So not exactly enforceable, but sort of a "get-out" clause for any buyer. The 180-day window also reduces the flexibility for a buy that is run by an ethical individual but ran into a few complications here and there. 180 days is up, and then POOF!, they lose all credibility, even though there were a decent chap. A scammer could easily take advantage of this by claiming credibility and delay until the end of the 180 day window with a complication here and there.
I am of the philosophy that the more rules we try to create, the more creative the scammers will get. We cannot force group buy leaders to be consistent with their communication, or they can easily scam us into believing the payments were submitted to the manufacturer by creating a fake invoice, or build up reliability for a later scam. I don't know, but more rules just requires more creativity.
Rather than the relying on Paypal to sort there matters out, I think the most reasonable method is create some sort of legal entity that must be held accountable for delivering the products to paying customers. If they don't deliver the product as promised, they must refund customers. Every group buy organizer must use this legal entity to accept payments for a group buy. Obviously, this would require legal counsel to completely sort it out the details. It is a way more serious and complicated solution the group buy scams, but might the best long term solution.
Besides that, caveat emptor, as always.
Essentially, if a GB cannot be organized within the 'safe' time period, it just shouldn't happen. Complications can happen, obviously, but the part I am suggesting is just making sure the money gets
where it needs to go without the risk of an individual running off with it. If the money has already been sent to the manufacturer, chances are a lot better that customers will get what they paid for
versus cash in someone's pocket that never reached the manufacturer. There obviously needs to be discussion around what happens after GMK completes production, so feel free to add to this.
I see a lot of complaining about aspects of this, but nobody offering any alternatives.
I was thinking about the production side of things, and perhaps assigning a 'backup' person to take on the shipping end, should the original organizer have any issues post-production. There have
been a few instances such as health-related matters, where an individual was not able to deliver the good due to being sick, injured, etc. Perhaps having a backup person or persons, would alleviate
this problem. Perhaps working with the manufacturer to contact both organizers to give the 'OK' on where it needs to go once complete.
So for example;
Group Buy Proposal 1:
GMK Beige Set
Primary organizer: Bob
Secondary organizer: Billy
30 days open for orders
15-30 days money collection period
Submit to GMK
Post confirmation of GMK receiving funds for the GB to move forward
