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Should the Wanted forums be viewable by Supporting Members only?

Should the WANTED:BASSES forum be viewable only by Supporting Members? (Anyone could start threads)

  • Yes: Anyone can post threads but only Supporting Members can view others' threads.

    Votes: 363 42.8%

  • No: Keep things as they are.

    Votes: 181 21.3%

  • No, but restrict viewing of the WTB forums to users with >30 posts and/or 30 days of membership

    Votes: 321 37.8%
  • Total voters
    849
  • Poll closed .
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#141
Whatever you try to restrict the forum access of scammers - they will find a way to bypass it and then become an even more trusted party ! What are member fees compared to the win if one high value item could be "sold" ? How easy is it done to place 30 or 60 posts in the wide forum and then scam as a "trusted" seller ?

For me the only way to really help here is to elaborate and improve the guidance for all advertisers to check certain things before sending money to anyone in the world - especially big dollars. These guides should pop-up at every initial post in the WTB section.

This is of course not fool proof and even long-term TBers will not be safe to be fooled - but nothing will help if the buyer is not well instructed about the ways of fraud and forgets to be ALWAYS careful in the web.
 
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#142
Anyone can call them self anything online!!! I "could" show up as Suzy tomorrow!! A little common sense goes a long way!! Pay attention to the way thing are "worded" have multiple contacts w/ the seller (not only in this forum) it's not rocket science!!! But there will ALWAYS be some risk!!!

Syxz_ML said:
I asked because the member who messaged me isn't a member anymore, and if that was the same person, and an attempt at a scam, wow you guys are gonna get freaked out by the level of effort scammers are willing to go now!
Click to expand...
 
#144
bucephylus said:
After all these posts, probably no one will read this; but...

None of the three proposed options make sense to me. I vote for none of the above.

Why not leave things as they are; BUT require sellers who are responding to the WANTED listings to post their gear in the For Sale listing prior to the sale. This would give TB a means to track the sale. Since only Supporting Members can post there, it would by default require the Seller to be a Supporting Member, thereby minimizing the risk to the community. I think it's actually simpler than it sounds and there are two benefits to the community:
1) Track the Sales
2) Provide some level of credibility
Click to expand...

That and have the seller invoice me via PayPal. When they do I as the buyer see the registered address of the seller
 
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#145
I read the 1st page.

I have no skin in the game as I'll never be exporting basses etc.

Logically, wtb is a minefield for buyers, they should be on the lookout to be scammed even more than regular buyers.

Paypal provides plenty of protection, make advisers check a box that they have been advised to use paypal.

Otherwise leave it as is.
 
#146
The first option is that anyone can post . . . well, doesn't that change the way it's done now? Right now, only supporting members can post items for sale in the classifieds.

I usually try not to sell to anyone that doesn't have any feedback or is relatively new to the forum and/or only posts in the classifieds.
 
#148
I didn't read all of the posts so I apologize if this has already been suggested.
I would go so far as to require members who use the classifieds to be "verified" in some way if the forum was willing to look into that.
Much like Paypal verifies members. We buy, sell, and trade some big ticket items.
I, for one, would be very willing to go through a verification process and would feel much more secure in dealing with others willing to do the same.
I voted for the first option.
I'd much rather deal with fewer, more trustworthy folks than lots of folks who are potentially trouble.
It may slow down the turn over but it's worth it for me.
 
#149
A little off track, but, I have been on talkbass for a year or more now, mostly read posts and look at classifieds, not once have I looked at the wtb section. I have purchased several things and have been very satisfied by the sales process. I would assert that the market place could become a little more vibrant if non supporting members were able to post in the general classifieds but certain things like the wtb and other more specific threads be limited to non members. Maybe there is a way to allow a once per month post in the classifieds for a non supporting member and for those who carry a high number of posts a month to expect a supporting membership, those whom move a high amount of gear on a weekly basis? I do feel that if someone is really looking to scam they are going to do it regardless of what security measures are put in place. I have been considering taking the plunge to supporting membership but I have sold 1500-2000 dollars of gear on craigslist with easy cash transactions in the past couple months I am unable to currently do this on talkbass.
 
#150
Syxz_ML said:
Didn't get a chance to vote since I'm on the app and it doesn't give an opportunity to vote. Don't even get me started on the app and its many problems but that's another story for another time. From what I've read I've seen a lot of confusion on people thinking this is a change to effect all of the classified section. This is strictly just the WTB section. Now I do think it might suck for those posting a WTB ad limiting the views on their thread. Imagine someone who's been a member for years but never has sold a thing, reads a WTB add of an item they've had for years and never use So wouldn't mind seeing go to a good home. They decide to finally become a supporting member to sell that item. Now this person already has previous feedback from buying to begin with. In this scenario the WTB poster gets his item, seller gets to see his item go to a good home, website gets a new supporting member. But in the interest of safety if you guys think WTB threads work best to already supporting members then I'm ok with that.

Now just out of curiosity what where the screenames of the members that created the fraud? I had an interesting conversation 2 week's ago that I didn't follow up on, but was not WTB related, but sounds eerie similar.
Click to expand...

Get off the app and use your phone's browser! :whistle:

Yes you are right just the WTB forum. Just one forum. Period. Not For Sale forums.

The screen names of the scammer all started with ve..... For example ve3ews221 etc.
 
#151
I never look in the want to buy section for some reason. I guess when I list things, I just don't think of that? Never not seen what I'm looking for for sale somewhere.

So sad that we have to figure out a way to try and prevent scammers. Wish this was an honest world.
 
#152
kodiakblair said:
I liked the idea of moving from WTB to Classified before sale went ahead. Then they have to become SM's.

So make it a rule SM needed to answer WTB
Click to expand...

I was looking for something like this, I must have missed it. It could be made into a TB rule, much the same way the ban on no-fee PayPal is a rule on TB -- all WTB transactions must be completed in the FS section, to include a link to the FS post in the WTB thread, otherwise TB offers no protections. People will still sometimes try to bypass the system, but it is clearly at their own peril.

Another idea is to not allow anyone to list something for sale until after they buy something through the classified first. That, along with supporting membership, leaves a trail that can be pursued in the event something goes wrong. It wouldn't even have to be a big ticket item.

I like the idea of a 30 day waiting period, but I would start it at the date of first purchase via classifieds rather than date of first signup with TB.


Oh, and since my ideas don't really match up to anything in the poll, I have not yet voted in it.
 
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#153
The TB community is just like any community. If it is to be healthy, it must be established in TRUST. These outsiders have compromised this trust. I have traded, bought and sold several basses here and I've never felt uneasy, b/c of trust. Maybe its fool hearted, but sometimes I believe, "Bass people are good people." So I've taken chances on strangers, but they were fellow bass players so they felt like kindred spirits. Cut off the non member viewing. Trust is far more important than exposure.
 
#154
It seems that the vast majority of transactions on TB go smoothly under the current format. Only a small percentage have been problematic. Perhaps a "sticky" outlining some basic transaction safety recommendations that all TBers must read would help to increase the number of successful deals and preserve the current format that continues to serve most TBers well.
 
#155
Anyone can get scammed anytime. Maybe a posting at the top of the "Wanted" pages notifying those using this listing that states this section is one where more scam activity has been noticed and an accompanying note of caution would be appropriate. This makes legitimate members more aware and will invoke caution....and may serve as a deterrent to scammers.

I still have a sizable collection of instruments and gear that I will sell over time and find scanning the "Wanteds" is a way to find legitimate buyers and see what is in demand in the market.

I have found only one or two bad actors in my TB experience. The majority of members are great gals and guys, who I would not hesitate to do business with....and this includes several international transactions.

Koog
 
#156
peabody said:
I admit, I'm one of the 4 who got duped. Just let me know if you want to hear the story sometime. My first mistake was not looking at the time the respondent had been a member and their feedback score....totally my fault. I do use the Want Ads quite a bit, so I'd hate to see it limited being viewed only by Supporting Members. I do like Dave's idea up above where someone has to be a member for certain amount of time and have a minimum amount of posts. PayPal has assured me that I'm covered and I'll get a refund. You may want to keep this in mind when someone asks you to send money via a PayPal gift so they don't get charged the PP fees. It may sound like a simple thing, but you totally lose any protection PayPal may offer. Despite my bad experience, my GAS will live on.
Click to expand...

This may seem counter-intuitive at first but according to one of the higher ups at PayPal they have absolutely no recourse if you use Gift and pay by credit card and then use a credit card chargeback, whereas if it is a regular PayPal purchase and you use a chargeback they actually have to review it. If you use a Gift with a PayPal balance or bank transfer you are screwed though. Anyway, if any of these 4 did use a Gift payment and used their credit card, just do a chargeback.
 
#158
Put me in the camp that likes the concept of the classified section being heavily restricted to anyone but supporting members. I understand that it limits the amount of gear populating the classifieds, but I think the increased likelihood of good deals compared to bad deals is worth it. I've voted accordingly.
 
#159
I voted "no." I think if we all are all more careful then no further action will need to be taken. I only buy from people who can be clearly identified as bona fide active members. I recently bought something from a TB-er with a long history of positive feedback, including some from me on a past purchase. I was disappointed in the item I bought because I thought he was not honest in his assessment of the item's condition, but it was my fault for making the purchase based almost solely on his feedback rating, and somewhat on the pics he posted, which were not very detailed. But that is about as bad is gets for me, because I'm really cautious. Most of what I buy on here is under $200. The most I've spent is $750. If I was considering buying a $1,500 item, I would want to know the seller really well. That is a lot of money. Let the buyer beware...
 
#160
I agree with bassman al.You have to be very thorough and cautious with sellers and buyers.I always try to get a contact phone number and if they won't give it thats a red flag.I offer mine up first and assure them with my good feedback and if they won't pass on contact number I move on.I also request a usps money order only for payment,no paypay,wire ect.On purchases I also ask for phone number and if one not given,I'm done.I also get an address or zip and ask for references from a source like a music store,Ebay,ect in their local area.Get there name and location and its amazing the info you can get off the internet.If they get offended so be it but send them this link and tell them because what has happened to some of our TB brothers is why we have to protect themselves.Its always a handful of scammers that ruin it for everyone.My heart goes out to the ones in good faith that got wronged. "Stay cautious my friend"
 
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