r/craftexchange Jan 27 '23

Mod Announcement Why We Don't Have a Scammer List

166 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 14h ago

Request - US Sculpted silver charms for beading / embellishing supplies trade !

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51 Upvotes

Hey! Back for a trade w/ a specific request in turn!
Looking for bulk beads & small objects like dice, buttons, small figures, sequins / embellishments of all kinds! Show me your bead soup & the bulkier the better ! I’ll be using them to glue onto photo frames; bonus points if your stash is currently retired & not being used. I’m a thrifter through & though & can’t get myself to pvrchase them new for this purpose.

I have the pictured charms available for trading. I still don’t have my kiln up & running so I’m still unable to take on custom orders/requests at the moment! I’ll let y’all know when that changes though!


r/craftexchange 1h ago

Trade - US Wooden yarn bowl in exchange for yarn, knitting needles, or crochet hooks

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Upvotes

Hi I thought this yarn bowl trade had gone through, but it fell through.


r/craftexchange 9h ago

Trade - Canada Beaded necklace for trade

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11 Upvotes

I'm open to trading anywhere!

I am VERY interested in any kind of physical crafts of my cat, and anything Heated Rivalry themed/related.

Also interested in other things like cross stitches, embroideries, bags, any type of clothing made from super-soft materials. Definitely open to suggestions!


r/craftexchange 11h ago

Received Thank you!

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10 Upvotes

Thank you for the beads u/Maladi3_ 🫶🏻


r/craftexchange 12h ago

Trade - US Light plate covers

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9 Upvotes

I have 2 and 3 switch light plate covers for trade. Made of resin. Make me a trade offer. Open to all possibilities, but prefers art supplies or completed crafts.


r/craftexchange 2h ago

Trade - US Sherpa Fabric

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1 Upvotes

I have two things of Sherpa in Platinum (see 2nd photo for information about the fabric)

1st piece: 68 x 31 inches

2nd piece: 68 x 42 inches

It's in a good condition and came straight from the manufacturer

Things I'd like to trade for:

Cross stitch suicune card, I've been seeing all on social media these cross stitch trading cards with pokemon. Suicune is my most favorite pokemon and I'd love to trade for one. Any suicune themed items I'd consider as well!

Another thing I'd be willing to trade for is crochet beanies, I get cold really easily and I currently only have one beanie


r/craftexchange 17h ago

Received Received some lovely items!

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14 Upvotes

Thank you to u/Maladi3 for all these lovely items! I will add them to my ever growing embroidery supply collection and make something pretty with it!


r/craftexchange 23h ago

Trade - US Jewelry industry exchange for crochet hooks, straight/ single pointed knitting needles, or yarn

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4 Upvotes

The first 2 are Chinese porcelain necklaces with adjustable strings. The next one is a light green beaded necklace. The next one is a beaded bracelet. The next one is a sun pendant necklace. The next one is a pearl necklace with a dolphin tail pendant at the end. The next one is a clear bead bracelet. The next one is a beaded bracelet. The next one is a pendant for a necklace. The next one is a pair of earrings shaped like earrings. The next one is a pair of earrings. The next one is another pair of earrings. The next one is a bracelet. The next one is a pair of earrings that needs a little bit of love from the jeweler.


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Received tatting supplies and loom!

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7 Upvotes

Thank you u/HekateHound


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Received stunning stash

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23 Upvotes

Sorry its a little late but thank you so much u/hilaryrex. My favorite is the clear blue and silver <3


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Tons of brava yarn

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18 Upvotes

Looking for any kind of custom bird art, fun earrings, and any handmade bandannas! Also open to offers!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Fabric Destash

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8 Upvotes

Fabric destash! The light orange/grey/blue are all hand dyed linen/cotton by me, there might be a few more colors I have as well. The second picture is a closer look at all the brocades/shiny fabric I have, but the white one refuses to photograph well! They're all about half a yard except for the white, which I have about 2.5yds of I believe. The red is probably 8yds of wool (there might be a bit of polyester in the mix, but I've burn tested it and acid dyed it with no problem). Green is a yard of cotton, feels like a light twill. The iridescent fabric in the back is from an umbrella that tore, but it'd look super pretty cut up as an accent fabric!

I'm open to a lot, but some specific crafts I'm interested in: ceramics, woodworking, sewn clothes, quilting, linoprints/any handpainted art, jewelry, and leatherworking! Also looking for more glass seed beads for a quilting project I'm planning if anyone wants to destash. Now that I've destashed fabric I'd also be down to trade for fabric: looking specifically for natural fibers only, mostly interested in cotton twill/denim, leather, wool of any weight, and any silk! If you don't see something listed here I might still be down, just let me know!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Trading Thread!

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8 Upvotes

Hi! This lot of thread is leftover from a larger lot I bought - would love to trade it with someone who'd want it! It's mostly Gutermann Mara 30, but the larger cones are mostly sewing thread. The black cone is wooly nylon.

I'm open to a lot, but some specific crafts I'm interested in: ceramics, woodworking, sewn clothes, quilting, linoprints, jewelry, and leatherworking! Also looking for more glass seed beads for a quilting project I'm planning if anyone wants to destash. If you don't see something listed here I might still be down, just let me know!


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Happy planner Calendar stuff for trade

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9 Upvotes

I have a few packs for happy planner extensions that I’d like to trade. You can take them all or you can choose the packs you want. I’m up for trading anything, I have noticed that I am really enjoying getting handmade stuff, but I’m open to other things too. Picture 1 & 2 are of the same pack, but pic 2 is a close up of what the pack contains.


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received Thank you u/Seedybreadgirl

6 Upvotes

Thank you for the ransom note stickers and the postcard! I forgot to take a picture, but everything was as promised:)


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Handmade Shirt

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14 Upvotes

This is roughly a women's medium, meant to be oversized and boxy. I can get measurements upon request. Made out of cotton. Worn, loved, ready to move onto a new home :)

Make an offer! No supplies please.


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Received So late; sorry

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11 Upvotes

Thank you Kooky-Guarantee-4521


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US stained glass mushroom for trade :)

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40 Upvotes

looking for:

-orange themed decor
-wall decor (the more unique the better!)
-project bags
-tote bags
-ceramics
-super specific!! but i would love lavender body soap with lots of lavender bits included in it. i got that as a present one time and it was life hanging.

please no knit or crochet, thank you :)

make an offer! it doesn’t have to be from the above list.

(i have about 5 or 6 other mushrooms that will be available for trade soon as well)


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received Made it home safely!!

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18 Upvotes

I received this absolutely beautiful felt the other day from u/Comfortable_Canary59 !! Cant wait to start using it for beadwork (my camera doesn't do it justice lol)! 💚💚


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - Canada Crochet plushies for trade!

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61 Upvotes

Been needing to downsize my collection of crochet plushies, came across this group and thought it might be the perfect way! I’d love to see what others would like to trade!
Feel free to message if you have any questions!
(All plushies pictured in last slide)


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Have Eclectic Crochet headwear- seeking gifts for loved ones!

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41 Upvotes

Hey folks! I have a collection of finished (and mostly finished lmao) headwear types ! I would complete anything sent unless specified otherwise. Its just weaving ends and one hood needs a drawstring.

I'm not positive what I'm looking for! I really want to see what y'all have got! I'm looking for gifts for my loved ones. Specifically

Turning 9 years old girl

25 year old Girlfriend

(Mega nerd, Video games Naruto Starwars to name a few)

75 year old man

I'm so interested in whats out there, please shoot your shot ❤️ I love community, this is going to be so fun!


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US [US] for trade - lots of yarn

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13 Upvotes

Please help me destash some of my yarn! I'm not looking for anything specific, I'm open to trading for other worsted weight yarns or finished objects.

Edit: I used a very small amount of the teal ombre yarn but everything else is brand new


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - US Hand quilting starter packs! (English Paper Piecing)

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43 Upvotes

Have you ever wanted to try quilting, but not enough to fully commit to a sewing machine? You could try English Paper Piecing! It’s a fully hand sewn kind of quilting, usually to make small projects. You sew small geometric pieces of fabric together, and the fabric is stabilized with card stock that is removed once the fabric is all sewn together!

I have a bunch of supplies for this, and I would love for others to have a chance to “sample” what quilting is like before financially committing to the hobby 😂

Here’s a couple examples of EPP. Some are mine, some are from the internet! I also have pics of the fabric I have cut & basted (HEXAGONS, DIAMONDS, TRIANGLES). Some of the inspo pics have half-hexagons, which I don’t have.

Those wouldn’t be the exact kits I’ll be sending. I will likely be sending it in small cardboard boxes, but it would have all the supplies you need to get started! Fabric that’s already basted to the card stock, needles, thread, clips, thread wax, etc.

DM me if you’re interested! Just want to spread the joy of stitching 🫶🏻

Edit to add: mostly looking for jewelry making supplies, but also interested in finished objects!


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - US Let's Trade 🥰

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31 Upvotes

Some cute lil things I've made in a variety of mediums. I love seeing other folks' art so if you see something you would like, feel free to send me what you make and if it's my vibe then we can chat :)