New members and selling stuff

[unit3]

So,I'm sure a lot have noticed the what seems to me large influx of new people sighning up to the forum just to put up for sale add's.
My question is, would you trust someone who's first post is a for sale? I know we all have to start somewhere but a lot of these seem to take no notice of the rules and don't even take the time/make the efforts to get involved even a little bit in the forum.
I think I dodged a bullit with a new member When he would only deal bank transfer and wouldn't give a contact number.
This started to happen a lot on a car forum I was as there was an increase in scammers sighning on, in the end they changed the rules to a fixed post count before you could post in the for sale section.

Am I being a big girl?

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

No, I am a girl and I don't think you're being a big one!

I think the fixed amount of posts before a for sale ad is a brilliant idea, not sure how easy it would be to implement? After all, I think you need 5 posts before you can put pics up, so presume it's easy enough to do...?

 

[Raging_Bulls]

Re:

When users have a feedback thread, reading that will usually give you an idea of how trustworthy the seller is. When dealing with new members or people who joined only to sell their old stuff, you never know.
Many will probably be nice and fair people, but there will also be shady individuals.

NEVER (and I can't stress this enough) use bank transfer or PayPal Gift, always use PayPal's "Pay for goods" option.
Calculate the fees and pay them extra if needed, but PayPal Goods is the only option that gives protection. If the seller insists on PayPal Gift or bank transfer, just walk away from the deal.

As for the post count suggestion : On one hand it's a good idea, on the other hand you stand the chance of losing out on some fine parts and bikes because of such a rule.

 

[unit3]

Re:

All good and fair points, especially payment methods.

Understand your points regarding post counts, dosnt have to be a high number, high enuff to deter scammers, low enuff to not scare genuine people off, 20 odd?
I suppose there is the risk of spamming, but the good folk on RB are good at spotting them lol.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Honestly, I think having no limit on sellers increases the chances of RBGold becoming available. Imagine their situation; "that ratty old bike in the shed needs to be gone... 20 posts? pah, I'll fling it in the skip".

I agree that you need to be careful, but I've got some stunning deals off of people that posted up in the 'what's it worth' thread, I've pm'd them for some info and made them a (fair) offer. collect in person or paypal goods, and you'll be fine.

 

[Barneyballbags]

Honestly, I think having no limit on sellers increases the chances of RBGold becoming available. Imagine their situation; "that ratty old bike in the shed needs to be gone... 20 posts? pah, I'll fling it in the skip".

LGF's bike count would go through the roof mind!

 

[Koupe]

Maybe state that users with less than 10/20/howevermany posts should contact a mod before listing an item? I guess this would be a headache if there were hundreds of people each week signing up to sell stuff, but I doubt there would be.

 

[suburbanreuben]

Re:

Maybe just a modicum of common sense and a healthy degree of suspicion is called for?

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

As mentioned, if you don't know them then don't use pp gift and never use bank transfer. No need for any other safeguards imo.

Who cares if they contribute to the forum, the for sale section is exactly that.

 

[Jono_blackheart]

Re:

What about us lurkers? I've been a member a fair while and *still* have a fairly low post count (123 posts in 18 months). :roll:

Personally I like the idea of retromods (or my current ride, a 2 year old Whyte with XT 750/760 - a modtro?)

It's possible that active/long-term forum members could come from someone looking to sell stuff to clear out their garage - come for the for sale section, stay for the banter?