The first step is, do not ask for it or make threads on the subject. Doing so will just earn you disrespect. I suggest you start reading the Help Docs.
Don't use reputation to decide if someone is trustworthy.
Ask for a vouch thread, that speaks way more than reputation ever will.
Just complete deals, make a vouch thread, people will begin to trust you over time.
there's a difference to me if someone DOESNT deal with someone because of neg rep... I agree people won't deal with people with lots of neg rep generally, but I've also recognized that so many people on here think that +rep means somebody is trusted, but it doesn't mean that one bit... I can go around rep whoring everyone and rep4rep, just with the goal of scamming.... Pretty much don't judge someone's character based on the amount of positive rep they have, but at times you can deduct someone's character based off their -rep
Rep's just a number and just because most of the users have a 4 digit number, they think they're invincible. Even the most reputed users are trouble makers. Take @"Hitmarker"'s case for instance.