[osxpinot]

I'd like to preface this suggestion by saying that I mean no disrespect to anybody who runs this forum.

However, I think the Marketplace has some serious holes and people are being ripped off when something could easily be done. For instance, repeated-scammer Steven Landon made a reappearance on the forums. I noticed that his pismo looked familiar from an older name he had. I called fraud on him. Before he posted the pictures, he threatened various member for accusing him of being a fraud. He personally sent me a message saying he'd find a way to get me banned.

The point is, several members saw through his scam very early. However, the moderators did not. Multiple people were ripped off before he was banned.

This leads me to problem one with the marketplace: it is undermoderated. Not only do these type of threads slip by, but spam threads will remain on here for some time before they get deleted. I understand that moderators should give posters the benefit of the doubt, but it seems they go far with that.

My solution (other than more moderation) is tougher rules by which people are required to follow in the Marketplace.

Here is what I suggest:
1) In order to post something for sale, a person must either have reasonable references, pictures with a username and date, or be for local pickup only.
2) There must be a two week waiting period from registering and being able to post in the marketplace.
3) And obviously, as stated above, much swifter bans and locks on threads that are questionable.

[imitchellg5]

Definetly not local pickup only, that kind of ruins the point of the Marketplace since people would just use Craigslist.org.

[Peter]

if you see a scammer member report the post and also PM mods, heck, leave a topic in the feedback forum if it isnt sorted within a few hours.

[osxpinot]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Definetly not local pickup only, that kind of ruins the point of the Marketplace since people would just use Craigslist.org.

No, having local pickup only as an alternative to having a picture or references.

[BigBadBiologist]

This is pretty much a problem with all FS/FT forums. I was a mod for FS/FT for a while at hardforums and there were like 5 of us restricted to FS/FT and it still wasn't enough to keep everyone from getting trolled.

One forum whose philosophy I really like is PCPer/AMDMB. You have to have a certain post count/time registered to access the FS/FT section. This makes it so the trolls just can't hop on and snag someone (as easily).

The big problem is that buyers need to use some common sense. You can't just send someone with a yahoo e-mail account $2000 (example) by western union without getting any personal info or references.

[what_the_heck]

Originally Posted by BigBadBiologist

The big problem is that buyers need to use some common sense. You can't just send someone with a yahoo e-mail account $2000 (example) by western union without getting any personal info or references.

Good point.

You can't force common sense in people by overmoderating a forum.

-t

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Good point.

You can't force common sense in people by overmoderating a forum.

-t

that being said the mods here have told members not to act as mods. I am guilty of this as I often remind people to post asking prices and such.

Mods: Please let me know if you have a problem with my pointing out the rules in a respectful manner.

[wifeofcash2]

My husband and I have never been ripped off, and we buy stuff online all the time. It's simple. Before you send any money, or any product, get the contact info, phone number, job, address, etc of the other person. Verify it.

[brassplayersrock]

Originally Posted by wifeofcash2

My husband and I have never been ripped off, and we buy stuff online all the time. It's simple. Before you send any money, or any product, get the contact info, phone number, job, address, etc of the other person. Verify it.

[motherofrsandborn1]

He's back! Traders to watch out for.

Originally Posted by osxpinot 

I'd like to preface this suggestion by saying that I mean no disrespect to anybody that runs this forum.

However, I think the Marketplace has some serious holes and people are being ripped off when something could easily be done. For instance, repeated-scammer Steven Landon made a reappearance on the forums. I noticed that his pismo looked familiar from an older name he had. I called fraud on him. Before he posted the pictures, he threatened various member for accusing him of being a fraud. He personally sent me a message saying he'd find a way to get me banned.

The point is, several members saw through his scam very early. However, the moderators did not. Multiple people were ripped off before he was banned.

This leads me to problem one with the marketplace: it is undermoderated. Not only do these type of threads slip by, but spam threads will remain on here for some time before they get deleted. I understand that moderators should give posters the benefit of the doubt, but it seems they go far with that.

My solution (other than more moderation) is tougher rules by which people are required to follow in the Marketplace.

Here is what I suggest:
1) In order to post something for sale, a person must either have reasonable references, pictures with a username and date, or be for local pickup only.
2) There must be a two week waiting period from registering and being able to post in the marketplace.
3) And obviously, as stated above, much swifter bans and locks on threads that are questionable.

[bowwowman]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Good point.

You can't force common sense in people by overmoderating a forum.

-t

Also, artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

[brokecollegestudentF04]

Originally Posted by motherofrsandborn1 

He's back! Traders to watch out for.

You need to quit harassing me in any fashion, my boyfriend does not use my account, Like i said before in a previous response, Me and my boyfriend go to local surplus sales and purchase computer equipment and fix up and resell it.. my boyfriends past history is none of anyones concern here as he is not registered here, I am the one registered here and the responsibility of the actions on my account are mine alone. I am an honest person just trying to do honest buisness and I have 2 good references here to back that up.

[what_the_heck]

Originally Posted by motherofrsandborn1 

He's back! Traders to watch out for.

Why would anybody listen to you ?

-t

[Railroader]

I'll repeat:

Originally Posted by a copy of a post I made in the marketplace

brokecollegestudentF04 is a very reputable seller!

I have bought three items and they are better than advertised. I got a b & w tower, a iMac, and a 17" studio display for about $140 and I could not be happier. Included all hardware accessories.

Awesome seller!

[brokecollegestudentF04]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

I'll repeat:

Thanks for sticking up for us railroader...

[motherofrsandborn1]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Why would anybody listen to you ?

-t

You don't have to listen to me, but I know Steven better than anybody ( I am his mother) and I am telling you Steven has not changed, He is using his girfriends account either with or without her permission. Steven HAS posted in his girlfriends account. I can tell by his language skills and if you read the post in his girlfriends account you will see a difference in language styles and syntax. Steven's MO is to stiff traders by not following through with postal trades or claiming the equipment came damaged.

I am guessing, but I think that the trade with railroader may have been a in person trade. I know very little about his girfriend. I can not attest to her credibility, this is not about her credibility or honesty, however read her post below: They both are selling together. When you deal with his girlfriend you are dealing with Steven too.

"Me and my boyfriend go to local surplus sales and purchase computer equipment and fix up and resell it.. my boyfriends past history is none of anyones concern here as he is not registered here, I am the one registered here and the responsibility of the actions on my account are mine alone."

Stevens past on MacNN is everyones business as he is selling, even if it is with another person. The registered user is is just a technicality.

I was only giving a heads up warning as the administrators e-mail does not work. Do a google search (research) <Steven Landon> then decide if you want to purchase something from Steven. While your at it search for rsandborn1 on MacNN (he was banned). This is a repetitve behavior of Stevens.

Warning over!

[SSharon]

Just to be clear. I hope people are making the mental distinction between a banned user because of dishonest marketplace techniques and being banned for breaking general macnn rules (like rob).
I recently bought something from Rob and everything went very smoothly. There are well over 20 emails going back and forth and I would certainly do business with him in the future.

I am not saying that people are, but please don't lump all banned users into the same pot.

[brokecollegestudentF04]

Originally Posted by motherofrsandborn1 

You don't have to listen to me, but I know Steven better than anybody ( I am his mother) and I am telling you Steven has not changed, He is using his girfriends account either with or without her permission. Steven HAS posted in his girlfriends account. I can tell by his language skills and if you read the post in his girlfriends account you will see a difference in language styles and syntax. Steven's MO is to stiff traders by not following through with postal trades or claiming the equipment came damaged.

I am guessing, but I think that the trade with railroader may have been a in person trade. I know very little about his girfriend. I can not attest to her credibility, this is not about her credibility or honesty, however read her post below: They both are selling together. When you deal with his girlfriend you are dealing with Steven too.

"Me and my boyfriend go to local surplus sales and purchase computer equipment and fix up and resell it.. my boyfriends past history is none of anyones concern here as he is not registered here, I am the one registered here and the responsibility of the actions on my account are mine alone."

Stevens past on MacNN is everyones business as he is selling, even if it is with another person. The registered user is is just a technicality.

I was only giving a heads up warning as the administrators e-mail does not work. Do a google search (research) <Steven Landon> then decide if you want to purchase something from Steven. While your at it search for rsandborn1 on MacNN (he was banned). This is a repetitve behavior of Stevens.

Warning over!

Like I said before I have excellent references with da2003pizimp and railroader, Mrs. Landon you need to stop harrassing me in this manner or post about steven like I said this is my account and and I am soley held responsible for the actions under my account... Now Steven is trying to get his life in order running a legitamite computer sales buisness, We both work together, Steven and I both fix the computers and I do post them here and I have had perfect dealings on here.. Everyone has been happy with the quality of product they recieved from us, Including Railroader.. This is the last Ill ask of you to stop these harassing posts, Im reporting you to the moderators and hopefully they will ban you, and Mrs. Landon these people do not purchase the items from steven as I am the one selling them, When Items are sold the money is sent in my name not stevens.. And if you have a problem with me feel free to call me as you do have the number and people do get everything as described, I have never had anyone complain about any thing I have ever sold and I have done numerous deals on craigslist and 2 perfectly good transactions on here... Now this is the last Ill ask, Stay out of my buisness and Ill stay out of yours...

[Rumor]

The same Steven Landon that people on Applefritter want to get their hands on?

[what_the_heck]

Originally Posted by motherofrsandborn1 

I was only giving a heads up warning as the administrators e-mail does not work. Do a google search (research) <Steven Landon> then decide if you want to purchase something from Steven. While your at it search for rsandborn1 on MacNN (he was banned). This is a repetitve behavior of Stevens.

Warning over!

Yes, the admin email account is going to /dev/null.

If you want to get in touch with the mods, it's best to use PM (private messages).
See under QuickLinks in the top navigation bar.

Contact the mods that are in charge of the Marketplace, if you feel you have to report something to them.

-t