How about a minimum post requirement?

[laterob]

I'm sure it's not a new issue, but it seems that lately quite a few folks with no feedback/ history are posting classifieds. How about a 50-post requirement or something before an ad can be posted?

While that may be an easy hoop to jump through, it may be enough to dissuade the lazy scammers. Also, it's easy enough for a potential customer to look at posts that a seller has made (I always do before I buy ). If they're all irrelevant to anything (say responses to a game or whatever), the impression I would be left with wwould be to look elsewhere.

At the same time, I see that one of the attractions of Fauna is its sheer size and scope, and I'd hate to see anything diminish either of those.

I guess that as long as people are looking for a deal that's too good to be true, other people will be eager to offer it?

 

[Twizted Paths]

I think that's a good idea as well. Is it feasible?

I check people's posts in addition to BOI as well.

 

[WebSlave]

Sorry, I'm not inclined to do that. I'm trying to build traffic back UP on this site (it took a BIG hit when I tried to limit classifieds to paying members only), not make things difficult for people to post here. If someone only wants to come to this site to post classifieds, why would I have a problem with that? After all, this site is called FaunaClassifieds, is it not?

 

[Uroboros]

I make a lot of my buying decisions on who a person is (based on what I see them post and such).

I don't think it's such a bad idea. It would also cut WAY down on the traffic from Cameroon.

 

[WebSlave]

I make a lot of my buying decisions on who a person is (based on what I see them post and such).

I don't think it's such a bad idea. It would also cut WAY down on the traffic from Cameroon.

Perhaps so.... but it would also cut WAY down on traffic from many people who have something to sell, but no real interest in participating in discussion forums. I would be put into a position of twisting their arm to pad the discussion forums with nothing more then a bunch of replies like "Me too!", "I agree!", and "You said it, sport!"....

I'm sorry, but I feel the negatives would far outweigh the positives if such a policy were implemented here.

With that being said, I strongly recommend that everyone THOROUGHLY investigate anyone they are considering sending their hard earned money to in order to buy something.

 

[Uroboros]

Perhaps so.... but it would also cut WAY down on traffic from many people who have something to sell, but no real interest in participating in discussion forums. I would be put into a position of twisting their arm to pad the discussion forums with nothing more then a bunch of replies like "Me too!", "I agree!", and "You said it, sport!"....

I'm sorry, but I feel the negatives would far outweigh the positives if such a policy were implemented here.

With that being said, I strongly recommend that everyone THOROUGHLY investigate anyone they are considering sending their hard earned money to in order to buy something.

I was trying to promote more of the idea of looking at posts as well as the BOI.

I get your point, as well.

Maybe just the existence of this thread will help people think a little before they have to add another thread to the BOI.

BTW, WHO in their right mind would want to NOT contribute to the discussion forums??!?!?

Or the crazy chat??!?


hehe

 

[DAND]

BTW, WHO in their right mind would want to NOT contribute to the discussion forums??!?!?

Or the crazy chat??!?

While I do NOT participate in the Chat it is more than obvious that I do participate in the discussion forums. So I guess I am only in my right mind some of the time (like that comes as a surprise) if we were to go with your way of looking at it.

 

[Uroboros]

So I guess I am only in my right mind some of the time (like that comes as a surprise) if we were to go with your way of looking at it.

HAHAHAHA, YOU, SIR, are stretching it a bit!

Um, broken clock right twice a day, swerving driver in the middle of their own lane periodically, I can't think of any others

 

[jclaire]

I am new to this site and have a classified ad posted with no intentions of scamming anyone. I don't think its fair to have to jump through a pointless hoop like putting up or reply to 50 or so post that I don't care about. I am honest and up front, more than willing to send as many pictures to prove that they are mine and healthy, and answer any questions about the animals I am or plan to sell. While I think its a shame that scammers abuse this site and others, those of us who are honest and just so happen to be new should not be punished because of this. I think putting up a post about how to determine a real seller from a scammer would be a better way to go about the issue. Signs to look for and being sure to ask for lots of pictures and ask lots of questions, if it seems fishy, walk away. Its not a fool proof way to prevent being scammed but it informs buyers and targets scammers instead of the honest people. Also, from doing some reading about the bad guys post, some of these scammers and bad sellers have had good sells in the past, and/or are not new to this site. I can see that from the replies it doesn't look like this requirement will be made a reality, but I thought that a prespective from a newbie might be usefull. Everyone is new at some point.

 

[Lucille]

Everyone is new at some point.

I agree. And for new vendors, as you say, ask lots of questions. Start off with small purchases.

Of course, no Cameroons, Western Union money orders, and paybacks to large cashier's checks.

Rich himself sold his first cornsnake at some point; imagine if he had been frozen out?

 

[Uroboros]

I am new to this site and have a classified ad posted with no intentions of scamming anyone. I don't think its fair to have to jump through a pointless hoop like putting up or reply to 50 or so post that I don't care about. I am honest and up front, more than willing to send as many pictures to prove that they are mine and healthy, and answer any questions about the animals I am or plan to sell. While I think its a shame that scammers abuse this site and others, those of us who are honest and just so happen to be new should not be punished because of this. I think putting up a post about how to determine a real seller from a scammer would be a better way to go about the issue. Signs to look for and being sure to ask for lots of pictures and ask lots of questions, if it seems fishy, walk away. Its not a fool proof way to prevent being scammed but it informs buyers and targets scammers instead of the honest people. Also, from doing some reading about the bad guys post, some of these scammers and bad sellers have had good sells in the past, and/or are not new to this site. I can see that from the replies it doesn't look like this requirement will be made a reality, but I thought that a prespective from a newbie might be usefull. Everyone is new at some point.

You have perfectly valid points.

I try to get to know as much about the person that I'm sending hundreds of dollars to. I don't rely on that person's opinion (I think I'm pretty awesome, but there are those that don't). The posts they make and the attitude they exhibit (helpful, mean, condecending, supportive) help me make my decision. I'm 100x more likely to purchase from someone I know than someone I don't. Sometimes posts are the only way.

 

[WebSlave]

And I would MUCH rather see sellers come to that kind of conclusion and build their reputation here by the knowledge they display in their posts, rather than this site going all hostile on them demanding they pay their dues with posts before being able to reap the benefits of the classifieds.

So if someone posts one or two items in the classifieds, they don't sell, and they have no other presence here, well, perhaps they will begin to see the light....