Posting here to reach my 25!
But seriously I had no clue what the requirement amount was until I found this thread. I'm trying to buy and pm sellers so sometimes it is frustrating but I can understand keeeping the scammers and trouble away.
I also came here trying to understand the PM unlocking requirement. I still can't tell if its 25 posts only or that and be registered for 4 months.
I even asked a seller to PM me - seeing others ask the same - and thinking it would then allow me to PM back once initiated. But nope, just one way conversation. Unless of course I want to broadcast a conversation through normal posting...
patw78 wrote:
I'm responding to an old post, but being a new member am curious what hoops one can jump through that assuage a seller's concerns.
There's also the issue of a buyer's concerns. I have lurked on the forum from time to time for a while and recently came across a lens I thought I might want to buy, so I registered. There were no pictures of the lens, so I tried to PM the seller. That wasn't allowed, so I posted asking if any pics were available.
The seller emailed me directly, and we had a bit of conversation. Today he sent me some pics, and the lens looked to be in great condition. I almost asked him to send me a Paypal invoice, but on a whim (or a gut check) I ran one of the images through Google image search and found that all of the images he sent had been posted by a Hong Kong photo dealer a year ago.
I think Fred's making people jump through a few hoops is a good thing, but you certainly want to do some due diligence of your own as well. And if anything doesn't smell right, walk away.
itsmibilly wrote:
I can understand 25 post to sell, but 25 post to buy!!
There are both fraudulent sellers and buyers. I personally will hesitate dealing ( buying or selling ) to members that join FM just to buy and sell equipment. There is much more to this forum than the used board.
chez wrote:
There are both fraudulent sellers and buyers. I personally will hesitate dealing ( buying or selling ) to members that join FM just to buy and sell equipment. There is much more to this forum than the used board.
I can understand your hesitation but there are many of us who simply do not want to have a large on-line presence yet find this a reliable resource for buying equipment. Making someone post 25 times does not suddenly change them from scam artist to non-scam artist.
kwei wrote:
I can understand your hesitation but there are many of us who simply do not want to have a large on-line presence yet find this a reliable resource for buying equipment. Making someone post 25 times does not suddenly change them from scam artist to non-scam artist.
FM first and foremost is an online community for photographers to discuss photography topics. Yes, it has a B&S section...but most people here primary for the conversations and secondary for buying and selling.
I'd say if you don't want to participate in other topics...maybe FM is not for you.
To be blunt, for goodness sakes, pay the damn 60$ for upload and sell, put in your effort to become a member, or hit up Craigslist, eBay, yada yada. You could even w/o having to do any of that go to www.mpb.com and grab up some good deals and you won't have to worry about post count. Sheesh.
Archive 2014 · 25 post requirement to sell.
