Feedback New Users Require Pictures with date/username?

[BobGBA]

Easiest way I've found is to talk or text with the seller on the phone and then have them take a pic of the item and send it to you. The metadata on the pic will show everything you need to see to make sure it's legit. If someone is not willing to talk on the phone or take a pic for you then maybe that's a sign to not deal with them.

There are unfortunate circumstances but unless you let your guard down it's kind of hard to get totally ripped off. (sometimes you'll have to pass on that "too good to be true" opportunity)

A diligent buyer is a safe buyer.

My thoughts exactly.

Not all folks want to do their homework.
If by chance, they don't know how to do their homework, this thread includes tips on how to do it.


I have some items that I'd like to sell, that I haven't used or haven't used in a while.
I already have pictures of them in their current condition and don't really want to have to dig them out for new pictures in order to post them for sale.
If that becomes required, then I will follow the rules.

I guess the proposal is for the greater good, but without seeing the numbers, it's hard to know how big of an issue it really is.
I also guess that the scammers will find a workaround.

Maybe I'll have to start occasionally asking my neighbors for a section of their newspaper to use as a background.

My counter proposal is that the site charge $10 a year to post in the classifieds.

 

[Vintagearms]

My counter proposal is that the site charge $10 a year to post in the classifieds.

Snipershide does this but I have seen a dramatic drop in adds.

 

[EsotericEpsilon]

Even with this implementation, it's still up to the buyer. As mentioned by others, scammers can sell various cheap items and rack up positive ratings.

That is what happened to myself and 3 others with an "established" member on cgn. The item the scammer was selling was a used pistol slide, and all 4 of us "bought" it with out knowledge of each other. Nothing crazy on pricing. Seemed reasonable.
Scammer's previous ratings were positive, including parts he mailed before. He had other posts on various threads regarding ccw, upcoming gun laws, etc. and he had been a member for 5 years. We talked, asked for more pics, price, mailing address. Everything checked out. Then ghosted. He made out with $1200 total from all of us.
I'll never purchase something unless it's in person.

 

[ikeo1]

Even with this implementation, it's still up to the buyer. As mentioned by others, scammers can sell various cheap items and rack up positive ratings.

That is what happened to myself and 3 others with an "established" member on cgn. The item the scammer was selling was a used pistol slide, and all 4 of us "bought" it with out knowledge of each other. Nothing crazy on pricing. Seemed reasonable.
Scammer's previous ratings were positive, including parts he mailed before. He had other posts on various threads regarding ccw, upcoming gun laws, etc. and he had been a member for 5 years. We talked, asked for more pics, price, mailing address. Everything checked out. Then ghosted. He made out with $1200 total from all of us.
I'll never purchase something unless it's in person.

I hope I made it clear that this isn't going to eliminate scammers. It's supposed to reduce it, specifically the low level scammers. High level ones will still be a thing. I've seen on other forums, people do a group buy and run off with the money and totally trash their reputation as well, well into the 5 figure range. This doesn't happen often but it does happen, usually when people have nothing left to lose and low integrity.

This puts the onus on new sellers coming in with no reputation at all.

We can only try to add layers of protection to the community but cannot guarantee anything for either buyer or seller. We don't touch anything and that's by design. Everyone agrees to it when they click on "contact seller" button to send a message, every single message, every single time.

Caveat emptor

For the situation noted. It might be worthwhile for the buyer to comment on the listing and then delete the comment after its been received. Scams happen on sites of all sizes. SnipersHide requiring a subscription is no different than GunBroker, ARF, there's a reason they have to be more careful. They are targets and have a large user base. Pay walling classifieds adds another layer of protection, because now you have their CC info. If a scam happens that can be traced and then handed over to LEO on a state level and FBI on a federal level if its across state lines as wire fraud. Reducing the quantity, but improving the quality of listings.