Suggestion: hidden WTB section for the unregistered?

Why not make the "Classifieds: Buy" section invisible for unregistered users? If potential scammers show up and don't see either a buy or sell section, they're probably going to just leave without registering. The Sell section is hidden from viewers prior to registering, so why is the Buy section visible? It's much easier to scam someone in the WTB section vs. the FS section.

It's absolutely sad just how many threads I'm seeing where members are getting taken in by 0-post or unregistered scammers who email/pm interested buyers. It's the members responsibility to be proactive about weeding out new user messages and NOT sending gift payments (a lot of people do this by mistake)... but one tiny settings adjustment may save plenty of loyal POTN members a great deal of money, time, and frustration.

Such a setting has been discussed and I am all for it. Of course one has to register to use the PM or email functions of the forum.

Unfortunately this would have a negligible impact on the problem, I'm afraid. You see, those that are easily scammed are greedy fools and the old saying that 'a fool ands his money are soon parted' certainly holds just as true here as anywhere else.

They are greedy because they are trying to cut corners, get something for nothing or a deal that is too good to be true. All they see is the prize at the end without properly recognizing the risks.

When someone with a zero post count, recently joined and NO credible positive feedback offers to sell at a deep discount, and demands PayPal Gift or similar as payment all they hear is...'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, dream lens at deep discount', and ignore the alarm bells that should be going off in their heads. Nothing will stop these people from getting scammed when they are such active participants in the scam.

When this happens, I for one do not want to hear the whining.

I agree.

However, I believe "For Sale" thread is hidden if you are not registered. Why not do the same for "WTB" section?

I'm aware that it won't deter scammers from taking advantage once they register... but I'd still consider having both sections hidden a good idea. It won't stop all scammers from registering, but if they don't see either available on the site, it may ward off a portion of those who's sole intent is to bilk people of their money.

A lot of this stuff is common sense, and I find it kind of hard to sympathize with them for failing to do their due diligence. Don't buy from new buyers. DON'T do paypal gift. It's really that easy, but when paypal balance and bank transfers are always the primary payment option... that mistake is bound to happen fairly often. Even an established person here may waver at the chance to disappear when they receive a sizable enough gift payment. I honestly blame paypal for being monsters about refusing to allow CCs to be set as the primary funding source, even with a balance sitting in the account...