All of this needs to be discussed and hasn't yet. I mean, REALLY discussed.
I want to particularly emphasize the last point posted by Beezil. I've been saying all along, despite protestations by several members, that this isn't a source board. And really, that is the last thing you should want it to be too.
The extent to which it resembles one is the extent to which the sources are successfully exploiting this subforum and usurping the power from its real members.
Millard about 2 - 3 weeks ago I would of disagreed and said this is the perfect incubation chamber to find the best sources.
Your comment "the extent to which the sources are successfully exploiting this subforum and usurping the power from its real members" caught my attention particularly today as I stirred the pot a bit.
In light of recent events, I wonder who is a real poster and who is not. You can't identify friend or foe easily anymore and if you think you can know someone within just 3 - 6 months regardless of post count, its just being extremely naive. I now understand why a school of thought wants you to have the same handle across ALL boards. To keep track.
With the exception of members with longgggg histories like BB69, yourself and other long time Vets (and not Vets because they post alot) you may be interacting with a sophisticated source shill account.
The vetting process (lab pics, open labmax thread) and this thread were reasons why I thought a newcomer would need to have his A game.
But.... I started thinking.
A) How many labs on here are or were owned by the same group ? Biologic was said to be Herc. Some people are saying now Muscle is now Biologic. I've heard whispers PEP may be Ascendant.
B) How would I game the system if my profit margins were upwards of 500 % understanding demand and how much people want anabolics.
Its foolishly illegal and demand is high. I know your Google Analytics show a growing trend year over year. From ALL over the World. More and more people are understanding when to do anabolics it and how to do it safely. Thanks to people like Doc Scally, CBS, Dr Jim and other long time Vets with medical backgrounds or just plain smart / experienced folks whose posts are forever saved in your hosting's database. To a certain degree, an AAS revolution is happening as people become more enlightened (and more misinformed) with the Internet.
What I would do to Scam:
I'd start by creating an account a day. I'd log the login and password with something like Lastpass or Roboform. I'd log these accounts in a spreadsheet and setup multiple monitors having the spreadsheet always open with a cover story pre-written per account.
Writing is my strong suit and I'd probably have a partner, a chemist of some kind.
I'd also buy a series of old / broken or used lab equipment to include autoclave to pass the "pic" requirement. See some on eBay now:
Used Autoclave Sterilizer | eBay
I can go on and and explain my plot even further but if I can think of this.. anyone can.. and i've only been around about a year and a half.
Its really frustrating overall but at least we have a medium where we can slam a source if they suck. The information won't be removed.
How would you order assuming the hypothetical scenario where your the end user ?
Pick a safe country and order ? Ordering Internationally and you may receive a love letter from Customs. Also I suspect friendly countries incoming packages have extra steps for inspection. I think GETM (he was from a friendly country) was having a hard time shipping here and even went domestic here in the states.
Brew yourself ? A) You have to know how to do it. There are plenty of guides on the internet. You still need to find a good powder source and its taboo to ask period. B) Order enough and you can get roped for attempt to distribute even though you may just want to stockpile. Risk / Reward.
Go domestic ? Thats the most logical route but your risking now someone brewing in their bathroom. You also have a higher likelihood of shill accounts because a native speaker is more likely to know how to create unique persona's vs someone like Dan from GETM or the Chinese guy (forgot his name) from Legend.
Thanks for your time.