Silk Road forums

Discussion => Newbie discussion => Topic started by: DairyFarmerDude on June 23, 2013, 04:27 pm

Title: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: DairyFarmerDude on June 23, 2013, 04:27 pm
Was just wondering...Whats your rue of thumb when purchasing on SR.  Will you only buy from those with 100% feedback?  Or will you gamble on something less than perfect.  I only buy from sellers that are 100%.....I have saved a couple of vendors that I have bought from in the past.  But if I notice their feedback has dropped from 100% I will take them off my fav. list and not buy from them again.  Not to sound stale.  But me and my money have no room for error.  And I do understand some buyers are just...well, assholes. 

So I was wondering.  Do you think this a bit rash on my part?  What are the general guidelines some of you follow when deciding who to buy from?  Thanks for offering your insights.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: unc1717 on June 23, 2013, 04:34 pm
i have bought from a few 100% feedback vendors and one 99% feedback vendor and i guess it was just coincedence but the 99% had by far the worst stealth of the bunch..
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: DairyFarmerDude on June 23, 2013, 04:43 pm
Thanks.  That's another one that would get you removed from my list...Whack half-assed stealth.  No room for that either no matter your feedback.  I'm noid enough already.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: Itsworking on June 23, 2013, 04:44 pm
When I can I stick to 100% vendors, the only no shows I've had have been from vendors with sub 100%.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: DairyFarmerDude on June 23, 2013, 04:54 pm
When I can I stick to 100% vendors, the only no shows I've had have been from vendors with sub 100%.

I dig that.  When I browse the listings on SR I see some some sellers with awful feedback scores.  Like this morning.  I saw a seller with a rating of 73...That's ugly as shit man.  I think it's too bad that there are some who will even consider purchasing from such a vendor.  Dumb dude.  SR is an awesome site....However, I wish it had more in depth search functions though.  Like to be able to filter by price and filter out vendors under 100%..etc. 
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: Itsworking on June 23, 2013, 05:10 pm
I've been thinking that for so long, so much could be added to the search functions which would make a lot of what I do manually a lot quicker! Also I'd like a a search function of sorts to look through a vendors feedback, so for example you could see all the sub 5/5's a vendor got and why.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: SpaceTimeOG on June 23, 2013, 05:10 pm
On my buyer account I buy from 95+ vendors.  If they have less than a 98, I check as much of the recent feedback as I find necessary and check their reship policy.  I've only had one bad occurrence which was from a 100 vendor who required FE for all purchases.  So for that reason, I still don't FE.  Not ever.

You just have to remember there are people  behind these pages.  If they're good on a regular basis, they're still liable to make a mistake or an act-of-God will mess up an order from time to time.  If that's the case, all you can do is check to make sure they KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE AN ISSUE.  Too many vendors say "fuck all" to resolutions, even vendors with 100 feedback, and that's what sketches me out.  And you also have to remember that scammers and pissants can knock a score down considerably from pure spite.

Having less than 100 doesn't mean much, really.  Percentage and overwhelming replies of satisfaction are the keys.

Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: zxydwx3 on June 23, 2013, 05:30 pm
Depends if I've dealt with the vendor before or not. 100% is higher than my cut-off, in any event. I'm more concerned with domestic vs international, as there are many scammer buyers who distort feedback. The requirement to leave 5/5 also makes feedback almost meaningless.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: mcguire39 on June 23, 2013, 05:48 pm
I don't select a vendor based on feedback percentage alone. Here's my top 10 list of things to look for in a vendor:

1. Domestic
2. Generally prefer vendors who sell cannabis only. It's ok if they sell other non-drug related things, but generally prefer the only drug they sell is cannabis.
3. Seller account age; older or least a month or so generally preferred
4. Prefer to see some feedback saying excellent stealth, or vendor explicitly says MBB's or mylar used
5. Prefer there to be some recent feedback, within the last couple days.
6. Vendor has been online within the last couple days (can't tell that though if they're in stealth mode).
7. Forum search reveals some good posts from people with + karma and a good number of posts. I think this is harder to 'fake' then vendor feedback (more important for newer vendors imho).
8. Requires or at least encourages use of PGP for sensitive info.
9. Has to be the type of cannabis I'm looking for obviously, in the quantity I am seeking.
10. Vendor profile page is fairly detailed and has halfway decent grammar. Doesn't have to be perfect but needs to show effort and good understanding of product and a concern for customers.

So with those requirements there's maybe a dozen vendors on my short list, so far all tried have been excellent!

In general dealing with vendors:
When purchasing if the vendor has a tormail or other contact info in case SR is down, it's good to make a note of that in case you need it.
Read the product description and vendor page carefully; some want address in all caps, some want zip + 4, etc., I try to follow the format they ask for.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: DxM on June 23, 2013, 06:10 pm
Don't just blindly follow the feedback score. The number tells you almost zero. To properly review a vendor keep close attention to their -latest- events in any way or form.

feedback, reviews, forum posts, updates, shipping and order policy to name a few

Mine always had 96+ so far...
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: GlenRunciter on June 23, 2013, 07:45 pm
I think the feedback score can be misleading b/c vendors will always get a customer they cannot please or some asshole customer.  It's important to look at 'RECENT'  and read everything you can about the vendor before making a purchase.  You have to take some time and do your homework.   I generally look at 95+  .....  I give new vendors a break, a lot of them are trying to make a go and a couple stupid customers can ruin their feedback for a little while.   (I'm -not- a vendor !!! )    8)
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: one2bcurious on June 23, 2013, 07:52 pm
No, I usually wont look at a listing that has below 95 but sometimes you have shitty buyers that leave shitty feedback.  Eliminating a seller from consideration because they arent at 100% is foolish in my opinion.  All it takes is one shitty buyer to ruin 100% and there are a lot of shitty people in this world that will do so.  I know this because I use to make a living off of Ebay and despite operating near perfection, I only had 97% when I quit because some buyers will leave bad feedback because they got the package in 5 days versus 4 even though the post stamp clearly shows it was mailed the day it was paid for.  Some people just arent reasonable to deal with.  You see this when you go to a store or restaurant and there is a guy yelling at a worker for some stupid reason.

I check feedback, check the forums, read through the feedback, read through the vendors write-up on their seller page, and go with my gut feeling.  I also try not to spend more than I am willing to loose with a new person I havent bought from before.  Even if they have 100%, I am not going to setup a $500 transaction with someone I havent done business with before, that is just common sense.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: frank-butcher24 on June 23, 2013, 07:54 pm
A rating is only an at-a-glance overview of the vendor's quality.

Never forget that a rating of 100 could be easily achieved by running a couple of lotteries and accepting a few dozen orders that were mostly finalised early. Reading feedback and discussions on this forum is the best way to gauge a vendor's reliability.

One of the most legendary suppliers on Silk Road who's been here since literally the beginning has 97.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: A1pha on June 23, 2013, 08:15 pm
When I can I stick to 100% vendors, the only no shows I've had have been from vendors with sub 100%.

I dig that.  When I browse the listings on SR I see some some sellers with awful feedback scores.  Like this morning.  I saw a seller with a rating of 73...That's ugly as shit man.  I think it's too bad that there are some who will even consider purchasing from such a vendor.  Dumb dude.  SR is an awesome site....However, I wish it had more in depth search functions though.  Like to be able to filter by price and filter out vendors under 100%..etc.

+1

I agree and have voiced this opinion myself. I believe as the site develops then these features will become incorporated.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: DairyFarmerDude on June 23, 2013, 09:21 pm
Thanks for your replies everyone.  There is a wealth of good advice to follow from the posts.  Some of the things mentioned I have never considered.  Which is basically the reason behind he thread.  I know everyone wants prompt, honest, reliable service when it comes to their money and time whether it be SR or a mainstream store. 
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: one2bcurious on July 02, 2013, 10:45 pm
I would more likely purchase from a vendor with a 97 and feedback on the forum then a vendor with 100 and no feedback on the forum.

It is crazy how many vendors have been around for months and have tons of transactions but there is barely a mention of themselves on the forum.

If I were a vendor, I would start a feedback thread so people could post feedback.  That is probably the best promotion you can do and it is completely free.  You have to market a business for it to grow.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: LordEddard on July 02, 2013, 11:27 pm
I've never had any problems ordering from ppl who have at least 95% or higher so long as they have a lot of transactions, and are well reviewed.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: milliday on July 02, 2013, 11:36 pm
I would more likely purchase from a vendor with a 97 and feedback on the forum then a vendor with 100 and no feedback on the forum.

This is basically what I'm thinking. I find it really tough to have any confidence in a vendor if they don't have a decent review thread and some presence on the forums. I also just ordered from a vendor with 100 rating and he turned out to be a scammer. I think it's much more important to try and find some real honest reviews of products and service on here instead of going by rating entirely.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: bbcooltwo on July 02, 2013, 11:41 pm
I think every buyer need a different seller!
If this wouldn´t be, the market wouldn´t exist.

Or for every different thing a different vendor.

But i buy at some vendors who have 97 - 99 %, buts it is really ok if the vendor is helpful.

Regards,
bbcool
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: newbottles on July 02, 2013, 11:54 pm
I glance at the feedback number, but recent info from buyers on the relevant "Rumor Mill" forum is much more important. 

And don't believe everything you read in the vendor feedback comments, either.  More useful than a number, but the most useful data is on the forums. 

Also I give much more weight to how long the vendor has been around and number of transactions than the feedback %.

Once you spend some time doing homework around here you will likely conclude that the feedback number system is pretty broken for a few reasons.

Stay smart and stay safe.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: bbcooltwo on July 02, 2013, 11:58 pm
You are really right!

Feedbacks could lie! It is true!
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: chiflado on July 03, 2013, 12:15 am
I would say read the reviews to get an idea of why someone has 99 or 98 or 94.
It may be something silly like "he ran out of the product and refunded the money immediately". I've seen people rate a 3 or a 4 with comments like that.
Title: Re: Do You Only Buy From Sellers with 100% Feedback?
Post by: one2bcurious on July 04, 2013, 06:03 am
I have also read some profiles where it gave an explanation for their rating such as another vendor setting them up or a story of a crazy buyer.

SR really needs to add buyer feedback for vendors.  This might help blacklist some crazy buyers and also help newer buyers such as myself avoid some of the minimums they have.