Can a few changes be made to make the "For Sale/ For Trade/ Want to Buy" section safer? I understand that STH isn't responsible to ensure every deal is legit on both ends, but it sure feels like very little effort has been made to minimize likelihood of the membership being preyed upon by scammers. Currently, it sort of has a "we've chummed the waters, please watch out for the sharks" vibe to it.
1) Should members with 0 posts (or even non-members) really be able to read it? What about members with 0 posts being able to post in it? Why not make it inaccessible to everyone with less than 10-20 posts?
2) Why are members with 0 posts able to PM other members?
3) There are no posted tips for sorting out the scammers. How about a sticky with some basic tips. Like for example, how to ensure that the member who joined withing the last week or two, with less than 5 posts, PM'ing you to fill your WTB, is legit before you send them money.
4) There are no instructions on how to or to whom to report someone pulling a scam in the "For Sale/ For Trade/ Want to Buy" section. I had one trying to scam me. After I asked for proof they had the item they disappeared from the conversation, but their account is still good and I'm sure they will try someone else who might not pick up on the scam. I have no idea who to contact or how to report them.
I understand that implementing these ideas/suggestions wouldn't necessarily be super effective at definitively stopping them cold, but they would make clear that scammers aren't welcome, that people are looking for them, and that their accounts will be removed when found. It also raises the amount of commitment they have and the amount of time they'd have to spend setting up an account before they're able to start fishing. You don't have to make it impossible, just flip the effort vs. return curve upside down.
1) Should members with 0 posts (or even non-members) really be able to read it? What about members with 0 posts being able to post in it? Why not make it inaccessible to everyone with less than 10-20 posts?
2) Why are members with 0 posts able to PM other members?
3) There are no posted tips for sorting out the scammers. How about a sticky with some basic tips. Like for example, how to ensure that the member who joined withing the last week or two, with less than 5 posts, PM'ing you to fill your WTB, is legit before you send them money.
4) There are no instructions on how to or to whom to report someone pulling a scam in the "For Sale/ For Trade/ Want to Buy" section. I had one trying to scam me. After I asked for proof they had the item they disappeared from the conversation, but their account is still good and I'm sure they will try someone else who might not pick up on the scam. I have no idea who to contact or how to report them.
I understand that implementing these ideas/suggestions wouldn't necessarily be super effective at definitively stopping them cold, but they would make clear that scammers aren't welcome, that people are looking for them, and that their accounts will be removed when found. It also raises the amount of commitment they have and the amount of time they'd have to spend setting up an account before they're able to start fishing. You don't have to make it impossible, just flip the effort vs. return curve upside down.
