how do you want this to work-

keep it honest, clean and up front.

we need some way to let people know who is a reputable seller.  seems like someone got screwed with in the good karma thread already .  maybe a vouching system where people can give praise to those they have dealt with or know personally.

Originally posted by JeffSoSavvy yeah, but that will be kind of hard at first gsrrr. I mean I am sure the regulars would not play anything dirty. But still, too many new people and even random people on a given day can make an account or post something either for sale or to buy. Sadly it's still at your risk buying sadly   Hey Airik, not sure if any Skiiers would post, but I am in the look out for some skiier stuff too also. Maybe post a forum there to or try to attract them too at the sametime?

Hey Jeff, when'd you pick up the Rossi gear?

Oh yea, as for structure.  Item, year, condition, times used, any issues, etc.  Be nice to have some sort of rating system... not quite like Craigslist where you can at least meet with the person beforehand.  Don't want folks being screwed.

Buy gear from reputable posters on the forums. 

you?

the best you can do is get pics, ask questions, and get a feel for the seller and buyer. even ebay and craigslist are not foolproof.

Caveat emptor

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Hey Jeff, when'd you pick up the Rossi gear?

i've mentioned that before but no one listened to me 

comments from the peanut gallery 

Originally posted by natrab Maybe a minimum post count for selling someone.  Yes, this coming from a new guy.  This way you only get people who aren't just signing up to sell something, and are just as likely to never visit the forums again.

thats not fair. imagine if ebay was run like that.

just have people with good reputations receive the product/get the money first before shipping or paying.

If someone's providing a link purely to an ebay auction or a craiglist ad at the very least it should say so in the title or be removed. One thing that bugs me about a lot of sites I'm on whether for sneakers, OS BMX or snowboards is when the 'For Sale' section is just full of ads for people's ebay auctions.

I've not got a problem with them being on, but it'd be better knowing it's an ebay link before actually clicking on it and wasting time.

Anyway just my random thoughts

I just made a purchase off of the classified thread on the 156 banana. (same one with the personal craigslist listing that everyone changed around)  I will update here as to how the complete transaction went.  We did our transaction through paypal.  If the merchandise isn't received through the paypal transaction the buyer then files a complaint and then paypal researches it and if the sellre is at fault, paypal pulls the money from the sellers account on file.

Here's my update.  Very trustworthy, great price, and fast shipment.  He described exactly what I received.  He sent more detailed pics before the purchase and the pics actually didn't do the board justice.  I love it.  I finally got my banana and mounted my flow m11's.  Just can't ride because I'm in freakin Florida. 

hey guys,

just want to add:

there's a site called heatware.com which is simply a feedback site that other forums use for their classifieds (kind of like ebay feedback). there's a dropdown to select which forum you made a transaction...i'm sure heatware could add SS to the list.

it doesn't make anything safer, but you could use it to build some reputation as trustworthy.

I've done a number of craigslist transactions non-local..It's definitely risky..but i have to say; people on the most part are good & i have yet to be screwed.

these would be my tips: ask alot of questions & ask for actual pics.

Ask about condition to expect- rate it from 1-10, scratches/damages, anything you should know about.

Ask for ebay feedback, or heatware if they have any. I found this site which will display only the negative ebay feedbacks:
http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs

Payment by paypal leaves a nice electronic trail at least. Try to deal with people with "confirmed address" in paypal. Ask for someone's full name, address & phone number. You can look up their info..if the info is right; then you know they're not lying (& you have a door to knock on if need be).

I suppose you can even call each other to finalize deals..get vibes on each other...

Ask for tracking #..it protects both the seller & buyer.

That's all i can think of for now.

imo there should be ratings for people who sell via the classified section.
People who are verified purchasers from the seller should be able to access a little rating system, where they're rated up or down and it reflects somewhere by their avatar.

Verifying users could be as simple as a seller adding a buyer onto some buddy-list-type thing, and the buyer confirming. It's not perfect, but it works better than a one-way addition (and links could be provided to the posts proving purchase intent or something).

Then the exchange forum should be split up into Buy / Sell / Trade sub-forums to clean it up a bit more.

Conditions of gear should be maintained (on a scale 0-10) and photos are a must

Tracking #s required.

that kinda stuff

Originally posted by romanenko you should break it down into regions so locals can meet. make sure youre getting your money's worth

yeah, its called craigslist.

Pictures and Honesty!!!!

I know it would be hard but if there was a sort of security or insurance policy that would really help

Or you can have a middle man system with like a reputable member or even a crew?

so is there a rating for sellers on this site?

Originally posted by danemeyer20 so is there a rating for sellers on this site?

pictures should be manditory

Originally posted by Keats0206 yea also make a list of people who are good confirmed sellers that you can trust as a buyer

 

good call on the scam list. 

Best way is to implement a feedback system, require the use of paypal, ensure everyone knows their rights in regards to mail fraud, require pictures, no more than one thread open at a time (unless approved by moderator) once items are sold ask for thread to be removed.

I know on other sites I have been on people have sent cash in the mail, however, it would be at your own risk. I know no way is foolproof, but every step should be taken to ensure the safety of everyone on the board.

Also, no private information should be given out such as: telephone number, address etc...
The private information pertains to people you do business with, and to not give out any information they give you in regards to your exchange/sale.

Anyone who scams someone will have their account banned or suspended, depending on the situation.

Require the thread title to include items such as: FS (for sale) WTB (want to buy) FT (for trade)

Always have prices.

I will add more if I think of anything more.

we should use HEATWARE.COM as a feedback system