Many thanks to OP, the early warning has no doubt saved many from losses or even higher doses. I got my fingers burned AGAIN (it's becoming a pattern with centralised/escrow-based marketplaces) and maybe it's time we all started to look at alternative ways (IP2/peer to peer and a 'Web of Trust' seems the most logical way... cut out the middle guys to a large extent. IP2 and p2p works perfectly fine, and is actually a lot cheaper than going thru markets (and less hassle) still anonymous, but obviously takes time to form trust and relationships/reps.. I think that is the way to go now though.

Evo is the last straw for me.

I had a feeling back of my mind that something was about to go down with Evo after the recent take-downs and complaints over withdrawals getting slower, so kept my exposure minimal. Money is always going to be a big temptation with large escrow funds. You an anonymous currency, and the severe legal consequences of being busted operating a marketplace, always a real possibility and constant worry and stress daily. Even those who start with good ethics, and a solid commitment/guarantee to the marketplace may buckle in time or give in to greed as they get more successful.

I really feel for you guys who got badly burned and believed in the ethics of Evo's people running it. I feel your pain and anger.

It just goes to prove even more. Trust nobody. It's just too tempting for large markets to run or be taken down eventually, it's time we move to a decentralised model and IP2/P2P.

There's no reason why we can't, we don't need escrow..just a Web of Trust (WOT) and people who are con-men will soon be exposed by it. Using a WOT model is actually IMO a lot safer and more efficient than marketplaces, we complacenly trusted and assumed were safe. i.e. It's easy to revoke trust quickly from rogue/bad vendor under the WOT model, until they do right thing on a sale. And earning higher Trust Rating requires a commitment to solid ethics and proper business practices, often lacking or not noticed in centralised marketplaces.

Perhaps we could even set-up an "emergency fund" from small-change BTC donations or a fee linked to the WOT sites to help people out who go turned over by P2P con-men in the transition period/while new vendors are earning trust? I think this is what is lacking at present in IP2/holding it back and the lack of any WOT model. I'm sure how the emergency fund could be administered (legally and honestly) but I'm sure we could do it with proper safeguards in place, so only high trusted people in the WOT collectively decide a case referred to them and each signs to release compensation.

Think of our trade like this... We are a powerful online economic collective AND a marketplace as buyers and as vendors. We need to start thinking and acting like that now, as individuals in that collective. All we have is our trust and experience.

The WOT is a sound model and approach which works now with free SSL trust now and is gaining popularity and challenging the 'big SSL brand monopolies like VeriSign). In our market, it can work with higher trusted people in the chain signing trusted vendors based on their deals and/or feedback, and so vendors have to earn that trust over time. The higher the trusted customers, the higher their own trust becomes. Simple. At present, under the Escrow model trust is handed to all vendors without them having to prove it, and WE collectively place all that trust in the Escrow fund and those running it. That is a fundamentally model and is never going to work long-term.

It's MUCH harder and less attractive for LE to try to break/target a totally decentralised model with no single escrow-based marketplaces. They'd have to go after individual vendors, no different than they do at present with street dealers. Except we have anonymity and every vendor who is smart, will stay one ahead of LE.

Under the WOT model, you could have several peripheral sites/services that bring IP2/p2p people together freely and manage the WOT/public public signatures and signing side.. Although that brings legal and logistical challenges, it's nowhere as dangerous as running a fully fledged marketplace (i.e. a sitting duck for LE), and WOT could be decentralised itself even.

There's NO REASON why people should keep losing money and being fucked over in a functional marketplace with proper safeguards. And if we use the power of the internet and decentralise it, then it's unstoppable and untouchable as far as LE is conconcerned.

Something ideas to think about it anyway now? Would like to discuss ideas with anyone interested in as I have some ideas myself. If everyone is interested and would like to discuss further, feel free to contact direct, or start a new thread.

To add further to the discussion, I have always taken the view that dealing domestic is fair safer if you can. Many people shop around cuz overseas does offer enticing/cheaper deals. But is it really worth the risk? International post is much lower volume than domestic, and more likely to scanned/checked more.. ok most gets through, but some does not (especially if it's a larger consignment of the vendor doesn't apply discretion/proper packaging safeguards). This is what causes vendors problems and could threaten the smooth operational of a WOT model. So I think that is something to consider, domestic first, foreign trades only if you can't get it affordable domestically. Vendors need to be more selective on who they deal with too for foreign, check Trust/Feedback.,..trust and rep goes both ways.

Peace

P.S. If anyone has any safe/short-term marketplaces/stores to recommend for those in dire need expecting orders Evo orders placed this week that won't be arriving now obviously please suggest them to help bros and sisters out! Also likewise, if anyone has IP2/p2p experience and trusted vendors to recommend, please do share. If you're starting out too, why not take the opportunity to promote your IP2 listing/store and your WOT of credentials.