Rules regarding "Stores" or "Shops"
Chances are this post does not apply to you if you are a casual trader.
We have seen a rise in people opening "stores" or "shops" where they offer a large amount of items. Sometimes these stores ask users to make private offers that are either accepted or rejected.
Well, r/TF2Trade's mission is the "facilitation of smooth and fair item trading". The other mods and I have discussed the issue and as former traders of unusuals and other items, we realize this can easily be abused. Generally, these stores operate mostly for profit and work this way: you make an offer and the "shop keeper" looks at your back pack, gauges your interest, and attempts to make you over-pay. That isn't cool. Therefore, we have decided that the following rules will apply to any "store".
All of the following criteria are required to be classified as a "store":
-
Selling more than five items, resulting in your title requiring users to open the thread to see what you are selling
-
Only trading for "keys", "metals", or "offers"
-
Have a somewhat re-occuring thread submission selling the same or substantially similar items.
If the above are substantially met, you are considered a "store". Once considered a store, the following rules will apply to you:
-
You must list all items for sale within your thread. You may list your backpack, but it isn't required.
-
You must allow offers in the thread. However, you are permitted to request people talk to you in PM or Steam only after the initial offer within the trade thread.
-
You must clearly state that you are a "shop" or "store".
-
Stores must list the prices of each item or prices for items in a category.
Failure to follow these rules will result in your post being removed.
Posted Jul 16, 2011, 5:53 PM UTC · edited
It seems that because it is a barter system, each value inherently has different values to different people. Why the hell should I follow what you think my hat is worth when someone else wants it more?
That isn't what we are protecting. What we are protecting is this:
Store says, "PM me with an offer" or something similar. Trader Z sends a message to Store and offers two refined. Store looks at Z's backpack and sees that he has about 4 refined total. Store messages back, "Someone else just offered me 2 refined, 2 reclaimed for it!"
Store, not having received this offer is now trying to gain a significant profit off a hat with no other "real" offer. This is what happens more often than you think. Do individual traders do it too? Sure, but because of the frequency of the store's posts, it creates more of a problem.
Now, this is what we are trying to protect against. Every item is inherently different based upon the trader's "want".
If you aren't a store, don't worry then. The rules don't apply to you. If you trade the occasional hat here, weapon there - cool. Do what you want. But if you operate a store this applies.
Edit: Just wanted to add that this rule applies to such a narrow scope of people that it doesn't effect the majority of people on the subreddit.
Ancient post, but I wanted to chime in publicly. I just posted most of my backpack for metal. I'm an old TF2er who was out of the game for a long time due to shitty computer and internet connection syndrome. I missed the IPO of the drop system and trading game.
I've got more than 5 items up in trade for metal, so that's 2/3 for the store classification, even though i only have 1 backpack page worth of items. 2 of 3 sounds like it would count as "substantial". I'm just looking for scrap to craft and trade for items that i actually want. Will my lack of posting history count for me?
I don't want to get kicked out just because I'm late to the party.
You need 3 of 3 to be considered a store. Don't worry about it. You'll be good.
If you have any questions let me know.
You make a good point, however there are certainly people who will lie, scam, or take advantage of new/innocent traders. Reddit is one of the few places where people will jump in and prevent (or at least make sure both parties know about) bad trades.
There is certainly a line there though. Nearly everyone would agree that the new player trying to trade his earbuds for an eyelander would be something to interfere with. Nearly everyone would agree that a nametag going for 5 weapons instead of the 1 reclaimed (6 wep) standard is rather rude and pointless. Mods will need to be vary wary of the fine line between helpful and hurtful.
Exactly. I have had people trade with me without a middle man simply because he saw the reddit reference in my name and said, "redditors are trustworthy". And that is a reputation that we are trying to keep.
Not to go too far off topic but could you explain when / why a middleman would be used in trading? The only example I can think of is $ for an unusual / buds / max's?
There is that. Or when a trade goes over 8 items, or for Professor Speks, etc. Middle man holds onto the item until all items are successfully traded to the party with the more expensive item.