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I notice alot of swap shop threads by posters with very few posts. I've also noted a rash of transaction reports lately.

Maybe we need a new rule that folks aren't authorized to make swap shop threads unless they have 20+ posts on the board or something. I've always thought the swap shop came out of a desire for dakka members to trade and since we're all here anyway we should have a sub forum about it, not to be a random "pit stop" for someone wanting to just make a quick buck or whatever and then moving along.

What do you all think? I just think that this should be something for folks that have a "vested" interest in the board per se.

I think that would just cause people to spam 20 posts in P&M and then make bad trades.

I think that there needs to be more cracking down on the age limit.

Agreed, at least an age restriction (though that wont fix all the problems) Sometimes I think it needs to be more involved (like submitting addresses and the like just to sell for one) but one of the problems is, although Ive had alot of success in the swapshop, its not really meant to be an EBAY replacement. So As far as fixing it goes, Im not sure just how far DAKKA could actually go with it

whitedragon wrote:I notice alot of swap shop threads by posters with very few posts. I've also noted a rash of transaction reports lately.

Maybe we need a new rule that folks aren't authorized to make swap shop threads unless they have 20+ posts on the board or something. I've always thought the swap shop came out of a desire for dakka members to trade and since we're all here anyway we should have a sub forum about it, not to be a random "pit stop" for someone wanting to just make a quick buck or whatever and then moving along.

What do you all think? I just think that this should be something for folks that have a "vested" interest in the board per se.

While that is a well meaning idea, what we'll end up with is tons of people signing up and posting "Wow, nice minis!" or some other short message 20+ times in other threads just to get their post count up to where they can post their ebay links in the swap shop... assuming they actually bother to read the requirements at all. Considering the number of times the mods have to red text and edit the titles of new users themselves, we'll just end up making more work for the mods in reality with the restriction and I don't think it'll dissuade scammers much. To have any real effect on scammers, you'd have to put a much higher restriction like being a member for six months AND having at least 500 posts as those people have at least *some* online cred to risk if banned; people with stats like that are less likely (not foolproof but simply less likely) to scam from my own personal experience collecting a BTR/TR list that predates Dakka's official one. Either way, I suspect that they'll move this thread to Nuts and Bolts as that is technically the subforum for discussing changes to dakka.

I can see the logic behind the thought but I think I agree with warboss, there would have to be a much more involved process to qualify or as previously stated you would get people just spamming posts...

As you can see from my profile Im very new to having a Dakka profile but that isnt to say I havent been visiting the site and reading for a long time! I dont share my thoughts that often so something along the lines of restricting people from trading (the reason I eventually signed up) wouldve meant I probably wouldnt have signed up and just put stuff on ebay (which wouldve been a shame cos I now feel the need to post on here! )

Personally I think a better solution is to implement a policy of the newer member or member with least number of trades ships first.

While this is a valid and legitimate topic for discussion, it belongs on Nuts & Bolts rather than the Swap Shop itself. I have asked for it to be moved there.

Signatures must not contain any sexual or inflammatory graphics or text.
heres the classifieds rules for another forum I use (different hobby) and this seems to work well for over there.

[The Classifieds:
You are using these forums at your own risk; do not send any money, information or products unless you are sure of a successful transaction. The Moderators will not get involved in any disputes regarding sales or swaps on this forum.

We recommend you use PayPal where possible.]

this applies to cash sales really but for swaps they reccommend you swap home/mobile and email addresses and you do the swap in person and if you can't then a tracking number always helps

and I agree that 20 post limits end in spamming happening
just my 2 pence
hope this helps

Auction style sales are not permitted.

I think the post count minimum is a bad idea.

1) It will just lead to spamming the forum a bit before posting.

2) It adds an illusionary layer of protection being offered by Dakka. The Swap Shop is an inherently risky transaction that Dakka is facilitating, but not taking responsibility for. By adding a "Dakka stamp of approval", it means people lower their defenses a bit and could lead to more scamming.

3) Using a user's post count to determine their reliability is a useful tool (not 100% error proof, by any means). By forcing users to become more established, it takes away some of the information a user can quickly gather from looking at a listing.