Welcome Luke Raj - Newest Ethics Committee Member

Luke Raj of Markora System in Mayalsia is the newest member of Tradeloop's volunteer Ethics Committee. Markora has specialized in ICT product maintenance, systems integration, and component sales since 1995. Raj's position in international procurement gives him an excellent perspective on the global market and the challenges of working with customs regulations, purchasing agreements, and international shipping requirements.

Raj volunteered for the committee because he sees it as a "vehicle to create a safe haven for all members." He strongly believes that Ethics Committee members should act as role models for the trading community and that their "high ethics and honesty in trading" should set a precedent for all members.

Markora Systems has been a Tradeloop member since April 2006 and we are pleased to welcome Raj to the Ethics Committee.

Any qualified Tradeloop member can volunteer for the Ethics Committee - but we currently have a long waiting list. However, our new Membership Committee is seeking volunteers....

For more information, contact us by email and put "Membership Committee Volunteer" in the subject line.

Welcome Younjin Kim, New Ethics Committee Vice-Chair

Younjin Kim, president of EJ Tech Solutions recently joined Tradeloop's all-volunteer Ethics Committee as Vice-Chair. EJ Tech Solutions is a leading Sun/OEM/Dec/HP/CompactPCI/VoIP Integration, resale and solution provider and has been a Tradeloop member since November 2005.

We talked with Kim about his interest in the Ethics Committee. He explained that he has participated in the process as an Ethics Committee Member for several years, but has never been involved in an ethics problem himself. He uses his business experience to help members resolve disputes amicably.

As a long-term Tradeloop member, Kim understands that it's critical to establish trust between buyers and sellers. That's an important part of the Ethics Committee's mission, he explained:

"I would like to see every member of Tradeloop feel more comfortable doing business with other members. It's also important that members trust the Ethics process and have confidence that it acts as a secure shield to protect them from fraud."

The Ethics Committee is just one opportunity for Tradeloop members to get more involved in the trading community. The new Membership Committee is seeking members.

Tradeloop members work with other dealers in the industry every day. They understand the challenges - and importance - of identifying and stopping fraud. As a committee member, you'll have an important voice as we evaluate new member applications, enforce community rules, and set community standards.

We are looking for new Membership Committee volunteers....

To apply, contact us by email and put "Membership Committee Volunteer" in the subject line.

Ethics Committee Votes To Ban Company From Tradeloop

Tradeloop's volunteer Ethics committee made the hard decision this week to ban a Tradeloop member company - Trinity Trading, Inc. The complaint was filed by non-member company, Ridge Technologies, Inc. In Ethics Case #5115, the company alleged that it shipped product to Trinity Trading, expected payment within 30 days, but received no payment in five months. The defendant didn't dispute the circumstances and cited financial problems as a reason for not paying the $1400 invoice.

Both the buyer and seller had agreed to a purchase contract that gave the defendant a full 30 days to inspect/test the product before paying for it. That time delay was necessary for the protection of both parties since the shipment was "a lot of 156 non-working LCD panels."

According to the information provided to the Committee, Trinity Trading received the shipment at the end of August 2010. Ridge Technologies invoiced for the shipment a month later. The complainant described the situation to the Ethics Committee:

An invoice was sent on 9/28/2010 with payment terms of "Payable Upon Receipt". We have been attempting to collect the amount owed ever since. We have made numerous calls and sent e-mails but only received one response on 12/6/2010 which stated: "I'm not hiding I just don't have the money at the moment. I'll send it when I recover it".

We never agreed to payment terms of "pay when you have it". We sent the equipment as promised and gave them adequate time to receive/verify the equipment to ensure it was as we promised. It was and we expect to be paid according to our agreement.

During the discussion with the Ethics Committee, the defendant cited business financial difficulties and mentioned the possibility of partial payment. After discussion, the Committee voted to ban the defendant and post the case to the Tradeloop community so that members review the discussion.

This is not an action that anyone takes lightly, but we're committed to keeping Tradeloop a safe place to do business. We give our all-volunteer Ethics Committee the authority to mediate disputes and ban dealers from the community - even Tradeloop members! - when the facts of the case support that action.

Visit our Ethics Blog to review the details of posted cases and offer your own comments in the Members area of the blog.

Tradeloop Members Line Up To Join Ethics Committee

So many Tradeloop members responded to our announcement of vacancies on the Ethics Committee that we've created a waiting list of members interested in volunteering with the committee. Although we initially planned to fill just the vacancies, member response was so enthusiastic that the Ethics Committee asked us create a waiting list. This help the Committee quickly fill future vacancies and ensure that cases continue to be evaluated in a timely manner.

It's important to keep the list accurate and up-to-date, so we're asking prospective members to make two connections on the Tradeloop site and update their profile with a picture. Note: we encourage all Tradeloop members to do the same.

• With the Connections system, you can set up your own network of trusted dealers within Tradeloop. Connections also show other dealers a solid reference when they're viewing your profile. Start making Connections with other dealers.
  
  
• Member photos now appear next to their Broadcasts, drawing attention and increasing your credibility with other dealers. A photo puts a face to your name and most of our current Ethics Committee members display their pictures. Upload your picture here.
  

To encourage diversity, the Ethics Committee has given priority to dealers from outside the United States for the current vacancies. However, any qualified Tradeloop member is welcome to apply for future openings. Requirements include:

• Your company must have been a Wholesale Member on Tradeloop for over a year.
• Your company cannot have any posted complaints against it.
  
• You must agree to maintain the confidentiality of ethics cases.
• Your company must pass a review by sitting Ethics Committee Members.
  
• Ethics Committee members must vote on all cases within 7 days of posting the Complaint and Response to the Committee. A Committee member will be considered “inactive” if he or she fails to vote on 3 cases over a 12 month period. Inactive members will be asked to step down so a new volunteer will be invited to join the Committee.

The Ethics Committee is a volunteer group that provides an invaluable service to the Tradeloop community. They review the details of complaints, mediate disputes, and always work towards an amicable resolution. When necessary, they make the hard decisions to warn the community about possible fraud or unethical activity and even ban companies from Tradeloop.

Learn more about current Ethics Committee members and review details of posted cases at Tradeloop's Ethics blog.

Ethics Committee Investigating Counterfeiting Cases & Other Disputes

Two companies were banned from Tradeloop last week after they failed to respond to Ethics complaints filed against them. Another case involving counterfeit products is still being reviewed by the Ethics Committee. It's the latest in a series of counterfeiting cases presented to the Committee in the past few months.

• Case #5109: The complainant alleged that the defendant sold counterfeit equipment.
• Case #5110: Involved a complaint about the non-shipment of prepaid goods.

Because neither defendant responded to the complaint, the Ethics Committee wasn't able to evaluate the substance and mediate a resolution. Remember that Tradeloop member companies are required to respond to Ethics complaints..

Counterfeit product damages the value of the wholesale market as well as the reputation of legitimate dealers and manufacturers. Tradeloop takes the issue seriously and our staff works with the Ethics Committee to gather information and mediate disputes.

Our extensive account validation process for new members helps keep fraudulent companies out of the community and we're constantly evaluating our policies and updating verification procedures to keep the community safe.

Visit Tradeloop's Ethics blog for more information on these and other posted cases. You can review the evidence presented and even make your own comments under the "Members" tab.

Identity Theft, Counterfeiting, and Fraud: Notes From Tradeloop's Ethics Committee

During 2010, Tradeloop's all-volunteer Ethics Committee dealt with disputes about fraud, counterfeiting, identity theft, and more. Earlier this year, many cases and Fast Track Fraud Alerts involved identity theft. This fall, the Committee has worked on the difficult issue of counterfeit products.

And all year, the Ethics Committee heard complaints involving non-payment, failure to ship prepaid goods, poor quality products, and bounced checks. (Review the details of posted cases.) While a number of these cases did appear to involve fraud, other complaints were filed because of disagreements about the deal's original terms and conditions.

Tradeloop encourages all members to exercise due diligence before setting up a deal - particularly if you're approached by a non-member.

• Purchase agreement: Spell out in detail shipping methods, payment terms, and product condition. You may even want to ask for photos of the product before completing the agreement.
  
• Tradeloop member profile: Make sure the company address and contact information matches the profile information. Also look for warning flags we've added this year including: approval process information, status flags for banned & non-member companies, and warning notices on unverified accounts.
  
• Payment methods and terms: Many members use wire transfers for payment, but check to make sure you're being asked to transfer funds to a verifiable bank account - not an untraceable store front wire transfer service.

While you're checking on other companies, advertise your own credibility and commitment to business ethics. Display Tradeloop's Ethics Seal on your Web site. It's a symbol of integrity that helps improve your conversion rates.

Learn more about the Tradeloop Ethics process, committee, and cases at the Ethics area of the Tradeloop Web site.

Welcome Tradeloop's New Ethics Committee Members

Tradeloop's all-volunteer Ethics Committee has two new members: Marcia Young from Parallel Technology and Marc Drews from World Data Products, Inc. Many thanks to these members for their willingness to serve the trading community. The Ethics Committee is a group of industry stalwarts who volunteer their time and work with Tradeloop staff to help resolve a wide variety of business disputes. Committee members are busy, but never bored: in just the past year, they've reviewed cases involving identity theft, fraud, counterfeiting, payment disputes, damaged shipments, and more. Tradeloop's Ethics Committee is an indispensable part of our Ethics process. In every case, the Committee tries to guide all parties towards an amicable resolution and works to keep the process fair and transparent. See for yourself! Tradeloop members can review the details of posted cases at our Ethics blog. We encourage every Tradeloop member to consider volunteering their time with the Committee. The membership requirements are straightforward. A prospective member must:

• Be a Tradeloop member for at least a year.
• Be in good standing with Tradeloop (e.g. active and paying members only).
• Have no ethics complaints against them.
• Pass a review by the current Ethics Committee.

We try to fill vacancies quickly because a full Committee can spread the work around more efficiently. To streamline the process, we maintain a waiting list of Tradeloop members who are willing to volunteer. Would you like to serve on the Ethics Committee? There's no drawn-out application process - just contact Customer Service and ask to be added to the Ethics Committee waiting list.

Counterfeiting Allegations: One Reason We Banned a Tradeloop Member

Tradeloop's all-volunteer Ethics Committee closed Ethics Complaint #5089 last month and banned the defendant company - Sunrich Innovation, Ltd. The initial allegation was serious and deserved immediate attention: the complainant alleged that Sunrich was selling counterfeit HP equipment.

Surprisingly, that wasn't why the Ethics Committee voted to ban the company. Here's what happened.

1. In August 2010, Tradeloop received reliable information that Sunrich Innovation Ltd. was selling counterfeit equipment and contacted the company about the Ethics complaint.
2. Sunrich responded and denied the allegation.
3. During its investigation, the Ethics Committee discussed the difficulty of proving allegations of counterfeiting and the best way to handle the issue in a way that's fair to everyone involved.
4. Tradeloop contacted Sunrich and requested two business references within either the US or UK. Since the company had been trading with Tradeloop members, we asked Sunrich to make sure that the two customer references were also Tradeloop member companies.
5. After a delay, Sunrich provided two references, but only one was a Tradeloop member and didn't respond to our request for the additional reference.
6. The Ethics Committee voted to ban Sunrich from Tradeloop until they provide acceptable business references.

That's a long description of a simple process. We asked them for references. They didn't respond until their membership status was in jeopardy. They didn't respond completely. The Ethics Committee voted to ban them until they do.

Remember that the Ethics process is required for Tradeloop members. It's a condition of membership and we work to make the process as fair and transparent as possible. Members can view Ethics Committee questions and member responses for posted cases at the Tradeloop ethics blog.

Counterfeiting is taken seriously at Tradeloop. The Ethics Committee is discussing how to address allegations in a way that protects the rights of all parties involved. They welcome your comments and suggestions too! Please share your opinions here at the Tradeloop blog.

Trustworthy Companies Use Tradeloop's Ethics Seal

Tradeloop's Ethics Seal is a trust mark that helps you improve conversions on your own Web site. Free to members, our Ethics Seal program shows customers that your company adheres to a strict code of ethics. Third-party trust marks make a difference: numerous independent studies have shown that they reassure shoppers about the reliability of e-commerce Web sites.

When you join Tradeloop's Ethics Seal program, you get to display the seal on your own Web site. Visitors who click on the seal are taken to a custom verification page on the Tradeloop site that identifies your company as a Tradeloop member, describes our member validation process, and outlines membership requirements. The page is all about your company; there's no Tradeloop sales pitch.

Improving conversions couldn't be easier. Sign up now!

Use The New Ethics Search Function To Check For Fraudsters

We've added a new search function to the Tradeloop Ethics area to made it easier to find defendants in posted Ethics Cases. Now you can search on defendant name and sort cases by either date or defendant name.

Try out the new search by visiting the Posted Violations listed in the Ethics area of the site. The default sort is by date, so you see the most recent cases first. As this screen snippet shows, you can now sort by the defendant's last name as well:
Several Tradeloop members requested a more robust search feature to make it easier to check for Ethics violations. They're worried about fraud when dealing with new customers because there's no established business relationship - just a phone call or email message. Now, when someone contacts you with a great price on items for sale or wants to place a large order, it takes just a minute to check Tradeloop's Ethics area before agreeing to the deal.

Try the new search function and tell us what you think. Will you use this new function to check for violations? Why or why not?

Non-Tradeloop Member Banned After Ethics Committee Reviewed Two Complaints

Tradeloop's Ethics Committee voted to ban non-Tradeloop member company, Si Tech, after reviewing a pair of complaints filed in March against the company.

In complaint #5068, the complainant alleged that Si Tech provided forged wire transfer documents for a shipment. In complaint #5070, a different complainant alleged that Si Tech misrepresented the condition of a shipment of hard drives and hadn't been responsive to efforts to resolve the issue.

Tradeloop staff and Ethics Committee members tried to help the parties resolve the issues amicably. Everyone involved used the Ethics blog format to present the facts and forcefully defend their positions.

In international diplomacy, the debate would probably be termed a "frank and forthright exchange of ideas." An elementary school teacher might call it a "verbal food fight."

What's your opinion? Both cases have been posted to the community for review and we invite Tradeloop members to visit both case #5068 and case #5070. Click on the Members tab to add your comments.

Do you have experience with this company? Please share your story with others at the Ethics blog.

Have You Seen This (Former) Tradeloop Member?

Former Tradeloop member company, Express Micro PC, was banned from Tradeloop this month for failure to respond to an Ethics complaint filed against it (case #5067). Can any Tradeloop members help locate this company? You can review the details of this case (and of all posted cases) at Tradeloop's Ethics blog.

In this case, the complainant (non-member company, IT Center) alleged that Express Micro PC received a pre-payment of $4800 but failed to deliver either the product or a refund. In June of last year, IT Center responded to a WTS request on Tradeloop from Express Micro PC and purchased product with no problem. So the buyer felt safe in arranging a second deal several months ago. However, he didn't realize that Tradeloop suspended Express Micro PC's account in December for nonpayment of its Tradeloop membership.

If you have any information about this company or would like to comment on this case, we invite you to visit our Ethics blog. There, you can review the details of all posted cases and make comments.

It's easy. For example, to comment on this particular case:

• Make sure you're logged into your Tradeloop account.
  
• Click on the Posted Violations link under the Ethics tab in the main navigation bar.
• Select a case you'd like to review. Here is case #5067.
• Use this tab navigation to review the discussions between the complainant and defendant, the Ethics Committee discussion and comments, member comments, and the voting results.
• To discuss the case, click on the Members tab. It opens a comment window where you can add your own comments and/or discuss the case with other members.
  

Note that in this case, the defendant was banned for failure to respond to the complaint, so there was no committee vote. However, other cases often inspire lively discussion between the complainant, defendant, and Ethics Committee members about the issues involved and actions the committee should take.

Tradeloop established the Ethics blog system to increase transparency and understanding about our Code of Ethics and the Ethics process. We encourage all members to review posted cases and comment on them.

Ethically Speaking - March 2010

During the past month, two new Ethics complaints were filed, one was closed with no action, and two non-member companies were banned from Tradeloop.

In case #5061, the complainant alleged that the defendant - Perpetual Action Group - failed to completely fill a prepaid order and inadequately packaged the product that was shipped. The defendant was banned from Tradeloop for failing to respond to the complaint.

In case #5062, the dispute involved the non-shipment of prepaid goods and failure to provide a refund. The defendant defendant and complainant were unable to resolve the dispute and the Ethics Committee voted to ban the defendant, Discount Computers, Inc., and post the case to the community.

Many Ethics complaints involve Tradeloop members who arrange deal with non-members who haven't been screened by Tradeloop and haven't agreed to abide by our strict Code of Ethics. We urge all Tradeloop members to do extra due diligence when dealing with non-members.

Case #5057 was closed with no action taken after the discussion stalled between the complainant and defendant.

Two new cases are still in the information-gathering stage.

Learn more about these Ethics complaints and review the details of other closed cases at Tradeloop's Ethics blog.

Add Tradeloop's Ethics Seal To Your Web Site

Improve conversions on your own Web site by displaying the Tradeloop Ethics Seal. The Ethics Seal reassures customers that your business is a reputable, professional company that adheres to a strict code of ethics. There's no extra charge: it's part of your Tradeloop membership.

Consumer surveys have shown that third-party certifications on Web sites help improve conversions by increasing customer confidence about the safety of the online transaction. When a customer at your site clicks on the Ethics Seal link, they're taken to a custom verification page that's unique to your company. It identifies your company as a Tradeloop member, describes our member validation process, and outlines membership requirements.

Ethics Seal images are available in a variety of sizes and designs. Here are a few examples:



Learn more about Tradeloop's Ethics seal program.
Sign up now and begin displaying the Ethics Seal on your site in two minutes or less.

Ethically Speaking - February 2010

Last month, non-Tradeloop member company, TBF Computing, was banned from Tradeloop (case #5055) in a case where the complainant alleged that the defendant had short-shipped an order, shipped poor quality product, and failed to process a refund. Both parties involved made extensive use of our Ethics blog format to discuss and attempt to resolve the complaint.

We also issued one Fast Track Fraud Alert (case #5059) last month after a Tradeloop member alerted us that a third party was using his name and company name. The Ethics Committee also investigated another cause of identity theft (case #5058) and sent an alert to the community.

Two identity theft cases in a single month is unusual and we urge members to be alert to warning signs when negotiating deals. Visit the company's CompanyProfile page to verify information before agreeing to a contract.

• Email Address & Company Web site address: In one case, the company had a ".com" domain, but the identity thief was using an email address with the same company name, but with the ".net" domain extension.
  
• Company Address: In the second case, the identity thief asked that shipments be sent to a different address than the company address.
• Payment Options: Many members use wire transfers for payment, but check to make sure you're being asked to transfer funds to a verifiable bank account - not an untraceable store front wire transfer service.
• Tradeloop Membership: Member companies have to pass our rigorous new member screening process and existing members are subject to routine verification of their account information.

Also in January, one new Ethics Complaint was filed regarding a dispute between two Tradeloop members. The Ethics Committee is gathering information and reviewing the facts of the case.

Learn more about Fast Track Fraud Alerts and how the Ethics Process works at the Ethics area of the Tradeloop Web site.

Ethically Speaking - January 2010

December was a relatively quiet month for Ethics complaints. Two cases were closed with no action taken and one case was referred to the Ethics Committee for a vote.

The case in committee is unusual in that it involves two Tradeloop members. The complainant alleges that the defendant did not fulfill the terms of the purchase agreement and failed to make a full refund. The Ethics Committee is reviewing and discussing the case.

You can learn more about how the Ethics process works or review details of closed cases at Tradeloop's Ethics area. Our unique blog format makes the process as interactive and transparent as possible - while still maintaining the privacy of those involved in pending cases.

The blog format allows Tradeloop members to read posted case details as presented by the complainant and defendant. You can also review the Ethics Committee discussions and votes. There's even a tab for Members to add their comments and opinions.

Since implementing the Ethics blog in June 2008, we've found that many disputes are resolved by the parties involved - often without the intervention of the Ethics Committee. The blog make communication easier and that helps resolve disputes amicably.

This is part of our commitment to keeping Tradeloop a safe place to do business as well as maintaining a cohesive trading community built on communication and professional behavior.

Ethically Speaking - December 2009

November was a busy month for Tradeloop's volunteer Ethics Committee. Two non-member companies were banned from Tradeloop. One Fast Track Fraud Alert was issued about a non-member company and one new complaint involving two Tradeloop members was filed.

Non-member company, The McEvoy Administration, was the subject of three Ethics complaints filed during October (Case #5046, Case #5048, and Case #5050). In each case, the complainant alleged that the defendant had failed to refund prepayment when the goods were not received. The defendant responded to each case and the details of the discussions are available at Tradeloop's Ethics blog.

The second non-member company to be banned from Tradeloop was xFusion Trading, LLC. This complaint (Case #5044) involved a dispute over a refund payment schedule.

A Fast Track Fraud Alert (Case #5053) was issued to the Tradeloop community after a member reported a possible identity theft scam that targeted Recruit Veterans, LLC.

Finally, a new complaint between two Tradeloop members is in the information-gathering stage. It involves a dispute over Broadcast messages.

More information about Tradeloop's Ethics process and details of posted cases (including an archive section of older cases) is available at the Ethics area of Tradeloop's Web site.

Ethically Speaking - November 2009

During October, the Tradeloop Ethics Committee voted to ban two companies from the trading community.

Infinity Micro, Inc. was banned for failure to respond to the complaint (case #5045). In this case, the complainant alleged that Infinity Micro failed to process a refund after goods were returned. Since the company didn't respond, the Ethics Committee couldn't evaluate the facts of the case. Tradeloop's Ethics policy requires that all companies respond to complaints and companies that don't comply can and will be banned from the community.

xFusion Trading, LLC was also banned from Tradeloop (case #5044). The complainant charged that xFusion Trading had been paid in advance for a deal that was canceled, but failed to process a refund.

Ethics complaint #5039 involved a payment dispute over the sale and condition of laptop computers. The companies involved worked out an agreement and the Tradeloop Ethics Committee voted to Broadcast the complaint to the community for informational purposes.

One new case is still in the information-gathering stage. A non-member contacted a Tradeloop member via information in a public Broadcast. The member suspects that it could be a fraud attempt and filed a complaint. At this point, the Tradeloop staff is investigating and assembling information for the committee to review.

Remember that Tradeloop members have the option to make their Broadcasts available to Web searchers and the general public or restrict them to just Tradeloop members. We will soon launch a new "Privacy Options" page that gives you even more control over the company and contact information you share with the public and other Tradeloop members.

Learn more about the Tradeloop Ethics process and review details of other Ethics complaints at the Tradeloop Ethics blog.

Ethically Speaking - October 2009

During September, non-Tradeloop member, Nautilusnet.com, was banned from the Tradeloop trading community (Case #5042). The complainant charged that Nautilusnet agreed to purchase equipment but then reneged on the deal. The Ethics Committee couldn't examine the facts of the case because Nautilusnet failed to respond to the complaint.

Participation in the Ethics process is a requirement for all Tradeloop members. Companies that fail to respond to an Ethics complaints can and will be banned from the community.

One pending Ethics complaint was closed with no action taken because the complainant failed to provide enough information to go forward with the complaint.

The Ethics Committee is currently reviewing and voting on a dispute between two Tradeloop members over a shipment of laptop computers. Two new complaints were filed during September. Both cases involve payment disputes with Tradeloop members filing complaints against non-members.

In fact, the majority of Ethics complaints at Tradeloop are filed by Tradeloop members against non-members. We encourage you to contact your fellow Tradeloop members first when buying and selling. We constantly update our member verification and fraud prevention techniques because making Tradeloop a safe place to do business is a top priority.

Learn more about the Tradeloop Ethics process and pending complaints at our Ethics blog.

Ethically Speaking - September 2009

With no new Ethics cases filed, no companies banned, and no Fast Track Fraud Alerts issued, August lived up to its reputation in the Northern Hemisphere as the preferred vacation month.

One complaint was closed at the request of the complainant with no action taken. One complaint filed in July is still in the information-gathering stage and may be sent to the Ethics Committee for review in the coming week.

But even though the Ethics Committee had a light month in terms of Ethics complaints, they were still busy. Remember that Tradeloop's Ethics Committee is a volunteer group of industry professionals who donate their time to the community. The committee does more than review complaints: they also act as a resource for Tradeloop staff.

When we launched our popular new Ethics blog format, we established a private discussion area for the Ethics Committee to discuss ethics matters in general. Our staff can consult with industry experts on issues such as: the size of the Ethics Committee; qualifications for membership; how to handle members who spam Broadcast lists, and more.

We'd like to thank the committee for their important volunteer work. The time they donate to the Tradeloop Ethics process makes the community a safer place to do business. Their comments and suggestions also help us make Tradeloop a more valuable business resource for all members.