Do we need trader ratings?

[CoventryCat86]

I dunno, I think cameroon4me's was totally tounge-in-cheek. I thought it was pretty funny especially the part about how we should adopt a socialist system for cigar consumption

 

[camaroon4me]

I dunno, I think cameroon4me's was totally tounge-in-cheek. I thought it was pretty funny especially the part about how we should adopt a socialist system for cigar consumption

Thank you Bill for picking up on my sarcasm. I was simply demonstrating obsurdity by being obsurd myself. I certainly do not think there is anything to gain by quiting or reducing what we do here!

I do think that whoever "problem members/ bad traders" show up here are weeded out, and usually quickly.
It really does not take very long to establish a reputation here, and I stick by my earlier thoughts in that there are enough guards in place to keep rotten traders from ruining a good thing.

I still suggest that if there is a doubt about a trader (or a newbie), just use some due dilligence, ie.....ask a FOG!

As a newer member myself, I am not expecting to be accepted as a great trader, I know I need to earn my stripes just like everyone else did. We have a process here (newbie trade), and a forum.
By participating in dialogue with other traders, a reasonable member can somewhat learn the character of the newbie and decide if they are worthy of their trust.

Take the time to get to know the other members here. When you get a good trade, POINT IT OUT to the other members, there is no harm in this! It's the American way. When something good happens, let people know. When something bad happens, let EVERYONE know.

 

[hudsonvalley]

As a newbie to this board I had a similar suggestion about getting a rating but I see the wisdom in finding alternatives. It is the newbies who need the info most to start trading and passing. Or they can just sit on the sidelines. My advice--just read for a few days, post a few times and jump in. What's the worst that could happen?

For me just the information I get from this board is rewarding. Will just post my 'feedback' stuff in my profile section. This seems like an excellent solution.

 

[jaxstraww]

You can have ten good trades and then someone skips town on number 11. What do you have then? Nothing, still got it in the eye. Word of mouth and using common sense will get you known on a board. Not sure who runs the board now (thinking Rod?) but this may be all moot if invision doesn't have an easy mod for installing trader comments anyway. I love the hobby and I love the people. But sometimes we open up ranks to fast and get it. My feeling is you should be in it for the long haul and not just using a board as a sales pitch. Posting will let people know if your genuine or not. Showing your face at a few herfs will get the friendships flowing. Example is GL04. Personally never had a bad trade with him. Now he did get his ass in a few jams with people. He had like 40+ positive trader comments but by the vibe on the board noone would trade with him again. Useless are the TC's. Just an active showing in a board is all you need to know if someone is worthy to be in a trade or pass.

No matter what direction (still think a trader mod will be a pain in the ass to install) you go, I'm sure having comments is six one way and a half a dozen the other.

 

[Lee]

The true meaning of being a BOTL is that you start here or on any board, you watch, ask questions, get to know others as you begin to post.

After you've been around for a while, if you have have proven yourself worthy, you won't have a problem being included in anything that happens (pass, group buy, etc.)

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

 

[SKYDIVNEKD]

OK, so call me lazy! I just didn't feel like reading through three pages of chatter. I see the trader comments seem to be going by th ewayside. GREAT IDEA!!!

As Leebo said, you earn the trust of everyone through time spent here or on another site. You gain friendships and earn a reputation. It truly doesn't take that long to do; if you're proactive!

If ya don't know someone, ask. Askin' ain't never killed nobody.

Now lets get back to enjoyin' the community.

Floyd T. :sign:

PS: Hasn't this same thing been mentioned about post numbers before. Then THAT blew up! ROFLMAO!!!!

 

[JOE.M.]

The true meaning of being a BOTL is that you start here or on any board, you watch, ask questions, get to know others as you begin to post.

After you've been around for a while, if you have have proven yourself worthy, you won't have a problem being included in anything that happens (pass, group buy, etc.)

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

To bad too many people expect that from day one!

 

[SFG75]

The true meaning of being a BOTL is that you start here or on any board, you watch, ask questions, get to know others as you begin to post.

After you've been around for a while, if you have have proven yourself worthy, you won't have a problem being included in anything that happens (pass, group buy, etc.)

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

I've come full circle on this one, and Leebo makes the best case as to why it should remain the same. If you've been wronged, take it to PM and then if that doesn't work, make it public-it's so simple!. I can't tell you how many people I've seen drummed out of here because they cheated somebody or a person they traded with thought they got the wrong end of the deal. Keep things the way they are!

 

[Allofus123]

Did I actually see a few newbies that appear to "get it"? :sign:

This community is not much different than the community you live in. You'll get out of it what you put in it. I doubt that any of the guys that have been here for a few years would ever have a problem with a new person asking advice. Most of us are full of it....... advice that is.

A few rules to always abide by:

If dealing with someone that is new you should insist that they ship first, that is if you are an established individual in the community.

Small deals before big deals. Once you've established several small deals you should have a good communication line going with the individual. Phone numbers are a must and if in doubt make sure you have both work and home phone numbers. Verify them.

Of course there's the one rule that so many cigar smokers seem to fall for everyday. ??? "If its too good to be true........" you know the rest. Quality authentic cigars listed at 50% of retail are not a reality. No one has a brothers friends aunt who knows someone that works at the factory and gets special deals. Shop smart.... know retail pricing...... find trusted stores and sources and stick with them.

The above will lessen the chance of someone taking you for a ride but know if you do this long enough...someone will eventially try and take advantage of you. Don't be careless.

 

[fllbrent]

Allofus123,

I feel as though someone is try to tell me something important.

Brent

 

[PuroBrat]

The true meaning of being a BOTL is that you start here or on any board, you watch, ask questions, get to know others as you begin to post.

After you've been around for a while, if you have have proven yourself worthy, you won't have a problem being included in anything that happens (pass, group buy, etc.)

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

To bad too many people expect that from day one!

Hell Joe, I have been here longer than you and allmost as long as Lee, and I still don't deserve to be included in those things ???

Someday I will be able to say, I Get It!!

:sign:

 

[CoventryCat86]

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

Case in point: gamelover2004 had all kinds of great "trader comments" :lookup: over at CW and the guy is a complete POS :angry:

 

[SFG75]

No need for trader comments in my opinion, they aren't a true judge of character.

Case in point: gamelover2004 had all kinds of great "trader comments" :lookup: over at CW and the guy is a complete POS :angry:

Yeah, the way they get people for passes is crazy. "Must have 600 posts and four references" and crap like that. :sneaky: First, posts are one thing-good posts are quite another and even those don't show character. Funny you mention gamelover-I had almost forgotten about him-what a great episode in the history of CP. I'll have to go back and read some old threads.

 

[jgohlke]

Another newbie speaks....

Don't know the history because I haven't been around that long, but having completed a newbie trade with Bill (coventrycat86) where I was the newbie the process didn't seem that complicated. Here are a few observations....

The newbie is obligated to take the initial risk. Of course, I did my due diligence, read through the previous postings...and decided that it was either a very elaborate hoax just to swindle me out of $100 or the real deal. I even poked around through the ASC history on Google....CP seemed legit. I investigated the situation enough for me to risk $100 and feel comfortable.

Bill offered to do the trade or just sell me some smokes. The offer of "just send me some money" puzzled me at first. I went back and re-read the posts. I decided he was just being accomodating, not knowing my personal financial issues. For me, just buying them wasn't as much fun, I wanted to do a trade. I ordered him some cigars just like he requested. When my wife found out that I had ordered Cuban cigars from Singapore and had them sent to a guy I just met online, she thought I was nuts!

I sent Bill the email confirmations and shipping info from the store. I figured he would send out his part of the trade as soon as he felt comfortable that I had completed my end of the deal. If he wanted to wait until the cigars actually arrived at his house, that would have been fine with me. As it worked out, I think he sent them earlier than that.

In the end, it worked out way better for me than I had expected. Not only did Bill send me a variety of cigars that I would have never known about, he included a printout with info on each cigar. It turned out to be a very good experience for me.

I don't think a rating system would have made much difference to me. I did my own homework and would expect the same from others. It's about having a history where others speak well of you, not how well you speak of yourself.

Just my 2 cents....

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Master Gates]

I only read the first few posts, but heres my thing on this trader comments business....

To me, they are basically a track record as opposed to hot air or backslapping, etc. I spend lots of time at CW and have done many transactions there.

It is because of my record there that so many of you have welcomed me and traded with me here. I mean really, how many guys would send $50 to me for a box split when im a brand new member here? Guys here have vouched for me not because they have traded with me before, but because I have traded with guys they traded with/know (thanks CC86) That record can be seen in trader comments section at CW.

I get a different feeling from the few boards that I visit, and Im sure most of you that frequent more than one board will agree that each one has a different character. This board has fewer members from what I can tell, and its prob easier to keep track of whats going on as far as trading/passes goes. So having trader comments might not be useful here.

Now, IMHO trader comments system is not perfect by any means, but it doesnt mean that a system without trader comments is any better. At CW they serve a purpose which is IMO to establish a track record

 

[CoventryCat86]

I good topic worthy of "topping"

I had commented in this thread (WOW back when Scotty and I were speaking nicley to one another :laugh: ) and didn't see Joe's post about our trade.

The way I see it is if me or someone like me ever outright stiffed someone in a trade, (especially a new guy like Joe in the NST thread) I'd be hung out to dry so fast it would make your head spin and rightfully so. Secondly, I'd bet that the generous BOTL's would NOT let a guy like Joe suffer and would make sure he didn't wind up getting totally screwed.

So, the bottom line is a person in my position has a LOT MORE to lose by stiffing someone on a trade therefore the chances of that ever happening AND the stiffee being left not compensated are extremely remote.

I completely see Joe's point (and his wife's apprehension :0 ) I mean after all, a new person doesn't know us from Adam BUT I think his take on things is right on the money :thumbs: