I don't do many trades but I would love to have a trade tracker to keep track of the few that I do make.

Regarding "feedback" - Instead of Trade Feedback where back and forth public posts could turn negative and possibly get out of hand (as I've heard happens on other forums) I prefer the idea of just having the icon type rating. If I was considering a trade with someone and saw that another member had left a thumbs down icon I could contact via tree-mail the person who left that rating and inquire as to why they left that particular rating and then make my decision as to whether I wanted to move forward with a trade.

It's important to have a relationship of good communication with your trade partner before any deal is finalized to be sure that both parties are clear as to what is expected. I realize that life throws us all a few curve balls sometimes but communication is so important in any transaction. If I made a trade that the other person felt was not equitable or not up to what was originally expected I'd hope they would tree mail me and give me a chance to make it right and if I didn't make it right to their expectations then I would deserve one of the or icons and would live with the consequences.

In that thread, KQCRNA asked Dave to address the issue of negative reviews (post 23):

kqcrna said:Dave, in the past, you and/or Trish mentioned that you wanted to avoid extremely negative reviews, slander and liability. Maybe you could address that here.

Karen

On the "other site", there was a lot of ugliness (extreme) with at least 2 companies that I know of threatening and/or taking legal action over negative feedback. Neither company is listed there anymore. That may be some of the reason that "feedback" became "recommendations" here. Dave also did such a terrific job on the "other site" that it has become the premiere site for feedback - both negative and positive. Perhaps he did not feel like he needed to re-invent his own work here or perhaps there is a non-compete in effect. Regardless, "feedback" on companies is handled as "recommendations" on ATP. I must say, I prefer ATP's way of handling it here. If a vendor has no recommendations, it serves as a warning to me.

In an earlier thread: The thread "Member feedback" in Site Talk forum , there is some discussion of negative reviews versus the recommendations style of doing things. There is also some discussion in regard to feedback pertaining to trades. It appears that there was at least one person who was resistant to the idea even then.

The feature is called "Recomendations". Its intent is to let gardeners know which companies you *recommend* ordering from.

If you have something negative to say about a company, it isn't a recommendation, so therefore doesn't belong on that feature. Seems pretty self-explanatory.

That is what i thought Trish but is it recommendations only because you didnt want negative feedback about a company?

I understand comunication between traders but some people can talk a good talk but never intend to send anything. I rely on feedback for those who don't send anything not ones who send and just don't it right. Postage costs so much so if they try it is an in my book.

Regarding company recommendations, I like the general attitude of 'if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.' Silence can sometimes speak volumes...

Regarding trades, I think of them as over the back fence exchanges. If you have a problem, take it up with the person directly. No reason to bad mouth anyone for what may have been an honest mistake.

I am late to the conversation I have done a few trades and have not had a problem on my end. I do feel co=ops or anyone that are selling plants and not just postage should have some sort of rating because the people are sending money and it is more in the business end in my view.

Sending postage is no big deal but if you are forking over a chunk of cash and do not get what you are paying for it would be helpful to see a rating.

The problem of negative reviews and legal redress is something to be very wary of. Legal action now happens even within scientific reviewing. It is fine to think one is an honest person but an offended (and the law) may disagree with you.

Perhaps one way of getting around the bad reviews, legal issues is to perhaps add a section in the User Profile that lists names of other users they have traded with. Then a potential trader could contact a few people on the users list and ask about the transaction.

About the lawsuit thing isn't as easy to do today as lawyers don't take it unless there is ALOT of money in it. My insurance agent said something very sexually explicit to me on the phone and I had someone listening in when I called back and he admitted to it. No money in it so they wouldn't take it. He was my agent for years and I never cared for him. Even a very close friend wouldn't say what he did to me.

So saying beware and maybe that would work. Having good or beware check boxes. I wasn't thinking about saying really bad things as we are adults. Just something like didn't receive my end. plants were

In small claims court they don't allow pain and suffering so unless you sent over a hundred dollars it would be a waste of time and money. Also with pictures of what they sent and what you sent it would be a slam dunk.

It is such a small minority of people who say really terrible things about others just because they really like to do it. I have reported others for bashing on feedback on another site and it was quickly removed. Some people are still alive because you can't compost them or the dog keeps digging them up. My brother says some are still alive because it is against the law to kill them.

ilovejesus99 said:About the lawsuit thing isn't as easy to do today as lawyers don't take it unless there is ALOT of money in it.

Perhaps this is a geographical thing? I, unfortunately, live in a very litigious area. It is amazing what people will sue for.

I am not saying it doesn't happen anywhere but if that was the case eBay and the places online like Angies list, and Amazon, and others who ask for reviews must stir up alot of lawsuits. And then there is Facebook. Besides that how many people do you know that have sueitis? Out of hundreds of people I know I only know one with his hand out.
I really don't think a lawyer would take a suit for even 200 dollars worth of plants or against someone who would say I didn't get good plants. As for name calling I still believe that would be deleted as soon as it is posted.
I would even be willing to facilitate the feedback and delete any that is more than what is needed. In the meantime I refuse to live in fear that if I am going to be sued over a few dollars worth of plants. And if it is a large enough amount it is mail fraud and I won't have to do it.

And again if you would be afraid you would be sued don't use the feedback system. It is a matter of preference if you want to or not. And if you don't do anything wrong then why fear.

Dave you have worked with a feedback before has it really caused any problems like the ones mentioned in this thread? Was there alot of name calling or bashing that needed to be addressed?

Actually, on that "site that will not be named", I received very bad feedback from a woman because I wouldn't trade brugmansia's for marigolds.

There are so many negatives to feedback that I can't imagine Dave wanting the grief it could cause. It could be the source of major headaches for him.

Yes but anyone who knows brugs also knows her asking you to do that would be ridiculous. That is the difference of trading oranges for a shriveled dried up moldy apple. The rest of your Feedback and tons of it speaks highly of you.

I really think this is a small minority posting but I do agree it is a headache for Dave and Trish and they have enough to do besides babysit Adults. I will keep my trading to the local area postage not worth it and being afraid I will be sued isn't worth it.

I graciously bow out of posting here as I believe enough has been said about the subject.

Thankfully the Mod agreed with me that you can't give someone bad feedback for not wanting to trade with you and deleted it posthaste.

I agree with the mod as feedback is for an actual trade.

Xeramtheum said:Perhaps one way of getting around the bad reviews, legal issues is to perhaps add a section in the User Profile that lists names of other users they have traded with. Then a potential trader could contact a few people on the users list and ask about the transaction.

I like this idea I think it would potentially solve a lot of problems.

I'd prefer no feedback system at all to members contacting me directly to ask for references for a trade that I may not even remember. I think given all the difficulties mentioned here on this thread, nothing mentioned so far is going to meet the approval of enough members to be worth doing.

One of the many beauties of ATP is that in its three years we've never opened the door to-- nor have we provided the opportunity for-- any form of negativity. We don't want to mar the beauty of what we've been given by opening those doors now. In the great scheme of this site as it now is, it seems to me that personal feedback is really a minor thing.

That is a good point, Linda. I understand people may not want to be contacted in order to give a referral and can now foresee other issues developing with that idea, too. I just did not think it through all of the way - it sounded like a good compromise. Oh, well. I still, though, am hoping that may be we could get a trade tracker app like PlantLadyLin described in Post #644205 (12).