Please read/comment - Trading references
Due to this forum getting bigger and more popular we have started running into some scammers. We do need to get things more formalised in here so that we can reduce the chance of anyone getting scammed. I'd like to open this thread up to discussion on how people would like to move forward on this. Anyone who has a lot of trading experience on forums is very much encouraged to give us some feedback.
My advice is, in the case of not having any other feedback, to ask the seller for an eBay feedback name. Once you have that check the feedback and then contact the user through eBay to ask if s/he is indeed the same user you were chatting to on HUKD. That second bit is very important to make sure someone isn't giving out a false name.
My second comment is whether we should start a feedback thread or system. A feedback thread would work short-term but it doesn't scale very well, a proper system would be better. There is a system called Heatware which is very popular with North American boards but I don't think any UK boards use it. Basically it's like eBay feedback but for forum FS/FT boards. We could start using that and as HUKD isn't listed we could just use the "Other" board and mention HUKD in the feedback.
Thoughts?
Edit: We now have our own feedback rating system: http://www.hotukdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=276068
All Comments (67)
Jump to unread Post a CommentI would agree that this forum is growing rapidly and some kind of measure needs to be in place..Many people have been put off ebay due to all the scams and its becoming increasingly difficult to actually sell anything due to zero raters coming in at the last minute then not paying..
Just my 2 cents worth..
I ask as many questions as I can, as soon as I see an item, but by then it could be too late. In fact, a few 'sellers' have not even posted again after I asked them some questions. :shock:
The problem with a 'sticky' post is that nobody reads it.
As you say, check their ebay ID (if they have one), check their address with BT, 192.com and the Electoral Roll. Phone them. Make sure they use the correct postal service for the items value. Go through Ebay and Paypal if possible, don't forget ebays SPPP is a maximum of £105.00. Get actual pictures if possible.
I don't understand this 'feedback' thing you mentioned. :oops:
Also, we could do some of what steve mentioned, about phoning etc.
Just depends on what people think to that, i think alot of the stuff on here is local pick up.
Or maybe introduce local pick up only maybe? If there not prepared to give there address....
That way you have a name address and BT phone number for both the buyer and sellers benefit.
Once both have the others details they can go ahead, it wont stop someone having the money but not sending the goods, but you will at least have a name and address to work with if it does still go pear shaped.
If you don't know about the scams that have happened on here, then what?:-(
I'm hoping we find this one. ;-)
[COLOR=#8b0000]Please be advised, all buyers and sellers should satisfy themselves that either party is genuine by providing the following via PM to each other, as well as to Admin or Moderator:
1] Landline telephone number[/COLOR]
[COLOR=darkred]2] Name and address including postcode[/COLOR]
[COLOR=darkred]3] Valid e-mail address [no disposable addresses such as @gmail or @yahoo for example].[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#8b0000]4] Using PayPal then check out eBay feedback if there is any and make a small payment to and from each other to validate the PayPal e-mail address.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#8b0000]5] If possible, collect and pay for items in person[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#8b0000]Do NOT proceed with a deal until you are completely satisfied with all details being correct.[/COLOR]
Will you be posting that on all the FS items? :-D
Anyone else second that?
You'd have feedback to check and coverage via PayPal. If the seller lists as a private sale to just the interested party you can have a "Buy It Now" option for 1p to keep costs down.
Would save the boards modders another job :thumbsup:
You'd have feedback to check and coverage via PayPal. If the seller lists as a private sale to just the interested party you can have a "Buy It Now" option for 1p to keep costs down.
Would save the boards modders another job :thumbsup:
loopz,
What if they don't have an ebay account? We had somebody on the FS board tonight who does not have one.
After what could be yet another scam coming to light today, I would take up the offer if it was offered.
Or maybe just get rid of the FS / FT board :-(