Minimum post requirement for selling here?

I don't think that would work. All you would have to do is post replies in a bunch of random threads to hit the number.

If someone didn't have any feedback anywhere or couldn't verify who they are then I would say keep them from selling.

There are very few people trying to scam on here. So far we have a pretty good system set up as far as trust is concerned.

I think it would stop a few people.

there's been talk on anandtech of doing the same thing to stop those people who sign up so they can post refferal links for free ipods/laptops/etc

i just won't buy from somebody without references (and i check the references to ensure they aren't using somebody elses)

Or make it so that you have to be a member for at least a month to sell or buy.

I think rruane has the right idea, it's really up to the person, whether they feel comfortable with the references of the seller (or just the seller in general). While I think this is a valid question, is this the right place for this discussion? I mean, if nothing is for sale...
For the sake of conversation, if i was going to scam someone out of $1000 or so, I wouldn't mind spending a few minutes making silly posts in order to do so, I don't think that the post limit will work, might only stop the laziest of scammers, and if they are that lazy, they probably won't even answer your message when you say you want to buy whatever they are selling. Of course I don't think like a scammer, so I may be totally off on that one!

eh, i think actual pics/verified id name and reference should be on the rules.

1st offense = warning
2nd or no reply by seller = ban.

EDITed.

Well take me for an example. I have a low post count but have been here 2 years. I didn't start selling/trading until last year, but now I have done a few.

I have great feedback on Ebay but I just signed up with Heatware in December so I only have 1 transaction, which happened to be with a member here.

I have been buying things over the internet since Ebay first started. You have to be sensible and smart about who you deal with. For instance, I will not buy anything on Ebay unless the seller has sold at least 10 items of decent value, and all of them have to be positive. I also will not buy from anyone with less than 97% positive unless they are powersellers who do 100+ transactions weekly, and then it has to be 90% or higher.

On here I am the same way. If someone is relatively new, has little to no feedback, I will not buy from them. I am very cautious when buying on the web and as such have had excellent experiences with the exception of one, and that was the Post Office's fault for damaging the product.

I check feedback and if I do not feel it matches mine I ask them to ship first. Even a few in this thread have dealt with me.

I personally think this is a good idea, no more then 40 posts but more then 15. I think the other option as Uncle has shown with his length of time should be 1 month or so here.

Either way it is something to think about.

I just walked away from a deal because the seller had absolutly no feedback and kept changing his mind, first he would ship, then he wanted some cash upfront then he wanted it all. Big flag for me.

I think most of us can find the bad seeds or deals we do not like on our own but even I have been had a few times.... it just seems to happen but its never a bad thing to do such things as post count/time on forums.

Yeah overall compared to other forums, notebookforums users seem to have much less feedback. Many on Anandtech and [H] have ridiculous amounts in these terms.

First rule of thumb:

If you're a member with good feedback and you're dealing with one that has little or no feedback I'd suggest googling their username (many times if people screwed someone over somewhere else they tend to not change it or at least the root of it). Ask for their contact information, name, address, phone number etc. If they do have little feedback pm/email other members who have dealt with them to see what kind of trader they are. Pay with CC paypl - great precaution if you deal with someone you don't know. There's many other little things you can do.

I'd suggest a requirement of maybe 5 posts or so. 5 posts will deter scammers but won't deter normal members looking to join the forums. I for one have most first posts in the forsale forums so you also don't want to make it so you have no growth of new members...The other possibility is as one tennis forum has it that the mods have to approve all threads before they're actually posted in the FS/WTB forums. It turns the forum into a slow moving one but then you also don't have problems with bumping your thread every 24hrs and trying to have others do it for you. I don't see scamming as a real issue here. There's a scammer that comes on here once every 2 months or so from what I've noticed but for the amount of sales that actually do go through that's still a pretty normal ratio.

a minimum number of post would definitly be a plus even i with my 15 post here think i shouldnt be alowed to go in the for sale section and i have seen many user here posting on the first post 1000$+ machine for sale and never post again. I really like the way it works at overclockers.com where i think you need 100 post to access the for sale section also definitly user should post picture with a piece of paper with there name on it ...anyway here is the for sale rule or conduct over there for those who dont know them or never went to overclockers.com

Verification
-----------------------------

The Classifieds mods (Mr.B, Lutawicasa, JoT, and SilverSinkSam) Verify all NEW seller's merchandise, we start the process with -PM sent for item verification-

Once we are satisfied the seller has the merchandise we edit the post to read -Item verified- or -Seller verified-

You can take a digital Pic, use a Scanner, take a regular photo and bring it to a copy center and for a dollar they will digitize it for you; a coin or something with your name and OCForums on it is required in the picture. Sometimes we will offer the option of calling the seller on the phone and getting thier Phone number, Address and then compare it to known Troll hotsheets we use. (This personal information is not shared, and remains in a 1024 bit encrypted database)

The whole point of putting something unique in the picture with the item is so we know that person has that particular object in their possession, and didn't just grab a picture off of newegg or something.

The best thing to do is handwrite your OC name and "OC-Forums" on something (piece of paper, old cd...). That sounds pretty simple, and is excellent to verify that the member actually has the item and that it looks like it does in the pic.


You can cross reference the SOLD section (I suggest you use the Search>Sellers name>SOLD)

For seller or buyers' Trading history, I strongly recommend you sign up for Heatware, and link it in your SIG.


Overclockers.com cooperates with Law enforcement and we take Trolls a little more seriously than most Forums.....If you're a Troll, you're definitely in the Wrong forum to be scamming people.

The Mods and Admins also work with Other Forums like Trollhunters.com and PCA to share data.(ALL INFORMATION USED IN VERIFICATION IS NOT SHARED WITH ANYONE)

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Regarding "Pending"
-----------------------------

If you have an Item for sale or in the wanted and we see 'PENDING', the item gets moved to SOLD. Period.

If it's not Sold let us know and we'll move it back.

The mods have become tired of dealing with people never updating their ads, even when people are still inquiring about them.

Enough is enough, its bad enough people don't update their listing and we will be dealing with that; people that sell an item and do not post the item(s) as Sold will be terminated from the Classifieds on a case by case basis.

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Trading Guidelines and Tips
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ALL ITEMS BEING SOLD MUST BE READY TO SHIP ONCE PAYMENT IS MADE
The penalty for violating this rule MAY result in loss of Classifieds privileges

1: Be honest, be honest, be honest. Enhance this with total clarity and be sure the other trader(s) have the same understanding of a deal’s particulars.

2: Clearly represent your exact product or offering, be sure to include any cosmetic or functional problems. Check your thread for responses frequently or let others know how best to contact you.

3: Make sure any item you ship is well packaged and preferably use a shipping means which carries insurance and tracking. Some shipping tips:

a - Always use order confirmation when sending via USPS. For any item sent via Priority Mail it is only .40 cents. That way you can always see when the item has been delivered. Include a card of some sort listing the sender’s and recipient’s address information INSIDE the package

b - Use anti-static packaging to contain any sensitive computer parts.

c - When sending breakable items, use plenty of good padding on each side.

d - Use block caps in addresses, avoid punctuation, and leave 2 spaces between state and zip code. Use a ZIP+4 code whenever possible. USPS

4: There are NO excuses for being late or unable to fulfill a deal. Occasionally, there might be a legitimate REASON, but never an excuse.

5: Always honor your word.

6: Post a price for the item(s) you may be selling. This is not an auction site! Further, should someone meet your asking price or trade offer, you are obliged to make the deal and not quibble for more.

7: Promptly communicate with the other party at the different stages of the deal, i.e. when the money is received, when you ship the package, and a follow-up email to see if the trade is satisfactory. IT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA to use the same email by just replying each time. Be sure to identify yourself from the start with your Username, and your real name. This avoids a lot of confusion.

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Trader References
-----------------------------

8: Trader references for many can be found at Heatware Check to see if the person you are trading with is listed and read any feedback. In addition to the HeatWare ratings check you should ask for references, use the search>classifieds>SOLD to check other posts by the trader, check with other reputable traders for additional info. Trust your gut instinct on close calls. Once you complete a trade, add your feedback to HeatWare and post a comment in the Sold section so others might benefit from your experience. Post the bad as well as the good!

9: Get a phone number, and talk to them over the phone (if needed). It’s a lot harder to be taken advantage of when you have their phone number, and it also makes it easier to find a person that violates.

10: Please, update your thread when an item is gone and state to whom it went.

11: Stick to the terms of the Deal!!!!! Avoid becoming a trader that gets involved in misunderstandings. Don’t try to do so many trades that you cannot give proper attention to each deal.

12: Make a printed copy of the deal and save it until the transaction is complete. This will prevent confusion and prevent the problem of lost information due to a crashed system.

13: If there’s no legitimate email in your profile, your credibility suffers from the start.

14: If you’re going put up a WTB thread, be prepared to pay a little more.

15: If you make an offer of goods or cash, be positive you will be able to deliver same in a timely manner within the framework of the deal. Postponed delivery of any cash or goods should be arranged on the frontside of the deal, not after one party has shipped!

16: Try to conduct yourselves as gentlemen and ladies here. If you have no interest in purchasing an item someone is selling, do not interfere with the sale by posting ridicule or derogatory remarks.

17: In line with the above, TRY VERY HARD to resolve any issues relevant to your trades away from this board and preferably by PM or email. Occasionally, things can happen beyond one’s control which might cause suspicion or misunderstanding. Please don’t have an itchy finger when you suspect a misdeed. Make every effort to resolve the issue by confidential communications before decrying the situation publicly!! Misunderstandings posted on the board can cause undeserved damage to BOTH traders’ credibility.

18: MARK YOUR ITEM WITH A BLACK LIGHT PEN, This will alleviate any switching from a dishonest buyer swapping your functional item with thier DEAD item thats the same. http://www.alltronics.com/Light_Sources.htm

19. *No Dealers are allowed / No commercial ads

*Vendors that are advertisers at this site may use the Classifieds.

-----------------------------

good list of rules there.

and how about the people such as myself who came from HardForums and want to spread out the hopes of selling my laptop?

not a good idea

a better idea would be the buyer, or seller actualy do work, you know, ask for a non free e mail addy and send them an email to verfiy it

or better yet look them up in a phone book compared to the phone number they give

or e mail them via heatware to verify them

post count means jack shizzle, a scamer is a scamer

be a smart buyer/seller next time and you wont get scamed


soulsaver

sorry to say this but two time i tryed to buy something from two forum where anybody can go and post in the for sale section and both of the time i found the fortunate way that they where scam never in the four or five year at oc have i seen this, scammer often go to the easy place and not the place where you have to post before you can scam they most of the time want in and out
also by putting the responssability of the classified section in the hand of the user a forum, and thats my point of view, is also in a way putting its own reputation in the hand of those user and i dont think that having scammer because of a lack of survailance is good for the image and notority of a forum

sorry for the error i usualy write in french not in english

I realize it's ironic for me to say so but I'm against minimum post # for trading but, what we ended up doing over at forums.2cpu.com is outlawing ebay feedback. basically you can't use ebay as your sole feedback you have to have something in addition to that or non at all. I think that's very reasonable. the reason I got into forum trading was being cheated on ebay one too many times.

I agree with join date limitation. I got seriously aggrivated when all these aholes spammed every forum I hang-out at with those stupid xbox 360 sale threads. It just really pissed me off all these people joined the forums just to make a quick buck.

I 've never sold on notebook before so i had n't gotten around to it but on my other forum ID My info is in my sig. I think that should be a rule if your going to sell.. doing now

the ocforums rules seem like a good idea

I think that it would be nice to have some rules, but it is difficult to have a quantitative judgment based on posts or time onboard. I have been a member for less than 5 months and I only have 5-6 posts. I look around at the different threads for information and answers to questions that I have and I feel that this is a good resource for that.

I recently purchased from Cross and he will attest that I only felt comfortable with the sale after I researched him online. And, I know he knew that it was nothing personal, that I was just being thorough.

It is ultimately the purchaser's responsibility to verify the validity of the offer.

Yes I do agree with that as a buyer/seller you need to think.

Deals that are to good to be true do come along but there are things you can do to be safe.

1) Just as he did above, RESEARCH AND CHECK all refs. You can email heatware owners, get numbers, ask prior members they dealt with. All in all a great way to do things.

2) If an offer is to good to be true I resort to COD/They ship first. There is nothing less for me. If its to good to be true it normally is fake. I have run across a few instances locally where they were not (I helped my brother get his new dell 6000 laptop for 450 cash locally. I also have had other deals go well locally and some ship first. But then like many who have traded for some time, we have bad deals, I have lost an Alienware laptop, a Powerbook G4 800mhz DVI, and money. I am currently in court with one bad cashiers check that is now being pinned on me and I am trying to fight). There is bad but you must do the above and apply basic logic. If you get blinded by what you want you will fall for the easiest scams and those who scam rely on that (But the members here watch out for those like that and point out the "Questionable deals" to help those that may not see it because they want something bad enough).

Anyway I do agree a post number or time on forum is required but I think we should have a new requirement. Any member to register and sell must not only have a Perm. Email they should have to register for a Heatware account under the same email addy. I would have no problem running the checks on every person. It may be a big task but flat out it will make some scammers harder to do their work. (They can still get around it but they tend to not want to put much effort into that kind of deal when they can post else where easier.)

What do you think guys?