Two Suggestions

[Meerakat]

Suggestion - 1 (iTrader)

I've recently noticed that users mostly newbies are using the trade system to either contact a specific person, sell his/her services or any other reason that is not even related to a business transaction

This leads to a false positive feedback or it just acts as a way of notifying the person who got the feedback.

Just like how you need 15+ posts in order to private message a member, there should be a limit for users who need at-least X amount of posts to use the trade system or should first hit a specific member level like "Registered Member"

Perhaps the same could be said for profile posts, although rare; newly joined accounts still try to sell or advertise their website by making a profile post.

Suggestion - 2 (WTB/HAF sub-forum)

Hide the poster's username to prevent newbies or any non-upgraded users from private messaging the poster who is looking to buy something.

Levels like Jr.VIP or Premium member would be allowed to see everything as they are permitted to sell and reply, however non-upgraded levels can only see the thread's title, content & replies except the username.

 

[BbHhWwVM]

Let's be honest, PM system available at 15 posts is a nonsense.

For all non-paid members, PM should be opened from 100 posts + 3 months old account.


Every PM is info or money exchange/scam.

So, BHW staff should think twice and add something of value to protect yellow members PM abuse.

Yellow members who would like to share sensitive info with someone can always tag a person @Diamond Damien and ask for a PM

This way public can see that yellow member has requested PM and they can REPORT just so mods can check PM


I often report some yellow members who post some nonsense threads (fishing PM's) just so mods can take a look at their inbox.


As per 2) I would remove HAF and WTB from being public, just like JR Vip forum

So Yellow members can only post and if they have less than 100 posts and 3 months old account, they ask to be PM'ed by Jr Vips

They also must specify budget or thread deleted

Edit: and they would be able to see their own thread only with replies, so HAF and WTB would look blank for all yellow, and if they post a thread there, it would be only their thread visible


This is not a small community, and it is not hard at all to do what I just said and it is necessary, because PM scam rate is still very high

It is notable in shitlists and some lounge posts, but I can't deny that staff is taking good care about this and preventing at least 75% of it, which is amazing stats.

This about stats is MO, I can't know it.

 

[Diamond Damien]

Let's be honest, PM system available at 15 posts is a nonsense.

For all non-paid members, PM should be opened from 100 posts + 3 months old account.


So, BHW staff should think twice and add something of value to protect yellow members PM abuse.

Yellow members who would like to share sensitive info with someone can always tag a person @Diamond Damien and ask for a PM

This way public can see that yellow member has requested PM and they can REPORT just so mods can check PM


I often report some yellow members who post some nonsense threads (fishing PM's) just so mods can take a look at their inbox.


As per 2) I would remove HAF and WTB from being public, just like JR Vip forum

So Yellow members can only post and if they have less than 100 posts and 3 months old account, they ask to be PM'ed by Jr Vips

They also must specify budget or thread deleted


This is not a small community, and it is not hard at all to do what I just said and it is necessary, because PM scam rate is still very high

It is notable in shitlists and some lounge posts, but I can't deny that staff is taking good care about this and preventing at least 75% of it, which is amazing stats.

This about stats is MO, I can't know it.

As per all the other posts - hit the report button. The community sends around 10-15k messages on average a day.

Every PM is info or money exchange/scam.

is a slight exaggeration, we're very fortunate with an engaged membership that this sort of abuse gets removed very quickly and the offending member gets banned.

Closing thought - buying items outside of the marketplace means you have no protection from BHW and you need to ask yourself why the offender isn't coming through the normal marketplace process. Just because someone has an uncle with $5,000,000 in the bank doesn't mean you should send them your hard-earned $500 so they can unlock it.

 

[Diamond Damien]

Suggestion - 2 (WTB/HAF sub-forum)

Hide the poster's username to prevent newbies or any non-upgraded users from private messaging the poster who is looking to buy something.

Levels like Jr.VIP or Premium member would be allowed to see everything as they are permitted to sell and reply, however non-upgraded levels can only see the thread's title, content & replies except the username.

We have this covered in one way stopping newbies from sending pm's. However - this is an interesting idea that would restrict those not able to sell on the forum but in our experience most Jr. VIP's / Premium members acknowledge the rules they sign up under and report such actions.

Suggestion - 1 (iTrader)

I've recently noticed that users mostly newbies are using the trade system to either contact a specific person, sell his/her services or any other reason that is not even related to a business transaction

This leads to a false positive feedback or it just acts as a way of notifying the person who got the feedback.

Just like how you need 15+ posts in order to private message a member, there should be a limit for users who need at-least X amount of posts to use the trade system or should first hit a specific member level like "Registered Member"

Perhaps the same could be said for profile posts, although rare; newly joined accounts still try to sell or advertise their website by making a profile post.

Yep - the iTrade is for any business you've carried out with anyone on the forum. Very general. The new marketplace will replace this with verified feedback based on those who've actually purchased from an individual.

Asked - Answered - Closed.