Want a buy, sell & trade forum?

Plainview

Plainview

I am a sinner.
Sep 11, 2013
47,632
25,261
4,279
I've been asked by numerous people about creating a forum so our members can buy, sell or trade games and video game related merchandise. I've been thinking about it but wanted to get feedback from the forums. The rules will be VERY strict.

Here are a list of the rules I've been working on. Provide feedback if you would like to see these forums added to the site or not as well as the rules that will be in place. This is not a guarantee it will happen but if the forum feedback works well it may be a go.

_________________________________________________________________

Why a UnionVGF classifieds section? We’re creating this as a way for the community to buy, sell and trade amongst the community we’ve been a part of for years. These are our forums and we expect all members to participate in the classified forums in a responsible and respectful manner without betraying the trust of the community.

UnionVGF will not be held responsible for the items listed or the conduct of members participating in the buying, selling or trading of the listed goods. UnionVGF makes no representations, warranties, liabilities, responsibility with respect to any transactions, communications, disputes, interactions, or any relations between buyers, sellers or traders. You are responsible for doing your own due diligence with respect to your interactions with buyers, sellers or traders. While we will try an help resolve any situations that may arise, it’s all on you, potential buyers, sellers and traders.

Classified Forum Rules

1. ALL ITEMS LISTED FOR SALE MUST FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

Video games

Video game related items (toys, artwork, collectables, clothing, etc.)

PC components

Audio/Video equipment.

2. You should have some way to vouch for your credentials as a seller, (Ebay, Amazon, etc. account) to potential buyers.

3. Members must have 100 posts to create listing in the classified forum and have been a member for at least one month. Spamming to reach 100 posts will be monitored.

5. ALL ITEMS NEED TO HAVE PHOTOS TAKEN BY YOU WITH YOUR SCREENAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER!

NO STOCK PHOTOS.

ALL ITEMS MUST BE IN-HAND AT THE TIME OF LISTING OR IT WILL BE REJECTED AND FEE WILL NOT BE RETURNED.

7. Only one active classified ad may be active per member at one time. Up to five items being sold may be put under the same listing.

8. Once an item has been sold DO NOT REMOVE IT FROM THE LISTING. Cross out the listing and mark it as “SOLD.”

9. Once all items have been sold the thread will be locked by a mod.

11. USE PAYPAL TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN SENDING AND RECEIVING MONEY.

12. ALL ITEMS ARE TO HAVE A TRACKING NUMBER TO HELP WITH ANY POSSIBLE SHIPPING ISSUES.

13. NO BUSINESS OR BULK ITEM (I have 10 copies of Street Fighter EX, etc.) LISTINGS.

14. Potential buyers, sellers and traders should do their own due diligence before making an offer or completing a purchase. While we will try to help rectify any issues as best we can, buyers are solely responsible for the purchase and any issues should be take up with Paypal.

15. THIS IS A ONE-STRIKE FORUM. If an issue arises, contact Plainview. A person found to be guilty of fraud, inaccurate listing, or other shady tactics will not be allowed to participate in the classified forum again.

How to make a listing.

All threads are moderated and must be approved by Plainview before being accepted in the classified sections. This is done this way to try and prevent any possible scams from being posted.

Listings without in-hand photos will be rejected immediately. Make sure your listing has them included.

Listings by members without being a member for 60 days and not having a minimum of 100 posts will be immediately rejected.
 
Last edited:
Sounds great, I'd love to see this.

I'm concerned about the rule stating that a tracking number is mandatory however. This concerns me because I am located in Canada, and I know that it costs an arm and a leg to add a tracking number to packages shipping between the U.S. and Canada, so if tracking numbers are mandatory then I probably won't bother since the shipping cost becomes way too high.

I totally understand why you'd want it mandatory though, as this will surely decrease the potential for many possible headaches that can arise. We wouldn't want to have to ban/block valued members of the community simply because the package they shipped ended up being stolen or lost before arrival and are erroneously accused of not shipping at all. Unfortunately, in this kind of circumstance it seems necessary that they'd actually have to prove their innocence.

Perhaps, instead, we could make a rule that you must keep/hang on to the receipt you're given after paying to ship your package, and take a picture of it, which could then act as a form of proof (should the need arise) that you did indeed send the package of such and such size/cost on such and such date from such and such location to the other...
 
Last edited:
You know simply posting a disclaimer does not absolve you from liability should one member rip off another, especially if you're going to charge for listing an item (which is what i think point 6 is saying, right?).
 
I'm a member of a number of auto enthusiast forums all of which have wanted/for sale sub-category. I'm not opposed to having a "classified" section here. I've had many positive experiences buying and selling items on them.
 
D-V-ANT said:
You know simply posting a disclaimer does not absolve you from liability should one member rip off another, especially if you're going to charge for listing an item (which is what i think point 6 is saying, right?).
Click to expand...
That was left in from a prior version. No fees. I edited it as you replying.
 
Ryubusa said:
Sounds great, I'd love to see this.

I'm concerned about the rule stating that a tracking number is mandatory however. This concerns me because I am located in Canada, and I know that it costs an arm and a leg to add a tracking number to packages shipping between the U.S. and Canada, so if tracking numbers are mandatory then I probably won't bother since the shipping cost becomes way too high.
Click to expand...
That's interesting. I did not know that. I knew it was pricey to ship to and from Canada but didn't know the tracking part was more expensive as well.
 
Being such a close-knit community here I don't think there would be to many jack holes, most everyone "knows" everyone to some extent. The 100 post count/60 day rule is cool, plus I'm pretty sure no one is gonna buy/trade with someone who's just joined has a only a few posts anyway.
 
Plainview said:
That's interesting. I did not know that. I knew it was pricey to ship to and from Canada but didn't know the tracking part was more expensive as well.
Click to expand...

Some shippers charge an additional fee to track your item. I know UPS used to, don't know if they still do, and Fed-Ex did too. Plus if you ship with them and don't have a business account its a lot more expensive too.
 
BDaddyK said:
Some shippers charge an additional fee to track your item. I know UPS used to, don't know if they still do, and Fed-Ex did too.
Click to expand...

Even regular ol' USPS does too. Adding tracking to a package shipping within the U.S. is something paltry like two bucks, but adding tracking to international (which includes Canada) packages costs like ten bucks or more (iirc).
 
BDaddyK said:
Being such a close-knit community here I don't think there would be to many jack holes, most everyone "knows" everyone to some extent. The 100 post count/60 day rule is cool, plus I'm pretty sure no one is gonna buy/trade with someone who's just joined has a only a few posts anyway.
Click to expand...
There is an add-on I'm looking into that allows feedback, a gallery, etc. If the forum is active I will look into it further.
 
Also, this is very helpful: add members to the list of "good Buyer/trader." I've done this on other sites and it helps a lot. I also like the idea of 'must be 100 or more before selling/buying anything' to prevent new people from coming here just to sell/trade and then never heard from them again. Does anyone know the link to post/host the pictures? Like photobucket or something like that.

In my humble opinion, tracking numbers is a must. Where I live, it doesn't cost much (2 bucks or something). It helps to keep track of where the item goes. If it gets lost, both seller/buyer will lost everything. I really hope this buy/trade/sell forum will be successful! I, for once, will support that 100%!
 
Smurfboy said:
Also, this is very helpful: add members to the list of "good Buyer/trader." I've done this on other sites and it helps a lot. I also like the idea of 'must be 100 or more before selling/buying anything' to prevent new people from coming here just to sell/trade and then never heard from them again. Does anyone know the link to post/host the pictures? Like photobucket or something like that.

In my humble opinion, tracking numbers is a must. Where I live, it doesn't cost much (2 bucks or something). It helps to keep track of where the item goes. If it gets lost, both seller/buyer will lost everything. I really hope this buy/trade/sell forum will be successful! I, for once, will support that 100%!
Click to expand...
I host everything at Imgur.
 
Ryubusa said:
Even regular ol' USPS does too. Adding tracking to a package shipping within the U.S. is something paltry like two bucks, but adding tracking to international (which includes Canada) packages costs like ten bucks or more (iirc).
Click to expand...

I don't remember paying that much (10 bucks) for tracking number (I've dealt with someone from Canada quite a few times in the past and had no problem at all). If that's the case, then I don't think it's worth to send, for example, a single game + $10 bucks for tracking numbers. I think it's worth it if send a large numbers of items (or if something's worth over $100), then $10 is not a big deal in my opinion. I don't mind doing that.
 
i'm definitely in favour of the idea. been using "avforums" for years to sell/buy a decent sum of my games. not sure how much it'd do for me though as i think VGF is more US centric (as opposed to UK)?

tracking numbers would be a no-go though. no point in paying for a mark-up on delivery price. on the other forum ive used i have never had a problem with buyers/sellers... just got to use common sense with who/how you are willing to deal with the transaction (their standard neg/neutral/pos feedback system is helpful with this). only incident i had was when a game i sent didn't get delivered, i explained the issue to the buyer (and had pictures of item prior) and filled out the forms for the post office and the item was returned to me within about 2 weeks
 
I think it's worth giving the old college try.
 
Plainview said:
There is an add-on I'm looking into that allows feedback, a gallery, etc. If the forum is active I will look into it further.
Click to expand...

The auto forums have a trader rating, lets buyers/sellers leave feedback etc. it lets you get a quick view of a members rep.

1jYQDNx.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'm a firm NO on this. Seems more can go wrong than right with this.
 
I'm pretty hesitant about this. I just don't feel the guarantee that somebody will be a straight shooter with the shipping and what not. I wouldn't mind testing it though.
 
I would not use it, but hopefully you have enough demand for one.
 
I'm all for giving it a shot. I've used the sale/trade forum on "Hardforum" a few times and I've had no problems. Most people use www.heatware.com which is a feedback site used to kind of prove you are trustworthy
 
I agree with Hissatsu(*gasp*). A lot people have closets full of old games, and systems and peripherals that can be hard to find or fiendishly expensive and the barter aspect--at the very least--will be very appealing to a lot our forum mates. Dare to march to the tune of a different drummer and give it a go.
 
Good to see that most of you guys are willing to give it a go. I have a feeling it'll be good as long as we respect each other.
 
Yep I'm all for it too. Selling and trading in this day and age is a must with gaming being so expensive. This is my favorite forum so outside of Ebay and th sweet deals they have, sure I'd be interested in flipping games here.
 
Oh man, you guys don't use any Buy/Sell/Trade sites already? There are a few that I've used for yeeeaaars now, and since the day I first discovered them they've been a godsend. I've saved probably thousands of dollars, got my hands on some titles I never would have found in the wild, and managed to obtain items all in excellent condition. My library would be nothing like it is today without community bartering sites. Very helpful indeed!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back