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Author Topic: Any advice for classifieds website owner?  (Read 3147 times)

CrazyOz

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Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« on: 25 January 2016, 06:40:31 pm »
Hi,

I?m the guy who started the classified ads website crazyoz.com and I would like some advice. I?ve been hearing stories about gangs robbing people, escorts posting fake photos and people being disappointed when they meet them, and I was wondering if anyone here can offer any helpful advice on how to combat these problems.

What safety tips should I offer people on the site? Are there any dodgy phone numbers that I and others should be aware of?


amy

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #1 on: 25 January 2016, 06:45:32 pm »
Our advice would be to read a forum's rules before bulldozing in, so that you may be aware of who is permitted to post and where. This is a sex worker only forum, not a punting site.

You don't need to be aware of any dodgy numbers, since (unless I've misunderstood) you are not a prostitute. What you can do in terms of safety tips is direct the people who are and use your site to advertise both here and to National Ugly Mugs.

xw5

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #2 on: 25 January 2016, 07:17:42 pm »
Getting your facts right would be good too: "You will not offer sex for money (it is illegal in the UK)", ha.

Otherwise, 'quick, cheap, good: pick two' applies. You've got a simple site where anyone can stick an ad on, and unsurprisingly some of them are scams etc. You could do more checking of ads, but that would cost you money...
'The Ian formerly known as SW5'. What they said: "Indispensable", "You are our best resource", and (hours later!) "I'm afraid that you're being made redundant..."

Winding down YourEscortSite.com

BlaqHarlot

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #3 on: 25 January 2016, 08:16:18 pm »
You should try working on your Customer Service also. I had an escort ad on your website before and I followed all the rules, it was taken down and I replied asking why only to recieve the most ridiculous rude and ignorant response from you. I then replied stating I won't be using your website again only to get another rude reply back along the lines of "You won't be missed and if you do come back I'll delete your ads", I also have a friend who posted an ad on your site and I mentioned to her about your rude response to which she said she had gotten one too and was demanded to post a face picture by you.

Never ever had such a rude response from any other site I've used. You really need to work on how you speak to people.

BlaqHarlot

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #4 on: 25 January 2016, 08:17:55 pm »
Getting your facts right would be good too: "You will not offer sex for money (it is illegal in the UK)", ha.

Otherwise, 'quick, cheap, good: pick two' applies. You've got a simple site where anyone can stick an ad on, and unsurprisingly some of them are scams etc. You could do more checking of ads, but that would cost you money...
Ah yes I remember that, and mentioned it was wrong when I asked asked about my ad being taken down, only to be told I need to do research on prostitiution... LOL.

louiseescort

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #5 on: 25 January 2016, 08:30:39 pm »
I recieved an email from you.

Why would you allow Facebook comments on escort adverts?
It's crazy I won't be posting on there again, regardless if I can opt out or not.

CrazyOz

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #6 on: 29 January 2016, 04:37:57 pm »
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome and the positive and friendly replies. :-)

I've had legal advice from a qualified solicitor and I don't want people offering sex for money on the website. Here's a quote from a BBC report: ?Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is an offence to cause or incite prostitution or control it for personal gain.?  So if you create a website purposely for prostitution and you make money from it, you may end up getting into trouble.

bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7736436.stm

DesignerWhore: "I had an escort ad on your website before and I followed all the rules, it was taken down"

Your ad wouldn't have been taken down if you followed the rules. You must have done something wrong. When mistakes happen and people are polite, I some times upgrade their ad for free as compensation.

"Why would you allow Facebook comments on escort adverts? It's crazy I won't be posting on there again, regardless if I can opt out or not."

I can never please everyone. Most people want comments enabled on their ads. I don't know why it's a problem for you when it can easily be turn off.

Anyway, thanks for the tip about National Ugly Mugs. I'll have a look into it.


[Link made non-clickable]
« Last Edit: 29 January 2016, 07:29:55 pm by amy »

amy

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #7 on: 29 January 2016, 07:37:06 pm »
I've had legal advice from a qualified solicitor and I don't want people offering sex for money on the website. Here's a quote from a BBC report: ?Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is an offence to cause or incite prostitution or control it for personal gain.?  So if you create a website purposely for prostitution and you make money from it, you may end up getting into trouble.

Your solicitor is misguided. The SOA is complex and convoluted though, so finding somebody with detailed knowledge of it isn't easy.

The BBC report is correct, but doesn't apply to advertising of prostitution because this does not constitute either incitement or 'control'. Control means doing something that directly results in an act of prostitution taking place (such as answering the phone and taking bookings, for example) but all you're doing is providing advertising space so that people can put up their details and control/gain from their own prostitution which, like selling or buying sexual services, is perfectly legal.

Incitement would be encouraging or even suggesting that somebody who is not a prostitute becomes one - approaching them in public, or advertising agency work specifically for people with no experience of sex work would fall into this category. Again, you're not getting or offering to get people work as prostitutes, you're selling advertising so that those who are already working can do so themselves.

Either way, this statement from your website:

"You will not offer sex for money (it is illegal in the UK)"

is bollocks.
« Last Edit: 29 January 2016, 07:38:45 pm by amy »

BlaqHarlot

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #8 on: 29 January 2016, 08:58:47 pm »
My escort ad followed all the rules as I said, I read the rules before posting the ad. I like how you haven't denied the rude reply you sent me though, I wouldn't have an ad on your site again if that's how you speak to people who use your services, you also demanded a face picture be posted when it came to my friends ad, again that isn't addressed in your rules for an escort ad so you had no right to ask for one.


You really should educate yourself on prostitution in the UK. It's NOT illegal to pay for sex.

Hadley

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #9 on: 31 January 2016, 05:10:38 am »
Paid for sex is not illegal in the UK, and I don't think you've done yourself many favours in your response to the independent ladies that frequent this site! But best of luck anyway. x
"Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding."

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topgirl

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #10 on: 01 March 2016, 09:53:43 am »
In my experience ,the site only attracts timewaters and thieves...why the Facebook option. As if your site ain't weird enough

Fabulassie

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #11 on: 01 March 2016, 11:48:21 am »
I've noticed that your site comes up high on some Google searches and was a bit curious. But it doesn't look like it will attract quality clients.

Telling people that selling sex for money is illegal does us disservice. This common assumption is one reason why some bad characters target sex workers for robbery and worse - they think we can't go to the police.

The way you talk to us on here is not helping you at all. You should see how Vivastreet do it - they are unfailingly polite and their representative who posts here will personally respond and sort out glitches. They listen and implement changes when possible. You could learn a lot from them.

louiseescort

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Re: Any advice for classifieds website owner?
« Reply #12 on: 01 March 2016, 02:53:42 pm »
In my experience ,the site only attracts timewaters and thieves...why the Facebook option. As if your site ain't weird enough

I just don't think Facebook and escort adverts mix.

What can easily be opted out of can easily be opted in as well.

I only have one laptop and only one Facebook profile (personal) and my browser saves my passwords etc and Facebook permanently logged in.
So wouldn't be worth the risk for me.

Share on your Facebook wall, no thanks  :FF