Trade Guardian Major Update + Pro Seller Update

[EpicNPC]

We are nearing the end of our development phase for an upcoming Trade Guardian update that will be introducing some major changes to the site. We should be ready to start testing in a few days and are hoping to be ready to launch a week after that.


Trade Guardian Changes
Two new options will become available.

1. Middleman service - no changes

2. Trade Guardian seller - Buyers will make payment directly to Epicnpc (credit card only). Then once the seller delivers the item or service and the buyer confirms, the payment will be added to the seller's balance.
-- We have partnered with TrustAp to provide this service. Seller will have to apply to TrustAp to become an approved seller. Once approved, they will be able to use the new Trade Guardian options for their sales.
-- Payment withdraws will be through TrustAp via direct bank transfer.

3. Free Trade Guardian - this will be an automated system that will record transactions for both buyers and sellers so they can see a history of everything they purchased. During the transaction there is no MM, but some helpful instructions will be posted to help facilitate the transaction.


Dispute and Feedback Dispute Changes
Epicnpc will no longer review disputes if one of these three Trade Guardian options is not used. There will be 2 types of disputes that can be opened.

1. Trade Guardian dispute - If TG was used, we will fully investigate as normal.
2. Scam Review - If TG was not used, only an account review will be conducted on the accused's account. We will check if they're a known scammer, previously banned member or have been accused of scams on other sites. They will then either be banned or not. An investigation into the dispute will not be conducted.

Feedback Disputes

1. If TG was used, we will review feedback disputes as normal.
2. If TG was not used, we will ask for proof of transaction. This means showing a transaction started, either payment, service or item was sent.
- If proof is provided, the feedback will remain. We will not investigate the actual dispute. The feedback will not be changed.
- If proof of transaction is not provided, the feedback will be removed


Pro Seller Changes
Sellers approved by TrustAp will receive the upgrade for free. The upgrade will be renamed to "Trade Guardian Seller". The new upgrade will received 2 perks.

• Gold username color.
• Threads on the homepage if space is available.

The "Allow 1 affiliate/referral thread" perk will be removed for everyone and will only be allowed for ads (Sticky threads or banner ads).

The "2 additional accounts" perk will be added to the 'Epic Member' upgrade. This will allow family, roommates or friends who share internet connection or devices to keep their accounts open, but they will be linked to each other.

All Pro Sellers with the upgrade will keep it until it expires, but they will not gain access to the new TG seller options. Those few who have the lifetime Pro Seller upgrade will keep it, but again will not have access to the new TG options.

Spoiler: List of support countries for sellers

-australia
-austria
-belgium
-bulgaria
-canada
-cyprus
-czech republic
-denmark
-estonia
-finland
-france
-germany
-greece
-hong kong
-hungary
-ireland
-italy
-japan
-latvia
-lithuania
-luxemborg
-malta
-netherlands
-new zealand
-norway
-poland
-portugal
-romania
-singapore
-slovakia
-slovenia
-spain
-sweden
-switzerland
-great britain
-united states
-malaysia

Feel free to ask any questions if you have any concerns about any of the upcoming changes.

 

[MistiServices]

So if seller sells 1000$ worth of goods , and buyer using his card pays for those goods and in a week decides to dispute payment over his bank, epicnpc is accepting risk of losing 1000$ + chargeback fee ? While seller is getting money on his bank account free of risk?

 

[Angel]

What with these pro sellers who want that membership but can't use this service? Also who grants you that those who register for a badge will actually use the service? Some will register to get upgrade benefits but will continue to use their own payment method and you will lose money.

2. Scam Review - If TG was not used, only an account review will be conducted on the accused's account. We will check if they're a known scammer, previously banned member or have been accused of scams on other sites. They will then either be banned or not. An investigation into the dispute will not be conducted.

Feedback Disputes

- If proof is provided, the feedback will remain. We will not investigate the actual dispute. The feedback will not be changed.
- If proof of transaction is not provided, the feedback will be removed

I am trying to understand this. Basically, if someone gets scammed offsite, we are not going to investigate proof even if the victim has it. Just account review will not help always, and with a VPN will become a mission impossible. Not all victims will leave negative feedback so with this scammer will get multiple chances with our hands tied.

 

[EpicNPC]

So if seller sells 1000$ worth of goods , and buyer using his card pays for those goods and in a week decides to dispute payment over his bank, epicnpc is accepting risk of losing 1000$ + chargeback fee ? While seller is getting money on his bank account free of risk?

Details about how payment chargebacks and recalls will be released at a later time. Our Terms of Service will be updated before the update, so that information will be available then.

What with these pro sellers who want that membership but can't use this service? Also who grants you that those who register for a badge will actually use the service? Some will register to get upgrade benefits but will continue to use their own payment method and you will lose money.

It will not be available for other sellers, only those approved to sell via TrustAp. It's a optional service, so we will not force sellers to use TrustAp if approved. They will still be able to make sales without using that option while keeping the perks. However at a future time, we might add a activity level TG sellers much reach to keep their upgrade.

Basically, if someone gets scammed offsite, we are not going to investigate proof even if the victim has it. Just account review will not help always, and with a VPN it missions impossible. Not all victims will leave negative feedback so with this scammer will get multiple chances with our hands tied.

Correct.

The free TG version will provide some safety and helpful instruction during the process to try to make the transaction safer. These instructions are the minimum a buyer or seller should be doing. We want to educate members conducting transactions. We also conduct checks in the background adding another layer of safety. Investigating disputes is a very timely process, so we want to push members into the free TG version so it's safer and we have less disputes to review. For members that don't want to use it, they don't have to, but we will not be investigating those disputes.

 

[Angel]

It will not be available for other sellers, only those approved to sell via TrustAp. It's a optional service, so we will not force sellers to use TrustAp if approved. They will still be able to make sales without using that option while keeping the perks. However at a future time, we might add a activity level TG sellers much reach to keep their upgrade.

This is what I am trying to say. If i understand well you are going to terminate a current "Pro Seller" badge and will replace it with a free "TG Seller" but both upgrades will have the same benefits and are going to be abused a lot. Everyone who can use TrustAp is going to upgrade their profile just to be able to get a gold username color and threads on the homepage. Those who can't register on TustAp will not have it even if they previously used a "Pro seller" upgrade.

Correct.

The free TG version will provide some safety and helpful instruction during the process to try to make the transaction safer. These instructions are the minimum a buyer or seller should be doing. We want to educate members into conducting transactions in a safer manner while making it harder for scammers. We also conduct checks in the background adding another layer of safety. Investigating disputes is a very timely process, so we want to push members into the free TG version so it's safer and we have less disputes to review. For members that don't want to use it, they don't have to, but we will not be investigating those disputes.

This is what i was afraid of

 

[Ace]

Can everyone apply to TrustAp or are there restrictions?

 

[MistiServices]

Can everyone apply to TrustAp or are there restrictions?

You need SSN to apply for TrustAp, so its only for USA users. I have tried to apply and they dont support my country.

 

[Ace]

You need SSN to apply for TrustAp, so its only for USA users. I have tried to apply and they dont support my country.

Well that would suck if its USA only

 

[DanThePaladin]

This seems like a massive stepback in terms of protecting people using the site. Now sure how to feel about this

 

[Angel]

Well that would suck if its USA only

US and EU/UK will work, also some Asian and South America countries

 

[tigaboost]

Banned - https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/scammed-by-tigaboost.2406227/ & https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/scammed-by-tigaboost-create-another-account-for-scam.2406029/

it's interesting for the TG seller feature, since buyer can confidently purchase and risk free of scam

but sadly the TrustAp not available for my country, there should be some solution from EpicNPC side to bridge this issue for non-supported country by TrustAp

 

[Angel]

it's interesting for the TG seller feature, since buyer can confidently purchase and risk free of scam

but sadly the TrustAp not available for my country, there should be some solution from EpicNPC side to bridge this issue for non-supported country by TrustAp

Regular MM service is going to remain so you can use this one

 

[ZZreroll.com]

Well would be nice if there will be video guide uploaded to the youtube channel for each and single TG related feature for reference.

 

[tigaboost]

Banned - https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/scammed-by-tigaboost.2406227/ & https://www.epicnpc.com/threads/scammed-by-tigaboost-create-another-account-for-scam.2406029/

Regular MM service is going to remain so you can use this one

regular MM service still payment will from buyer to seller, where there still risk of chargeback

with the TG seller the transaction buyer will paid epicnpc first, this should be more safety instead of using regular MM

 

[DOPEBOOST]

regular MM service still payment will from buyer to seller, where there still risk of chargeback

with the TG seller the transaction buyer will paid epicnpc first, this should be more safety instead of using regular MM

The same risk will still exist

 

[DEJAN]

@EpicNPC Regarding the new feedback system, in event where a seller gets a negative feedback but the issue has been resolved between the buyer & seller, will that negative feedback changed to neutral or it will stay negative?

 

[ZZreroll.com]

@EpicNPC Regarding the new feedback system, in event where a seller gets a negative feedback but the issue has been resolved between the buyer & seller, will that negative feedback changed to neutral or it will stay negative?

ngl, it is very easy to sabotage, even more vulnerable for those auto services.

As long as you pay, you get the right to leave a review, you go out there to be a pain (using whatever reason like below expectation, hard to find the login button, etc.) and sabotage all your competitor.

 

[BoostMaster]

Banned - Failed to Resolve - TG 115051

Not supported in Georgia, RIP, i have EIN (Employe Identification Number) but even with that, it shows me error during registration.

First time i hear about this app, why its not wise/revolut/stripe/paysafe or any other good known payment platform with various countries.
We forced to bear with email support via trustap.

 

[EpicNPC]

@EpicNPC Regarding the new feedback system, in event where a seller gets a negative feedback but the issue has been resolved between the buyer & seller, will that negative feedback changed to neutral or it will stay negative?

If resolved, it will be changed from neg to neutral. That will not change.

 

[Desire_Ink]

Doesnt look very good honestly. I see too many holes here which scammers can abuse.

 

[Moooses]

TG Seller upgrade will only be available to specific members who's country is supported while others who wants the badge wouldn't be able to get it because of country restrictions

 

[EpicNPC]

List of supported countries for sellers has been added at the top.

 

[ffxivgrinds]

List of supported countries for sellers has been added at the top.

Do you think it will be possible to Add Brazil or any other SA country in the future?

 

[EpicNPC]

Unfortunately we don't control that, sorry. The payment process controls it. Hopefully over time they will support more countries.

 

[aetnor]

The situations where I agree to a deal with a seller and then have them ghost me as I ask for TG seem to be increasing. If the deal seems overly suspicious then I post in scam accusations which lead to proper action being taken. Will we still be able to create a dispute in these cases as the deal stops short of TG?

 

[MrAce]

Well, I registered with trustap and surprisingly enough, it was an extremely easy process to say the least. Not sure I could say the same for individuals outside of the US, though.