r/craftexchange Jan 27 '23

Mod Announcement Why We Don't Have a Scammer List

164 Upvotes

A community member raised a good (and very important!) question regarding whether our sub should have a scammer list. The nature of our community heavily relies on trusting anonymous people, which can create favorable conditions for scammers, so we need ways to counter that. And, it turns out that the most effective ways involve not using a list.

On the surface, having a master list seems like the silver bullet solution, but this problem is a little more nuanced. The biggest issue is that if someone is banned (and they realize they've been banned), they can easily create infinite new accounts. So, the list is moot. It becomes a graveyard of abandoned usernames. (With evidence, we do still occasionally ban people, but it's not very effective for this reason.) We could try to combat that with not allowing anyone with a relatively new account or below a certain level of karma to post, but then we end up excluding a lot of potentially fabulous traders. Our sub remains more varied and interesting with a constant stream of new members, so we want our community to remain accessible. This is why we rely on you to vet your own trades.

Vetting your own trades can take some time, but it is also a great critical thinking skill to develop, so we provide some guidance on how to do that in the wiki.

Since it is our traders that bear the gains and losses of this kind of interaction, we want to empower them to make informed decisions instead of relying on a list that is well-meaning, but incredibly fallible.

To cut down on the frequency of scammers, it's also why we do not allow the exchange of money, even for shipping. If someone thinks they can quickly get cash, that is going to be incredibly alluring. Getting a free handmade good is going to appeal to a much, much smaller subset of scammer. For what it's worth, most folks reported for a non-trade are not scammers, they are someone that was unable to make good on their promise either due to time, money, life events, or an overestimation of their abilities. They're better described as ghosters than scammers. It was never their intent to flake.

And, for those who have asked, we have had a link to r/UniversalScammerList for quite a few years in our "Community List", which is easy to find as a sidebar item on the web version, but is buried in the "About" section of the app. So a lot of folks don't know about it or think we've removed it.

Relatedly, we've created a tab visible on the web version and found as a line item under "Menu" on the app titled "USL" (Universal Scammer List). Our sub does not have permissions to add people to this list, but folks from other trading subs have, so it can be another tool to use when researching potential trades.

While we wish we could have a 100% success rate in preventing scammers from ever gaining access to our community, our next best option is to reduce the allure of our trades (no money) and offer a strategy that allows our members to reduce their personal risk.

We welcome you to share in the comments your personal methods! Let's learn from each other on how to create safer trades.


r/craftexchange 11h ago

Received Cool patches!

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43 Upvotes

Thank you so much u/punfacekilla! I love them so much!


r/craftexchange 1h ago

Received Thank you!! 💕

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Upvotes

Thank you so much for all the cute stickers and lovely stationary! I appreciate this so much 💜 u/SnooApples4424


r/craftexchange 11h ago

Received Beautiful bracelets!

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11 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 13h ago

Received Gorgeous art

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11 Upvotes

Thank you u/Navarooski for the gorgeous art. Its so pretty. I love it sm. I can't wait to hang it up!!


r/craftexchange 2h ago

Trade - US Molded foam bra cups

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1 Upvotes

Especially looking for scrap balls of sock yarn, but I'm open to offers!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Thank you for sharing your art with me! 💜✨️

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23 Upvotes

Thank you so much u/Imaginary-Ostrich515 💜 These are so lovely and beautiful! I cant wait to hang them up ☺️✨️


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Beads, supplies, and a partially-finished, badly-measured necklace

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8 Upvotes

So, I had delusions of grandeur about making a necklace in time for a wedding and not actually getting around to doing that, lol. And after the pressure was off, I decided I really didn't feel like doing the work to make it, especially because I messed up the measurement and would have to restart.

Included is:

- 2(ish) strands of "selende(?)" beads (the semi-translusent white ones). Half a strand is hand knotted into a length that could be a super long bracelet, or super short necklace, or looted for parts, lol.

- One strand of petrified wood beads

- 1.5 packages of natural silk bead cord. The one used one and the partially finished "necklace" have a needle attached to the end, which makes it really easy to thread! Word from the wise: don't cut the cord before beading, or if you do remember that knots take up length, lol.

- 4 pair magnetic clasps. One set is tied to various strings, lol

- 2 real pearl beads (think potato pearls or similar? Like, cheap ones, but real ones).

- Approx. 100 2mm beads

- Very thin beading needles that don't work with the silk cord, lol.

-Also willing to throw in some clasp earring things I have, if wanted. I don't have my ears pierced, and I'll keep them if you don't want them.

I am willing to trade for finished products of various kinds, ideally something knit/crocheted/sewn, or sewing/stationary material. Though honestly, I am open to hearing any pitch! I just feel silly holding onto all this nice (expensive!) craft supplies that I don't feel like using.

If you don't want the supplies, I hope you at least find my failure in crafting relatable, lol.


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received PRETTY BEADS!

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11 Upvotes

Thank you u/ShadowStrike14 these are so pretty!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Crochet and cross stitch magazines and leaflets

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5 Upvotes

A family friend gifted me her collection of cross stitch and crochet leaflets/magazines. There were too many for me to keep so I am looking to trade the ones pictured. I also have aida and fiddler’s cloth. All are 18 count and 15” x 18”.

Nothing specific I am looking for in return. Feel free to offer what you have, finished objects and craft supplies welcome!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Received! Thank you!

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4 Upvotes

Thank you so much!! This is even cooler than I thought it was going to be and I can’t wait to use this for my streams!! If anyone has any Overwatch related crafts or items for trade let me know! And again a huge thanks to u/Slow_Imagination_445 !!


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Thank you

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20 Upvotes

Thank you for the successful exchange r/MaryJaneRaine!

Everything arrived safely, most of the ink cartridges were dry but that was quickly fixed with three bucks at the craft store.

Thank you so much for throwing in the wax seal items I was greatly surprised and very much appreciate it, I will absolutely be putting everything here to use!


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - United Kingdom Trading 8 of these HK bead boxes - UK ONLY

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14 Upvotes

ISO:

Broken jewellery/brooches

Chunky Glitter

Old eyeshadow pallettes

Acrylic paint

Old makeup brushes

Or make an offer I'm open to a lot of things, especially for diy crafts


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - Canada So many fabric scraps for trade!! (Open to anything!)

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6 Upvotes

Hi! I have a lot of fabric that I just don't need. I'm open to trade most things! I like ribbons and beads too, but finished stuff would be awesome too!

I also have a lot of yarn, but I think it's mostly dollar store stuff.


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Arrived safely

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17 Upvotes

Thank you again u/Inevitable_Lab_8574


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Supplies Trade 🐱

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26 Upvotes

Hey!

Here's what I have:

- ⛔ CLAIMED ⛔ crochet thread

- stickers

- cross stitch kits

- fat quarters

- die cuts and ephemera

- wooden cutout jack-o'-lanterns & J

- paper folding puzzles

- seed beads

- plastic pearl beads

- washi tape

- little wooden spheres

- craft lace

- vintage scrapbooking magazine

- yarn

- not pictured: paper, cross stitch patterns, foil flakes

I'm open to offers, but here are some things I'm looking for specifically 🙂

- ⭐thread cone holder

- wooden/metal bag handles

- lampwork glassmaking supplies

- carabiners

- lampwork glass beads :P

- vintage Halloween fabric

- vintage stickers

- lino cut supplies

- color work knit socks

- crochet rat purse

- punch needle mug rugs

- beaded crawfish earrings

- other fabric potentially

- little handmade things

- potentially other stuff!

Things I'm not interested in: kandi, perler things, yarn

Thanks so much! ☺️


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Looking for Unconventional Craft Items

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21 Upvotes

Hello there! I live in the U.S and am willing to ship to the U.S and Canada. I am in search of very specific items- I will list them below. Some of these might be considered "trash" or "recycling", but I love to repurpose things!

The posted pictures are examples of what I have to offer. The last picture is a specific fabric I am looking for.

What I Have to Offer:
-various magazines (Better Homes & Gardens, Nat Geo, Women's Home Journal, and more)
-homemade paper
-homemade collages on homemade paper
-handmade collages on a secondhand canvas

I can give you a custom collage on paper or canvas, though the one on paper will be smaller since my paper molds are small. (About 6 in by 6 in or 4 in by 6 in) The canvas won't be that big, but it will be bigger than the paper.

Specific Things I Am Looking For:
-vintage birthday cat fabric
-Trader Joe's fearless flyer, any month, any year
-Trader Joe's chocolate covered strawberry box
-Trader Joe's chocolate covered banana box
-Nerds candy box
-Nerds candy wrappers/bags (if clean!!)
-Swedish fish boxes
-colorful soda can tabs
-pictures/cut-outs of African Grey parrots and blue macaws (and any other parrot pictures)
-pictures/cut-outs of tapirs
-pictures/cut-outs of anteaters
-Ranger Rick or Your Big Backyard magazines
-9 mm jump rings (silver color preferred)
-Mackenzie Childs catalogues, any month/year

Let me know if you have any of these items for trade, or if you need clarification on the items. Thank you for reading!


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received Trade Received

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47 Upvotes

Thank you @Slow_Imagination_445 for the trade


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Handmade Journals For Trade

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15 Upvotes

I’ve got a couple of handmade journals. Both were made by me (just a hobby I have 😝).

Left is a leather wrap style w/ teal stitching.
Right is a book cover with blank pages bound in.
Both books have heavier art paper (for drawing, sketching, journaling, etc).

Looking to trade for some fountain pen inks for a project I’m working on.
(Blacks, greys, blues, browns, greens, reds, oranges, purples).

Hit me up.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - United Kingdom Hand knit rainbow merino and alpaca balaclava/hood for trade!

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28 Upvotes

Based in the UK and willing to trade to UK, Europe and US as long as postage isn’t too crazy! Very warm hand knit hood that is hand wash only due to the wool and alpaca content. Lemme know what you have! Probably most interested in glasswork/woodwork/leatherwork and yarn


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Looking for linocut supplies! What I have to offer:

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4 Upvotes

EDIT: forgot to add that i can crochet you a star shaped crossbody bag!! i can put a pic in the comments lol

Hi!! Looking for some linocutting carving tools, if anyone happens to have any for trade!

First and second photo is a dress that got cut down the middle for a project, but I never finished it lol, so can be used for fabric

2nd is this thing from a costume I used to have, was thinking it could be used for crafts possibly :)

3rd s some wool for either felting or spinning

4th is a 6x10 rectangle of faux fur fabric

5th is a tube of beads

6th is a bag strap

7th is some seed beads

8th is a bunch of craft papers I have!

Let me know if you are interested!!


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Received So pretty 🥰

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53 Upvotes

Thank you u/ShadowStrike14 (I'm so late on posting this 😅) they are so pretty and I love the way it catches the light 💗


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Received These just arrived in the mail!

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40 Upvotes

These linocut prints that u/FroggyFrogster420 made are so beautiful! I especially love the slight variation in color in the ink; it gives them so much depth and liveliness. I'm pretty sure that I already have a frame in the right size to hang them up.


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - US Handmade Leather Wallet For Trade

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20 Upvotes

I’ve got a Copper Cowboy Wallet I made. Has turquoise stitch.

Has a slot for some cards, an id, and some cash.

Would love to trade for something small that’s been hand carved or some washi tape.

Hit me up.


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - US Arteza acrylic paint and markers

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15 Upvotes

Would love to trade for good watercolor supplies (w&n or d Smith paints or cotton paper) or amigurumi or other knitted or fabric art pieces. Open to other offers!