Gaining trust in the ot community

[Magne]

So after a few months I created kind of a platform for more structured char trading, mainly focusing on slower exp servers, usually 7.4 servers. Current trading is kind of messy, so I figured a free site to use would be appreciated by the users. I created it just because I like programming and thought it would be a nice project.

I'm currently trying to launch the site, and I knew it would be a challenge getting both buyers and sellers, but boy, I wasn't ready for the mistrust from everyone. It seems like everyone think I'm just out to earn money, when I really just want to help.

Have anyone of you felt the same way, and what would be your tips? Thanks!

 

[Ianoyo]

So after a few months I created kind of a platform for more structured char trading, mainly focusing on slower exp servers, usually 7.4 servers. Current trading is kind of messy, so I figured a free site to use would be appreciated by the users. I created it just because I like programming and thought it would be a nice project.

I'm currently trying to launch the site, and I knew it would be a challenge getting both buyers and sellers, but boy, I wasn't ready for the mistrust from everyone. It seems like everyone think I'm just out to earn money, when I really just want to help.

Have anyone of you felt the same way, and what would be your tips? Thanks!

Trust, in any situation, is built up over time. If you are unknown, you need to get the trust of a few, to get the trust of the many.

Your website has a reputation system. Your average joe might only sell one character in their lifetime, and therefore have no reputation themselves. However, I can see your service being good for sellers who level characters for profit.

You also have no legal power to compel anyone to do anything, so the process of the sale has as much legitimacy with or without your service, which may throw some people off.

The only way to ensure safe trades are for the server owners themselves to implement a service/platform within their own domain, i.e an auction/transfer system on their website or in-game module.

--

Most external OT services other than server lists tend to not do very well I am afraid.
However, cool idea though, hopefully you gain trust over time!

Good luck!

 

[Magne]

Trust, in any situation, is built up over time. If you are unknown, you need to get the trust of a few, to get the trust of the many.

Your website has a reputation system. Your average joe might only sell one character in their lifetime, and therefore have no reputation themselves. However, I can see your service being good for sellers who level characters for profit.

You also have no legal power to compel anyone to do anything, so the process of the sale has as much legitimacy with or without your service, which may throw some people off.

The only way to ensure safe trades are for the server owners themselves to implement a service/platform within their own domain, i.e an auction/transfer system on their website or in-game module.

--

Most external OT services other than server lists tend to not do very well I am afraid.
However, cool idea though, hopefully you gain trust over time!

Good luck!

Thanks for your reply. I understand and respect that trust is built over time, just as it should. I have developed and launched sites for other communities but was never met with this kind of hostility. It does feel that everyone thinks I am out to scam them. Is it very common with scammers in the OT community "behind the scenes"? I only have experience with playing ots, and I feel it has quite a solid player community.

The reason I have a rep system, is that I noticed it is very common to give rep in Facebook groups and whatsapp chats, so that's why I implemented it. However, I added another layer to it, so when you open the "rep window" you can see who gave it and how old the account that gave it was when it gave it.

I am not in anyway trying to flex any legal power. I am merely trying to offer a free website where people can create character listings in a more structured way. I added a "copy share text" button so that it would easier to promote your listings in the already existing trading channels. I have tried to communicate this clearly on the site as well: transactions are always done between two individual and we can not guarantee any security in that sense.

Thank you for your kind wishes, I hope I get some traction. I do believe people would find the site helpful, if they just gave it a chance.