Saturday I read the recent comments posted, as a fairly new member I refrained from comment as recent experiences indicate the variations on trading are quite complex.
However was encouraged today by others constructive comments. So here goes with a collection of points, some in support of other members suggestions.
The general terms of trade are fine for honest helpful people ie; the vast majority of members here.
But newbies face a daunting challenge of not knowing who to rely upon and perhaps like me not knowing anyone in the astronomy world.
I have adopted the basic policy, to ask for a home address or personal phone number, plus bank account details. Most members don't hesitate, particularly after a brief phone call and those transactions have all been excellent, often with an email or phone call to check all is OK.
When a trade has been AOK a favorable reply can be posted to the advert.
I tend to agree with the five stars system, but without comments. Maybe a bit complex to program for the moderators. But the feedback ratings could be accumulated on each member's statistics page eg;
IceTrade Rating
1*= 0, 2*= 2, 3*=3, 4*= 10, 5*=25
Obviously you should only be able to post feedback, if you have at least responded when the item was listed "For Sale". Maybe more programming for Mike, but necessary to prevent many false inputs.
Polite pos / neg explanatory comments could be replied to the advert during time unlocked, which unlocked time could be extended from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
Obviously Flaming and unacceptable language as per website policy should be removed by moderators, but replied feedback and star ratings should not be altered by anyone.
One insidious issue is that members who have developed a bad rating, could resign from the group and try to rejoin under a different ID. Apart from a personal IP address this is very hard to police. But members get banned for banned for breaching website policy, so this could be the same.
No system will be perfect or free from abuse, but a positive & negative 5 star system would be a great improvement. Particularly for the newer members.
These comments do not cast a slur against anyone, but these points do get shared privately quite a bit. Like others I'm just game enough to make some suggested improvements to a good system.
BTW
"For Sale" Free clouds, quite solid & reliable, show up every night.
Pick-up only
David
David