Blimey.
I've just read through the entire thread and i thought it was simple..and then it isnt.lol
Its a good thing that the people who run the forum are trying to help protect its users ,when i visit this forum the majority of visitors seem to be viewing the classifieds so i guess many peoples primary reason for registering is to buy the used gear thats advertised here.
However,i fear the mods will make a monkey for their backs by (admirably) acting as intermediaries in transactions that take place and go sideways. Bottom line in this context this forum hosts ads for peole who want to sell.Thats where PGI's involvement surely ends doesnt it ?
In a ham and eggs breakfast,the chicken is involved,but the pig is committed.
If i buy something from the local free ads paper and it goes pear shaped,do i expect free ads to sort it out?..certainly not . theyd laugh me out their office man.
Just like E bay etc.If you buy stuff in a private trade,you have an avenue of recourse providing you use paypal/world pay whatever.
Apart from that,have some blinking common and at least grab a phone number and email etc because your on your own.Buy at your own risk surely?.A forum is not a shop and surely cannot offer the same consumer protection as one.
If buying online makes you flap,go to a store in person.
Just like classified sections of MCB in the US If you're selling,set out your ground rules first.Thats all you can do.
Past the duty of care to make sure that the advertisements are in a format that is standardised such as the photo with the date/username etc plus a description plus an asking price etc so folks have less chance of getting fleeced,forgive me,but with respect i cant see how a forum that hosts the classified ads can be telling folks how they must do business with regard to,to whom and what price they sell their items . It will be a nightmare to police for one,people are gonna go their own sweet way on those issues. Whatever the weather.
As for trying to eliminate "low balls",cmon man thats commerce,god loves a tryer,if you get all bent out of shape about haggling go and live in Japan,its considered the height of indignity..over here..have a pair and live with it.You dont have to accept the offer after all.
Just my incoherent 2 pence on the subject,i was bored..lol.
You call it how you see it,its your world moderators.