Classified Rating System is Broke and Being Abused

In case you didn't know there is a star voting system where forum members can rate classified threads they view. A 5 star rating of "Excellent" is the best and a 1 star rating for "Terrible" is the worse. Most recently I noted that just about all of my classified threads are rated as terrible. In checking my thread rating I noted that the number of votes per thread total from 1 to 3. Since forum members are only allowed to vote on a thread one time I can pretty well conclude that the same individuals are responsible for the negative votes on the majority if not all on my classified threads. This all seems to coincide with a handful of members who over the last couple of months decided to use some of my classified posts for their own personal agenda or for the purpose of sabotaging my ads. They posted rude and condescending remarks criticizing the price I was asking for articles I was selling, complaining about the number of classified posts that I bumped down at the same time and making it known that they had tenure here on the lounge as if to imply their opinion is right and mine is wrong. Coincidentally, one of these individuals also happened to mention my low rating on my classified threads as a reason he would not do business with me. Now I'm pretty sure who is responsible for leaving those negative votes and they are not customers I have personally sold merchandise to. These negative votes were left by spineless cowards with the sole intent of destroying my reputation and sabotaging my classified ads. Their actions are vengeful and petty. It's takes a real brave person to leave a 1 star vote of terrible when you are protected by anonymity and don't have to provide any justification for your vote. This voting system is far from reliable and is being grossly abused by a select few individuals for their own self serving purposes. All you have to do is look at a few of my classified threads over the last 3 or 4 months and you can probably guess who these individuals are. Incidentally, tenure does not always demand respect nor is it always reflective of someone's knowledge. Over the last couple of years I have sold merchandise to several individuals on the forum who have never expressed any complaints to me. So then I ask you what could possibly be the motivation for certain individuals leaving negative votes on my threads other then the unjustified reasons mentioned above?

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I never look at those votes. You should just ignore it. It's not something you have any control over and I doubt many prospective buyers would even notice it. It is petty for someone to go through all of your posts and give a low rating but what can you do?

casechopper said:

I never look at those votes. You should just ignore it. It's not something you have any control over and I doubt many prospective buyers would even notice it. It is petty for someone to go through all of your posts and give a low rating but what can you do?

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I agree as I would not pay any attention and you know I do sell at times here. I never really knew about any rating system. Sort of makes me think of the Olympics...(skated a 9.3!!!!!!) LOL!

I can understand your concern however, but please do not let anyone rent space in your mind. You are a decent person and you know that. Put a smile on that face for me and Daniel! Thanks kiddo!

Yeah, I don't really notice the stars/voting system either.

What's making me a little bit sad is that I've asked all the folk I've done business with to leave a quick comment if they were happy with the transaction, which they were, but nobody ever did.

Geez, sorry to hear about the troubles. I agree with Sam. Don't let the negativity get to you, man. As a guy who has bought hats from you, and has met you face to face, I can assure you that those negative comments don't have legs to stand on.

I know it's hard to not take things personally when you're feeling attacked. It occasionally comes with the position I have at work and is probably the worst part of it. On the positive side, the items you list in the Classifieds are just like shows on TV. If someone doesn't like them, they can just move on, and hopefully do so without posting an unnecessary comment.

I've only had one problem with your listings - most of the items are in nearly mint condition, and most have been in my size. I still think you've got a time machine stashed somewhere that lets you go back and pick up these hats when they were new.

Personally, I never noticed the rating system either . . .
But I will say that I bought a BORSALINO from sage about a year back, and was treated honestly, and fairly . . . fast shipping, and friendly service. A+ from me Purplesage!

If you like and have the funds for what is being offered then you buy it, If not then you don't.....no stars needed.

I have never understood the criticism offered up in the classifieds. It seems to come from those not really interested in the product, just looking to say something negative. One is either interested or is not. Sage, I've seen a lot of classifieds from you posted and sold. That's what counts. Don't let negativity from a few nit-wits bother you.

mingoslim said:

Personally, I never noticed the rating system either . . .

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+1...

though now I see that I have a single star on my single classified listing as well. I guess bad energy begets bad energy.

The rating system applies across the forums in all areas of The Fedora Lounge. But one would need to make use of the Lounge for something other than selling to realize this.

Never seen it before (or, if I had, I didn't realise what it was). It doesn't seem much use; you even seem to have to click on it to even see what the current rating is; I don't know why I'd bother to do that, I'd rather read the thread and make my own mind up whether it was any good or not.

Never noticed either, but i did see all the negative comments on your postings and i do not know what that was about.

My mother always says - "if you do not have something good to say, then do not say anything at all."

It made no sense to me - if you do not like or want the item for sale, click and move on.

I could see that certain individuals who have been here awhile set themselves up as those 'in charge' and their word was law and not to be argued with.

I stopped posting on the forum when it became obvious of the hierarchy and their self inflated egos and condescending comments.

One guy had a major melt down and left the forum which seemed very immature and others have commented here when in fact they where pouring fuel on the fire at the time.

Buy the item - praise it or move on, simple as that.

scotrace said:

The rating system applies across the forums in all areas of The Fedora Lounge. But one would need to make use of the Lounge for something other than selling to realize this.

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True that

Nope....I didn't notice either Going to have a look now though.

carouselvic said:

True that

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double stamp

Pay no attention. No one else does. its kind of useless. ( It iiiiiS useless ).

scotrace said:

But one would need to make use of the Lounge for something other than selling to realize this.

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Ouch!