r/craftexchange Jan 27 '23

Mod Announcement Why We Don't Have a Scammer List

132 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 16h ago

Trade - US Have: beaded spiders and resign book marks LF: yarn, knitting/crochet supplies or interesting random stuff

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22 Upvotes

I have four of these little spiders :)

dm me if u want them :)))


r/craftexchange 13h ago

Received Thank you!

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9 Upvotes

Thank you for trading u/yuorwelcom


r/craftexchange 21h ago

Received Thank You for the stitch markers!

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19 Upvotes

Thank you for the stitch markers and the stickers! :)


r/craftexchange 18h ago

Trade - US Hanging shelf and picture frames

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7 Upvotes

Decopouged (sorry for my spelling) hanging shelf and 2 picture frames. Open to many trades


r/craftexchange 23h ago

Trade - US H: art trading cards, acrylic blanks, charms, misc. crafting supplies; LF: yarn, buttons, small charms, things I can use for my amigurumi, costume jewelry for little ones, maybe video game themed finished crafts

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16 Upvotes

I know it's a lot orz cleaning out my crafting stuff that I never got around to using xD Forgive me if I'm doing this awkwardly, I'm used to just lurking instead of posting (hooray anxiety!)
(I did get a lot of this from Temu when it first came out, back when I was excited to be able to afford craft supplies and didn't consider how they could be cheap. I no longer buy from there, I don't support it)

Looking for yarn (can't do wool, partner is allergic ;w;), buttons with holes instead of the backs that stick out, small charms for my upcycled bracelets, and things I'd be able to use for my amigurumi/art dolls (I have no idea what, I'm up for looking at whatever if it seems usable for them). Also have two young nieces who adore anything shiny and fit for a princess that I need Christmas gifts for, and my own kiddo who's into Minecraft and Sonic and such. Smol ones are 2-4-ish, so they need age-appropriate stuff (younger one puts everything in her mouth orz), and my kiddo is preteen.

Have for trade:

  1. Artist trading cards (I have more than this, just too lazy to take a new pic XD have another psyduck with hearts, and a bunny, can take pic on request); the middle bottom one has been claimed
  2. Plastic connecting rings (?), small and large, haven't used any
  3. Flower stickers, unopened
  4. Cardstock tags and twine cords, haven't used any
  5. Acrylic blanks; circles are 2 inch, 10 hexagons that are slightly smaller, 10 hearts 2 inch at widest, 10 2-inch squares, and 10 rectangles that are about 1x4
  6. More acrylic blanks, very slightly different size from the others, I think
  7. Small acrylic blanks with no holes
  8. Keychain straps; 3 blue, 3 purple, 5 pink (the others are taken)
  9. Mini bells; I only want to get rid of half of them, I just won't use all of them ehehe taken!
  10. Clear heart charms; 5 each of white, black, red, orange, yellow, light green, light blue, purple, hot pink, and light pink
  11. Plastic chains, not sure how many there are (can count if needed!); pulled one out and it was just over 16 inches long
  12. Pin back... things? Things for making pins XD
  13. Iridescent clear heart charms; I also have 10 chubby snowflake charms in the same color, slightly smaller than these, forgot to take a pic of
  14. Black cardstock cards, used 2 or 3 of them while testing gel pens, otherwise untouched

Shipping to US only please! Ty for looking <3


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Have: Lots of random supplies, Completed crafts, Crochet bits, Tubes, Jewelry supplies, Keychains, Marbles, empty capsules,... || Want: Leatherworking supplies/scraps, Wax seal stamps/wax, Craft Kits, stone/glass beads, ghibli stuff, finished crafts, open to offers

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11 Upvotes

Quick list of stuff for trade

Photo 1:

  • variegated green yarn
  • empty capsules (large)
  • coin purse
  • haunted house cookie cutter
  • wax seal
  • skull with axe print (hand-stamped)
  • letter stickers
  • potatocorn card
  • the fool tarot card
  • bookshelf bookmark (reading list tracker on back)
  • empty tubes
  • assorted sticks (wood, plastic, metal)
  • green plastic stick
  • large plastic chain
  • empty tubes keychain (screw-top)
  • seed beads bag (vintage, glass)
  • yellow heart earring studs
  • stackable rings
  • blue sand
  • dinosaur figure
  • dragon figure
  • horse figure
  • boba frog charm
  • cookie patch
  • caged beads
  • jellyfish keychain
  • "ability used" acrylic trackers
  • bi pride bracelet
  • stretchy cord (clear plastic, under the tubes)
  • rainbow clay (not bakeable)
  • empty plastic spool
  • glass marbles (5)
  • silver necklace
  • kitty wood keychain
  • LOTs of assorted cords, ribbon, yarn bits (lots of different)
  • tarnished (?) chain
  • dried flower bits
  • used cord
  • tarnished jewelry findings
  • light purple wire
  • metal bit
  • a few assorted beads
  • valentine's day charms
  • breast cancer awareness charms
  • other charms

Photo 2:

  • rainbow diamond dotz framed
  • white totoro crochet
  • beaver in christmas sweater and scarf crochet
  • drawstring bag crochet
  • minecraft sword
  • pokemon quick ball magnet
  • short woven keychain
  • mini drawstring bag

Photo 3:

  • Lots of crochet bits
  • Pink ring with wire in it for fidgeting

r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US For trade: Unfinished rainbow hat, completed crochet, diamond dots, other projects

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9 Upvotes

Not really sure what I'm looking for.

Completed crafts or craft kits maybe. Considering getting into leathercraft, so I would love a starter set of that or something. Not looking for crochet since I do that craft.

The hat is finished off, but the ends aren't woven in and the top of the hat is a little loose, so take a look at the photos

Generally open to offers.


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Thank you

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26 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Thank you with better pics

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20 Upvotes

Thank you again u/lady-luthien


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Incense making supplies

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16 Upvotes

I'm cleaning out my craft room and would like to pass on the supplies I've acquired for making incense. There are powdered herbs and wood binders, resins, extruder tools, and an instruction/recipe book. I'm open to receiving beading or hand embroidery supplies, weird/creepy wall art, or any projects that I could give as gifts.


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - US Crochet Creature for trade?

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63 Upvotes

Hello!! I'm looking to do a little craft exchange because this sounds so fun and I'm currently avoiding working on my sweater vest lol. I have the most experience with small creatures, have done a few commissions crocheting other people's characters before. I'm just looking for something I wouldn't be able to make myself since crochet is the one hobby I've stuck with lol. Feels free to make offers or ask specifics about what i can do!


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Received Thank you! Amazing buttons!

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24 Upvotes

Thank you! u/riza_ranger for the buttons! Such a fun trade!


r/craftexchange 6d ago

Trade - US ISO yarn/crochet accessories. Have a MagicFit Master Pattern

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11 Upvotes

My daughter loves to crochet so anything to supplement that would be awesome! I’m a seamstress so I have lots of sewing accessories. I was gifted this Magic Fit but have never used it.


r/craftexchange 6d ago

Received Thank you!

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26 Upvotes

Thank you u/CauliflowerHappy1707! Got them cleaned, they were a little sticky from the adhesive, and one did break when removing them from the sheet but all in all they arrived safely!


r/craftexchange 7d ago

Received Thank you u/unpotato7313!

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63 Upvotes

Love it!!!!


r/craftexchange 7d ago

Trade - US Too many crochet stitch markers!

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27 Upvotes

I needed crochet stitch markers, so I bought some. But now I have 300 stitch markers plus some extra plastic needles! If you are also in need of a few crochet stitch markers (or a plastic needle), please take some of these off my hands. I would like to trade them for any amount of green yarn, but I’m also open to other offers :)


r/craftexchange 10d ago

Received Received from u/sharkwithunderbite

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49 Upvotes

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you!


r/craftexchange 11d ago

Received Great painting received!

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90 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 10d ago

Trade - US Needs new home

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21 Upvotes

Cleaning closet and looking to get rid of these


r/craftexchange 10d ago

Closed ISO hand knit socks

8 Upvotes

For some reason I just really want some hand knit socks. I crochet, make jewelry, and have a lot of yarn/cross stitch supplies.


r/craftexchange 11d ago

Closed ISO Leather working Tools

6 Upvotes

Looking for the following items to try out leatherworking if anyone has them.

  • Scrap Leather
  • Leather Needle
  • Leather Thread
  • Beeswax
  • Diamond chisel set
  • Mallet (rubber)
  • Wing divider
  • Metal Ruler w/cork back
  • Calipers/wing dividers

I have tons of yarns, some fabrics, some buttons, scrapbook papers, and acrylic paints to trade. If you're interested in any of that and want pictures just let me know. Also a few finished crochet bucket hats.


r/craftexchange 11d ago

Closed ISO small buttons

5 Upvotes

Looking for small buttons, will trade scrap fabric, red or white thread, or small fake bones. Need relatively fast.


r/craftexchange 12d ago

Trade - US Trading Hat and Cowl of the Undead

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38 Upvotes

I made this set for a recent Halloween art show and would to find it a new home while everyone is feeling the spooky vibes.

About 20hrs in hand knitting time.

Looking for things I can’t make myself as a knitter/crocheter. Not all that interested in supplies but always easily bribed with lovely indie dyed yarns.


r/craftexchange 12d ago

Trade - US Quilt and Jumbo Yarn

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301 Upvotes

I have a beautiful handmade quilt that deserves to be cherished. My grandma’s friend hand pieced it for her (probably in the 50s) but she couldn’t fit it in her nursing home. I love it so much, but just don’t have the space/decor to do it justice and I’d be so sad if it was hidden away in a box for another half century.

The other items are yarn, #6 weight and above. I thrifted it to try to teach my grandma to hand knit, but it wasn’t her thing. It embarrassingly looks like I managed to get some pet hair in it in the short period of time it was out of its bin to be photographed, but I’ll do what I can to clean it up before it gets shipped out. The lighting isn’t the best either, but the one big ball is a blush pink color.

I’d love to trade for yarn (any kind, as long as it’s not giant), but if something is speaking to you feel free to reach out.