Let's Pull Back the Curtain?

[Bogey]

Being new to Forums such as the GTA,  it took me awhile to discover that there are individuals  on these forums that have really nothing to add to the general Air Gun experience or problems.   They are not interested in discussion of any type.
It is apparent that they join the various forums simply because they have something to sell.  Either a service or a product.  I suppose this is cheaper and easier than using a sevice such as E-BAY.  Less regulation involved?.    Some go as far as to make outright sales pitches when someone says they have a problem with an AG. " Send it to me and I'll fix it," for a price.

If persons on the forums were identified as being basically Vendors it may help to sort out your new " friends".

Why not have identification as such in a persons avatar space?   Also, maybe have a requirement that new members cannot place items for sale or services during a set probation period.
And require that they show the number of posts made by them.  And show an actual location and a joined date.  

Is there anything wrong with persons using forums for thier own financial gain??  Can't say. Not my Web Sites.   But it would not hurt to have the facts upfront,  especially for the new members who are not familier with the various "Vendors" on the sites.   And your new 'friend' just wants to sell something.  May reduce people getting cheated by persons nobody really knows.   " Send me a M.O. and I will send you X."     If I was a seller, I would want to be recognized as  such and being in good standing.  Along with a rating.

What do any of you others members of the GTA think about this??  YEA  or NAY.  

[North Pack]

My two cents, - a good idea. A new member, and the more the better, - has to post "X" number of times before they can put an item or service up for sale. ... The New England Patriots have a site that uses a similar "filter" - prevents trolls and other problems.

[Big_Bill]

Hey Mike,

There are ways to check some of the "sellers: information, First, check their number of posts, then do a search to see where he has posted, and what he has said. Then you can check our Buyers, Sellers and Traders Forum, to see if anyone has posted their feeling on their transaction with this seller ! Then if still in doubt, make a post here on the Back Room, and ask the membership if there has been any members here that have personal information on the seller or his product or services.

Also, some of our members are dealers, and offer enormous help here on the forum, as well as post new arrivals, and always answer the questions that they have knowledge on.

Remember it is always your decision on who you deal with, and what you buy. And dealing on the Internet can be chancy at times. So Always check them out.

Now remember, we do have some excellent members that offer to help you out, and often for free or just to cover the parts. But if you are not sure, ask us about them !

The biggest warning is if the price is way to low ! Then you should run, not walk away from that deal ! Let the buyer be ware !

Bill

[Magnum]

I think its ok as it is:) I agree that some of the one time individuals are selling because they cannot shoot or dont like AG's  and therefore have little to offer, They join the gta forum and are only looking for possible AG market and I would likely do the same:)  If I can answer a question or help someone keep/enjoy there AG I am happy to do so. The more AG people the better:)
 I always google the seller and ask questions that only real sellers would know. I believe in the buyer be ware thinking and that communication is the key ...online shopping is not for everyone and dont think its possible totally gaurd against the sneaky petes out there... if it doesnt feel right to me then I dont do it or if I dont like what I see then I turn it off!  =2cents worth,  Tony.

[Bentong]

It always pay off to research what you are after. I have bought quite a few items here and there and so far have not been ripped off..knock on wood. I don't act out of compulsion for regret is always at the end. The deal you missed is money back in your wallet for the next real deal. I have been dealing with eBay since 1999 and have been zero bad deals.. Let's not forget that a newbie has to start with his first deal for the other deals to follow. My 3cents

[geewhiz380]

im jorge and i have bought rifles from people that been around for quite some time and u always have that gut feeling if that person is good for sales or not i have dealt with people that send the rifle first but then again people know that im a golden person when it comes to payment cause we have hard working people here that dont deserve to be taken as a fool ,to become a seller u should first get to know people first cause this website is for family who wants to learn and also buy not just sell it took me 10months to sell anyrifle and sold them and it was only two but it sold because i also love helping the next person .this is more like family oriented forum ,just watch out and we will also watch out as well .there r many topics here that r helpful in the airgunning sport .anytime u have a problem contact the moderators which r all great helpers and will be fair in any situation i have been here since last august and i have met excellent people and have learned very much and i even put things together which i couldnt before so im so grateful and thankful to many here ....many people that have 1 or 2 post r already sellin stuff but im not the one who would make an approarch unless i felt he was trying to take advantage of a newcomer than i would step in cause money dont grown on trees.pm people u know and ask questions ...jorge lopez nyc

[gamo2hammerli]

Yeah, I've seen a few brand new members trying to sell their stuff here.....will be hard for them unless the buyer do some research on them on other forums, or at least talk to them over the phone to get a feel on them.  And then there's a few with + or - 100 posts always just selling their stuff.....

Personally I've just bought 3 airguns from 2 members here.....and it went smooth.