Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 560

1 members and 559 guests
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.

» Today's Birthdays

Ziggy31984 (40)

» Stats

Members: 75,014
Threads: 248,474
Posts: 2,568,391
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, DetectiveIcarus
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Don't Push My Buttons JLC's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-28-2004
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    31,651
    Thanks
    3,195
    Thanked 7,199 Times in 3,028 Posts
    Blog Entries
    37
    Images: 304

    Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    I have several things we need to address here, so please bear with me. I'll try to be brief and concise.

    FIRST -- The Classifieds Module is going to be closed and removed in one week's time. This is separate from (and redundant to) the For Sale Forum. This is an official notice that one week from today (September 30th) the Classifieds will be no more. Any members interested in seeing what is available there should look soon. Any members with current ads listed in the Classifieds are welcomed to repost them in the For Sale Forum.

    SECOND -- I need to remind people to please read the Rules for Posting Ads on our site. Lately, we've had a rash of people advertising outside of the designated areas, and/or breaking other rules within the Ad Forum. The Staff is considering adding new Infractions for those who can't be bothered with these rules.

    THIRD -- At this time, we are not going to set a minimum post limit for utilizing the For Sale Forum. We greatly appreciate the input from our membership and we understand the frustrations that can come from finding a scammer in our midst. We will continue to keep a watchful eye on the situation and the matter will stay on the table for future review as necessary.

    FOURTH (and last, I promise!) -- On the matter of scammers sliding in under the radar... The entire staff of BP.net takes this extremely seriously and we are constantly watching and doing all we can to keep these sorts of folks off our site. If someone slips in before we know of them, we do not hesitate to remove ads the moment we learn of their intentions. We would rather err on the side of caution and reinstate an ad with a full apology if we make a mistake than to allow a suspected scammer to remain in full view a minute longer than necessary. We watch the BOI...we maintain numerous connections throughout the herping world...and we do our best to get to know our members here. But the larger and faster we grow, the more difficult it becomes to keep up with every single person....and the easier it becomes for someone new to slip in with ill intentions.

    While we will continue to do all that we can and feel is right to protect our members from the scammers.....we are not omniscient nor omnipresent. It is up to each and every person who views and considers an ad to realize that every single online transaction they make involves risk. It is up to each person to do all they can to mitigate and minimize that risk.

    First and foremost...try to know the person you want to buy from. But if a stranger has something you really want...then do your research.
    ---Search the BOI using screen names, business names, personal names, and e-mail addresses.
    ---Also use Google to see if any praises or complaints about that person have been brought up at other sites outside the BOI.
    ---Ask around to see if anyone knows them and can vouch for them.
    ---Examine the "deal" closely. If it is too good to be true...then it most likely is. The more "fantastic" the deal, the more closely it should be examined before taking that plunge.
    ---Insist on complete communication with full names and addresses. If someone wants your money but won't tell you who they are or where they live...something is wrong!
    ---Get everything documented. If you make a deal over the phone, confirm it with a written e-mail and insist on a reply so they can't say they never got the e-mail. If they are a legitimate business, they will not mind doing a little extra to cover your butt and theirs.

    These are just a few suggestions to help protect yourself. Realize that every transaction involves risk...for both parties. Sellers are as often ripped off by buyers as the other way around. Don't be afraid to take the steps necessary to protect yourself...and if the other party refuses to cooperate in those steps, then either take that as a sign of a bad deal....OR....be willing to accept the high risk of getting ripped off on the deal you can't refuse.

    If you ever feel that someone advertising on BP.net is scamming...or if a member responds to a sale or trade ad and seems suspicious...don't hesitate to bring this to the attention of the Staff. We will take the matter seriously and thoroughly investigate.
    -- Judy

  2. #2
    BPnet Senior Member jglass38's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-28-2004
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    10,055
    Thanks
    215
    Thanked 509 Times in 244 Posts
    Images: 1

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Judy,

    It's great to see bp.net's commitment to helping to weed out the scammers. You made some excellent points that will be invaluable to people who may not be "in the know" to reference when looking to purchase an animal from someone unknown to them.

    Jamie

  3. #3
    Don't Push My Buttons JLC's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-28-2004
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    31,651
    Thanks
    3,195
    Thanked 7,199 Times in 3,028 Posts
    Blog Entries
    37
    Images: 304

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Thanks, Jamie! I hope it's able to help someone!
    -- Judy

  4. #4
    West Coast Jungle's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-07-2006
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    8,184
    Thanks
    624
    Thanked 1,370 Times in 943 Posts
    Images: 43

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Another thing that maybe helpful is if you think someone might be using a photo of an animal that isnt theirs or in their possesion ask them to take a pic of the animal on todays(or very recent) newspaper with the date clearly visible. Of course I wouldnt ask this of a larger well known breeder but if you never heard of someone and are feeling skeptical this is a good way to test the legitimacy of the animal in question. I have seen this done with other items as well not just reptiles.

    If someone says they dont have access to a newspaper or wont comply I would definately be concerned.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-17-2008
    Posts
    233
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Quote Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle View Post
    Another thing that maybe helpful is if you think someone might be using a photo of an animal that isnt theirs or in their possesion ask them to take a pic of the animal on todays(or very recent) newspaper with the date clearly visible. Of course I wouldnt ask this of a larger well known breeder but if you never heard of someone and are feeling skeptical this is a good way to test the legitimacy of the animal in question. I have seen this done with other items as well not just reptiles.

    If someone says they dont have access to a newspaper or wont comply I would definately be concerned.
    You could probably accomplish the same thing if you just use a regular index card with the recent date and snake information in bold print. Or you could ask them to write YOUR name on the card or anything else. If they cannot get to a newspaper (it's personally a PITA to get a paper) then they can at least make a card or piece of paper up to prove that they have the animal. What are the chances of someone finding a photo of the exact looking snake on a card with today's date and your name or something similar on it? That would actually be slightly harder to find than a snake that looks the same on a newspaper with a recent date.

  6. #6
    BPnet Veteran frankykeno's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-17-2005
    Location
    Toledo, Ohio
    Posts
    19,814
    Thanks
    92
    Thanked 871 Times in 478 Posts
    Images: 33

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettacreek View Post
    You could probably accomplish the same thing if you just use a regular index card with the recent date and snake information in bold print. Or you could ask them to write YOUR name on the card or anything else. If they cannot get to a newspaper (it's personally a PITA to get a paper) then they can at least make a card or piece of paper up to prove that they have the animal. What are the chances of someone finding a photo of the exact looking snake on a card with today's date and your name or something similar on it? That would actually be slightly harder to find than a snake that looks the same on a newspaper with a recent date.
    We just had a member scammed here by the Cameroon bunch who convinced her to place their name on a card in the picture of her snake she sent them. They are now using those same picture to represent that snake as as in their possession and for sale, when in fact it is not. I would never put anyone's name but my own or our company name on any picture of a snake my family owns.
    ~~Joanna~~

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-17-2008
    Posts
    233
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts

    Re: Advertising ANNOUNCEMENT

    Ouch. Just can't win can you? I guess maybe a better approach would be to keep your name on the photos. Gotta love the idiots out there. :/

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1