The recent implementation of the whole power user thing, plus people complaining about eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au got me thinking: would it be possible to implement a rating system, for websites, reps and normal users alike, for viewing on their profile?
A lot of forums have this feature (like Whirlpool's Aura system), and I assume it was omitted here, as there is little focus on the forums. But I think it could be pretty useful here, if people used it properly.
For example, say eglobaldigitalwhatever (I sound like I'm trying to spam for them, since I keep mentioning them, but anyway) has a deal posted - pretty much every time, users warn others away from them, due to the relatively poor service they experienced. With a rating system, users could give the seller a permanent low rating, for everyone to see, and then investigating this further (like with a box on their profile, or something), people could see the reasons for the negative review, either a 'status' or area of complaint typed thing, or even user-submitted reviews. A cumulative score could then be given, by the number of complaints vs praise.
In the case of user ratings, you could be able to rate fellow users on their helpfulness and behaviour. If a user constantly flames, trolls or spreads misinformation (see any Apple vs Android thread for examples), it would be evident to the community, and people can react accordingly (people would be less likely to bait a troll, if they knew of said troll's past history). Basically, it would just allow you to see a rep's or user's history (positive or negative), without having to become familiar with them or be constantly warned by others.
Anyway, just a thought. It probably isn't an original suggestion, and not particularly important, I know - but I thought it would be a nice little addition (particularly for users, if you plan on making the forums more relevant, which I would love).
User ratings — it's an experimental feature that's "work in progress". I think some people here should already be able to vote (as long as you have 2 badges I think), although you cannot see how other users have been rated. You can only see how you have previously rated others.
We'll add more features around that once we have collected some data.
Website ratings, product ratings, etc — they are also partially implemented but so far no one but moderators have access to them. Yes it's easy to use rating to warn others, but there are a lot of other things to think through. For example,
I think it's a hard problem to solve, but we'll definitely give it a try.