QUOTE (Andy Y @ 1 Nov 2007, 09:21)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Rob,
I'd like to know what it is that you are trying to criticise about RMweb please rather than a generalisation. Our classifieds section is purely a point for members to advertise an item for sale and communicate privately over the transaction. Interestingly we already have a number of rules and restrictions around it that you have mooted as your solution. We do permit linking to eBay listings, a matter of choice.
Hi Andy,
Firstly I apologise for critising RMWEB without any apparent justification. I didn't want to go into the details but by not doing so have probably made the matter worse! Basically, as I see it the RMWEB sales section works as a classified adds section in a paper. For me that it is too open to abuse on the internet. A few simple changes would make it alot safer for traders:
1) Posts cannot be edited by anyone other than the sales moderator(s). This stops a lot of basic fraud dead in its tracks. It has a lot of merit.
2) All communication must take place on thread. Only when a public, final price has been agreed and payment method can personel details be exchanged via PM.
3) All items must have an asking price, even if they are listed as for trade, as often offers are made by people with nothing to trade
4) High moderator presence makes people feel secure.
5) A simple feedback mechanism built into the forum software that allows people to be given a score of how many positive sales have been made.
6) A public list of anyone who has been caught and found to be fraudulent. This should include any details the forum has on them.
It all sounds complicated but in practise it works very well. I recommend anyone interested to have a quik look at www.avforums.com. The system has to handle many more listings then a model site would but it copes well.
I dont think we would need all of hese systems in place, but to be honest once set up none of them are hard to police.
Rob