[SUI-3183372]

Was just posting on a thread about fake reviews and vouches and was thinking about ways to cut down on all these fake vouches that have been a plague on our marketplace (primarily in ebook sales) for some time now.

Now, this suggestion may be a bit extreme, but I think that even with it being declined it can introduce discussion on combining our contract system with a system to combat/stop fake vouches.

Right now, as of Feb 7th, you do not need contracts to deal in the marketplace. Come March 1st, all marketplace deals must be completed through the contract system or risk punishment, so in a sense, we're already forcing users to verify their deals/sales/whatnot on the site. Since we're already going that far, why not add to that and make a rule that you may only vouch for a product/seller if you have a completed contract with the seller, by either, 1, showing you bought that specific product through the contract system, or 2, showing you've bought any product from that seller using the contract system(not a fan of the second part, but only having the first part may be too exclusive). This will make it so vouches are only coming from buyers who have legitimately dealt with the seller before.

Now, there is the possibility for abuse. People can start phony contracts and instantly accept/complete them to allow their friends to vouch for them. I don't think there's any avoiding this, but this is already an issue that we deal with today, and I think the only thing we can do here is have faith that staff will deal with abuse of the contract system/B-rating system accordingly.


I know this is far from perfect. Any sales from pre-mandatory contract times would not result in a valid vouch and it may leave some sales threads looking a bit bare (vouches seem to be the only posts some threads have). Perhaps allowing everyone to vouch for the seller but only verified buyers vouch for the product its self could be an alternative, but that seems to easy to abuse still.

[SORRIE]

I very much like this idea, think it could definitely improve the quality of vouches

[Jombah]

Vouch for Previously Known As, im sure his methods are high quality!

Yes that's a good idea and I support

[King]

I support this suggestion. Will improve the quality of the vouches.

[Axe]

I really like that idea, fits really well with contracts being enforced on all on-site deals.
Vouch

[Xerotic]

FYI if you have a contract with a TID attached your already have your post distinguished from others. Check out this post:

https://hackforums.net/showthread.php?ti...id58172886



The link is clickable to the contract as well: https://hackforums.net/contracts.php?act...&cid=23328

Maybe a button on the page "View Contracted Customer Posts" to filter out non-contracted customer posts would be neat.

[#Skyline]

Yeah I like this idea. I'm all for it.
And makes sense leaving a vouch/review after purchase anyway.

[Bluffer]

Xerotic has a great idea about sorting posts by contracted customers.

The issue I see with this is what happens to those who:

- Bought the product (without contracts) before the deadline
- Received the product as a vouch copy
- Received the product as a free copy to a friend

I suppose for a vouch copy, one could make a contract with them? I don't know if that's against the rules or not.

[Cool]

I support this idea, it's super confusing reading fake vouches on a thread and always the same circle of scammers, but how will we deal with vouch copies, when the product is given away for free in exchange of a review, if this is implemented?

[jobhip]

While I like this idea, what about people that received it for free for a vouch copy? They have no reason to be in a contract.

[Axe]

While I like this idea,  what about people that received it for free for a vouch copy?  They have no reason to be in a contract.

Maybe you could make a contract with the person receiving the vouch copy?
Your service for their review. Not 100% certain if thats allowed though

[Elitas]

It's already easy to see who is a contracted customer, and who isn't. I don't see a need for this, as all it does is add to the amount of marketplace violations which can happen. Additionally, could see an issue with previous customers (from a past thread) vouching on a newer thread and getting BANNED. Only way to work is if this was automated, and automatically detected vouch posts from normal posts and blocked users from vouching without a contract. Such a thing isn't possible without vouching being changed to some sort of thread reputation system, which shouldn't and likely wouldn't ever happen.

[jobhip]

Maybe you could make a contract with the person receiving the vouch copy?
Your service for their review. Not 100% certain if thats allowed though

I'm almost certain it isn't. Contracts are for when stuff is being exchanged. Not when it's being given away.

[SUI-3183372]

It's already easy to see who is a contracted customer, and who isn't. I don't see a need for this, as all it does is add to the amount of marketplace violations which can happen. Additionally, could see an issue with previous customers (from a past thread) vouching on a newer thread and getting BANNED. Only way to work is if this was automated, and automatically detected vouch posts from normal posts and blocked users from vouching without a contract. Such a thing isn't possible without vouching being changed to some sort of thread reputation system, which shouldn't and likely wouldn't ever happen.

I see you sell / have sold ebooks...

I'm almost certain it isn't. Contracts are for when stuff is being exchanged. Not when it's being given away.

I believe this is fine. Start a contract stating the "buyer" gets a copy of the product in return for a review. If he doesn't review you could even posted a deal dispute for breach of contract.

[jobhip]

I see you sell / have sold ebooks...


I believe this is fine. Start a contract stating the "buyer" gets a copy of the product in return for a review. If he doesn't review you could even posted a deal dispute for breach of contract.

Hmm. Never thought of it that way. Good point, and if I ever decide to do a vouch copy for a book of mine I might try this. Will ask admins first though just to make sure alls good.