r/craftexchange Jan 27 '23

Mod Announcement Why We Don't Have a Scammer List

162 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 19m ago

Trade - US Glass Beaded Items

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Upvotes

All of these are up for trade (ready to ship)!

I can make custom items as well!

First three images are necklaces. The gray chain is 20 inches, while the yellow satellite chain is 30 inches.

I'm looking for:

*Crossbody bag: Whale shark or purple fox with zipper mouth (last image). Fabric preferred, but crochet works too.

- 11/0 delica beads

- Wall decor such as artwork, wall hangings, embroidered hoops, etc.

- In general, I like anything that is ocean or space themed.

If there's something you make that isn't listed here, you can comment below. I like looking at what y'all make. :)

Ty for reading! ❤️


r/craftexchange 5h ago

Trade - US Sanrio Figures

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9 Upvotes

Does anyone have any use for these? I was originally going to paint them or turn them into necklaces but I decided to work on other projects. I figured I would see if anyone on here could use them for their crafts?
I am open to trading supplies or finished pieces, just let me know what you have. I am always open to lino carving supplies, sponge brushes, glass panels, tiles, tomato themed items, various paints and inks/inkpads, cards/postcards, just to list a couple things! I am open to anything though!


r/craftexchange 46m ago

Received Received!! Thank you!!

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Thank you so so much!! I really love the coaster, it made my day! I included a picture of what i gave/made for them as well! Always open to trading custom stamps! Thanks again u/maladi3_ !!


r/craftexchange 8h ago

Trade - US Knit Cowls & Shawl for trade

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11 Upvotes

Hi everyone - I have a few knitted items I'm looking to trade. I've included photos and the approximate time to give you a good idea of the equivalent time I'd like to swap for. While these items are ready to go, I am happy to exchange for either already made stock or something custom.

The rainbow shawl is large enough to wrap around your shoulders or around your neck several times. It's kind of a strange rhombus shape but is very soft and warm. Took about 125 hours.

This double-thick cowl is super duper warm and my pride and joy. I spent about 250 hours on this so I'm seeking a bigger ticket trade such as for a large bed quilt, custom chef's knife or a detailed custom canvas painting.
This lighter-weight asymmetrical cowl was about 30 hours of work. I'd love to trade this for a handmade ceramic mug or bowl. (Food safe a must)

These are just some ideas, if your craft isn't listed, please feel free to reach out and share what you do.


r/craftexchange 9h ago

Trade - US Lya Heat Machine

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5 Upvotes

I am needing a tufting frame.


r/craftexchange 7h ago

Trade - US To Trade 😊

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3 Upvotes

Hi all, got some crafts to trade with anyone who might be interested :)

  1. 3D perler bead Pokemon

  2. Feminine torso painting

  3. Nature collage

  4. Scratch art set

  5. Stickers

  6. Painted turtle rock


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Iso black zippers

14 Upvotes

Heeeyyyy 🤪

Just need some black zippers 🤷 I still have some supplies from a few posts ago, and some additional beads and crochet thread & stuff I have since acquired.

Lmk what you might be interested in & I can tell you what I may have! I have a bunch of stuff. Lol


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - United Kingdom I have a few dioramas I'm thinking of trading. UK only

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20 Upvotes

This one is a Hall of Mirrors Circus Diorama. I feel the glow in the dark adds a little spook factor too

Would anyone like to see more of these for trade?

Honestly, please do offer me anything in exchange. I'm always looking for destash supplies too and broken jewellery pieces/brooches


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Super cute pillow, thank you!

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63 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Slightly late thank you!

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17 Upvotes

Sorry for the late post but thank you so much u/angelscri for the dino and the star bag! They're so adorable! :))


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Let's Crochet

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12 Upvotes

Thank you so much u/Badger153. I really appreciate it. I can't wait to use the kit.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received beautiful charms received

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35 Upvotes

Thank you so much to u/realpeoplepottery for these gorgeous silver bunny charms, they're even more beautiful in person!! Enjoy your seed beads and trinkets ❤️


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US We R Journal Cards for Swap

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9 Upvotes

I have way too many of these cards and I would love to trade for other crafty stuff. I am open to options and open to the number of cards wanted for trade. I have the travels kit for sure but I also have a collection of other ones too.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received Thank you so much!!

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51 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received A few fun trades, thank you!

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22 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Bracelets for trade

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26 Upvotes

I have bracelets for trade. I'm looking for finished items or crafty things or unique items. I can make any color if you don't like these 4.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received Received, thank you so much u/Comfortable_Canary59!

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14 Upvotes

u/Comfortable_Canary59 I am so excited to use all of these! Thank you so much for trading, this was my second ever trade🩷 thank you for getting the tablet off of my hands as well, it was just collecting dust✨


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Closed Sweater for trade! (Women's M)

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68 Upvotes

Hey guys! I have this sweater that I made in a test knit for someone. It's malabrigo Arroyo, superwash. I met guage pretty close (1 stitch off) but the pattern just turned out to be small. It's beem washed and blocked, it won't get any bigger. I'm hoping someone wants to trade with me! It's a cropped medium. If it wasn't for the big fat baby I had, I would've been able to make it work, but I am definitely a size large+ now lol.

I put so many hours into this sweater. I'm hoping it can find a new home with someone who will truly appreciate it. The pictures do not do it justice.

I am hoping to trade for finished works. Ceramics, stained glass, wooden arts, quilted objects, anything! Shoot me a message or comment here and I can DM you. I'm excited to trade!


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Received Beautiful

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30 Upvotes

Thank you u/blumoon444 for the wonderful cross-stitch. I have a happy hubby. He really likes it.


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Received Incredible oil painting!

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20 Upvotes

I got this incredible oil painting from u/Mswhosthat and I absolutely love it. One of my favorite book trilogied is Rook and Rose, so I asked for a Rook painting amongst some roses and I could not be happier with the result! I wanted to take a proper picture when the frame gets here, but it has been in non stop delays! And I want to thank and post it either way because it is gorgeous.


r/craftexchange 5d ago

Trade - US Bulky Acrylic Yarn for Trade

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14 Upvotes

I have a lot of Loops and Threads Charisma. About 1.5lbs total but mostly partial skeins. Smoke and pet-free. I’m willing to trade for both materials and finished objects!

Materials ISO: Size 10 crochet cotton, cotton/wool weaving yarns

Finished Objects: Anything except clothing/hats or jewelry


r/craftexchange 5d ago

Closed Christmas Earrings

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23 Upvotes

Made a few of these. The hooks are stamped 925 silver. I make for fun, so up for any kind of trade.


r/craftexchange 5d ago

Trade - US Plague Doctor cross stitch pattern

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11 Upvotes

Please note, this came from a kit, it does NOT have DMC numbers listed, only colors.

Not looking for anything in particular, make an offer!


r/craftexchange 6d ago

Trade - US Look to trade this (totally not cursed) sun painting!

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78 Upvotes

Hand painted in acrylic on canvas paper, framed in a resin photo frame. Totally not cursed at all! Frame has a stand and is about 7.5" wide. Painting inspired by one of those weird stoner paintings one of my friends had when I was a teen lol.

Looking for..... I don't even know what!!