Is there nothing to do about scammers?
TappedOut forum
Posted on March 15, 2015, 11:19 p.m. by WUBRG...
I love this site and the people on it. So much passion for the game. But everyone has their one. Where they trade, trusting. Then they never get their cards, and never hear from the other user again. Is there nothing to do about getting scammed? Is this the price for using such a wonderful service?
Hopefully it wasn't a large or multi party thing.
I try to do what I can to make enough information available about a person and the state of their activity here. But things can definitely happen.
March 15, 2015 11:24 p.m.
Unforgivn_II says... #4
I've traded quite a few times on this site and another, and only once have I been scammed. It was a 40 dollar trade, so it hurt, but that trader is no longer trusted or active. Basically, if you are a new trader, you will have to send first. Once the respected trader gets the cards, they'll send yours (because they've already proven themselves to be trustworthy, and because they don't want to ruin their reputation). Then you slowly become more respected and you can start requiring that they send first, or you both send at the same time.
March 15, 2015 11:27 p.m.
miracleHat says... #5
Short Answer: No.
Long Answer: If you get scammed, report the scammer to the administrators. You will not get refunded, unless the scammer returns the cards to you. If you are worried about scammers, then only trade with the traders who are reputable throughout the entire site and don't send first. There is nothing wrong with asking people to send first if don't think that they will send the cards.
Final note is: TRACKING
March 15, 2015 11:36 p.m.
miracleHat says... #6
Oh, I forgot to mention that I have never actually gotten scammed on this site; so I vouch for this site (40+ trades sound good enough?).
March 15, 2015 11:36 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #7
If you trade a high enough value of cards (talking hundreds If not thousands) you could file for mail fraud (at least if your in the usa)
March 15, 2015 11:42 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #8
I have never been scammed on this site but I have lost packages in the past. In fact I recently lost a ~$3O trade in the mail and had to get the cards again. Tracking is super important. I is totally worth the $1 cost to make sure more expensive trades actually make it.
March 15, 2015 11:56 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #9
I've done somewhere between 200-250 online trades and sales, and I'm generally the one who resolves trade disputes that pop up in this community. This is what I've learned.
First, this site isn't responsible for anything. We provide a couple of interfaces and options that facilitate trade transactions between users. But you're responsible for being cognizant of the fact that you're arranging to send someone else something of value on a semi-anonymous promise that you'll be returned something of equal value.
We're not responsible for or liable for anything. Really, the only reason I handle trade disputes is because I like seeing the community here remain stable and continue to grow, and a poor trade culture is counterproductive to that goal. I'm not responsible for your money or your possessions. I'll help if I can, but that's it.
Now, you're on the line for arranging the trade, figuring out the safest and most documented way to get it to its destination, and making sure the other person knows how to get their end to you. Generally, this means communicating conditions, addresses, and tracking numbers to one another through email.
If something goes wrong along the way, you can report it to me privately and I'll start investigating what happened. What comes of the investigation depends on the nature of the incident and the people involved. Some trade disputes get resolved almost immediately and no ill will is had. Some trade disputes leave a sour taste because the person filing the complaint didn't bother to ask the other trader what was up before bringing it to me. Some trade disputes just don't get resolved because one party leaves.
I'll work toward the best possible outcome, but I don't promise anything at any point.
The site offers a voucher system that's intended to help people understand who is an experienced and reliable trader. But we don't really want to create the same kind of tightly-regulated trade environment that some other sites create. We're not a commerce hub. We're a deckbuilding community. Whatever controls we implement to help guide the trade culture will always prioritize the most beneficial outcome for the community. We'll turn down options that could improve the trade culture if they come at a cost to the community.
March 16, 2015 12:14 a.m.
jandrobard says... #10
Nothing to do? Hardly. If you get scammed by someone, you let people know. At the very least, they won't scam anyone else.
March 16, 2015 12:23 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
That's something I wouldn't recommend.
Don't bring trade drama onto the forums. You can post a note about it in your binder if you feel that's necessary, or you can contact a mod or admin to do something about it, but don't start a public witch hunt.
March 16, 2015 12:25 a.m.
It doesn't seem likely. I think the community is generally mature and above that. Maybe my memory is short but I don't recall that happening before.
March 16, 2015 12:57 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #13
I generally delete drama threads when they show up. There have only been two or three in the past couple years.
March 16, 2015 1:01 a.m.
Well anyway the user in question is easy to find and it's not to me altogether clear what the conclusion is. Thankfully some other people on the site have also been corresponding with them. We'll see.
zandl says... #2
I've traded roughly a dozen times on T/O and never had an issue. The closest thing to getting scammed I've experienced was a guy who put his letter into the wrong mailbox and it took 3 extra days to arrive.
The voucher system works well enough, I feel. Just trade with people who have multiple users vouching for them.
March 15, 2015 11:22 p.m.