Newbies posting ads in classifieds

[arfmel]

Seems like I am seeing a lot of reports of scams in the classifieds on various forums I frequent. Mostly by new members with their only posts in the classifieds. I have noticed several new members here with ads as their only participation. I have always been reluctant to buy from a new member. I may have missed out on a good deal or two because of my suspicion. (Or maybe missed being scammed out of some money.) Do you avoid transactions with new posters?

 

[contender]

For the most part,, our Admins do an excellent job of weeding out the scammers. Notice we don't have pop-up ads etc. And when a scammer, or an "odd" poster appears,,, they are shut down quickly.
As for new members,, and dealing with them, I study the ad, how they did the ad, is it a reasonable deal, do they appear knowledgeable about things, do they respond to questions promptly & with knowledge etc. Very little scamming happens here in general, as long as the buyer also is aware of things.

 

[pete44ru]

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Most of the several gun-related forums that I frequent don't allow new members to post classified ads or pictures (the best selling tool) until they've reached a certain level (varies) of other (non-classifieds) posts on the forum.

As to dealing with a seller with a low post count, I would suggest communicating a bit (back/forth) with them via PM or email - if their responses don't seem to be "normal", then hold off doing business with them, since nobody needs a problem.

Just keep in mind that EVERYBODY here (and on other forums) was once a newbie, too - we all have to start somewhere.


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[jgt]

I have been looking for a cylinder for my Colt SSA. I joined the Colt Forum because I thought I could learn how to recognize the correct cylinder should I come across one. I was surprised that I could not even visit their "want to sell" page to look for cylinders for sale until I had fifteen posts. For someone that goes to a forum everyday for years without accumulating many posts it was very hard for me to accomplish this. I finally managed to satisfy their requirement. It did make me aware how many new people post for sale ads on other forums with no participation on other parts of the forum. So, I now look to see how long a person has been on a forum as well as the number of posts they have. Other forums I visit have a minimum number of post a person must have before they can sell items in the classifieds, but most do let a new person visit and buy items from the classifieds.

 

[arfmel]

I agree that the administrators and moderators here do a great job, and that we all were newbies once. And the lack of popups and such is one of the reasons I like this forum so much.

I guess I'm mostly just suspicious of a guy who posts a "for sale" ad as his first post, there have been a couple here and on other forums lately. The administrators shut one down yesterday here.

My post was neither mean as a complaint nor a suggestion. I'm just curious about other members' viewpoints.

 

[DGW1949]

For the most part,, our Admins do an excellent job of weeding out the scammers. Notice we don't have pop-up ads etc. And when a scammer, or an "odd" poster appears,,, they are shut down quickly.
As for new members,, and dealing with them, I study the ad, how they did the ad, is it a reasonable deal, do they appear knowledgeable about things, do they respond to questions promptly & with knowledge etc. Very little scamming happens here in general, as long as the buyer also is aware of things.

Contender has purty-much covered it.
Just speaking for myself, I've bought and sold a lot of stuff over the years I've been a member here, and it all turned out fine. Fact is, many times the items I've bought have been better than expected.

All of that said though...one can't go about this sort of stuff nilly-willy, meaning that a certain amount of caution and common sense should always be applied. That, and treating others as you'd want to be treated goes a long way too.

DGW...who has got no complaints.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I agree that admin does a good job here. Still having said that it only takes one. I wouldn't mind seeing a "rule" added around here of a certain number of posts before being able to post a classified ad. Maybe 30 or so. I know they have the same thing over on the Smith forum and many others. It gives members an opportunity to get a feel for the person before they start trying to sell you something. Is it necessary?? No I guess not, but I do think it's prudent. Personally I pretty much stay away from newbies trying to sell something.

 

[cas6969]

I wrote in the most recent scam posts.... While it's not a forum rule and I'm sure it will upset some people, I will still ask..... PLEASE don't buy anything (or attempt to buy anything) from new members. ESPECIALLY if they contact you offering to sell something you're looking for.

The classifieds are here for the use of our contributing members, not drive by one timers or people who don't want to pay Gunbroker a percentage. People need to be smart and vet who they're sending money to. By carefully reading what they say and how they say it. By asking lots of questions. Even trick questions. Asking for photos, preferably ones with added proof they're not just stolen off the web. But a big one in vetting sellers is by "knowing them" through their ongoing participation in this website.

The classifieds are to help our members go broke, but broke because they actually got something in return for their money.

 

[cas6969]

FWIW... there are ways to make "one and done" classified ads. A few years back a buddy was killed and I ended up selling a bunch of things for his widow. One of them was a large number of Beretta 92 mags. I joined the Beretta forum and my first post was a for sale listing. A listing that started with an apology for doing so, an explanation as to why, and "references" , links to my websites and forums and links to my account profiles on other forums I'm on.
So it is possible to even do a tacky one and done sale correctly.

 

[gunman42782]

I won't buy anything from somebody who's first post is in the classifieds. I usually won't buy anything unless they have been a member awhile, and I recognize the username.

 

[GP100]

I won't buy anything from somebody who's first post is in the classifieds. I usually won't buy anything unless they have been a member awhile, and I recognize the username.

I think this is the best way to do it.. Deal with people you know for a while and that have a reputation on the board as being a solid person that won't burn you..

Nowadays, there are way to many ways for you to be scammed out of your hard earned money.. And little ways of getting it back in most cases.. You have to be careful..

 

[blume357]

If something pops up I'm interested in the first thing I look at is the number of post of the seller.... for me they need to have a couple of hundred and then I will usually go to their profile and look back at some of their other post. I don't buy a lot here and this is the only internet forum sight i've ever bought from and all I can say is it's never been a problem. I think the first rule is if the deal looks too good to be true then it probably isn't.

 

[Tom W]

I've been a member here for awhile and have bought and sold a few things, mostly dies and molds. Most all of my dealings has been with long time members. I have enough trust in most people here that I'll sometimes send off what I have before the check gets to me. Maybe I'm blessed or lucky, but I haven't had any bad things happen. Yet.

I've had the same procedure over at CastBoolits. I've been a member there for many years. I'm not as verbose as a lot of members, but still for the most part I've been treated well with buying or selling.