Alternative Solution to Membership Issue

First, I assume that the main objection to RS membership sales is the direct or indirect use of pin lines, as all other methods have pretty much been around since the beginning of time.

Second, I suggest that the main abusers of pin lines are pin merchants, as presumably, the volume of pins they sell is a reflection of either access to a pin line, or access to a pin line pin supplier.

Given these two assumptions, I propose that instead of removing the membership section entirely there be a monthly cap on pin sales. For example: No user can sell more than 3 pins per month (the equivalent of one phone line). Since most traders expect vouches for their transactions, this limit can be roughly enforced through vouches confirming trades. (Obviously, there would have to be some sort of consequence outlined for sellers who ask buyers not to post about the trade.)

This implies that large-scale pins shops would be prohibited. For those who don't know how pin lines work, most sellers don't have access to their own lists: they buy lines or lists at $30+ each. Thus, to profit, they need to be able to sell bulk. Hopefully, imposing such a limit would therefore reduce the incentive to abuse pin lines (as well as push up prices to something legitimate traders have a better chance at competing with).

 

I like the idea for players like myself to get membership once a month, but what about those who come to make business? 3 pins a month would ruin business.

 

I'd say it's something or nothing in this instance. However, that is a potential problem. I'd say if a person can verify and prove that their pins do not come from pin lines, they should be allowed to sell as many pins as they want.

Elsewise, limit to 3.

 

How can you tell that they are only selling 3?

 

Cutting out business sellers is kind of the point.

Honestly, a pin market to benefit buyers is better than no pin market at all.

"Since most traders expect vouches for their transactions, this limit can be roughly enforced through vouches confirming trades. (Obviously, there would have to be some sort of consequence outlined for sellers who ask buyers not to post about the trade.)"

 

Ok please don't get mad

But what about the other question ?

 

I agree that a membership market that benefits buyers is good, but if there's no incentive to sell (business), then there's much less supply.

 

Whether its 3, or 300, those pins will still most likely be coming from a pin line, which defeats the purpose of why Sythe removed the section in the first place...

 

It's not that there's no incentive to sell - there are still legitimate ways to obtain pins. For example, through annoying referral schemes or through one's own phone line (presumably with parental permission, but even without it's more of a family than legal issue).

As noted above, the reduced supply will translate to higher pin prices, which is a good thing if one wishes to spur a legitimate pin market.

 

Honestly I see a very simple solution: perm ban to anyone caught selling AUS PBP pins (the infamous "pin line pin" giveaway). Most other pins are gained from some other, ideally legal, method.

 

No ones going to go and buy a pin from a store for 8 dollars and come back and resell for 4.

 

What Sin said about referrals and other methods. Using your logic, then the section should remain banned.

 

It should, but I don't want anyone to hate me

 

Lol its not that big of an issue. I had a pin shop with 1k posts and like 15k views. Am I slightly saddened at the loss of income that decision has caused? A bit. Do I understand the motivation behind removing the section? Absolutely, so I respect it.

I do think, however that if you cut out all the pin line pins (easily identified by as AUS PBP), then you could make the argument that the majority of the pins that would be sold come from a legal source of acquisition.

 

^^^

The change that was recently done will only drive people to a different site for their pin sales. I don't think that any pin sellers get their pins via their own phones, so if you created a membership sales forum and regulated it to the extent that people could only sell legitimately obtained pins, the forum would be dead.

 

Therefore, the section should remained close. It's a better alternative to an otherwise inactive and dead subforum.

People have come to expect pins for so much less than they ought to be. They need to wake up.

 

Completely agree.

This suggestion would put unnecessary burden on those in charge of "enforcing" the suggestion you present. Your suggestion is simply not practical as it is way too easy to get around.

I feel as though it would also lead to people being looked down upon for vouching as it would limit not only the sellers capabilities but also the buying potential (the number of people able to buy pins) within the community.

 

I agree - might as well have it closed.


BTW, did anyone notice this?: Wrong name, Sin.

 

Why not make it so that you can still buy membership on sythe, but only off of staff or something? Like maybe a rank or something, idk exactly if someone comes up with something else thats great, but that is just my .02 cents.

 

There are still healthy pin markets on other websites, people wouldn't buy them for higher here when they're being sold cheaper elsewhere, and people wouldn't sell them for cheap here if they can only do 3 a month, I don't see much of a point tbh :/