Policy on new members selling things

[Bonsai Nut]

I wanted to open this topic to see what members think about the subject. Recently we have had new members who register on the site only (or primarily) in order to list something for sale. In some cases, the transactions have gone off without a hitch. In others, there have been issues.

There is not currently a policy on the site about how much time someone should spend here before they are allowed to sell directly to members. What do people think?

 

[Ruddigger]

I think a 30 day limit and and a minimum post count would be a good idea.

 

[penumbra]

Sometimes we need rules because there will be times when we forgo common sense. I know I would not buy from someone with few messages or reactions.

 

[JudyB]

I guess it would be smart to put some sort of icon on a selling post from a brand new member, that is plain to see on the post. After that people should be smart enough to be cautious about buying from an unknown source.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I agree. (Un)common sense should guide us, but there should certainly be some kind of establishment in this community before newcomers sell their products. Personally, I would be hesitant to buy from anyone who hasn't shown in some way that they actually know something about this scientific artform. If I ever reach a level where my trees are worth selling or sharing, I feel that perhaps by then, I will be known (and possibly even respected) enough that trust will have been kindled. But this is coming from a beginner in the field.
As far as specific rules, I defer to those more experienced.

 

[Michael P]

On Aquatic Plant Central where I am a moderator, we require 25 substantive posts before a new member is allowed to list items for sale. Post padding--pointless short posts done only to boost post count--is not allowed. This seems to work pretty well.

 

[Hartinez]

I like the idea of a minimum post count before being able to sell anything.

 

[WIlliam_Butler_Yeets]

I think it would be prudent to have either a minimum post count or minimum account age, maybe a month or something, before people can start selling things to other members.

 

[minkes]

Also if somebody here is known as reliable seller could obtain “icon” as verified seller

 

[Nybonsai12]

1 year on the site minimum, 3 solid progression threads started(no tropicals), photo of them in Mirai T-shirt, entries in every site contest during the year and buy me minimum of 6 beers.

Yea that should do it.

But seriously I like the 30 day minimum idea as well as some sort of post count minimum.

 

[namnhi]

30 days wait would weed out the bad actors. These crooks want quick bucks and have no patience to wait that long. 30 days and 5 posts should do the job.

 

[penumbra]

30 days would be better than now and it would weed out some fraud. I would have no objection to a 60 day hold. I also like the idea of an "icon" for verified sellers.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I've been active on many forums in the past and I have run my own forum for over 10 years in the past aswell.
A minimum post count and a minumum active time on the forum should be enough to hold off people with bad intensions.

 

[Cruiser]

A waiting period is a good idea.
Also some kind of verified seller icon.

Not sure about post count. It seems like every now and then a new member shows up, engages in an inflammatory thread, and racks up a very high post count quickly.

 

[stubmle]

I'm pretty new here myself but I'd support a waiting period at least. If someone wants a quick buck they can take that to Craigslist or whatever, this should be an enthusiat forum first and foremost. If members want to trade with each other that is great but we don't need strangers coming in here just to sell stuff or potentially scam people.

 

[James W.]

How about just moderator approval? That gives some wiggle room for known entities, a proxy, or estate executor. Moderator might have some guidelines . . .

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Would agree, at least 30 days minimum and exceed at least the minimum BNUT standard of 10 screened posts already in place.

Since @Bonsai Nut does all the work to screen etc, feel it’s incumbent upon us not to increase his workload.

That said, if there is a critical mass of folks who want to see a verified sellers seal, perhaps a simple process could could be created to do so and also to revoke said seal.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[19Mateo83]

These are the rules on the marketplace on reef2reef, another forum I stalk. They are really strict about following these rules and it seems to keep fraud to a minimum as much as possible. They have these stickied at the top of each marketplace thread and it auto replies the rules in blue to each selling post. Also, they encourage sending all payments PayPal goods and services to offer the buyer some protection. I think that should be mandatory form of payment for all new people wanting to sell.

They also have a sellers feedback rating in everyone’s profile.

 

[Cajunrider]

I agree that there should be some minimal requirements.

 

[Unagi]

I think it depends what you or the community want to do with this site.

If we want it to be like an online version of a small local bonsai club, the limit makes sense. But in that case we might force others to write low quality posts just to reach their goals (selling). I sort of felt that way when I joined the forum with the aim to write a DM to a member who lives in my country.

If our aim is to scale up this site to a big forum, we need a system for moderation including newcommers selling things. It is not necessarily bad, it is just different, and we might not be able to avoid it.