PX Bullshit, Everyone is selling for themselves

[bobke]

I have, like most others posting here, bought and sold in the PX and it’s been largely self regulated by the posters themselves, because we choose transparency in our business transactions. Have about given up on Trader References because even in what were, in my mind, well executed sales, recs are not always exchanged/posted.
I liked an earlier suggestion about a multiple metric and came up with something that might be readily extracted from member data on site. Puts largest value in tenure, next in likes and last in total post count, and put a sample together.

Would grandfather in long time members, ‘suggest’ a nominal contribution to site for shorter tenured members in good standing and most to those with only short term membership. Would need to establish baseline numbers for transition from one grade to next, but does provide metric on things we find of value. Still a bump limit to keep trash posting minimized, or pay to do so.
Also like Frank’s suggestion to charge a fee-say $50, for a one time buy in that is only good for one month. Violate parole and you’re done. Otherwise, the above rules apply. Contributions to site don’t carry same liability as a fee on sales-I think, and provides Frank some additional revenue to continue making site and technical improvements to SH, training videos and support to site. Throwing this out for thought.

 

[DuneShoot]

Hoping you don't charge the average guy to post in the PX.
I have only sold a few items and bought more than that. The PX is more than half the reason I browse the hide. ARF.com has a system where you are able to bump your ad every couple days as well as shows your seller feedback right under your user name.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

IMO the biggest issue is the people who come here just to sell their shit. Paying members or not, old members or not, if all their posts are listing or bumping their stuff in the classifieds they should be sent down the road. This is a long range shooting community, not a classifieds site so people should be here to be a contributing member and the PX is just a bonus.

I like what arfcom does with limiting the amount of ads people have and bumping. I think it’s linited to one ad per sub forum. I remember not long ago here some guy had over a dozen individual ads in the reloading subforum for individual items that could have easily been grouped into one, most of which were small items too. He would bump them all at the same time and take up an entire page doing so. That’s just ridiculous and inconsiderate. This would probably take special software to track though as that’s just too much work.

I’m all for charging a fee for everyone who wishes to sell. Offer a premium membership starting at $25 or so per year with several tiers that gets you incentives as you buy up. If you’re not a premium member you can view the classifieds but you can’t make threads or reply. This should also waive liability to the forum since posting in the classifieds would just be a privilege of being a premium member. Premiums can sell, peasants can’t.

I think that plus some community policing to report people who are only here to peddle their crap would make the entire forum better.

I also disagree with new members being able to buy a membership and post. I think they should have to be a member for so long and at least lurk (if there’s a way to track it) and make so many posts per month even if it’s just 5-10 and then they can sell in 6 months. Being able to join, pay a fee, and list crap up just contributes more to the problem of people only using the site to sell there stuff. There needs to be emphasis on community.

I also think people should be banned for immediately listing up something they won off a prize table. I’ve seen people put up certs and stuff literally the same day they got them... that’s fucked up when a sponsor puts something on the prize table for someone to use and someone just pics it up because it’s the highest value item left at the time with no intention to ever use it. Besides that prize winnings are technically taxable income, especially when you turn around and exchange them for cash therefor selling for profit and should be considered commercial sales to begin with.

 

[J.Boney]

I think most of us would be happy to pay an annual fee or a fee per sale to throw things out there occasionally. It’s certainly a privilege to be able to do that. Some people abuse that privilege

 

[Veer_G]

I'm not sure if anyone has said this, but the PX is like a live "Guns Digest." For many, it's a great way to learn about firearms and equipment to which we might never otherwise be exposed, not to mention its worth as a pricing guideline — if, and only if the listing parties remember not to alter pricing information after a completed sale.

I'm not sure how much participation Frank is looking for, but a revolving team of members with limited mod status to go through the PX and weed out the shit would take a good bit of burden off of the regulars.

 

[niteshooter]

Lots of ideas already stated I agree with.
I’ll add that 1 sale post a month seems like plenty. How much shit does a person have/need to sell anyway. A lot for some obviously.
Maybe the gear queer whores just need to get a handle on their shit or peddle their junk elsewhere in the pawn shop or garage sales. Would get them off their ass out of the house and not tie up bandwidth.

Sometimes a good old witch hunt to flush out the turds may be in order.
Since it was mentioned there’s legalities, Pandora’s box involved when you start taking people’s money, ie contract.

Dear so and so, you are accused of douchebaggery, you have 30 days to clear your name or stand tall before the man and plea your case. Otherwise enjoy the vacation.

I seldom look through the px just because it’s like weeding through others cast offs to occasionally find something good.
I understand many benefit and I wish it would stay.
Shit happens, people get cancer and have to sell their night visions, customs guns to help pay the tab.
Here they can deal with people that actually know the value of such items and not the hoards of freeloading “I want everything for nothing” types. That’s the real value I see in that section.
But its whatever LL decides, whatever it is I’m sure I’ll live just fine.

 

[padom]

Cleanup has begun. Get your shit in order and contribute or go away

 

[Tree]

So if you have started the clean up and I'm still here, that must mean I haven't f'd up too bad as of yet. ?

 

[Rocketvapor]

Alphabetical Purge

 

[Tree]

Damnit. Guess I will just have to to wait till they hit the Ts

 

[RNWRKNP]

You can buy and sell stuf here???? I haven’t bought or sold anything here Frank but sure appreciate the privilege to do so. I don’t like the idea of punishing everyone for the sins of a few, I like the idea of allowing the new members to buy but not sell till requirements are met as I think it helps attract new members which helps you and the PX would be a foot note on why I participate. I also push people here to learn as I have and damn glad I joined as there are some damn good people. Your house, your rules and it would suck if the PX went away but respect your decision to do with it as you see fit.

 

[PusherX11]

I rarely list in the px, and when I do it sells within a day or too. I try to list my items for what I would want to pay for it in here so it does not last long. Whatever you come up with LL will be good to go. And if people don’t like it fuck em! They can go to ar15 or armslist. Maybe make it so vendors can list in the Vendors section only.

 

[Fig]

I came here to sell a TBAC cert I won at a match early last season. I was talking to some guys in my squad and saying how I had a TBAC can in jail and they said to come on here and sell/trade it. Clearly I totally suck at the PX, because I ended up giving it away to some poor mouth, active duty, grunt. Maybe I’m not the capitalist I think I am...

So I did come for that reason. I stayed because I’m always the freak in the room who doesn’t talk because no one is gona like what I have to say. Turns out most people here think just like me, and I have more in common with folks here than I do in my actual (urban/suburban) life.

Oh yea, they know a bit about rifelry too.

 

[RNWRKNP]

I will say that I do appreciate vendor feedback in the various thread topics to clarify product feature and performance. I personally haven’t seen an instance where I felt they were out of line and willing to help when asked even if it wasn’t their product. Have been impressed by the Hide vendors like Cameraland, Liberty, CST, Milehigh and welcome their input. Their are others of course but those are the ones that come immediately to mind and don’t feel it’s right to penalize them anymore than I would a member in good standing.

 

[PusherX11]

I came here to sell a TBAC cert I won at a match early last season. I was talking to some guys in my squad and saying how I had a TBAC can in jail and they said to come on here and sell/trade it. Clearly I totally suck at the PX, because I ended up giving it away to some poor mouth, active duty, grunt. Maybe I’m not the capitalist I think I am...

So I did come for that reason. I stayed because I’m always the freak in the room who doesn’t talk because no one is gona like what I have to say. Turns out most people here think just like me, and I have more in common with folks here than I do in my actual (urban/suburban) life.

Oh yea, they know a bit about rifelry too.

I’m the same way fig. I don’t talk about guns, shooting or anything of the sorts out in public let alone speak of the hide. This is my social media. I don’t have Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram nothing, and I would be disappointed to see this messed up or go away. Actually Randy at Mile High Shooting turned me on to the hide as I spend quite a bit of time in there talking with them since I live 5 miles away from them.

 

[W54/XM-388]

One important note is that the PX section does drive a lot of traffic as well as pull in a lot of outside traffic for people looking at things to buy when they are searching on Google and such.

So getting rid of it or severely blocking it would most likely have a measurable impact on traffic / ad revenue.
The exact extent I have no clue about but it is probably measurable and can have a number assigned to it.

While many members here sign up for online training which directly supports the site, I'd venture a guess that they are in the minority compared to the total registered members, so advertising revenue and commercial sales / sponsorship etc. probably plays a fair bit of a role in paying the bills, which is tied directly to traffic metrics.

Another thing is that new shooters drive a lot of sales and actually tend to help the more experienced shooters out because you have someone to sell the stuff you are upgrading from which helps you get the latest and greatest stuff.

 

[Biggie1976]

You also could do a verification list with real name and addresses. Also have them include a picture of their drivers license and an additional picture with a sign held up and give them a phrase to write on it and all be sent to the admin at the same time. Putting a face and address with a DL would put a lot of the shit to bed

 

[Rocketvapor]

You also could do a verification list with real name and addresses. Also have them include a picture of their drivers license and an additional picture with a sign held up and give them a phrase to write on it and all be sent to the admin at the same time. Putting a face and address with a DL would put a lot of the shit to bed

Takes less than that to vote for a president.

 

[Biggie1976]

Takes less than that to vote for a president.

Sadly you are correct Sir.

 

[padom]

You also could do a verification list with real name and addresses. Also have them include a picture of their drivers license and an additional picture with a sign held up and give them a phrase to write on it and all be sent to the admin at the same time. Putting a face and address with a DL would put a lot of the shit to bed

You dont get it. Frank has said it a million times. We arent Ebay. He will shut it down before all that work gets done. Easy button

 

[Lowlight]

Lots of good ideas, some a bit dramatic, but there is nothing wrong with making a messy omelet

The "buy in" does generate revenue, that helps keeps the thing running in the slow months. But it's way too low.

The post count requirement is too low, that needs to be higher

I think combining both a higher "Full Member" post count with a buy-in that only gets you part way there at a higher cost is needed.

We do need a dedicated mod for the PX.

No bumping within 72 is a great rule change, as well as a template of what an ad needs to include. the original photo, price, etc.

I may have to make another buy-in, Commercial sales being a buy-in, along with 101 posts, being one, two different tiers. The problem I see is companies, large, small or individual, only doing the $33 upgrade thinking they are good. Then when you call them on it, you get the excuses, I have never seen so many large private sales in my life.

The amount of, I'm an FFL/SOT, but everything I posted was off the books is fun. This is really a bigger part of the problem, the business, big or small who skirt the rules. That is where the crackdown needs to be. They are conducting business on here and acting like they are doing me a favor. I have to cut this out, and maybe we need a "reward" for people who turn them in.

I am working the issue,

Tucker went on a bump banning spree I see this morning, and boy are people made, giving me minutes, and seconds, etc, 3 days between bumps is a great suggestion.

 

[Biggie1976]

You dont get it. Frank has said it a million times. We arent Ebay. He will shut it down before all that work gets done. Easy button

Gotcha. And that makes sense as well

 

[Lowlight]

I can limit the 101 posts access to X number of days, so I have limited it to 45 days of access.

This is work in progress, we are moving fast, the bans this AM were funny, people freaking out.

But since nobody is reading the rules we have to have the welcome PM modified, the rules laid out etc,

 

[Spdy]

I just bought a used AI-AT off the PX and missed a S&B scope by a couple hours. I learned a lot by watching what was selling and for how much before I stepped in. Without the PX I would not be entering long range rifle land and some other members would be having a more difficult time moving used equipment to buy newer or different equipment. I understand that a PX deal is between me and the seller, the forum just allows us to meet and the pinned threads make it clear to do your homework before sending a big check to someone you don't know. I just learned (from one of Tucker's threads on a F'd up sale) that the admins will help with ID if you ask beforehand. I didn't expect that but its appreciated. What I am getting at is the PX has a lot of value to both newcomers and to experienced long range shooters. I like the idea of limiting sales postings to those with time in and/or posts in and to 1 ad per subforum. If the software limits bumping that also helps.

Is that the only reason I come to the Hide - NO. There is a wealth and breadth of knowledge I haven't seen anywhere else. I have read discussions on scopes, rifles, gunsmiths, rangefinders, binos, gear, shooting technique, places to shoot and even videos of precision matches in Norway (beautifully done by the way). There is also that old school Hide community "feeling" that answers your questions on one hand and makes fun of you at the same time. The internet equivalent of screwing up a match at your gun club and having the other shooters joke about your poor ability while buying your beer at the same time. I don't post much but its fun to sit back and enjoy the ride. Jim

 

[deersniper]

woukd be nice to limit people to 2 active for sale posts per section and also have people leave prices up after sale is completed.

The jerk offs with 5 for sale ads on the front page should be banned. Unless their stuff is super cheap and will be sold immediately.

I see I'm a full member with the big yellow bar now. I feel special like a mod
Lol

 

[Lowlight]

I had the badges off, turning them on will help identify people better those who purchased access vs post count

 

[AIAW]

I like my new one

Not permanent though. I'm not that trashy.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I have a couple comments,
I have NO plans on selling anything. I might look around for some bargains though.
Seeing an ad for something and it has 40 to 50 posts means I have to look at the first post, read any questions and answers to see if they are applicable, watch for price changes,etc, page through the bumps to make sure something important wasn't added.
I bet some even get friends to come it and Question Bump an ad.

Question, if the terms, price, quantity gets changed can it be added to the original post and that be an automatic Bump?
If a question is pertinent maybe it can stay otherwise the seller could request it be deleted.
It the question warrants a revision, revise it, Oops, a bump.

All in all going through several pages in one PX ad isn't that much trouble but search a few and you waste a lot of time.
Maybe not as much time as a mod, but still - - -

 

[padom]

I have a couple comments,
I have NO plans on selling anything. I might look around for some bargains though.
Seeing an ad for something and it has 40 to 50 posts means I have to look at the first post, read any questions and answers to see if they are applicable, watch for price changes,etc, page through the bumps to make sure something important wasn't added.
I bet some even get friends to come it and Question Bump an ad.

Question, if the terms, price, quantity gets changed can it be added to the original post and that be an automatic Bump?
If a question is pertinent maybe it can stay otherwise the seller could request it be deleted.
It the question warrants a revision, revise it, Oops, a bump.

All in all going through several pages in one PX ad isn't that much trouble but search a few and you waste a lot of time.
Maybe not as much time as a mod, but still - - -

We've seen it all. Price drop, added pictures, added info, bump, up, etc.

I count them as a bump. If you want to add, edit, change, update you do it in your Original Post. Otherwise your violating the rules.

 

[Lowlight]

I am not changing on the entire site views a page or how people manage their ads after the fact.

if you bump something and go into page two, maybe nobody wants your shit

 

[Basher]

Or I didnt realize or I wasnt paying attention. If this thread isnt an awakening to read and know the rules then oh well.

Guilty as charged with one of my ads recently, and my apologies to the forum for not paying attention before bumping! It's been several years since I reviewed forums rules, maybe now's a good time to do so in order to avoid running aground!

I agree with much of what's been said here, and am in full support of the changes being made. While the PX here is a big draw for people and an amazing resource, I'd love to see the quality of our membership raised quite a bit, and will do my best to start with myself!

 

[Lowlight]

The badges turned on I think will help identify members a bit better for everyone.

 

[Kraze]

I'm liking the changes so far! Another thing I think might be helpful is a general guideline for how we can help police the site through the report feature. IE, do you want any and all rule violations reported, even things like more than one bump in whatever time frame we land on, or just the major violations reported (scammers, commercial sellers that aren't sponsors, etc)?

Without knowing how the reporting feature works (does the staff get a notification each and every time a post is reported, or just one notification that a post has been reported so many times) I can see reporting anything and everything either helping, or causing a headache if you get a bunch of notifications all for one post.

 

[_Windrider_]

The badges turned on I think will help identify members a bit better for everyone.

Please please purge the PX. There are 484 pages of items going back god knows how long in the firearm area alone. Let’s start fresh at least.

 

[TXBO]

Having that kind of activity is a good thing. I wouldn't be trying to limit it. Figure out the right way to monetize it. You fulfil a need. Get paid for it. Maybe charge per classified. If you want to do something for members, give them one free ad per so many posts in technical forums.

 

[Lowlight]

Yes, I do the purge in the beginning of the year by date,

It just takes a long time and crashes the server, so I have to do it overnight when traffic is lower

 

[Lowlight]

Having that kind of activity is a good thing. I wouldn't be trying to limit it. Figure out the right way to monetize it. You fulfil a need. Get paid for it. Maybe charge per classified. If you want to do something for members, give them one free ad per so many posts in technical forums.

The problem is, we have a system to monetize in place and it's being abused, companies or individuals who are actually doing business on here are not paying and saying, it's all private sales. Hundreds of posts worth of private sales.

Charging everyone means we are responsible for the sale, we then become liable if everyone is paying to post. But paying for 101 posts we are not putting ownership on the ability to post, only the access to post.

It's a double-edged sword, what happens when I charge you to post and you get ripped off or the sale is not as advertised, and the member says, I paid you to use the PX and you did not protect me ?

 

[deersniper]

People should protect themselves. This nanny state bs has got to stop

 

[Blue Sky Country]

Looks really neat, I like the new style

When looking at the members' headers on every post, kind of reminds me of one time, long long ago when I was fucking around with some silly online game called 'Dark Orbit'. The green and blue bars on the player's screen showing you how much lasers and shit ya got left

Seriously though, I hope the updates benefit all of our contributing members and weed out the ones who are abusing the functions. To put it as a reminder, this is a GUN FORUM with the PX section as an added feature, not an online gun marketplace with a forum added. This is one of the best and most informative sites out there for shooters who put accuracy far more over quantity and I want to see this place continue to grow and succeed as much as any other dedicated gunnie here.

@AIAW : Holy shit that is witty and clever as hell

 

[BLKWLFK9]

@Lowlight

Is this a case of what you're talking about?



https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/curtis-custom-vector.6924861/#post-7509931

 

[Lowlight]

I questioned someone yesterday, they had 296 posts, most of them in the PX, they were "working" for someone but it wasn't their stuff, they were being cagey in their answer, and when I questioned more I was THEN, calling them a Liar and so I banned them.

Sure, they were working for someone, I know who it was after the 4th response, the guy had multiple products brand new, never used, and was selling a ton of stuff. Private sure, but this person is not in the same class as everyone else. They could afford to have a minion that works for them post all their shit and just keep selling, but clearly, they are not following the rules. The bumping, the Selling for Others, etc

But I was calling them a liar for questioning the posts, it's Bizzaro World

 

[mercracing]

Also guilty of bumping. Never more then once in 24hr but I’ve bumped enough I should know it’s not going to sell. My apologies.

 

[Lowlight]

@Lowlight

Is this a case of what you're talking about?



https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/curtis-custom-vector.6924861/#post-7509931

yes,

I know who that is, and will reach out, but it is a case of how this happens for sure. In my mind, it is spelled out in more than one place, but clearly not enough to make any real difference

Some guys have upgraded accounts but because they are older they are not marked correctly. I know who most of them are as I have a list.

But it does not help when every fains ignorance of the rules

 

[TXBO]

The problem is, we have a system to monetize in place and it's being abused, companies or individuals who are actually doing business on here are not paying and saying, it's all private sales. Hundreds of posts worth of private sales.

Charging everyone means we are responsible for the sale, we then become liable if everyone is paying to post. But paying for 101 posts we are not putting ownership on the ability to post, only the access to post.

It's a double-edged sword, what happens when I charge you to post and you get ripped off or the sale is not as advertised, and the member says, I paid you to use the PX and you did not protect me ?

I'm no expert in liability for a forum such as yours but there has got to be a way to transform to more of a paid classified section without liability. You are paying to list an ad. The buyer is not paying to access the add.

I'm a car dealer. I use several third party sites to list vehicles. They have no liability in the transactions and the blood suckers make a lot of money.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

It really is astonishing at the ways people will attempt to bypass the rules and act as if they either did not know that was skirting the rules or know the rules to begin with.

To me the rules are pretty well laid out and clear. To the point IF you have to think on whether your actions are within the rules or not....well pretty good chance those actions causing the thinking is attempting to skirt the rules.

It does not take much effort but it does take time to look around the forum and see these type of members.

We have members with their company logos, website info, contact info, etc etc in their signature but are clearly going beyond the "Customer Service" allowance of not requiring commercial memberships.

We have members in their profile that say outright "Contact me for xyz". As if that is not acting as a commercial entity?

We have members that have full blown company commercials written in the profile "About Me" status. As if that is not acting as a commercial entity?

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Lowlight]

Another thing, is,

Look at the group buy section, we let business offer a group buy, in order to help the members, but now that has become 100% about buying enough to be a dealer. Tons of non-supporting companies use it to get started and then just walk away.

We are the first line in order for them to start the business, but once that business is off the ground, they are gone.

want to see abuses in real time, look there

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The problem is, we have a system to monetize in place and it's being abused, companies or individuals who are actually doing business on here are not paying and saying, it's all private sales. Hundreds of posts worth of private sales.

Charging everyone means we are responsible for the sale, we then become liable if everyone is paying to post. But paying for 101 posts we are not putting ownership on the ability to post, only the access to post.

It's a double-edged sword, what happens when I charge you to post and you get ripped off or the sale is not as advertised, and the member says, I paid you to use the PX and you did not protect me ?

What if you're required to have a "premium account" to post in the classifieds section at all though? Don't call it for sale access, call it a privilege for being a contributing member? Give some other incentives with it like larger PM storage, avatar size, so forth. Maybe have a higher tier thats another $20-$30 more per year and includes a T shirt or something. Then maybe a lifetime membership for $200-$300 that gets the person a goody bag, access to online training, and so forth. That way you're selling a premium level of membership to the forum that comes with perks and one of those being the privilege of using the classifieds section. Non paying members would only be able view the forums and wouldn't be able to post threads or comments at all.

I've sold a metric crap load of stuff here over the years, all personal sales and I've never been affiliated with a company in the shooting industry. I've lost money on just about everything and what I haven't or have broken even on I've lost 100X more on other stuff. Even so I don't feel any sort of entitlement to use the site to sell my stuff for free even though I do my best to contribute to the forum and have been here for a long time. I feel like I still owe the forum for the ability to move a lot of unwanted items that I wouldn't have had much luck selling elsewhere, including paid auction sites. I'm not one for handouts or anything though and I believe snipers hide is entitled to more than some contributing posts from me for being able to sell my used stuff.

Just my $.02.

I spend less time in the classifieds section than I do on other parts of the site, but I do look there a couple times a day and I've reported things I've seen in the past. If you're taking sign ups for helping monitor the PX I'd gladly volunteer some of my time.

 

[TXBO]

Another thing, is,

Look at the group buy section, we let business offer a group buy, in order to help the members, but now that has become 100% about buying enough to be a dealer. Tons of non-supporting companies use it to get started and then just walk away.

We are the first line in order for them to start the business, but once that business is off the ground, they are gone.

want to see abuses in real time, look there

You can't allow that. You'll lose all of your advertisers.

 

[Lowlight]

I could lock the PX down a 100%, charge everyone using it.

But it again defeats the purpose of being a contributing member and as I said, it does drive a certain amount of valuable traffic.

I could say, you need 100 posts and charge $10 from everyone, that would be a revenue driver and might be worth considering but I don;t want to punish everyone for the abuses of a few

 

[Blue Sky Country]

What if you're required to have a "premium account" to post in the classifieds section at all though? Don't call it for sale access, call it a privilege for being a contributing member? Give some other incentives with it like larger PM storage, avatar size, so forth. Maybe have a higher tier thats another $20-$30 more per year and includes a T shirt or something. Then maybe a lifetime membership for $200-$300 that gets the person a goody bag, access to online training, and so forth. That way you're selling a premium level of membership to the forum that comes with perks and one of those being the privilege of using the classifieds section. Non paying members would only be able view the forums and wouldn't be able to post threads or comments at all.

I've sold a metric crap load of stuff here over the years, all personal sales and I've never been affiliated with a company in the shooting industry. I've lost money on just about everything and what I haven't or have broken even on I've lost 100X more on other stuff. Even so I don't feel any sort of entitlement to use the site to sell my stuff for free even though I do my best to contribute to the forum and have been here for a long time. I feel like I still owe the forum for the ability to move a lot of unwanted items that I wouldn't have had much luck selling elsewhere, including paid auction sites. I'm not one for handouts or anything though and I believe snipers hide is entitled to more than some contributing posts from me for being able to sell my used stuff.

Just my $.02.

I spend less time in the classifieds section than I do on other parts of the site, but I do look there a couple times a day and I've reported things I've seen in the past. If you're taking sign ups for helping monitor the PX I'd gladly volunteer some of my time.

That actually sounds really good. And that is how we do it at TFL. The key word is "privilege". Being able to use the buy/sell function is basically being told that "You are mature and responsible and can be trusted with more perks the place has to offer". But that also comes with the reminder that if you take advantage of it and act like a dickhead, these privileges can be revoked with a single mouse click.

More gear and clothing, both as awards and available for general purchase, is something I am totally behind. I would love to wear SH jackets or carry a SH duffel. Hell, now that I am more familiar with this community I wouldn't mind being decked out in SH gear.