Re add the investment category (not loans)

[Scroll32]

Hey MCM,

I know this will probably get blocked as apparently people don't like investments and such on here, but thought I would give this a go regardless. Over the past year or so we went from having investments, to banning all of them, to allowing them specifically for equity. But the problem now is that the people requesting investments are going all over the place in putting it in the specific category instead of one general one for investments. So if we could re add the investment forum (under the new rules) so this could be more centralized for both investors, and people not having clutter in the regular categories. Another benefit of this is that a lot of people would be educated on the new rules with investments, stated here: https://www.mc-market.org/threads/666039/page-2#posts (assuming a sticky thread with this information would be created). I've had to correct several people that said all investments are banned, which wouldn't be a problem if a space for investments was created with clear guidelines on the limitations. Let me know your guys thoughts and concerns on this.

 

[Patrick]

I believe this biggest issue with investments was the amount of scam reports it brought to the site. I don't see this getting added back.

 

[Scroll32]

I believe this biggest issue with investments was the amount of scam reports it brought to the site. I don't see this getting added back.

Thanks for your response. To be clear though, I'm not asking we go back to the same standard of loans and investments, but have a dedicated forum for the new standard. Most of the scams that happened on that forum were through loans, which wouldn't be there under these new rules. Your right in that this won't get added as people don't like investments on here and it makes mick almost no money through ads on the forum, but I just want to make it easier to connect what should be allowed (per Micks own words).

 

[Landon]

I believe this biggest issue with investments was the amount of scam reports it brought to the site. I don't see this getting added back.

To be fair, if you’re going to invest into a project without taking the proper precautions before doing so, no wonder so many people got scammed.

“Need $500 for a faction server. Dm for 50% ownership!”

If these investments and the guidelines associated with them (such as requiring legal documentation to be signed), scam reports wouldn’t happen near as much. It was user stupidity that resulted in scam reports, not the investment forum.

 

[Patrick]

To be fair, if you’re going to invest into a project without taking the proper precautions before doing so, no wonder so many people got scammed.

“Need $500 for a faction server. Dm for 50% ownership!”

If these investments and the guidelines associated with them (such as requiring legal documentation to be signed), scam reports wouldn’t happen near as much. It was user stupidity that resulted in scam reports, not the investment forum.

Very good point. I'm still not quite sure this would get added back regardless of any requirements, guidelines, etc.

 

[gridloc]

I miss the investment section, I think we'd see more good than bad from the section in the eyes of users (maybe not the staff team having to deal with issues) - however, if the site put a specific banner at the top of the page, as well as a "appear on first opening" of the section for each user warning them of the heightened risk of the investment area it would make it safer and remove the responsibility of MCM having to monitor it.

 

[Andy B.]

Yeah I love this suggestion

Anyway, I'm starting a minecraft epic factions server, need $420.69 for upfront investment, DM me on Discord for 69% ownership: ILoveScammingIMeanInvesting#0420

 

[Ambrosia]

Go to a bank. The whole idea of investments for Minecraft servers is pretty dumb, considering most of them were only $X,XXX, which you should have if you even consider starting an MC server in the first place.

 

[Matty]

I would love to see the investment section back up. Though I do understand that the section was very popular with scammers, I also know how helpful the section was for startups and actually building up an investor's portfolio. I certainly don't expect it to be added as a public forum, but even making the investments section private for creating threads, replying to threads, or even just viewing the threads (with past requirements or new ones) would help minimize the risk.

Ways to also help limit the number of scams are;

• Putting heavy moderation under the investment section.
• Making a template people must use for investments would also help with security - this template would cover everything from the business description, how much return is expected, and analytics to show why the return is expected.
• Possibly making the Investments section approve only (though it would likely limit the number of threads that are posted, it'll make sure that the thread template is filled out correctly.
• Instead of setting requirements, require users to apply for access to the investment section.

 

[Scroll32]

Go to a bank. The whole idea of investments for Minecraft servers is pretty dumb, considering most of them were only $X,XXX, which you should have if you even consider starting an MC server in the first place.

Going to a bank would be plausible if you were wanting to get a loan (which mcm banned). This would only be allowing the new mcm restrictions to be put on mcm (which is selling equity). Also, there are certain circumstances where investment would be needed. Could be they have 5k and need some support to make it big for example. But also the investment section isn’t just mc servers, but also regular mc related businesses that either want to sell equity or try to grow.

I would love to see the investment section back up. Though I do understand that the section was very popular with scammers, I also know how helpful the section was for startups and actually building up an investor's portfolio. I certainly don't expect it to be added as a public forum, but even making the investments section private for creating threads, replying to threads, or even just viewing the threads (with past requirements or new ones) would help minimize the risk.

Ways to also help limit the number of scams are;

• Putting heavy moderation under the investment section.
• Making a template people must use for investments would also help with security - this template would cover everything from the business description, how much return is expected, and analytics to show why the return is expected.
• Possibly making the Investments section approve only (though it would likely limit the number of threads that are posted, it'll make sure that the thread template is filled out correctly.
• Instead of setting requirements, require users to apply for access to the investment section.

I agree with having some restrictions on the section, but I don’t think all of these are going to be useful or reasonable. For example, a template that needs to be used isn’t going to really help prevent scams, as it depends on due diligence and investors being careful (a warning sticky could accomplish this). Also, the application or approving threads would probably kill activity and put too much pressure on the staff team if I had to guess. I get the concern that this section will bring scams, but keep in mind most scams were being done via loans, which wouldn’t be applicable.

 

[Matty]

I agree with having some restrictions on the section, but I don’t think all of these are going to be useful or reasonable. For example, a template that needs to be used isn’t going to really help prevent scams, as it depends on due diligence and investors being careful (a warning sticky could accomplish this). Also, the application or approving threads would probably kill activity and put too much pressure on the staff team if I had to guess. I get the concern that this section will bring scams, but keep in mind most scams were being done via loans, which wouldn’t be applicable.

A template would simply ensure that all bases are covered. That way TA's can easily get raw information of the investment (or loan) from the thread itself without having to trust one party's screenshots or having to wait for conclusive evidence. Approving threads would definitely kill activity - though investments should never be a short term profit gain meaning that if you truly believe your business will be successful, you are able to apply and wait a few days to be approved (this would also ensure people don't just create businesses off impulsive behavior). Though I would certainly agree that not all restrictions are needed, I was just listing things that could help improve the security, don't necessarily expect all of them to be implemented.

 

[cameronbowe]

It'd be nice to have it back! Companies and servers that are starting up with amazing ideas but no funding would be amazing to see grow due to having the category back and they get their proper funding and recognition.