For all RealPoor Traders: Upcoming Trading system and tips for secure online trading

Many traders are asking us for help after they got scammed.

Unfortunately, we are not able to control the transactions between the traders, therefore we are not able to clearly recognize scammers, except we get the report with detailed arguments about this transaction or we get reports from more then one users. The only thing we can do is to permanently ban such member from RealPoor.com.

Currently we are testing new trading system which is going to be implemented and announced already next week. This system should simplify the communication between traders and we will get involved in trading much more then before, because all trading correspondence will go through the trade topic not via email or IMs. However, we won’t be involved in direct transactions but able to recognize the actual scammer much faster then before.

Upcoming changes and features in new Trading system

• To give the running trades more transparency traders will be constrained to communicate only through the trading topic until the trade is finished (sold, cancelled or expired).
• Newbie traders (with less then 5 posts) won't be able to trade!
• Traders will need to have specified number of trade credits to post a trade.
• Traders with more relevant posts on forums will get more confidence and more trading credits.
• The most active RealPoor contributors will get the most confidence from other users and could be awarded with additional trading credits.
• Each trade will be tracked and counted.
• The traders with more regularly finished trades will get much more confidence from other members then those with cancelled trades.
• Traders will be able to upload up to 6 screenshots.
• Once posted, a trade topic will not be editable.
• A trader would be able to define the end date of the trade and preferred payment methods.
• A trade starter will close the trade in 2 steps. Firstly, after receiving the highest bid, the trade starter will close the trade and choose status “PAYMENT IN PROGRESS”. Then after receiving the payment, trade starter will close the trade which will get the status “SOLD”. Exceptions are possible only in case of potential problems or fraud during the payment process.
• Each bid amount shall be presented public. Bids over PMs won’t be accepted.
• Private messaging system will be available for traders.
• Trade starters will have the opportunity to define the start/ask price and “Buy It Now Price” and the bidders will have the opportunity to offer “Buy It Now Price” by a single post, without taking part in bidding competition.
• Traders and members would be able to ask administrators/moderators for assistance using Report bad/unfair trade button/link, which will allow them to report possible scam or irrelevant posts.
• Bumping or new posts will not change trade topic order

Safe and secure online trading possibilities

Most of members on RealPoor trade their game accounts or items using eBay or direct via PayPal. Unfortunately, such transactions are not completely risk free. International but risk free trading is only available by using money escrow services such as Escrow.com or MoneyBookers.com. Using such systems, buyers and sellers can trade risk free and even split the service fees. Disadvantages using such systems are to high fees. Escrow.com is dedicated for bigger transactions (for more then $5000) and they charge 25$ for escrow payments below $5000. At the other hand, MoneyBookers.com charge approximately 4$ per escrow, including 2.2% currency conversion fees (since they operate mainly in Euros), but they do not allow sending money via PayPal, they accept only wire transfer or credit card. These 2 sites are among the most trusted escrow services. Of course there are many other companies offering similar services, but we are not conversant with trustfulness of their services.

If you trade for smaller amounts check the following list before you trade:

• For sellers and buyers:
  • Check our Hall of Shame forums and see if you can find the email or username of the trader listed as a scammer. Don’t forget to check our Ban list as well!
  • Use RealPoor search to find all user posts or topics with their emails..
  • Use Google (or any other relevant search engine) and try to find out if this user is trading on other sites as well.
  • Ask the other trade parity to provide you with scanned copy of identity card or passport before you decide to trade.
  • Read all forum announcements and stickies related to trading!
• For buyers:
  • Request game item/account screenshots to validate the statements posted in the trade.
• For sellers:
  • Ask the buyer to register on one of escrow services and share or take all the costs for the escrow.