posted on October 31, 2001 12:35:05 AM new
Rampant paranoia about giving credit card info online. When was the last time you used your bank debit card in a store? Or a credit card in a bar? Remember giving the pimply surly looking young waiter your credit card in that restaurant with the great surf and turf? He took your card away then came back with the receipt for you to sign, right? He could've done all sorts of things with your CC, and you wouldn't have known until your next invoice, right?
So why do you trust *him* but not AW?
Every electronic transaction you make, from buying gas at Sunoco to toothpaste at Wal Mart goes over the Internet.
There's no escaping it, not unless you're Amish and get around in a black horse drawn buggy (and even the *Amish* have web sites lol)
Meanwhile this site is clearly one of the most trustworthy and honorable out there. Not being run by some egomaniacal dictator type imposing his/her will on everyone regardless of opposition and common sense.
I like Auction Watch, I like it's ethics, I'm not crazy about the *degree* of moderation exhibited to date, it's far too conservative to me, and at times appearing somewhat nepotistic-- some get suspended right away it seems, others get away with murder-- but that's human nature: piss off the moderators and they aren't going to forget you in a hurry. Can't say I blame them, it wasn't idle distraction like it is for the rest of us--it was their *job*.
And for the most part they did it real well.
So if you like chatting here, or like me, *learning* here, give them your CC number over their secure server and be confident that it's being used with the best intentions---- to weed out the trolls and those who antagonize and allow us to speak freely without moderation, knowing that those who we speak *with* aren't hiding behind some facade or phony ID or pushing some hidden agenda.
And truthfully, the reasons for this change are likely more economic than what we've been told, but in a sense it's irrelevant-- we have a chance to make this *the* place to be-- let's go for it
relay
(cross-posted also to eBay Outlook)
[ edited by relayerone on Oct 31, 2001 12:39 AM ]
posted on October 31, 2001 07:57:27 AM new
yeah, CC numbers --- I am more than happy to give out my CC number - if I am buying something.
Chat and message boards are something else however. As long as I can chat elsewhere WITHOUT giving a CC number, I'll do so.
I'll not go to any trouble (other than the basic registration information) to simply post on a message board! Even the small amount of extra keystrokes involved in giving my CC to AW is more work than this or any chat board is worth to me.
But thats just me and my opnion, others who find this to be a "must visit" site during their online day may feel otherwise.
posted on October 31, 2001 08:24:23 AM new
Giving out a credit card number is a very harmless way to let AW have some measure of control over the message center now that they can no longer afford the moderators. It's amazing to see such high numbers of users refusing to do so.
I can now see the lesser auction sites are going to have a very difficult time getting buyers and sellers to verify themselves with a credit card ( plus a few brazen sites are trying to make those sellers/buyers pay for the privilege ).
posted on October 31, 2001 08:59:40 AM new
To simply ask for the credit card info with no purpose is silly. AW has a VERY valid reason for asking for it. There is NO control of the boards without that info with the mods gone. That is very simple.
posted on October 31, 2001 10:36:30 AM new
I agree, giving out a credit card provides WHAT verification? It also costs AW money to do verifications on CC.
Does it stop minors? No and why shouldn't minor be allowed?
Does it stop trouble makers? No, because there will not be any moderators to stop them.
Exactly WHAT is the purpose of CC verification for a message board?
I tell you what it is... a way to get your card on file for billing something later on, OR to give you that convenient "option" of buying something.
Goes like this:
"Try our free NEW service for 30 days. No need to sign up, we already have your information. Your card will not be charged."
You say, SURE, I will try this NEW WONDERFUL WHIZBANG service.
Then, in little 8 point or less type, AFTER the 30 days is up, we will begin charging your credit card that is ON FILE for your convenience. You would have to UNJOIN to stop the charges. We will also not provide an easy to find UNJOIN link.
posted on October 31, 2001 11:20:17 AM new. Although the forums will not be actively moderated, we reserve the right to delete messages that violate our Terms of Use.
I'd venrure to say that the boards will still be watched to some degree as it is in their best interest to keep profanity and vry disruptive posts off of their boards.
posted on October 31, 2001 12:10:42 PM new
My handle... what about yours... Picky Picky. This is definately a first. a member of the watch who speaks out about everything is now defending them..
Very strange.. Who knows... Maybe Gumby will be our next President.
