Minimum Post Count for Classifieds

[MOREGONE]

Hello,

Just wanted to toss out a suggestion I have seen implemented on other forums. I always appreciate when forums have classifieds as you can find some deals and know a little more about the seller, if not also the gear as well. Bu they're also a magnet for spam/scams.

With that said, I think it would be appreciated if members had to hit a certain post count before being eligible to post in the classified section. On the other forums I have seen this, the post was count was 50 or 3 months as a member.

Just a thought.

Thanks

 

[Braineack]

people then just spam to post in FS.

 

[MOREGONE]

You've experienced this first hand?

 

[tirediron]

I like this; I think a combination of time and min. post count. It doesn't need to be much, say one week and 25 posts. That should be enough to keep all but the legitimate sellers and dedicated spam-bots out of the equation.

 

[astroNikon]

This issue has come up several times. The last time is when a new user came on and was trying to scam everyone selling nice gear for cheap prices.

 

[Braineack]

on the sites I admin, yes.

I had to add in a "new user spammer" violation for the mods to use to easily ban them

 

[MOREGONE]

If it is unsuccessful then it should be done away with.

But I have seen it work well on other forums. I do not Admin so may be a different story for the Mods, but as a user, it was appreciated.

 

[pixmedic]

Some sites only let you sell items if you are a paid subscription member

 

[The_Traveler]

Are we having problems here with new user scammers?

 

[Overread]

In general we've avoided using this because:

1) A post count is no measure of honesty. We've even had long term members cause dishonest practice in the past.

2) Anyone determined to scam beyond a one-post-wonder is going to generally see the limit and then just spam "nice photo" in the galleries until they get up to the limit. They can also wait out any time-limit we impose as well.

3) These limits do nothing to actually prevent any form of abuse other than spambots (which are typically identified and removed quickly). Otherwise they just present an annoying limitation on when legitimate users can begin to trade on the site.


Note we've never gone for a "subscribe to buy/sell" because the mods/admin have no means to validate nor honour the trades that take place and, in past discussions, are unwilling to use a system like that to give faux validity

One method that can reduce spammers is to hide the buy and sell section fully from anyone without an account. However that has the downside that it is then another feature hidden from potential new members.



We do publish a guide on some safety tips and remind users that any trade is done at their own risk. We are just providing the notice board.

 

[astroNikon]

In general we've avoided using this because:
1) A post count is no measure of honesty. We've even had long term members cause dishonest practice in the past.
2) Anyone determined to scam beyond a one-post-wonder is going to generally see the limit and then just spam "nice photo" in the galleries until they get up to the limit. They can also wait out any time-limit we impose as well.

3) These limits do nothing to actually prevent any form of abuse other than spambots (which are typically identified and removed quickly). Otherwise they just present an annoying limitation on when legitimate users can begin to trade on the site.


Note we've never gone for a "subscribe to buy/sell" because the mods/admin have no means to validate nor honour the trades that take place and, in past discussions, are unwilling to use a system like that to give faux validity

One method that can reduce spammers is to hide the buy and sell section fully from anyone without an account. However that has the downside that it is then another feature hidden from potential new members.



We do publish a guide on some safety tips and remind users that any trade is done at their own risk. We are just providing the notice board.

nice post

That reminds me. I have a FX Nikon 14 - 1,000 mm f/1.4 lens for sale for only $1,200.00 in mint condition and it's also Canon compatible !!