Idea for new section
 

We badly need a section for Fraudsters. I'd be happy to moderate. People can private message me the following:

Name of Fraudster or eBay Name
Offense (See below for codes)
Amount Involved
Reporting Person

Please offer any suggestions that might make this better. Also, I need to find a way to upload a searchable file. I tried Excel, & Word, but wasn't able to attach. What should I be doing to do this?

Offenses:

1. eBay Fraud
2. Board Fraud
3. Failure to pay
4. Improper Communication

Sample List:

Just outta curiosity, but creating a "Blotter" is a bit outta line don't you think? I think it's a bit extreme IMO, unless I'm missing something.

Thoughts?

The real problem is nobody cares. If they can get that card, autograph, or piece of memorabilia at a price they are comfortable with they will buy it from anybody. Sadly this has been proven many many times. Yes there are a few with morals but they are few and far between.

We mention people all the time here. Only problem is, it's hard to find out who those people were when we need to. Unless you can remember each and everyone of the people mentioned, you'll most likely get burned by the same jerk. Be nice to have a list of people to stay away from when eBaying, etc. Thoughts?

someone's gotta start somewhere...

Makes sense, but there is always that chance "said" jerk has more than 1 identity on EBay?

Doesn't matter. List everyone of them. :)

Would be great to have quick access that shows who to stay away from.
I like that idea a lot. :)

If I knew HTML, I could probably paste the code. Maybe someone can help me with that. Watcha think Leon?

holy smokes
 

dude !!!!!!!!!! great idea

Yes
 

Yes, this is a good idea, but within a year or two the list might contain 10,000 names. There are a lot of problem buyers and sellers on ebay.

Plus, there are two sides to every story. Maybe the person who wants a name added to the list is actually the one who caused the problem in the first place.
Will each item be vetted by a third party before the name is added?

Sounds like a good way to have even more he said he said petty drama on the board.

I will admit on the surface it sounds like a great idea. All of the scumbags in one nice neat list. I was almost 100% decided in my mind, as to the answer, when I saw this thread. Just needed to wait for a few more clearly thought out points of view. There is 0% chance of this type of list on this board. This and the previous post are the reasons.

No doubt fraud is rampant, but need to be careful with vetting. Whose to say what the true story is. Don't need this to turn into "N54 Mcarthyism". Will there be hearings? :rolleyes:

I wanted a list of the most prolific fraudsters. Never intended to make a list of petty squabbles between 2 people. I almost lost $600 yesterday, to a person mentioned here before for defrauding someone out of $5000+.

If there was a section for the most prolific fraudsters, others wouldn't make the mistake I almost made yesterday.

Although, I can't ever see myself spending that kind of money, I too would like to see a list like that.

I hate thieves/fraudsters/scam artists with a passion!:mad:

I think if you eliminate 3 and 4 (failure to pay and bad communication), then that eliminates a lot of that he said / he said stuff. The list should only include fraud. - people that were actually scammed out of money - and also stick to the facts of the situation (no speculation) and I think this idea works great.

I agree. Those that are (proven) to be selling fakes and have, and continue to rip off people.

I had a situation last night where I won a card and the seller, in his ad, had the info stating it shipped to Canada.
He wrote me back and stated he only shipped state side.
Rechecked his ad and down below, in his own description, it stated that.
I never seen it and questioned his ad and why it showed International shipping?
Long story short, I agree to the cancellation, reluctantly, but agreed none the less.

Imo, this story and/or others like this are not part of what the OP is asking for, just those selling fakes, ripping of peeps, all the while continuing to do so. (JMO)

I have rarely disagreed with you Leon on this board but I think a running list of fraudulent sellers to avoid would be good for the hobby and for the board. I would suggest a running list of clear cases of fraud with posts that are pre-approved by you before posting. I understand though if you don't want your name associated with that and respect your decision either way.

I agree. Failure to pay, and improper communication should be eliminated. There have been so many prolific fraudsters, it's hard to remember all those names. A list of these people is what I want to post. No one should be buying from these people, ever again.

Yes, I believe I could (not sure by any means) have some legal liability by allowing it, if I allow approve something in a moderated form. There is a very strong Federal Statute 230 that protects forum owners by defining what a "publisher" of information is but if I have absolute approval?? I could see an issue. We discuss every fraud known to collectors, which is great, but having a section......not in favor of it now but will keep listening. The shi* to equity ratio isn't good imo.

Fair enough. I'm sure these discussions have helped quite a few collectors and board members avoid some known fraudulent sellers and what to look for to avoid others.

I agree. Leon is in a tight situation with this idea and I don't blame him for not wanting to take the chance.

I think what I will do, is copy/print out known names that are discussed/shown here and make my own list to refer too.

About the only thing, being as there are so many of them, one can do to keep track of them all.

Another idea
 

If you have a question about a seller or buyer, ask the forum and ask to be pm'ed if people have issues. No public slander issue here
I get worried about slander litigation if a name is mistakenly drug down here. Probably wouldn't happen but could get ugly