WTF is with people and their heat scores?

[Minjin]

I thought Heat was laughable when I first read about it here and I still do, probably even more so. Its one thing to use it for feedback, its quite another to use it to exert control over others, or to make the other person feel inferior. I do many transactions on plenty of other forums, none of which use Heat, and the attitudes elsewhere are a breath of fresh air after doing something on this forum.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: FurBurglar
... but he definitely took the stance of "I have higher Heat than you ...

He does

Wow really? Who woulda thunk it? :roll:

Way to take things out of context. Let me bold the important part of the sentence that you so conveniently left out.

"I have higher Heat than you so I am better. Do it my way or you are being uncooperative."

 

[Schfifty Five]

Heat is good an all, and I use it too, but I will probably 99% of the time will require payment first before any shipping is done. That's just how the world works, pay first, receive goods after.

 

[waggy]

I only ship first to people i know.

i had a few deals go down because people wanted me to ship first. no big deal.


of course there those on here i would pay first without a worry.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: jagec
I think he's talking about when a person with 300 heat won't trust a person with 100 heat, and always asks them to ship first.

QFT...he only wants the protection the system gives to his advantage.

 

[alkemyst]

This is heat should be verifiable. You date the transaction and list the forum. If some dude has 500 heat and you can't find any of the original threads on the items, something is up. I trust heat a lot more than ebay feedback.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Yeah I didn't really like it for that reason either so I stopped trading on FS/T. I remember having one bad transaction where I sold a card that was apparently DOA. Funny how it worked for me before I sent it out. I tried to help the guy troubleshoot but he wouldn't have any of it. Dunno if I ever got a neg or not from it, but it definitely turned me off. I didn't really like the whole ship first idea either. That's not how it works when you buy something online anywhere else.

Actually, in the rest of the world, it works the same way. Heat is a way of building credibility. An established business has that same sort of credibility. That's why someone doing business with them has to pay before they ship. However, if they believe the customer is credible enough, they'll sometimes ship first and bill later.

In my opinion, the amount of heat, past a certain point, really doesn't matter much, so long as the person has remained a regular trader (i.e. the last trade wasn't done 5 years ago.) And, it'd be idiocy to think that two traders, one with 500 heat and the other with 505 heat are going to bicker about who's going to ship first. They've both built up a positive reputation and will most likely trust each other.

Nonetheless, in the online world, every deal has the possibility of being a scam from *either* side. That's why heat helps reduce the total risk: the person with least heat (when it's a significant amount less) is simply the more likely of the two to be perpetrating some sort of fraud. That's why they should be required to act first.

 

[tfinch2]

What I hate is how people don't leave heat anymore. You have to beg someone to do it, and more than half the time that doesn't work. I'd say the past 6 things I've sold on FS/FT, not a single person has left me any heat.

 

[amdskip]

I would probably ask you to ship first too, if you have a problem with it dont' trade with me.

15. amdskip 446 : 0 : 0

I didn't get that number built up in a month, it's a multi year thing to get to this level.

 

[StageLeft]

I use heat combined with posts. If a person has 5 heat but has spent the time to rack up 10k posts here, I presume they're not motivated in screwing themselves over for a few bucks. I have only 20 heat and do not expect anybody to dick me around over it. Most transactions on the net are reliable enough that as long as a person has a mild history, I don't worry about it.

Actually I am talking about someone with 121 Heat asking me to ship first because I "only" have 21 Heat. I would understand a little more if I had zero. It also went beyond a simple "ship first or no deal". They went so far as to basically belittle me and treat me like I am less of a person because I have less Heat than them. All over a $35 transaction.

See, over $35 that's just retarded. I might get a bit more careful over a $500 unit, but $35 i couldnt' give a sh*t. I don't even, if shipping, do proof of mailing. If they say it never came I'll just immediately assume they're teling the truth and refund the money.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I use heat combined with posts. If a person has 5 heat but has spent the time to rack up 10k posts here, I presume they're not motivated in screwing themselves over for a few bucks. I have only 20 heat and do not expect anybody to dick me around over it. Most transactions on the net are reliable enough that as long as a person has a mild history, I don't worry about it.

exactly. someone like Rossman, M4H, etc wanted to buy something i had for sale it wouldnt be a problem to ship first (if you guys had low heat heh).

i have only been screwed over twice. one time was by a guy with 2300+ on ebay. the other was one with a person with 5 and it was only for $5

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: FurBurglar

That is how trades are still handled, Heat is just a reference system. If you were old school you would understand there is nothing wrong with shipping first to someone with an established record.

I think there was more that went on that is not being disclosed by the OP. I just find it very difficult to believe anyone would build a good trading record acting in that manner. Next time add that person to your DNT list and forget about them. You have already been added to mine for a variety of reasons. If you feel as if they harassed you via PM bring to the attention of the mods.

You have put me on your DNT list "for various reasons"? I would be curious to know what those are since we have never even spoken, much less carried out a transaction.

And by old school I am talking Knight Rider and The A-team old school, not Saved by the Bell old school. Nobody shipped first when there wasn't someone keeping score. That has only come about in the past few years.

I'm going to venture a guess that alistair 7 put you on his personal DNT list because of how you handled yourself with making this post, and how you appear here. Nothing personal.
Thousands of traders come and go.
Here's my advice, take it or leave it:

Trades on the FS/FT forum are take it or leave it. Somebody offers you what you consider a lowball offer, or asks you to ship first, don't bother taking offense. It is not worth it.
A simple " no thanks, I'll pass" will do.
Be polite, even in the face of impoliteness. It costs you nothing to take the high ground.
If the rude guy sends you another PM, copy and paste the last "no thank you", or block his PMs and move on.
If a deal looks to good to be true, it probably is.

 

[Steve]

Maybe mi1stormilst can come in here and give his side of things.

 

[FurBurglar]

Originally posted by: Steve
Maybe mi1stormilst can come in here and give his side of things.

Who ever said that is the person in question here? I take it you are assuming that because he posted in my FS thread "PM on Crysis". That is a rather bold assumption. Not everyone that PMs you about something puts a post in your thread to indicate it. Regardless, there are no other sides to give, I posted the entire exchange in this thread word for word. All except for the new PM i just had from them that said "Like I said, thank you sir".

Again some people here are missing the point. Maybe the thread has gotten long enough that they aren't reading the entire thing. I am not arguing the role Heat can play in a transaction. Actually, I am not arguing anything. I am simply frustrated by people that use their Heat score as an excuse to be rude to you if you don't do thing their way. I did politely refuse, but the other party could not be happy with that based on the fact they have "Far higher Heat" than me so they felt the need to point it out and attempt to make me feel like a lesser person. That is the problem.

 

[RaiderJ]

I've had an excellent experience trading on this forum over the years, in part due to the heatware system. For the most part, the issues I've had have been from low-heat traders, due to either laziness or inexperience.

Also, people don't leave nearly enough neutral evals. Important to note when someone doesn't keep up their end of the bargain!

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: FurBurglar

Originally posted by: Steve
Maybe mi1stormilst can come in here and give his side of things.

Who ever said that is the person in question here? I take it you are assuming that because he posted in my FS thread "PM on Crysis".

That and he has 121 heat.

For what it's worth, I agree with your position - I generally won't ship first at all, and I don't much care for the attitude some people can take when it comes to FS/FT.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: aplefka
Yeah I didn't really like it for that reason either so I stopped trading on FS/T. I remember having one bad transaction where I sold a card that was apparently DOA. Funny how it worked for me before I sent it out. I tried to help the guy troubleshoot but he wouldn't have any of it. Dunno if I ever got a neg or not from it, but it definitely turned me off. I didn't really like the whole ship first idea either. That's not how it works when you buy something online anywhere else.

Actually, in the rest of the world, it works the same way. Heat is a way of building credibility. An established business has that same sort of credibility. That's why someone doing business with them has to pay before they ship. However, if they believe the customer is credible enough, they'll sometimes ship first and bill later.

In my opinion, the amount of heat, past a certain point, really doesn't matter much, so long as the person has remained a regular trader (i.e. the last trade wasn't done 5 years ago.) And, it'd be idiocy to think that two traders, one with 500 heat and the other with 505 heat are going to bicker about who's going to ship first. They've both built up a positive reputation and will most likely trust each other.

Nonetheless, in the online world, every deal has the possibility of being a scam from *either* side. That's why heat helps reduce the total risk: the person with least heat (when it's a significant amount less) is simply the more likely of the two to be perpetrating some sort of fraud. That's why they should be required to act first.

I usually don't disagree with you, but I'm going to have to ask what the hell you're talking about. I've spent over a couple grand at both Amazon and Newegg, and they've both got my credit card on file. Does that mean they're going to ship first to me the next time I make a purchase?

 

[FurBurglar]

Originally posted by: Steve

Originally posted by: FurBurglar

Originally posted by: Steve
Maybe mi1stormilst can come in here and give his side of things.

Who ever said that is the person in question here? I take it you are assuming that because he posted in my FS thread "PM on Crysis".

That and he has 121 heat.

For what it's worth, I agree with your position - I generally won't ship first at all, and I don't much care for the attitude some people can take when it comes to FS/FT.

I'm glad there are others that have seen what my OP was actually about and can understand my point.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: aplefka
Yeah I didn't really like it for that reason either so I stopped trading on FS/T. I remember having one bad transaction where I sold a card that was apparently DOA. Funny how it worked for me before I sent it out. I tried to help the guy troubleshoot but he wouldn't have any of it. Dunno if I ever got a neg or not from it, but it definitely turned me off. I didn't really like the whole ship first idea either. That's not how it works when you buy something online anywhere else.

Actually, in the rest of the world, it works the same way. Heat is a way of building credibility. An established business has that same sort of credibility. That's why someone doing business with them has to pay before they ship. However, if they believe the customer is credible enough, they'll sometimes ship first and bill later.

In my opinion, the amount of heat, past a certain point, really doesn't matter much, so long as the person has remained a regular trader (i.e. the last trade wasn't done 5 years ago.) And, it'd be idiocy to think that two traders, one with 500 heat and the other with 505 heat are going to bicker about who's going to ship first. They've both built up a positive reputation and will most likely trust each other.

Nonetheless, in the online world, every deal has the possibility of being a scam from *either* side. That's why heat helps reduce the total risk: the person with least heat (when it's a significant amount less) is simply the more likely of the two to be perpetrating some sort of fraud. That's why they should be required to act first.

I usually don't disagree with you, but I'm going to have to ask what the hell you're talking about. I've spent over a couple grand at both Amazon and Newegg, and they've both got my credit card on file. Does that mean they're going to ship first to me the next time I make a purchase?

last time i checked you can get a amazon and newegg Credit card..

 

[Kyle]

The main thing I have a problem with is how he said you were being uncooperative because you stated your preference. I dont think a high heat should make you EXPECT everyone to ship first.
And for $35, it really should not have been an issue - he should have either paid first, or just said no thanks - trying to control the way you choose to sell your items based on his heat score is a bit much...
That said, I love the heatware system, it hasnt let me down yet.

 

[RaiderJ]

I just leave a note for people, "if you're willing to ship first, I'm interested in your item". If they PM me, great. If not, that's fine too.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: FurBurglar

That is how trades are still handled, Heat is just a reference system. If you were old school you would understand there is nothing wrong with shipping first to someone with an established record.

I think there was more that went on that is not being disclosed by the OP. I just find it very difficult to believe anyone would build a good trading record acting in that manner. Next time add that person to your DNT list and forget about them. You have already been added to mine for a variety of reasons. If you feel as if they harassed you via PM bring to the attention of the mods.

You have put me on your DNT list "for various reasons"? I would be curious to know what those are since we have never even spoken, much less carried out a transaction.

And by old school I am talking Knight Rider and The A-team old school, not Saved by the Bell old school. Nobody shipped first when there wasn't someone keeping score. That has only come about in the past few years.

OP, don't sweat it, I just laugh at people who promptly throw out the "You've been added to my DNT list" without much reason. They act as if their "list" is l337 and they think they have the last laugh by saying that. Some traders here have become so stuck up.

 

[FurBurglar]

I'm not worried about being on his list. I was just curious what his reasons were. There are how many members on AT? I don't think being on one guys DNT list for whatever reason is going to limit my ability to trade here.

 

[Injury]

Look bub, you're more than welcome to be selective in who you do business with, but don't get all pissy at experienced traders trying to prevent themselves from getting ripped off.

Plainly put, if you don't want to do business on their terms, and they don't want to do it on your terms, then you don't HAVE to do any business with them.

 

[Turin39789]

bwuahaha! I will nevar ship first, and I only has 23 heats! I nevar shipped first on any of those transactions either. Then again, I was only into the upgrade every 2 months schedule for a year or two, and didn't get heat for half the trades. I've bought a few items since but haven't been left heat. I do nots cry about it either.

Then again, I have new hobbies now, and none of you seem to sell ass-old motorcycle/vw parts. I still play the demo of ut2004 when I want to get my fps hit, or warcraft 3 for rts.