Price Vs Scamming
Pandorite
Member
So currently there is a scam out there where people place a near invisible item in a vend with a much higher value item.
The current stance on shops as I understand it is. "everyone is free to set their own prices."
So what are people not allowed to place other items in the same vend? Somehow I doubt this very much.
In my personal opinion either
1. Lying about prices is a scam.
2. Footprint scamming isn't a scam.
3. You're only allowed to place one item in each vend
Otherwise you're simply "setting your own price" for footprint. This was actually said to me by someone. I won't mention the name without consent however it does raise a interesting issue.
At what point does setting your own price become a scam?
The current stance on shops as I understand it is. "everyone is free to set their own prices."
So what are people not allowed to place other items in the same vend? Somehow I doubt this very much.
In my personal opinion either
1. Lying about prices is a scam.
2. Footprint scamming isn't a scam.
3. You're only allowed to place one item in each vend
Otherwise you're simply "setting your own price" for footprint. This was actually said to me by someone. I won't mention the name without consent however it does raise a interesting issue.
At what point does setting your own price become a scam?
Comments
Was this a scam?
The owner didn't lie. They are selling at the given price.
I have said it before and I will continue to say it until the people who fall for these wrongful acts STOP falling for them:
"THERE IS THIS MAGICAL THING CALLED 'READING'!"
Ignorance is NOT bliss, people.
And remember one of my own rules from when cash reg trade didn't have confirmation pop up, "watch out for offers that are too good to be refused"!
Every player is allowed to set up their own price for items, so if someone wants to buy footprint for 100000c its their own right.
$$$) Every player can also come to forums to ask about common item value.
Laying about prices is not nice but I think its not against the rules (maybe I'm wrong).
Remember, if you are not sure if the price is ok you can always $$$)
Not all players are able to afford dozens of vends, I'm not saying this is the case why ppl put more items in vend, but if you look at it, when ppl try to take your money in a way you described, they basically punish other peoples greed. Most of ppl will try to buy lets say balloon for 1000c than warn owner that he may get more c from rising its price. Right?
And in case you missed it there is some good reading here: http://forums2.cubiccastles.com/index.php?p=/discussion/1149/awareness-vs-scams/p1
read it pass it...
The latter is just high pricing, no form of lying in it at all. The former is saying that the value is different from what it actually is (a.k.a. lying about value).
It's okay to make your own prices, but make sure that the customers know its just your price, and that they may find other prices elsewhere.
You are simply setting your own price for it correct?
Because the ones using this trick knowingly and deliberately set up their vends to abuse others.
Yes, part of the responsibility falls to the ones that where fooled by this. But that doesn't mean that the ones causing the problem are home free.
They placed this footprint there and added a higher valued item on top of it and then put this high price on it knowing it will motivate others to buy the item they don't want.
So basically they know they are not delivering what is advertised.
They set it up fully aware that these footprint are never that high price but under the right stimulants they do use it to deceive their potential costumers into buying what the don't want to have.
On the subject of selling multiple items in a vend I think that is fine permitted long as the items are of related value and is not using tactics like here is a 20k item for 10k but you have to buy these items that are worth 5k first. The market in CC is really straightforward, yes the values of things fluctuate but with quick research an item can be sold fairly with no smoke and mirrors needed.
When I say "I sell xxx item for 150k" is not wrong, it is only if they are actually selling that item. If they say "I sell XXX item" and are actually selling YYY item, then it's not the same thing.
I don't believe someone who lets another player think a item say pjs is worth 1k has good intentions.
Pjs have never been 1k. I highly doubt they ever will be. It is tricking another player again the person selling is at fault for not knowing but does this excuse the malicious behavior of the buyer?
So I'll say again. When is it no longer setting your own price? When does it cross the line into the territory of scamming.
Edit: For some of you warning me or whatever. I'll note I've never been tricked by these scams. (worst that I've done is not noticed I had a invis cloak in a vend. Dropped a robe inside with a much lower price. Derp)
I'm asking the question because many people honestly believe that the footprint scam isn't actually a scam and you're just setting your own price. That it's okay somehow. Because they are free to sell footprints for any price they want. so would it be okay for someone to sell a press hat for 50k to a unwitting player? When has "your own price" become a scam.
Finally I repeat the advertised item IS being sold for the stated price. Other items in the vends seems common when people want to get rid of less popular items. Does that mean all cases of extra items in vends is scamming?
Scammers can sometimes be described as con-artists. 1 commonality that all con-artists have is their ability to manipulate people and situation to suit their needs(with various degree's of success).
Your example falls into this grey area where it becomes extremely hard to recognize good or bad intentions.
That is also why i did not answer that example.
I personally would not try to traverse this borderline as you could end up being accused of a scam even if you didn't. Mixing those items together in 1 vend requires you to be absolutely certain that their value is close enough to each other.
Anyway.... as said before.... i can not answer this so easily. And i would look at it from the individual cases themselves.
A extreme over/under price can be viewed as a scam.
Or only more than one item in a vend?
Edit, My example was a friend of mine buying a bunny top hat, A balloon each for 15k to buy the third item a heart balloon.
I've had people tell me they refuse to switch the items around the vend so I can buy the ones under
Also there is no rule on mixing different items in one vend.
-Is it allowed? Yes!
-Do we like it? No!
scorto7 I feel the need to add that I'm not asking because I wish to do these things but rather stop them.
A acutely " yes this can be viewed as a scam, And result in a ban "
And I would be more then happen to direct people to the thread. Currently however people just go "LOL! it's not a scam I can charge whatever I want." As seen in examples with footprints above.
I do agree with your opinion that there should only be allowed one item type per vend though.
People make mistakes and that is how they learn. If this is the kind of mistake people need to make to finally learn to read pop-ups, then I am all for them making that mistake. I'm sick of people not reading or making trades when they don't know the value of something. Be informed or don't be in the market. And especially don't blame others when you make an uninformed decision.