Are Group Buys Allowed on RFD?

[Jon Lai]

I did a group buy on RFD back in April for White DVD Cases (for Wii backups) and it was a success. People asked me to do another one, so I did, I posted a new one this morning.

Then, I got a PM from ncx saying that "selling items not in your property is against the rules" according to the rules:

Complete RFD Forum Rules & Tips - Read Before Posting - UPDATED Oct 23/06

I wasn't posting in the BST, I posted in Entertainment, which would have been the correct place to post it according to the item in question.

When I asked ncx if there was a specific clarification that this rule applies to group buys, he told me it's under the interpretation of this rule. I don't think that's good enough, but he's just the moderator here, he's just doing his job.

Now, I just want to ask, are group buys allowed on RFD? I understand the rule, but that rule is for the BST. If it indeed is not allowed, perhaps we can modify the rules so that it specifically dictates against group buys, and not the ordinary seller posting "friend's stuff" on the BST forums.

[nopn]

sound good idea, hope to be valid. so we would have more bargain power.

[Hellfire]

I think there has been a recent change in attitude toward group buys from the mods.

My Cineplex Group Buy thread got shut down as well, and I've run 3 of them previously with great success.

Urban's lotto pool seems to still be running though...

[mrfrostyman]

i participated in the first amc round of movie passes and that was allowed though there was a warning given becuase of the posibility of fraud i believe....

Went smooth as butter however, guess we need to wait for the big guys to rule in.

[Derek]

Our position has been we don't support group buys. However, we will probably have to review that and be a bit more clear due to some of the group buys that are being held.

We haven't updated the rules yet, but we will shortly, and group buys will not be allowed.

The reason is that it'll be almost impossible to trace if there's fraud. People are paying money upfront on the promise that the organizer will do what they've proposed. That's fine when they do, but if they don't then there's nothing that we can really do other than to ban them. It's quite risky so it's not something that we'll be able to support and will no longer be allowed.

[nopn]

Our position has been we don't support group buys. However, we will probably have to review that and be a bit more clear due to some of the group buys that are being held.

We haven't updated the rules yet, but we will shortly, and group buys will not be allowed.

The reason is that it'll be almost impossible to trace if there's fraud. People are paying money upfront on the promise that the organizer will do what they've proposed. That's fine when they do, but if they don't then there's nothing that we can really do other than to ban them. It's quite risky so it's not something that we'll be able to support and will no longer be allowed.

hope to hear your decision soon. I know some organizer try to make profit out of it. Other than that, this is not a bad idea.

I can recall one of the dell exclusive from RFD, to me, it's just another group buy held by your guys.

[Vladimir]

How about a group buy that is held officially by RFD?
If there is enough requests for a specific product then a moderator or administrator could manage the actual group buy, everyone forward them the money, and then distribute product accordingly?

[3weddings]

How about a group buy that is held officially by RFD?
If there is enough requests for a specific product then a moderator or administrator could manage the actual group buy, everyone forward them the money, and then distribute product accordingly?

I like this concept, especially for things like the recent popular CNE code thread. If RFD Admin would consider going up to bat for the members here by securing group rates it would be appreciated by many.

I realize it's a little off the original topic.

[Jon Lai]

I like this concept, especially for things like the recent popular CNE code thread. If RFD Admin would consider going up to bat for the members here by securing group rates it would be appreciated by many.

I realize it's a little off the original topic.

It'll never happen, RFD simply does not have the resources to handle things like these.

@ Derek
How are group buys more dangerous than paying someone for an item that requires to be shipped?

[Jon Lai]

I think there has been a recent change in attitude toward group buys from the mods.

My Cineplex Group Buy thread got shut down as well, and I've run 3 of them previously with great success.

Urban's lotto pool seems to still be running though...

+1

It beats me why the lotto pool is still being ran.. you don't even get any actual product from that except for a set of numbers, lol.

[Derek]

It'll never happen, RFD simply does not have the resources to handle things like these.

@ Derek
How are group buys more dangerous than paying someone for an item that requires to be shipped?

That's one of the reasons we required that the item be in the seller's possession. In a group buy that's not the case so that's one big difference.

[Derek]

+1

It beats me why the lotto pool is still being ran.. you don't even get any actual product from that except for a set of numbers, lol.

We're going to end the lotto pools as well to be fair and consistent.

[Hellfire]

That's one of the reasons we required that the item be in the seller's possession. In a group buy that's not the case so that's one big difference.

So if I were to purchase 300 movie tickets myself, and sell them on BST the mods would be cool with that? You won't impose the mass quantity rule and shut it down?

[Derek]

So if I were to purchase 300 movie tickets myself, and sell them on BST the mods would be cool with that? You won't impose the mass quantity rule and shut it down?

No, I never said that. That's still large quantities, which we don't allow.

The short answer is that group buys are not allowed. The risk of widespread fraud including hundreds of members is too high in our opinion.

[Jon Lai]

That's one of the reasons we required that the item be in the seller's possession. In a group buy that's not the case so that's one big difference.

I don't think you understand what I meant to say.

If I were to pay someone for an item to be shipped to me, and paying for an item to be purchased and then shipped to me or meet up locally, what is the difference in terms of fraud? In either case, whether or not the seller actually has the item in their own possession or not, fraud can still occur just as likely. Even if a member is selling an item in their own possession, they can still scam other members by taking the money and run. I don't see how it would differ if the seller didn't have the actual item on hand.

I personally think that group buys should be except from that rule because of this, but whatever floats your boat, I'll respect it. You're the captain here.

And my intention was not to end the lotto pools. That'll disappoint many RFDers because dozens of members participant on a weekly basis.