Maybe its time to insist upon pictures with all ads

I think this site has gone to extra ordinary lengths to try help people avoid making mistakes.......but as they say 'a fool and his money are easily parted'.

I feel sorry for those that may have lost out.


I feel sorry for the MODS, they are working hard to make this a safe place,we are not doing enough to help ourselves. If it looks too good a deal then it usually is too good a deal,especially in this high visibility market place were relative values are well understood.

Without pictures of the product to support the fine words in the ad it is impossible to try and root out the scammers. Scans sent only by email to potential buyers restrict the rest of the forum from spotting some of the set-ups.

Whilst it would be totally unfair to group all the reliable sellers who dont put up pictures, I do wonder from time to time as to why they do not want the product to be subject to greater public scrutiny. It might all be totally innocent and the dealer and product is fine. Yet in total contrast, I see sellers who spend considerable time and energy to post scans of relatively low value items eg bezels and yet for some sellers of high value items, its pictures upon request. Go figure.

This is not an attempt to knock those who advertise pictures upon request per se, but when you create a market place in which it is not unusual for sales to proceed with pictures only on request basis, it makes it easier for the criminal element to succeed.

So for me its common sense i.e. no picture no ad and it may be appropriate to consider what as some sites do by setting a daily or weekly requirement for the position of the hands to be set at a specific time.


It may be appropriate to consider a way of funding the maintenance of this site in which frequent sellers, join a 'Frequent seller club' with an appropriate annual fee, as they prosper on the back of the free service provided on this forum.

It may become a badge of office a symbol of good standing and reputation which may help others when making buying decisions.

Always remember its your cash at risk, dealers certainly wont send the product on approval to put themselves at risk, yet on a daily basis, you part with your cash based on a few pictures and the dealers reputation.

kind regards

John