Referals?

How do you know who gave you the referal in your Public Profile?

That is not information that is available, sorry.

???????

If it makes ya feel any better, I can't even determine the referrals. :D

What IS a referral? Is it good or bad thing? Just curious ...

Ok, Thanks.

Hehe to be honest I don't even know if I can see (most likely I am sure but have never tried).


(EDIT : I can indeed pull that info up - but as we don't use that for anything it's pretty moot and why I had never explored it much)

They are not negative in any way. When a new member registers for the site there si a box called Referrer that allows you to input the name of a member who told you about the site. Of course that may not apply and you may have googled your way here, or cant remember the username etc etc etc. Number of referrals just indicates how many people put your name in that field.

I guess if you wanted to have a recruitment campaign or something you could then track the amount of new folks who had been referred by a certain member. That would seem to place quantity over quality though. In short that is just an inherent part of the forum software that is nto used to determine anything positive or negative - has no bearing on you user status.

I can look into getting that field taken out of public profiles if it seems misleading or too distracting.

It would be great if we could use the referrals as a positive thing for seller/buyers. This way you know if your doing business(if thats what your doing) with the correct and reputable persons. Kinda like how ebay does. :)

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Originally Posted by daaangconcepts

It would be great if we could use the referrals as a positive thing for seller/buyers. This way you know if your doing business(if thats what your doing) with the correct and reputable persons. Kinda like how ebay does. :)

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I agree it would be nice to see the positive or negative results of dealings with fellow members.I know faunaclassifieds has its BOI for this but at times you really dont know what to believe in there threads.

Since this is using the same software as Fauna, there should be a trader ratings module, right Matt? Or is that something he wrote up himself?

I don't think we need a Trader's Rating or anything else like that on this site. It's easy enough even for new folks to get to know people around here...and to ask about someone specific if they want to know more.


People tend to act really weird when certain "status symbols" are visible, such as post counts and titles. Even our meager little Reputation System gets abused...for no other reason than because it's there and is somewhat visible to the public.

So...I say, if someone wants to know about the reputation of any of our business folks...they need only ask, or spend a little time getting to know them themselves.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I don't think we need a Trader's Rating or anything else like that on this site. It's easy enough even for new folks to get to know people around here...and to ask about someone specific if they want to know more.


People tend to act really weird when certain "status symbols" are visible, such as post counts and titles. Even our meager little Reputation System gets abused...for no other reason than because it's there and is somewhat visible to the public.

So...I say, if someone wants to know about the reputation of any of our business folks...they need only ask, or spend a little time getting to know them themselves.

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I respectfully disagree...

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I respectfully disagree...

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With what, exactly? That someone who wants to know the reputation of a business-person on this site could ask? Or could get to know them?

I think the Inquiries section is adequate to handle most of that stuff, and well... Ok, I'm just don't want the added workload... thank you very much. :zerb:

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Originally Posted by JLC

With what, exactly? That someone who wants to know the reputation of a business-person on this site could ask? Or could get to know them?

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I think trader rating functionality is a whole different arena than post counts and titles. Post counts and titles can be very misleading. Someone who is a BP.net veteran could be one because they signed up years ago yet have very few posts and maybe just 1 snake. High post counts could just indicate post whores and are not indicative of someone being a reliable seller or buyer. Trader ratings are real, tangible evidence of whether someone is a good seller or buyer.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I think the Inquiries section is adequate to handle most of that stuff, and well... Ok, I'm just don't want the added workload... thank you very much. :zerb:

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I disrespectfully disagree! :P

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I think trader rating functionality is a whole different arena than post counts and titles. Post counts and titles can be very misleading. Someone who is a BP.net veteran could be one because they signed up years ago yet have very few posts and maybe just 1 snake. High post counts could just indicate post whores and are not indicative of someone being a reliable seller or buyer. Trader ratings are real, tangible evidence of whether someone is a good seller or buyer.

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I'm not disagreeing with this...so much as I'm wondering why we would need a system like that in place at THIS forum. Maybe if we had 15,000 members with 4,000 logging on and posting daily it would be a lot harder to know who is who...but we're a relatively small and intimate group. Systems like that can be abused just as much as any other system of ratings and it just makes more sense to me for folks to make an effort to actually KNOW the person they want to know...rather than just relying on some number on an Internet rating.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

High post counts could just indicate post whores

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You said you would never call me that again ever :tears:

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Originally Posted by JLC

I'm not disagreeing with this...so much as I'm wondering why we would need a system like that in place at THIS forum. Maybe if we had 15,000 members with 4,000 logging on and posting daily it would be a lot harder to know who is who...but we're a relatively small and intimate group. Systems like that can be abused just as much as any other system of ratings and it just makes more sense to me for folks to make an effort to actually KNOW the person they want to know...rather than just relying on some number on an Internet rating.

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I have to agree with Jamie on this. Having a few people tell me someone is good is fine, but seeing positive ratings from actual buyers speaks volumes.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I disrespectfully disagree! :P

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Let the beatings begin. :groinkick :carouse:

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Originally Posted by cueball

You said you would never call me that again ever :tears:

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Sorry pal...I forgot!

I relize this is a small site compared to say fauna.If we had some kind of rating for people here it would help say the newbies figure out who has done what.Alot of people refrain from going to fauna and looking for feedback on people for several reasons.The largest negative thing is if you forget to say maybe sign your name or ask a question about someone not in there click group you get treated like scum.At this time several people i recently spoke to do not believe a word as far as feedback on people on fauna because of all the fallouts recently.By this i mean look what happened about a year ago someone spoke a negative word towards Top Shelf Exotics and they were slammed big time.Now who do we believe? Instead of new members asking over and over about someone being trust worthy or not they could just click on the trader rating for that person.If something was avaliable i think it would be more usefull then a headache.Thank you

the trader ratings on fauna is a good example, look at tse, they were one of the highest! lol now look at them.reputations take time, more time than it takes to prove out hets! i believe in the test of time, it will tell all you need to know.


vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

the trader ratings on fauna is a good example, look at tse, they were one of the highest! lol now look at them.reputations take time, more time than it takes to prove out hets! i believe in the test of time, it will tell all you need to know.


vaughn

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Once again, I respectfully disagree! :)

The Good Guy Certification on Fauna is different from the Trader ratings. I think the GGC is rather meaningless because anyone can just log a vote and it means nothing (yes, I know I have it on my site). But to take a moment to write a brief summary of a trade/sale/purchase can mean the world to a new seller. Is it just as meaningless? Maybe...Maybe not...

if you go to fauna now and look at trader ratings TSE is #2! if someone went by that for a decision? they would be up a creek! they got the high ratings by selling so many "fake hets" and low ball crap... every one quickly posts about their deal and "instantly" they are a good guy and have good ratings. how many would spend $$ with them now? imo, things have to stand a test of time, at least let me prove some hets out. forums can be a little biased at times. it would be hard to come up with an unbiased system. to me one thing the "bad guys" have in common, they almost all sell low and the deals are to good to be true. that sticks out in my head. i don't feel any need for a rating, i have a few references and my word, if that isn't good enough? so be it. just my thoughts!



vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

if you go to fauna now and look at trader ratings TSE is #2! if someone went by that for a decision? they would be up a creek! they got the high ratings by selling so many "fake hets" and low ball crap... every one quickly posts about their deal and "instantly" they are a good guy and have good ratings. how many would spend $$ with them now? imo, things have to stand a test of time, at least let me prove some hets out. forums can be a little biased at times. it would be hard to come up with an unbiased system. to me one thing the "bad guys" have in common, they almost all sell low and the deals are to good to be true. that sticks out in my head. i don't feel any need for a rating, i have a few references and my word, if that isn't good enough? so be it. just my thoughts!



vaughn

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I like your thoughts! Its the difference of opinions that keeps us from being www.stepford-community.net

:)

i value your thoughts too. difference is good. what if we were all like you?:O this place would be boring if everyone agreed on everything. it is always good to hear different opinions and views. no real right or wrong answer, just opinions.


vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

i value your thoughts too. difference is good. what if we were all like you?:O this place would be boring if everyone agreed on everything. it is always good to hear different opinions and views. no real right or wrong answer, just opinions.


vaughn

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Can you imagine a world full of Jamies? That would be....AWESOME!!!

http://www.glassreptiles.com/pictures/jamie.jpg

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Can you imagine a world full of Jamies? That would be....AWESOME!!!

http://www.glassreptiles.com/pictures/jamie.jpg

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What did the rest of us do wrong? I think everyone would go crazy in a world filled with Jamies :P .Told you i would get you on the next one bud!!!!!!!!!! :salute:

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Originally Posted by joepythons

What did the rest of us do wrong? I think everyone would go crazy in a world filled with Jamies :P .Told you i would get you on the next one bud!!!!!!!!!! :salute:

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You laugh, but a world full of Jamies would rock...

I think that adding something like BOI on fauna would be a bad idea. This site has more to do with care and concerns of keeping and breeding herps. Its a site where anyone can come and ask questions because of all the caring and friendly members here that are in herps not for the money, but for the love and passion of the hobby. A BOI would just add drama, something a site as friendly as this one doesn't need. I think that having a site like this around where a new person realizes that they won't get called stupid or flamed for asking a question where the answer may be a click away is a great idea and makes more people comfortable with and relaxed here. Just my oppinion on it all. Hope this makes sense

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

I think that adding something like BOI on fauna would be a bad idea. This site has more to do with care and concerns of keeping and breeding herps. Its a site where anyone can come and ask questions because of all the caring and friendly members here that are in herps not for the money, but for the love and passion of the hobby. A BOI would just add drama, something a site as friendly as this one doesn't need. I think that having a site like this around where a new person realizes that they won't get called stupid or flamed for asking a question where the answer may be a click away is a great idea and makes more people comfortable with and relaxed here. Just my oppinion on it all. Hope this makes sense

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I don't think anyone mentioned turning this site into Fauna or adding a BOI. I was specifically referring to Trader Ratings.

AHHHH! I'm sorry for causing such a debate! But, what if we could only give positive ratings NOT NEGATIVE! This way if the person you chose to deal with doesn't have any positive ratings you know you may or may not be dealing with a reputable(or even experience) dealer/buyer. It would just help the noobs like myself. I'm into this as a hobby, but also I will look to this site when ready to purchase my next reptile. I rather go from a reputable person, rather then just from a website online, just a feeling of being secure with the quality of animal and the honesty of the seller!

What would stop people from having their buddies sign up to give them the positive ratings? :confuzd:

Hey debate is awesome. It can't hurt, so go ahead and discuss away!! :gj:

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

What would stop people from having their buddies sign up to give them the positive ratings? :confuzd:

Hey debate is awesome. It can't hurt, so go ahead and discuss away!! :gj:

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Maybe there could be some sort of admin controls. Just a thought!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Maybe there could be some sort of admin controls. Just a thought!

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Hehe...yeah...we don't have enough to do around here. :P ;)

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Originally Posted by JLC

Hehe...yeah...we don't have enough to do around here. :P ;)

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Is it that bad?

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

What would stop people from having their buddies sign up to give them the positive ratings? :confuzd:

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very true!!! I didn't think about that!! :confuse:

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Is it that bad?

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Of course it's not bad - the efforts show I think.

But keep in mind NO ONE here on staff gets paid for this - and most do it ON TOP of their regular jobs and family commitments.

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

Of course it's not bad - the efforts show I think.

But keep in mind NO ONE here on staff gets paid for this - and most do it ON TOP of their regular jobs and family commitments.

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I realize that no one gets paid and I think everyone here believes the mods and admins do an awesome job, but we are discussing something that might benefit the site. So by implying that its too much to ask makes it seems as if everyone is overwhelmed.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I realize that no one gets paid and I think everyone here believes the mods and admins do an awesome job, but we are discussing something that might benefit the site. So by implying that its too much to ask makes it seems as if everyone is overwhelmed.

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If it comes down to balance and looking at the overhead vs the potential benefits, I think the kind of constant attention this would require really could overwhelm.

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

If it comes down to balance and looking at the overhead vs the potential benefits, I think the kind of constant attention this would require really could overwhelm.

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Fair enough.

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

If it comes down to balance and looking at the overhead vs the potential benefits, I think the kind of constant attention this would require really could overwhelm.

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EXACTLY!

I think the trader ratings would be useless around here anyhow, this site does not have the traffic that say BOI does, trader ratings would do nothing but reflect this communities outlook on any business or person selling goods, not giving it a wide look at the whole picture.Even though BOI has its issues, I still think it is a useful tool and it dont hurt anyone to post over there and ask questions of a wider consumer group, yes, it can be annoying to have to remember to sign your name or include it in your profile for posting over there, but it is done to encourage less annonymous type posts that no one can track, it takes but only a second to add your name to your profile over there to make yourself known and conform with that sites BOI rules. Sadly, I understand that ppl are "afraid" to post over there for fear of flames, however, if you let that fear rule your life and not post, then you are only taking info away from yourself. So put your names in your profile there and use the tool that Rich created, heck it is even free to post over there now.

Jeanne, I think you are confusing trader ratings with the BOI. They are 2 completely different animals. Here is a link to my trader ratings on fauna, we are not alking about a forum or thread that needs to be moderated. It is similar to a positive feedback on ebay. Maybe I don't understand where the extra work comes in, besides putting it in place. :confused:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...gs.php?u=24537

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Since this is using the same software as Fauna, there should be a trader ratings module, right Matt? Or is that something he wrote up himself?

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Sorry Jamie missed that bit. That is not a feature built into the software but something coded as an additional module.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Jeanne, I think you are confusing trader ratings with the BOI. They are 2 completely different animals. Here is a link to my trader ratings on fauna, we are not alking about a forum or thread that needs to be moderated. It is similar to a positive feedback on ebay. Maybe I don't understand where the extra work comes in, besides putting it in place. :confused:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...gs.php?u=24537

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No, I know exactly what you are referring to.... but:

trader ratings would be useless around here anyhow, this site does not have the traffic that say BOI does, trader ratings would do nothing but reflect this communities outlook on any business or person selling goods, not giving it a wide look at the whole picture. Thus, still making BOI the more effective place to get trader ratings based on that sites traffic.

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

No, I know exactly what you are referring to.... but:

trader ratings would be useless around here anyhow, this site does not have the traffic that say BOI does, trader ratings would do nothing but reflect this communities outlook on any business or person selling goods, not giving it a wide look at the whole picture. Thus, still making BOI the more effective place to get trader ratings based on that sites traffic.

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I dont agree that it would be useless. Trader ratings are completely different and have nothing to do with the BOI. But its a moot point because Matt confirmed that its an extra module that he doesn't own.

Trader ratings as far as I'm concerned encourage lazy buyers. Sorry to be so blunt but that's my considered opinion. I believed in a certain company based on that trader rating just like so many. It made me a lazy consumer of information about the reality that no one had ever met that person nor seen his stock. Sure that's one example but we all know that it happened that easily so has likely happened before or will happen again, albeit not perhaps in as grand a scale.

It's far too easy to take a shortcut and just go with a number you can look at but in the end for me it's caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. You need to do your research as a buyer, you need to be a smart consumer of information and an even smarter researcher, you need to decide if insufficient solid information exists whether you will spend your hard earned cash with that supplier or not. A simple number won't tell you any of that about a business or a person or may even be artifically enhanced.