4 ms·

You don't need to find a trustworthy seller, just a trustworthy moderator. Like buying something on Amazon. You don't trust the seller, you trust Amazon. This

by pat2man 11y ago

You don't need to find a trustworthy seller, just a trustworthy moderator. Like buying something on Amazon. You don't trust the seller, you trust Amazon. This is similar to any real world transaction. I can buy directly from someone if I trust them, but if not we both need to agree to use the same third party to facilitate the transaction.

joosters 11y ago
Saying you don't need a trustworthy seller is so obviously wrong... even proper, regulated, reliable and biased-towards-the-buyer companies like eBay and Amazon still publish seller ranks, ratings and reviews. Furthermore, they actively filter out the scammers. You are closing your eyes to the problems OB is creating itself.
- dmix 11y ago
  This problem exists in market capitalism as well. The solution to this problem is that there will always be a massive incentive not to scam people - to earn a strong reputation and userbase - by being a legitimate business person. Secondly, despite a small minority who are amoral, the vast majority of people aren't short-term thinking opportunistic scammers. The rewards of being legit can be massive and rewarding on a long-term basis. Inspiring others to follow suit. Scamming is always a short-term, high-risk low-reward act that always exists as a niche in every market. The odds will always be against these people because the opposition is better financed and incentivized to counter their schemes. Thirdly, Most consumers have a certain level of tolerance for being scammed but as long as the majority of transactions are legit then the trade-offs of reduced fees, lack of censorship, and pseudonymity will keep people using the market. Finally, if someone doesn't have the tolerance or analytical ability to not get scammed then there still exists many options outside of the market. What matters is a significant enough amount of buyers/sellers use the service. It doesn't need everyone.

by pat2man 11y ago

joosters 11y ago

Saying you don't need a trustworthy seller is so obviously wrong... even proper, regulated, reliable and biased-towards-the-buyer companies like eBay and Amazon still publish seller ranks, ratings and reviews. Furthermore, they actively filter out the scammers. You are closing your eyes to the problems OB is creating itself.

dmix 11y ago
This problem exists in market capitalism as well. The solution to this problem is that there will always be a massive incentive not to scam people - to earn a strong reputation and userbase - by being a legitimate business person. Secondly, despite a small minority who are amoral, the vast majority of people aren't short-term thinking opportunistic scammers. The rewards of being legit can be massive and rewarding on a long-term basis. Inspiring others to follow suit. Scamming is always a short-term, high-risk low-reward act that always exists as a niche in every market. The odds will always be against these people because the opposition is better financed and incentivized to counter their schemes. Thirdly, Most consumers have a certain level of tolerance for being scammed but as long as the majority of transactions are legit then the trade-offs of reduced fees, lack of censorship, and pseudonymity will keep people using the market. Finally, if someone doesn't have the tolerance or analytical ability to not get scammed then there still exists many options outside of the market. What matters is a significant enough amount of buyers/sellers use the service. It doesn't need everyone.