sellers typically have the patience for a payment that involves mail travel time. But still a safe way to do business if you have the patience for it.


I think it’s also worth noting that the knife the OP was wanting to buy was in the $600 range if I’m not mistaken. I can’t blame anyone for being cautious when that kind of money is at stake.
 
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Being a new member and buying is usually not a problem. I would care to take a gander that most folks will sell to you, but there are those that are cautious and are just basically "covering their asses". Nothing wrong with that. Stick around a while, read some, post some, share your experiences, post pics, look at the classifieds and see how buying/selling etiquette goes on around here. Upgrading your membership is a great idea, like someone suggested. I bet that someone will sell you what you want in no time...;)

Buying is not a problem. It's new members coming on here with a total of 2 posts and selling $500 worth of knives, that send up the red flags. I particularly don't care for the members that ONLY come on here to buy/sell. Especially without a dealer membership. I buy/sell/trade a lot, but am also active in various subforums.
 
dkb45 said:
For new members buying or selling, I'd suggest using a USPS money order for payment. Little less convenient than PayPal, but of either person tries to scam it becomes a federal offense. Doesn't get much more safe than threat of jail time if you scam.
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While this may be the only workable solution, it is not a perfect one. The buyer does have to give up their PP protection . Flip side they can't abuse their PP protection (or Use the credit card scam). I recently dealt with a yesterday member by USPS money order for a $600 knife, but he sure must have wanted it, since there was no doubt he was very uneasy about the transaction. It rally came down to my saying it was the only way I would do it. I also told him to check out my history(which he could do & I couldn't on him) and I do take returns, but that if I was advising I would tell him to only use PP G&S it is the smart thing to do. It was a fairly long ordeal making that transaction and even though I use and take USPS money orders, I really don't like forcing someone into that option. A couple days latter I was faced with the same problem and just passed. For some reason I have had a slew of just joined members wanting to buy recently.
At least for me a major part of the problem is the $ amount. I will risk $100 , but when your talking $500 and up that would hurt.

By the way-that transaction turned out fine with both parties receiving positive feedback-so now he has 1 transaction under his belt
 
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As has been said, a lot of it depends on the price tag. Sure, sometimes members lurk for quite a while; finally joining specifically to make a purchase. As a seller, a brand new member makes me nervous. I generally risk it for relatively inexpensive knives; but common sense dictates precautions as the dollar figure rises
 
Get your post count up in areas other than the exchange first. This helps to build some credibility before you try to get into the exchange. I will sell to 0 feedback buyers, but only if they have a track record of participating on the forum in general.

0 feedback, 4 posts and a join date last week? Forget it...for the above listed reasons.
 
I’m always amazed at the way many members go out of their way to help new members gain their “footing” here, starting with the For Sale poster. He couldn’t have been more gentle in his refusal. Plenty of posters in this thread have gone out their way encouraging you to stay.

You were honest and stated that you created an account to buy a knife. Now you know better. This is not a knife selling site. It’s so much more. If this doesn’t interest you, then goodbye and have a nice day.
 
TruBlu said:
So not only am I looked down upon but I'm presumed a criminal as well? Wow. That's not a good way to bring people in. I guess I will just go elsewhere. It's obvious this is a closed community and not very welcoming to others.
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You're using one interaction and attributing it to the attitude of the entire forum, which is not only misguided but exactly the attitude that you're complaining about while doing it yourself.

New users that appear to join specifically to purchase a knife are considered by some to be a higher-risk sale than those who have been active here even a short while, since there is no tangible data on the prospective buyer to give an idea of their legitimacy. It's not a slight on you, it's simple caution. While most sellers on here would consider it a risk, many would still be more than willing to deal with a brand new member like yourself if you behaved like a buyer to which it was worth selling.

My first purchase on the forums was relatively early on, and the person I wanted to buy from ended up offering up his phone number so we could have a chat to ease any concerns he had; I found this to be a fine solution to a nagging problem. Ultimately the buyer has absolute control over the sale of their item, if they didn't feel comfortable selling to a new member they have every right to say so and the only thing you can (and IMO should) do is shake it off and move on.
 
All great replies from some helpful veteran members, but I’m pretty sure I would have done the same as the seller.
Judging by your whiny and entitled reaction, he was dead on.
This isn’t Craig’s list, it’s a community.
Instead of stamping your feet, take a breath and man up a bit. That knife is not the last knife that will be available.
Hope you stay and see what a fantastic place this is.
Joe
 
All great replies from some helpful veteran members, but I’m pretty sure I would have done the same as the seller.
Judging by your reaction, he was dead on and pretty gracious.
Instead of stamping your feet and whining, man up a bit. You didn’t get a knife. You weren’t mistreated.
There will be many other knives.
Hope you stay around and see what a fantastic place this is......and stop whining too!
 
CataD said:
I did try to explain and apologize for the situation "No offense to you, pls, but I can't deal with someone this new and no feedback. Sorry..." as soon as I could.
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I find it helps to ask if the new member has trading feedback somewhere else. They might be new here but have 1000+ transactions with 100% feedback on Ebay.
 
I think as a few mentioned already ... because of having some major scams in the recent past ... it isn't just that you are new ... but I look at members posts ... if they have 90% of their posts in the exchange I chose to not buy or sell with that member ...

I like to see a member get involved and be part of the community ... having some posts in other sections and sharing information etc ...

if all you want is to buy a knife there are countless knife dealers ...

the exchange is a great feature for the forums ... but kind of a benefit that I think is earned ... though interactions and joining in discussions ...

now there are several members that would sell to you but many just are cautious and want a buyer to be a member for awhile and join in other parts of the forums other than buying and selling ...

just my own personal view on it ...

try hanging out talking reading posting ... or keep trying til you find someone that will sell to a brand new member or try a knife dealer ... not trying to be nasty just straight forward trying to help ...
 
I think most have nailed it, simply everyone was new once, you are not buying from "The Forum" nor is this Blade Sales Forums, but another individual, it is most certainly the prerogative of anyone to sell to whomever they choose. I was knocked back on the first couple of blades I wanted to purchase (I was both new AND from another country), but as I had engaged a bit on the forum a couple of people said "why not" and it was a slippery slope from there. There is a great element of trust involved in the buy/sell/trade component of this website, a little trust needs to be built. If all you are after is a marketplace however, there are other places that will suit you.
 
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I'll just add-The OP is lacking in all 3 major areas
Time on the forum
Feedback
Posts in areas other than the exchange
even filling one of these area's will help, though filling all 3 is best. Everyone started at 0 . No need to rush. You don't even have to do anything to fill in time on the forum-just sit back and it will happen before you know it. There are very few knives you won't have another chance at, and all of us have had our misses.
 
I notice that a number of members have encouraged the OP to stay; more evidence of the existence of many very nice people around here. :cool: Personally, considering his attitude, I prefer that he not let the door injure his posterior as he exits. :rolleyes:
 
dkb45 said:
For new members buying or selling, I'd suggest using a USPS money order for payment. Little less convenient than PayPal, but of either person tries to scam it becomes a federal offense.
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If a new member offers to send USPS money order by priority mail, it has a tracking number, and usually takes only two or three days to arrive. This way the seller may not mind waiting a few days to get the money. I have sold this way before.
 
tyyreaun said:
I find it helps to ask if the new member has trading feedback somewhere else. They might be new here but have 1000+ transactions with 100% feedback on Ebay.
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Yep. I have been on some forums to sell things as a new guy and let folks know I have feedback in other places they can check out.
 
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