I Think There Should Be Restrictions For Posting Here! (1 Viewer)

[arnhem44mad]

I think members should need to have been a member of this forum till at least Corporal Status before posting as I have noticed recently that people who have come on and posted items for sale who have been privates are constantly posting their threads about sales in the completely wrong places!

I'm not condeming new members, I am sure that 99% of the people who join are serious collectors, but there is always that one conman or person who doesn't know anything about what he is selling that comes on and will try to rip us guys off.

I consider this forum as a sort of group of people who are quite close, therefore trust each other, but personally I think that new members should have to earn the right and respect to be able to post items for sale even if it's just a book, unless someone can vouch for them, giving us their word that they are sound, I think the privates and other ranks up until Corporal should be restricted from selling and buying items.

If I am wrong for this thread then I apologise, however it is how I feel.

 

[OzDigger]

I think most members are wise enough to consider the risks when buying from a new member.

 

[jazzeum]

I generally agree with you; their first post shouldn't be in the classified section. Not sure about how many posts is corporal status. On the other hand, I don't know that it can be required but if they join just to sell, they should expect a little grief.

 

[kogu]

Don't know if a rule like that can be established, but I do agree that before offering stuff to sell here, a little active participation on the forum would be nice.
Then again, I think that Oz is right. The members here should be wise enough wether to make a purchase from people who just signed up to make a sale.
Konrad

 

[mikemiller1955]

I disagree...

I think my first post ever on here was in the "Collector's Classified"...

I joined this forum to sell some Naps...

I'm glad I was allowed to...

I got hooked really quick...

I think most members are wise enough to consider the risks when buying from a new member.

I agree...if anything...I would bet the newcomers get taken advantage of more than forum members...

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I found this forum by accident in conducting an online search for a rare figure. I am grateful for having found it. The seller was absolutely top notch, and I hope that as a serious collector, I was too.. Regardless, it was the result of that positive exchange that I became actively involved in this community and, I hope, made some positive contributions. The toy soldier community is so small to begin with, I hate to think that we are alienating new members from the start. I would hope everyone is welcome, and that we are building the community rather than restricting it.

If the classified section provides a way of introducing new members...I say great. And as stated below, if you are buying or selling to/from a new member, you are aware of their activity (number of posts does not determine credibility) and have the option of opting out.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[mikemiller1955]

On second thought...

I did have a bad experience with a "new guy" on here about a year ago...

I was chasing some of the more rare sets of JJD Battle of Monogahela...

This guy contacted me on here...I can't remember his name and I can't remember where he lived...he had only about 20-30 posts and offered me a set of BM06 and BM09...

I wanted the BM06 (250 LE) really bad...he was asking around $200...I really don't remember...

I paid him for both sets and received them about a week later...

the BM09...a 2 piece "firing set"...had one figure that was severely damaged when I opened it...the rifle stock between his shooting positioned hands...was literally bent all the way into his chest...the kind of damage that could not happen during shipping unless the red JJD box was punctured along with the exterior brown packing box being punctured...

neither box was damaged at all...so I have to believe the set was damaged upon his packing it...but of course...no proof...

the BM06...a rare 4 piece set...well...the Grenadier figure reaching down while holding a rifle in his other hand...was damaged also...

the "reaching down" hand was severed at the wrist...

there was no post on the hand...no hole on the wrist...so it needed to be re-drilled on both pieces with two female sockets and a pin to secure them...

I had found the severed hand underneath the boxes bottom layer of foam packing...to me...if it really had broken in shipping...it seems like it would still be in the snug pocket of middle foam that he was packed into...

JJD cuts the foam pretty tight so the figures don't shift in packing...hard to believe it broke then wiggled it's way to the bottom of the box...so I also think it was broken before shipping and he just put it under the bottom layer of foam...but of course...no proof...

when they arrived...I took photos...called him and sent the photos to him...I also sent him photos of the undamaged boxes...

he offered me my money back...claiming he had insurance well over my purchase price...hehehe...$500.00 I belive...

I declined...

our "peaceful" phone negotiations kind of disintegrated when he implied I could have damaged the pieces when they arrived...as he knew they were in "perfect shape" when he mailed them...he was demanding I send them back and he would file a claim...

I had been looking for this set for at least a year and would never have damaged it on purpose...his logic with that comment was just ridiculous...but anyway...I really lost my temper when he implied that I might have purposely damaged the sets myself...

we argued for a bit and he again said to mail them back and he would file a claim...

regarding my mailing them back and him filing a claim for compensation...I lied and told him my brother in law was the Postmaster in Galveston and would consult him and show him the severely damaged figures but undamaged boxes...

he backed off after that...

I really can't remember...but I think he partially refunded me some of the purchase price and I mailed the two figures to John...

John repaired both of them for me...

EXPERTLY...I might add...

anyway...if anybody lasted through this long winded story and is still here...

the "crux of the biscuit"...this guy never posted again...he just vanished...

did he take me for a "rube"...perhaps...but it all turned out well...

I still don't think any restrictions should be made on new guys...

just like on Ebay...I always feel more relaxed when I see a buyer that has several "positive" comments on his buying or selling activity...but everybody starts somewhere...

that's the only trade I have ever had where I felt I was sold a "pig in a poke"...

but again...it all turned out well...

still...new guys gotta start somewhere with their first sale...I know I started here...

MY GOD...this turned into an "epic" post...I'm sorry...I got carried away...

we could make a 2 hour movie out of this story...

 

[aujj65]

I think members should need to have been a member of this forum till at least Corporal Status before posting as I have noticed recently that people who have come on and posted items for sale who have been privates are constantly posting their threads about sales in the completely wrong places!

I'm not condeming new members, I am sure that 99% of the people who join are serious collectors, but there is always that one conman or person who doesn't know anything about what he is selling that comes on and will try to rip us guys off.

I consider this forum as a sort of group of people who are quite close, therefore trust each other, but personally I think that new members should have to earn the right and respect to be able to post items for sale even if it's just a book, unless someone can vouch for them, giving us their word that they are sound, I think the privates and other ranks up until Corporal should be restricted from selling and buying items.

If I am wrong for this thread then I apologise, however it is how I feel.

Not sure why you think new members have to earn the right to post items for sale, perhaps that's all they want to do is to get rid of a few surplus sets and as has already been stated most are wise enough to consider the risks when buying from a new member. Most of us know you got your fingers burnt over a deal but he was a long established member.

It's a risk you take just like ebay.

Jeff

 

[Spitfrnd]

Credibility or reputation as a seller is important and there are many ways to establish it. Post count is not likely to be a reliable one. I buy from new people all the time and have never been dissatisfied. I also am rather cautious about how I deal with and how much I risk with people with no credentuals. Caveat Emptor as they say but as long as you appreciate the risks you are taking and accept those, I think all members should be free to sell. Besides, we have more than enough rules, if not careful, they could rival the federal code.

 

[Rob]

Must say I'm sorry Scott experienced such a bad time on here with a fellow member,as a young collector that sort of thing could well put you off collecting and dealing with members, I hope it hasn't dented his enthusiasm for his hobby.

Rob

 

[arnhem44mad]

Must say I'm sorry Scott experienced such a bad time on here with a fellow member,as a young collector that sort of thing could well put you off collecting and dealing with members, I hope it hasn't dented his enthusiasm for his hobby.

Rob

Thanks mate but it's good I just know that since then I have been more careful regarding who I have been buying stuff from!

Also have a good chuckle to myself when that guy puts stuff on ebay and hardly anyone bids and because he puts a reserve on his stuff it almost never sells!

Anyways he got his comeuppence

 

[Mitch]

arnhem44mad....

I see what you are saying but, it would not be able to be policed properly and, in relation to buying how restrictive would it be should a set you have been after for say years came up for sale and you could not try to buy it as you were only a corporal.

for me, whether you have 13,000 posts or 1 your opinion and input is as equal and should not have censors applied. I do agree that some are being deliberately posted in the main section to get the main views before they are moved to the classifieds now, whether that is deliberate or accidental only the poster knows but, they do not last long.

I just always use the caveat emptor
Mitch

I think members should need to have been a member of this forum till at least Corporal Status before posting as I have noticed recently that people who have come on and posted items for sale who have been privates are constantly posting their threads about sales in the completely wrong places!

I'm not condeming new members, I am sure that 99% of the people who join are serious collectors, but there is always that one conman or person who doesn't know anything about what he is selling that comes on and will try to rip us guys off.

I consider this forum as a sort of group of people who are quite close, therefore trust each other, but personally I think that new members should have to earn the right and respect to be able to post items for sale even if it's just a book, unless someone can vouch for them, giving us their word that they are sound, I think the privates and other ranks up until Corporal should be restricted from selling and buying items.

If I am wrong for this thread then I apologise, however it is how I feel.

 

[Mike97]

I can understand Arnhem's concern-and by nature am a bit wary of someone who has just recently joined any hobby Board (or ebay or Gunbroker) to sell items with no feedback history. Then again, Paypal offers some assurance of a fair exchange between buyer and seller.
When I was heavy into 1/6th Scale collecting, the Board I often visited had both a "Stockade" area where buyers could air their complaints/concern/warnings of sellers (from the hobby Boards and on ebay) that all members could view and also a "feedback" area, where buyers could post positive deals they'd done w/fellow Board members-this allowed a buyer to check out a potential seller before sending $$$. However, this adds workload to Board moderators, as the 'Stockade' area seemed to require a bit of policing.
Odd, the 1/6th scale figure and vehicle hobby seemed to have a lot of issues with bad/fraudulent sellers (at least compared to this scale hobby).
Just my .02....
mike

 

[Propane & Propane acs.]

Small scale Hq has a 6month waiting period before you can post in the bst section i see no problem with something like that. It wards away guys who might be scammers trying to make a quick buck and allows people to get to know who thay are trading with. Also they allow you to buy in the section during your six months the only thing is you cant post or sell during the six months. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Winston]

Not sure how a number of posts equates to any meaningful character reference. A business transaction relies on trust between both the seller and buyer. Thats a risk one accepts and takes.

Though not a fan of Ebay myself. Its a channel which offers transparency to the transaction. Paypal offers protection to both parties as well.

Sometimes people are overtaken in a moment of must have, rather than having rational second thoughts. Would I send a large amount of money to a total stranger .....no way.

 

[Cardigan600]

Credibility or reputation as a seller is important and there are many ways to establish it. Post count is not likely to be a reliable one. I buy from new people all the time and have never been dissatisfied. I also am rather cautious about how I deal with and how much I risk with people with no credentuals. Caveat Emptor as they say but as long as you appreciate the risks you are taking and accept those, I think all members should be free to sell. Besides, we have more than enough rules, if not careful, they could rival the federal code.

Yo Troopers, great thread this. As usual our General Spitfrnd makes a lot of sense, but then he gets it straight from the horses mouth. I can understand what Scott is saying, and see he got slapped off by Peter if you got an infraction Scott welcome to the club lol. Ebay is no problem you are covered nearly every which way, but sometimes one has to take a gamble in life, talking of which yours truly has just forked out a sizeable chunk of cash to a guy I dont know and lives in another country, but its a must have and as Spitfrnd says you have to use your own judgement. In my case if its a sting, I get stung but had to take a chance on this, all should be revealed next week fingers crossed.
Bernard.

 

[skeeterbuck]

I think that a simple soultion to this would be for the moderators to start a sticky thread entitled "good dealings" at the top of the Collector Classifieds.

Any member that has had a good dealing with another member could post their experience. Other members then could use the info as a reference for their transactions. The key point to remember is that it's for GOOD DEALINGS and NOT for deals gone bad.

FYI - I have seen this on other forums and it works rather well. I'm not bright enough to have come up with this idea on my own.

Chuck

 

[Spitfrnd]

I think that a simple soultion to this would be for the moderators to start a sticky thread entitled "good dealings" at the top of the Collector Classifieds.

Any member that has had a good dealing with another member could post their experience. Other members then could use the info as a reference for their transactions. The key point to remember is that it's for GOOD DEALINGS and NOT for deals gone bad.

FYI - I have seen this on other forums and it works rather well. I'm not bright enough to have come up with this idea on my own.

Chuck

I have seen that system too and with respect, I think it is potentially misleading and not much better than what we have now. To only post positive feedback means that the positive feedback can actually screen a bad trader for his bad transactions. For example, someone who starts out good then goes the other way will still be seen as a reliable trader. That is worse than no information on that trader at all. The best system is simply the Ebay positive/negative with explanation system. Blu-ray.com, which has more than 20 times the membership and 50 times the transactions of this place, is a good example of that system working just fine. Of course it is moot since management thinks they know better and we have had this discussion before so we have what we have.

 

[Mitch]

I would just hope that everyone uses caveat emptor and a bit of common sense. I see where the posts are coming from but, sections where posters can state how well they view transactions have been means a lot of subjectivity and, everyone knows things can go wrong in deals for strange reasons.

If it aint broke don't fix it often is the best way and no more extra restrictions or such like.
Mitch

 

[thebritfarmer]

I have seen that system too and with respect, I think it is potentially misleading and not much better than what we have now. To only post positive feedback means that the positive feedback can actually screen a bad trader for his bad transactions. For example, someone who starts out good then goes the other way will still be seen as a reliable trader. That is worse than no information on that trader at all. The best system is simply the Ebay positive/negative with explanation system. Blu-ray.com, which has more than 20 times the membership and 50 times the transactions of this place, is a good example of that system working just fine. Of course it is moot since management thinks they know better and we have had this discussion before so we have what we have.

I don't believe they know better. I think that as hosts they are gracious enough to even provide a section for selling and buying and as such we should all be grateful. I think a +/- feature would just make more work for the moderators as people would be complaining that such and such gave and unfair review or so and so said this. Personally it is not a road I wish to go down as the forum in general creates more than enough work. I am also sure there would also be legal implications which could be another reason that Shannon & Peter don't want something like this in place.