Indeed. I tried to register a while ago, but it was just too much effort compared to my perceived "gain". So this is why I prefer if we could find another system. A basic guideline like "lowest rep goes first" should prevent most of the scamming, and that's how I've done it when I've traded (unless the person I've traded with has been someone I know to be "safe"). I've not been scammed yet, though I have been contacted by scammers.

While I applaud the effort, this does seem like a lot of work to go through for simple trading, and I'm not sure how effective it will be anyway. I don't know how necessary this is, I personally haven't been scammed yet, although I haven't made too many trades either.

While I never really made use of the old classifieds thread, it is always nice to have the option there if I wanted. Currently that is blocked to me because registrations to GOGwiki are closed. Some other possible solution?

http://www.gog.com/forum/general/gogs_general_trading_thread

While I appreciate the effort to minimize the scamming, This solution, at least, for me, is somewhat draconic, since I hardly ever trade (but I DO check the thread every day, to see if there's anything in there I would like).
Besides, I'm not at all comfortable with creating profiles and syncing information that I perceive as private so it becomes visible to others (even if it is information that might not be 'of value' to others, it is still private in the sense that I have no wish to share it, except in specific circumstances).

I see much more value in the basic trade rules that others already mentioned; the biggest gain however is in applying some common sense, just like with any trade between individuals, be it online or offline (ebay comes to mind). Just simply sending someone a code without checking who they are is a recipe for disaster.
For example, on GOG I won't trade first unless the other party is either someone I know from the forums as a regular contributor, comes recommended by someone else I trust or has a rep that is (much) higher than mine for instance.
Also, if I don't trust someone, some basic searching on the forums works miracles. Most scammers only participate actively in those threads where they can score more games...

Just my two cents

I haven't used the Classifieds thread a lot so far but from what I have observed regarding the people getting scammed is that in all instances they had sent the codes first. So like many have suggested already all these rules would not really be necessary to avoid getting scammed if people trading online apply the same sense that should be employ when trading with anyone IRL. That is to check up on a person by either researching or asking around the reputable traders for their opinion and if its someone new then simply asking them to send first.

Mostly new users or the one's that don't use the Classified thread often were the ones that got scammed unfortunately. On the other hand many regulars have been trading without much incident for quite a while know and frankly all these rules are a hindrance for them especially since its only because of just one scamming individual essentially. Just my thoughts on the matter which probably isn't worth much since I am not a regular trader but still wanted to express it. I think Zurvan7's rules for the new trading thread make a lot of sense to avoid scamming and aren't inconvenient for the known reputable traders either.

Well like I said to ne_zavarj privately, The GOG Wiki is being updated by a few people but for the most part is not being actively administered - and getting a wiki page is a bit of a challenge beyond a simple sign-up.

BUT I have advocated continuously for the use of common sense and "doing your homework" if you don't know the person with whom you're trading. Unfortunately, GOG doesn't make it easy to research anyone - especially forum names with special characters such as underscores. For example, The_Maestro27 seemed to know this curious way of "hiding in plain sight" and apparently his "former" friend, Anasto, who is masking here under both Team_dota2 and coughning, curiously trades under Team_dota2.

Anyway, I am hopeful that GOG implements a solution with Galaxy....

uhhhuh.

some people like to make the trading more safe though. Though i dont really trade anywhere, i definitely see the point of those changes.

I don't think it is, or should be, necessary to install third party scripts just to trade some codes.

There are some very simple directives which would have prevented 95% of the scams that were going on. Simple rules such as who goes first. Those were never added to the first thread, I have no idea why since they would have prevented scams. They apparently aren't being added to this thread either, I have no idea why. Then the OP made one of his "I'm leaving the forum" threads and went away without updating the original thread in any way, now he's back and propagates the installation of third party software.

I think we should perhaps just create a "Classifieds 3.0" thread with a more reliable, less erratic thread opener at the helm, who isn't opposed to adding very simple guidelines to his OP.

Changes don't have to be difficult and shouldn't punish anyone. Also I rather make a thread with open suggestion than decide something in private ;) Since the mods give members lots of space, we should do things as a community. So I moved in another more flexible thread :)
Already made a general trading thread :)

Ah, and as I see, it also contains some (gasp!) actual trade offers already. ;)

Very much appreciate the community aspect, thanks! :)

Switching to the new trading thread now.

Point taken. An easier and more effective search engine would certainly be welcome.
Still, if I couldn't find sufficient information from a user search, I'd probably take the safe route and ask them to trade first. I've been scammed online before (once or twice in free to play games), but once I looked back at what happened, I could have avoided all these incidents had I not wanted to rush a trade and just taken my time to play it safe.
If Galaxy implements a safer way of trading I'll be happy indeed. I've been thinking about this for a bit and I guess I would like to see some for of forced GOG based check in order to be able to trade (minimum number of games bought, or some kind of clearance by a GOG representative for instance) That way, I would have to divulge some personal information to GOG (which is logical anyway since I am entering an agreement with them for using their services) but not to other users.

I'm not sure I fully or correctly understand the expectations for the GOG Galaxy client.

Is the request related to trading GOG games only? Or to also trade third party games (Desura, Steam, etc.)?

IMHO, third party games should not even be considered for obvious reasons.

Either way and as far as I'm aware of, nowhere in the Terms of Use does GOG state that one of its purposes is to facilitate a trading platform for its users. IMHO, allowing trades on the forum is already walking the thin line here for GOG, legally speaking. Facilitating trades via the GOG Galaxy client automatically translates into GOG taking up some responsibility for its users actions which could lead to all sorts of legal implications.

Aside from this, do I understand it correctly that if someone doesn't use the GOG Galaxy client that they will be regarded as not trustworthy and thus excluded from any trades?


Just my 2c since I don't actively trade.

As far as I'm concerned, GOG only, for the same reasons as yours (I assume).

You' re right, it doesn't. It does however provide users with a service that they would clearly appreciate. I'm hoping that that will be enough incentive for them to at least look into the feasibility of such a feature. And we know from other online clients and services that it is NOT (legally or technically) impossible.

Again, not as far as I'm concerned. I would see this as a safe alternative to the existing channels, for GOG gifts and games.

I hope this clears up my point of view a bit...