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Virtual Trade Forum Guidelines

Started By:
Cehus, Sat 16 Aug, 2014 12:08 AM
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    • Emmy
    #1
    Welcome to Virtual Trades!

    Here's a set of guidelines which are strongly recommended to follow in order to ensure you have the best experience buying or selling on these forums. These guidelines are deemed as the acceptable way to run and/or participate in auctions. Whilst these rules are not set in stone, nor will they be enforced by the Federation Administrative Bureau, it is suggested that you abide by these guidelines in order to ensure a fair, well organized sale.


    Sellers:

    1. Make it obvious what game you are selling in or for.

    2. Clearly establish what it is you have for sale. If you have a Phaser Beam Array in Star Trek: Online, try and obtain the stats. If you have an item and you're unsure as to what it is for, do a little research before putting it up for auction. This way you actually understand the value of the item, and what a realistic price range is for it.

    3. Clearly state what you have for sale in an auction (displaying the above information) with an appropriate lot number (if more than one item, obviously.)

    4. Clearly state a starting bid and buyout price for each item (if you wish to have a buyout price that is.) If you do not start the auction with a buyout price, then do not add one half way through the auction. This merely aggravates bidders. Also, do not change the minimum bid nor buyout price. Ensure that you have the correct price set at the beginning.

    5. Clearly state a closing time for your auction - a definite deadline if you will. I have seen several auctions go sour purely because someone either hasn't set an ending date, or has clearly gone passed this ending date (stick to it!)

    6. Ensure that you are around for when your auction closes. When you make your deadline, make it for a time when you know you will be around. Don’t leave your bidders dangling from an unfinished auction. Try and make it as convenient as you can for them.

    7. If you have any rules which you wish to implement in an auction, ensure that you state them at the beginning (for example, bid increments.)

    8. Try and state your rules as clearly as possible. If you intend to take buyouts in game, then state this in your auction.

    9. Take pride in your auctions. You are after all, selling your product to the community. Your reputation is at hand, if you treat your potential customers badly or completely overprice your items, then your auction/future auctions may not go the way you want.

    10. Ensure that you leave your @Handle in your auction, so that bidders can contact you if they have any queries; and of course, if they win.
    11. Once the auction has finished, make a closing post for the auction, stating who has won which lot and how you should deliver/they should collect the items.

    12. Ensure that you follow through with your auctions in a timely fashion but give bidders time for them to collect their winnings.

    13. DO NOT ask for any out of game currency for any in-game items. This is in breach of many game's EULAs.


    Buyers:

    1. Carefully read what is being sold. If you are unsure as to what an item is, do some research first before you buy. This way you won't have to pull out of an auction.

    2. If you are going to place a bid, ensure that you leave the current lot number, bid and @Handle on your post. This way there is no confusion for anyone, and there is no hassle for the auctioneer to contact you should you win the auction.

    3. If you are going to place a bid; ensure you have the funds to do so. Do not bid on an item which you "think" you may have the funds for, or if you intend to move the funds elsewhere. This also stops you from having to withdraw from an auction.

    4. Do NOT push the price of items up for the sake of it. Inflation is bad enough as it is. If you need the item, then all is well.

    5. Do NOT withdraw your bid from an auction. If you make a mistake, fair enough. Do not withdraw, this only frustrates the auctioneer and other bidders. Only place legitimate bids.

    6. Do NOT post your own item auctions in other people's threads. If you have a better item cheaper or the same item cheaper, do not list your item in other people's threads. This is very disrespectful. Create your own threads for your own auctions, do not steal other peoples.

    7. Do NOT place any bids if you do not agree with the rules of an auction set by the seller.

    8. Do NOT place bids via PM. All bids should be placed in public to ensure fair commerce.

    9. Have respect for the auctioneer and other bidders. If you disagree with a price, do not bid and most certainly do not flame.

    10. DO NOT offer any out of game currency for any in-game items. This is in breach of many game's EULAs.



    Other than auctions, other possible formats to sell your items here could include Instant Sales (IS), where you could put your item up for any price you deem appropriate (Like STO's Exchange) or if you are feeling generous, giveaways.

    It is up to you to format your thread as you see fit. When creating listings, simple is often better. Over-complicated posts may not get the same attention as a thread that has all of the relevant details spelled out clearly, even if you are selling the same item. The following is an example of a good listing:

    Title: WTS Tholian Orb Weaver - STO
    Thread Body: I'm looking to sell a Tholian Orb Weaver in Star Trek Online. Stats are available here.
    Starting bid: 60 Million credits
    Increments: 500k
    Buyout: 85 Million credits.
    All questions should be posted here or sent via in-game tell to @Cehus
    Happy bidding!