How would you feel more protected in the forum

[Justin]

This thread has been started due to one recent For Sale notice. We don't yet know for certain that the advert was a scam but it looks highly likely. The problem is that the buyers paid using PayPal Gift so it is proving much harder to trace the seller.

This is an isolated incident, we've never had such problems on here but I will of course look at this to see if we can improve security further. The seller buying a Premium Membership allows us to easily trace them so I don't think much more is needed. I would urge members again though, if you are asked by a total stranger to pay using PayPal Gift don't!

[NikGrey]

maybe that's the answer - you cannot offer anything for sale if your not a Premium member (for security reasons)!

[Justin]

You can still browse and respond as a registered member, we don't want to limit your marketplace but Premium Membership is a must to list, no exceptions.

[neilb]

Don't suppose it makes much difference now but both images in the original ad were from other places on t'internet.

[Justin]

If something looks too good to be true.....it's just a shame these things happen.

[Paul]

how about this??
https://www.transpact.com/TranspactProcess.aspx

[socialgiraffe]

Personally I do not think "we" need to do anything. People simply need to be more vigilant and aware.

[FutureProject]

I've ran a large forum for 7 years and if there's one thing I've learned it's not to get involved with sales between members.

pop up a buyer beware notice, all sales / business conducted between members are at own risk..
- explain the risks of paypal as a gift and suggest against it
- offer links to 3rd party services for escrow for more expensive items

it's a non issue, people need to use common sense to protect themselves, not have their hands held

If you try to combat this issue you'll open a can of worms for yourself with one or more of the following (or a whole load more):
- you'll cripple the ability for genuine people to do business through the forum
- you'll create a bias towards buyer or seller which members will resent (just like ebay's bias to buyers)
- you'll spend so much time mediating stupid complaints you'll not have time for anything else
- you'll open yourself to legal trouble because "you didn't protect someone"

[mrs maggot]

I've ran a large forum for 7 years and if there's one thing I've learned it's not to get involved with sales between members.

pop up a buyer beware notice, all sales / business conducted between members are at own risk..
- explain the risks of paypal as a gift and suggest against it
- offer links to 3rd party services for escrow for more expensive items

it's a non issue, people need to use common sense to protect themselves, not have their hands held

If you try to combat this issue you'll open a can of worms for yourself with one or more of the following (or a whole load more):
- you'll cripple the ability for genuine people to do business through the forum
- you'll create a bias towards buyer or seller which members will resent (just like ebay's bias to buyers)
- you'll spend so much time mediating stupid complaints you'll not have time for anything else
- you'll open yourself to legal trouble because "you didn't protect someone"

you have hit the nail squarely on the head - well said and fully agreed

I have bought and sold several things on here, mostly from members i am aware of - ie I see they are regular posters of interesting things not just post counts, but as others have said (and i never saw the original post) if an offer seems to good to be true from a brand new member - then buyer needs to beware and protect themselves - it is not the forums job

[Angloman]

Hi Guys
I will be honest and say it was me who was scammed on the forum.
SO A QUICK NOTE TO HELP OTHERS
My visa/debit card is linked to my PayPal account, which I do not keep a balance in and because of this, my bank the Halifax have covered my payment and will refund it into my account within 10 days under the sale of goods act (goods not received after being paid for ) So nice to know the banks sometimes help

NOTE
If I had a balance then what ever came of my credit card to make the payment is covered only.