What's new
EpicNPC

Register a free account today to become a member!

New Verification System Incoming - Upgrade complete

Not Recently Bumped
EpicNPC

EpicNPC

Administrator
Country
United States
I'm happy to announce that EpicNPC is adding a new lower-tier verification system to the forums in order to combat spam, scammers and people constantly making new accounts. Our top priority has always been to make the forums a safe place for buyers, sellers and those who just want to trade so by adding this new level we'll be one big step closer to accomplishing that goal.


Below is a list of the upcoming changes

- New registered members will be put into a new heavily restricted usergroup called UnVerified (details to follow)
--- You can find the full members ship benefits here. http://www.epicnpc.com/epicnpc-news-announcement/378588-usergroup-benefits.html
- Only after a member verifies a phone number and pays a small $3 fee via Paypal (other payment services later on) will their accounts become fully functional. They will not receive the perks EpicNPC Verified members receive.
--- Members will receive a unique badge to show they have verified a phone number so it's clearly visible to all members
- Phone numbers will be private, uneditable and only visible to admins and mods
--- Phone numbers will never be released publicly
- Each phone number can only be used once
- Phone numbers will also be used for account recovery when a hack claim is made


Forums will be closing in about 30 mins and will remain closed for about 2 hours give or take until everything is implemented.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Banned - scammer - 3 scam threads - http://www.epicnpc.com/active-disputes/550290-naota-kame-took-money-namechange-vanished.html
While I see what you are trying to do by combating scammers, new legit members will be deterred by having to pay to get out of a "heavily restricted" group...

Oh well, good luck on the idea.
 
The upgrade has been complete.

All members in the default usergroup have been moved into the new "Unverified" member group. All new registered members will be placed into that same Unverified member group until they upgrade their account.

Unverified members have the following account restrictions plus an Not Verified badge under their username.
  • Cannot add sig to profiles
  • Cannot use Visitor message system
  • Cannot rate threads
  • Cannot use search
  • Cannot earn forum credits for the Epic Store
  • No avatars or profile images
  • 30 second delay between posts
  • 15 minute time limit on edits
  • Inbox Size 5 messages
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I too think it is a bit restrictive.

More than all, I think the $3 charge is a bit high, maybe a $1 charge would have been better.
 
everything is subject to change at this point. I will test the current settings over the course of the week and make adjustments to any restrictions or the price depending on how things go.
 
Banned - scammer - 3 scam threads - http://www.epicnpc.com/active-disputes/550290-naota-kame-took-money-namechange-vanished.html
Maybe free? Just phone verification? What happens to the people who can't have a Paypal in their country or people not of age?

I just don't feel like its a great idea... I am all for deterring scammers but not for deterring my future business prospects...
 
I agree the fee is far over the top, The verification is fine but the fee will literally destroy new user sign ups.
A large portion of users are here to trade, and do not even have paypal.

That being said, The new restrictions make it MUCH harder for people to simply join and start scamming, give themselves fake rep, etc.
 
I think the fee will totally destroy your member base most of the traders here I would say 70% are kids/ young adults under 18, I understand your trying to combat scammers, but what your going to do is deter more honest people to go elsewhere, people are tight with there money I verified so dont matter to me, I am looking at my future profits to tank majorly once you fully implement this
 
Members in the Unverified group can still reply to threads, create threads and use the messaging system, so it should not have any real impact on your business as those same members can still contact and communicate with you.

The goal is to provide a safer environment for everyone and make it more difficult for people to keep re-registering and if they do, then at least limit them in what they can do without restriction peoples business. I think I found a good balance in the system, however as I said restrictions and payment are subject to change depending how the next few days go.
 
5 messages? so now i need to wait for everyone i was talking to, to delete messages before i can message them back? it's a good thing we're only allowed that 500k of space now =/
 
I'm going to applaud the efforts to reduce scamming, but as important as that is for Mike I hope this doesn't turn away the crazy progress we've made in terms of traffic gains lately.
 
I don't know, I use this site rarely and have already gone through a couple of verified/mutual feedback trades. It's nice that I've already done a few trades and am now limited.
$3 is high to verify an account, too.

Not being able to use search or anything is definitely going to make me less apt to use EpicNPC.
 
Banned - dispute - https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/keiichi-owes-me-fees-i-hope-he-is-okay-cool-dude.1433002/
I like the this new feature but the phone vertification fee should be alittle lower, maybe 1$ in my opinion but let's see how this goes.
 
on another note can an unverified member give feedback? IE: If I sell/trade with them I asume I cannot get or give rep?
 
I'd have been happy with 20. It's also misleading since it says Inbox of 5 messages, but that includes Sent Items as well (technically those are both in the same mailbox), so once you delete those and then delete all but the emails you want to reply to... (which can only be 4) then you can reply to 1, delete, and repeat...
 
The feedback restriction is my main concern as most my sells/trades are unverified. I would cease to gain feedback.

I agree some new system needs to be in place to control the spammers and scammers as well.

Maybe create a new lvl'ing system along side the verifications. Posts make you level based on how many words are used, as you level you gain more rights at the site.

Kinda like an MMO website where your avatar levels based on feedback, likes on your posts, etc.

In turn, as you level you gain epic rewards to spend in the store on "special" avatar rewards, titles, etc.

Just a thought :)
 
It won't matter if the fee is optional either, Once people see it, A portion of them will be turned away on the spot because they don't like the idea.
Charging a fee for a forum that for all intents and purposes should be free to it's users, kinda backwards.
 
I also want to add one thing.

Our site is the best one out there in my opinion. Hands down, in fact.

The wide array of forums, ease of use, and as Sakura said, "The increased traffic."

Making the website even more FUN by implanting the characteristics of an actual MMO would be a first for any gaming site. If done well, would crush the rest and thus validating lower tiered validations with a fee. People will want to pay if they can actually level their website character. Could include armors, weapons, etc.

This idea has all kinds of room for imaginative intervention by community.
 
HellHulk said:
I also want to add one thing.

Our site is the best one out there in my opinion. Hands down, in fact.

The wide array of forums, ease of use, and as Sakura said, "The increased traffic."

Making the website even more FUN by implanting the characteristics of an actual MMO would be a first for any gaming site. If done well, would crush the rest and thus validating lower tiered validations with a fee. People will want to pay if they can actually level their website character. Could include armors, weapons, etc.

This idea has all kinds of room for imaginative intervention by community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

That's a bit much, And I think it would take away from the goal of the site, to buy sell and trade.
I understand the idea, Gimmicks often attract people and get them to stay longer, spend more money, etc.

The RMT community however does not operate on that same level. Most of them do not want to spend a penny more than they have to, and vanity is generally only indulged in by those who can afford it via time or money.

Avoid catering to fun seeking kids, Stick to business :P
 
Another option with this leveling system - new members have a choice, level up for less restrictions or verify by payment to gain fewer restrictions.

That would cater to both sides of the coin possibly.

- - - Updated - - -

Geek said:
That's a bit much, And I think it would take away from the goal of the site, to buy sell and trade.
I understand the idea, Gimmicks often attract people and get them to stay longer, spend more money, etc.

The RMT community however does not operate on that same level. Most of them do not want to spend a penny more than they have to, and vanity is generally only indulged in by those who can afford it via time or money.

Avoid catering to fun seeking kids, Stick to business :P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

I agree with what your saying. Still think a ranking/leveling system would improve it. Personally I love to see my number for feedback go up. It is addictive for me. A ranking system would just add more fun for me. I may be the only one with this mentality though :) I am crazy. *shrug*
 
Banned - banned on sythe - uhiliketurtles
I have to say this, being that there is so many other sites you can go and sell/trade this is fairly unfair to the newcomers. I myself am not THAT new but I am new. A red flag to a lot of people is the 3 dollar fee. Why? because think about it, now the more verified members will think EVERYONE who is not verified is a scammer. Its like forcing people to pay 3 dollars to ensure they are legit. Also, a lot of people (more towards the 18 and under) do not have access to a paypal account nor can they gain access to one. This is just abusing power honestly... Who comes to a forum to be told they need to pay 3 dollars? I myself, (which I have traded a lot on here) will not be forced to pay 3 dollars. You take away our pictures also? what is this? This is mockery seriously. Who wouldnt be upset to find out they need to pay to sell/trade their own items?!!? too far fetched.
 
No matter how you say it or word it there will be some loss here, Just like the feedback I have a hard time getting anyone to
give rep, I have sold over 160 account here and only have 5 rep,

I feel the fee, WILL do more damage than good.
Cannot use iTrader feedback system - very bad Idea
Cannot add sig to profiles - no effect
Cannot use Visitor message system - great idea
Cannot rate threads - bad idea
Cannot use search - kinda like disabling the Google search bar bad Idea
Cannot earn forum credits for the Epic Store - no effect
No avatars or profile images - no effect
30 second delay between posts - should be more time 1 min
15 minute time limit on edits - no effect
Inbox Size 5 messages - Very bad Idea should be at least 50
 
No matter how you say it or word it there will be some loss here, Just like the feedback I have a hard time getting anyone to
give rep, I have sold over 160 account here and only have 5 rep,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

How have you sold 160 accts with only 81 post? That seems like quite an exaggeration. :p
 
several of the post have 5-10 accounts each some have 2-5 I have sold 110 to one member.
 
To comment on making the phone verification free, that is not possible for me to do due to the amount of daily registered users we have. If it was free and even 10% of new registered members verified their phone number it would cost me upwards of $500/month. If half verified it would cost me a few thousand per month, so making it free is not possible.

I appreciate everyone's feedback and I'll take it into account along with what actually happens over the remaining week and make changes accordingly.
 
People have brought up several key points. I know what the idea of this change is and it's good to stop the effectiveness of the majority of scammers (or repeat scammers anyways). There is, however, a conflict with new members joining. I would not be willing to pay to join a site that I do not know much about just to learn what the site is all about. I'm coming up on a year of membership and this change makes me think about how if I had found the site last year requiring a fee to to a majority of the things on this site I would have just quit the site. That said this is one of the most solid trading / selling sites on the web for gaming (and sometimes other things). Another issue that I feel affects people is that if I were a verified person (unsure if I want to pay for the service; I'll discuss this soon enough) I wouldn't want to deal with non-verified people as they are unable to give me rep. This wouldn't affect pro-sellers as their rep speaks for themselves but for low repped people who want to be able to use paypal to high repped members reputation is very important. Onto the price... the cost isn't that much IF you are already a member. I know that the site is good but a new member doesn't know much about how much of a well-kept site this is. That being said I still don't feel the desire to become verified just to gain back things I have had for the past year. I also feel that the huge "not verified" tag under people has a negative connotation surrounding it. It almost makes you seem like a non-trustable person on the forums. Like I said in the beginning... I know this change had good intentions in mind but I feel like the negative ones out weigh this. At the end of the day this is just my two cents though.
 
i don't pay NOTHING and i want a decent service omg wtf is this?
and where is my avatar? i don't want ''Not Verified'' for avatar
 
Last edited:
Banned - banned for admitting to scam
I don't like this, not using the search means i cannot check the list of threads i have created and makes it harder for me to sell :/
 
so let me get this straight ive been a part of this forum for 6 years and i still have to pay $3 and do phone verification to be able to use my avatar and my sig which links to all my contact info for customers to contact me i understand you want to lower scammers but making someone like me with hundreds of posts and tens of thousands of dollars transactions done through this forum be required to pay to show im "legit" seems like your stealing money from me i was a premium seller for over a year and i choose not to be one now so i get penalized in my opinion this is utter bull****.



also want to point out ive been a member here longer then epic lol.
 
Lwt said:
I also feel that the huge "not verified" tag under people has a negative connotation surrounding it. It almost makes you seem like a non-trustable person on the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

this is right! it's difficult to sell if the people see that i'm not verified, it's almost like having a negative feedback
hawke said:
I don't like this, not using the search means i cannot check the list of threads i have created and makes it harder for me to sell :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

yeah i have to see my threads
 
Last edited:
I see the need for change, we all have gotten burned, or at least had people try burn us. There is definetly need of a fix. I see the same repeat scammers or ones that I know have burned people but the person won't report and they get away with it until they piss off the wrong person. But I can't get feedback for non-paying users? How many of sales are non-paying users?

And face it I have made alot of friends here, and have repeat customers. But you'll all only need so much from me. But we cannot keep selling and buying with people not joining because they have to pay to use a site that they know nothing about it. Specially in a business like this.
 
EpicNPC said:
I agree with some of the statements above, so I've removed the "Not Verified' badge and iTrader feedback has been re-enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...
can you also re-enable sigs i think its only fair almost ever seller uses them for there contact info i will buy the epic member but i certainly think its not fair to make new sellers not be able to utilize this.

other then that i appreciate you being open to peoples arguments made me want to buy the epic member instead of being spiteful for seeming like im being forced to do it.


edit: lucky 777 post :) only took 6 years lol.


edit: i think im not gonna buy until epic can give me a good reason why someone with an old account like me should be required to do this its not about the money its about the principle.
 
Last edited:
I think any account over x amount of years should just be granted "verified" status, an '07 account should not have the restrictions of a day 1 account.
 
RP_Jekyll said:
I think any account over x amount of years should just be granted "verified" status, an '07 account should not have the restrictions of a day 1 account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...
yeah i kinda agree but it should also have to do with post count and how active you were so if someone has an old 09 account or something with 5 posts they shouldnt just be given it out for free but i still stick by its being kinda messed up treating me like i haven't been here for years. you want to still require a phone verification thats fine but the $3 just seems like your looks for free money for people like me i understand it costs money to verify for the people but there should be exceptions.
 
IS THERE EVEN A WAY TO DO THIS RIGHT NOW? I mean seriously, this is complete bull; I was in the middle of trying to buy a FF account(ether XI or XIV) to get back into the game or just start a new one, but no; can't delete my PM's because they hold important info, can't send more because I have over 100.
 
RP_Jekyll said:
You can view your post on your pofile page, click the 'Find latest started threads'

2249b088e7624972926f530c6765a85a.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse...

can't, i have this



Devonshire, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

EpicNPC
Welcome our new Global Mods!
Replies
4
Views
227
Taki
Taki
Mak1maSeller
Selling Multiple Items New 2026 [Twitch drops] 90/90 cases | Icebreaker + Streamer Challenge 2
Replies
0
Views
80
Mak1maSeller
Mak1maSeller
A
Selling CL4699 Starter Account (62% Complete)
Replies
0
Views
27
aksnesviii
A
Mak1maSeller
Selling Multiple Items New 2026 [Twitch drops] 3/3 Unique Rewards | DbD: RUIN Rift
Replies
0
Views
416
Mak1maSeller
Mak1maSeller
Mak1maSeller
Selling Multiple Items NEW [Twitch Drops] EFT arena | April 2026 | 36/36 items | all days
Replies
0
Views
359
Mak1maSeller
Mak1maSeller
Back
Top