Post by admin on Jan 4, 2011 15:22:03 GMT -8
OK. We start another approach. This section is now only visible to registered members. Go ahead and post your reviews and inquiries of traders and companies as before, but PLEASE, just state the facts. No slander. Don't get me in trouble! Thanks.
One problem we have had in the past in the Trading Reports is people who pronounce that a trader is a 'criminal' or a 'bad trader', etc. Even though this may be true, it may not be true.
Let's say you are 'Trader A' and you received money from a buyer for some specimens. You sent the specimens to the buyer but the specimens got lost or some other problem. Then in short order you see your name all over the internet with the Subject line, "Trader A is a criminal!". What to do? You think you have been judged unfairly. You've invested lots of money building up your business and now your reputation is under threat by someone you have never met on InsectNet, due to an isolated mistake or misunderstanding. This has happened many times in the past on this board and it has caused a lot of havoc for me. I end up getting attacked from both sides.
This is why I always say to restrain yourself from making such public pronouncements. That's why I always say, "just the facts, please." For example, you should just say, "I sent money to Trader A and never received the specimens after 30 days." or "Trader A sent me broken specimens.", etc. There's nothing wrong with that, assuming you are telling the truth. It's even OK to say 'Warning on Trader A' or 'Alert on Trader X'. But when you start calling someone a 'liar', 'cheater', 'scammer', 'bad trader', etc. then the potential for trouble on the board begins. (We may use those terms generally in describing the trading environment, but attaching the terms to an individual or company is the problem.)
Do you understand the difference? It is subtle, but important.
Interestingly, in the world of business credit ratings they commonly use numeric values. EBay has a similar approach. Rated 'Five Stars', etc. And despite that, the eBayers are VERY concerned about their Feedback. I think they have huge disputes about it also. I'll bet eBay has an entire department staffed with dozens of people working full time handling Feedback disputes - and I have already spent an hour and a half composing this post, when I should be doing my taxes!
You all have expressed to me how valuable the Insect Trading Reports are to us as a community. I hear you, so I am trying find a way to keep it going smoothly without it becoming a legal battleground and possible liability to InsectNet. Follow the guidelines. Your cooperation is key.
One problem we have had in the past in the Trading Reports is people who pronounce that a trader is a 'criminal' or a 'bad trader', etc. Even though this may be true, it may not be true.
Let's say you are 'Trader A' and you received money from a buyer for some specimens. You sent the specimens to the buyer but the specimens got lost or some other problem. Then in short order you see your name all over the internet with the Subject line, "Trader A is a criminal!". What to do? You think you have been judged unfairly. You've invested lots of money building up your business and now your reputation is under threat by someone you have never met on InsectNet, due to an isolated mistake or misunderstanding. This has happened many times in the past on this board and it has caused a lot of havoc for me. I end up getting attacked from both sides.
This is why I always say to restrain yourself from making such public pronouncements. That's why I always say, "just the facts, please." For example, you should just say, "I sent money to Trader A and never received the specimens after 30 days." or "Trader A sent me broken specimens.", etc. There's nothing wrong with that, assuming you are telling the truth. It's even OK to say 'Warning on Trader A' or 'Alert on Trader X'. But when you start calling someone a 'liar', 'cheater', 'scammer', 'bad trader', etc. then the potential for trouble on the board begins. (We may use those terms generally in describing the trading environment, but attaching the terms to an individual or company is the problem.)
Do you understand the difference? It is subtle, but important.
Interestingly, in the world of business credit ratings they commonly use numeric values. EBay has a similar approach. Rated 'Five Stars', etc. And despite that, the eBayers are VERY concerned about their Feedback. I think they have huge disputes about it also. I'll bet eBay has an entire department staffed with dozens of people working full time handling Feedback disputes - and I have already spent an hour and a half composing this post, when I should be doing my taxes!
You all have expressed to me how valuable the Insect Trading Reports are to us as a community. I hear you, so I am trying find a way to keep it going smoothly without it becoming a legal battleground and possible liability to InsectNet. Follow the guidelines. Your cooperation is key.
?? (my case)