[Diego]

Even if someone were to make a new account and purchase all three upgrades, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be better or more trustworthy than a long-time standing member of the forum. I'd like to say that the community is pretty close knit and everyone knows each other due to their activities and discussions shared with the others - and if you still have any doubts, we also have our reputation system. I'd be more willing to make a deal with a normal member I've know for years than a fully upgraded one who just joined the other day.

I think that we are so close knit because there is not a lot of people on the forum in the future that might change unless oni closes the reregistration or something.

[Sirius]

Even if someone were to make a new account and purchase all three upgrades, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be better or more trustworthy than a long-time standing member of the forum. I'd like to say that the community is pretty close knit and everyone knows each other due to their activities and discussions shared with the others - and if you still have any doubts, we also have our reputation system. I'd be more willing to make a deal with a normal member I've know for years than a fully upgraded one who just joined the other day.

That's indeed true. Yet upgrading will raise their trust but never more than an outstanding normal member been in this forum for a while. To achieve better trust you have to prove it and not just buy three simple upgrades with your money. Nicely written.

[Nyx]

Yeah, it was sarcasm. I'm fine with the advertisements but knowing that someone can just make an account and spend some money and be viewed as "better" than me or more "trustworthy" just because they have a gold or silver upgrade is what i don't like. I feel the rewards should be bought and the upgrades earned.

Well, I don't think that'd really happen unless it was some rich kid, but even then rank doesn't define who you are, it's the quality of your posts that actually matter.

[Diego]

Well, I don't think that'd really happen unless it was some rich kid, but even then rank doesn't define who you are, it's the quality of your posts that actually matter.

well i guess.. I just dont want sinisterly to turn into ..... into .... hackforums

[Eclipse]

Yeah, it was sarcasm. I'm fine with the advertisements but knowing that someone can just make an account and spend some money and be viewed as "better" than me or more "trustworthy" just because they have a gold or silver upgrade is what i don't like. I feel the rewards should be bought and the upgrades earned.

Indeed.

Well, I don't think that'd really happen unless it was some rich kid, but even then rank doesn't define who you are, it's the quality of your posts that actually matter.

Psychologically, your rank on a forum defines who you are. For example, if a new user joins and sees you and Deigo, they'd automatically presume that you were superior, more intelligent, more HQ.