Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

[perlman9]

I know discussion has been had about sharing information about members who have been bad participants. There is a member who I sent items in good faith to get paid and have not received payment in over two months. I want to share the information with name to education others on the board about this member, but don't want misuse the board. How should I handle this to educate others? Thanks!

jason
jperlman@ohaflcio.org

[sportscentury]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

I know discussion has been had about sharing information about members who have been bad participants. There is a member who I sent items in good faith to get paid and have not received payment in over two months. I want to share the information with name to education others on the board about this member, but don't want misuse the board. How should I handle this to educate others? Thanks!

jason
jperlman@ohaflcio.org

I'm not a mod, but my vote (if I have one!) is to share the information. This is what helps us to look out for each other. Also, individuals who know the person may be able to offer insight or even help mediate. Just my two cents.

[kellsox]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Is this regarding the member that you were looking fo in another post?

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Why would you ever send someone an item BEFORE you were paid?

[perlman9]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Why would you ever send someone an item BEFORE you were paid?

Because I like to take people for their word and it seems as if so many on this board are stand-up people that I made a bad assumption but am still trying not to be jaded by a small minority, but getting harder and harder not to. So, I am taking my part in this by trusting someone so just wanted to share my experience with this board member not that someone should or should not deal with this member, but to at least not make the same mistake and trust them. Hey, if he wants to buy something and pays up front, then I got no problem with a board member selling to this party, but I think there are several people who like to trust the fellow collectors and this is not one to be trusted. Maybe I am naive but I was just trying to help a collector get an item they wanted and let me heart get in the way of my head. My bad but if others can learn from my mistakes, then I think at least something good comes from it.

[perlman9]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Is this regarding the member that you were looking fo in another post?

Yes, same person but looks like it got deleted so again, just trying to be educational without being disrespectful so just want to make sure I provide the information in a way that helps others make better decisions than I did.

[eisenreich8]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

FWIW, I just completed a transaction with a forum member who sent me a GU bat for $0 up front, as partial payment for a GW jersey he wanted that I shipped to him before I received his check. It worked out great and we both made a new friend.

It should be a no-brainer on this board. It isn't, probably never will be a completely safe haven from fraud, but I don't blame the OP at all for his trusting manner.

I also just received a heart-warming GU gift from another well-known forum member which could have cost me no small cash on the open market, but he thought his gift was going to a good home and he was right. I will always be in his debt and remember his gesture.

This place can be like Kansas if we let it!

perlman9 I hope this all works out for you. Thanks for the thread!

[sportscentury]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Why would you ever send someone an item BEFORE you were paid?

This is not unusual at all in the hobby. It's really no different than sending someone a check without having the item first (Paypal is marginally safer, I suppose). You take a risk either way.

As an aside, some hobby websites have a feedback system for members and actually require newer members with lower feedback scores to send items first when selling.

[otismalibu]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Why would you ever send someone an item BEFORE you were paid?

Gotta agree with this question.

This is the sports memorabilia hobby/market. I'm sure there are many honorable men & women taking part, but this hobby is littered with crooks.

The adult film industry doesn't have as many people getting screwed on a daily basis.

Always try to eliminate as much risk as you can.

Oh and my vote is for public caning

[sportscentury]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Gotta agree with this question.

This is the sports memorabilia hobby/market. I'm sure there are many honorable men & women taking part, but this hobby is littered with crooks.

The adult film industry doesn't have as many people getting screwed on a daily basis.

Always try to eliminate as much risk as you can.

Oh and my vote is for public caning

It largely depends on trust. I have a few buyers for whom I will send items first (sometimes they want to inspect the items before paying, for example), and it has never been a problem. If you don't know the person, though, certainly safer to get the money first. And if you are a buyer and don't know/trust the seller, pay with paypal using your credit card (paypal may desert you, but a good credit card will still have your back).

[LastingsMilledge85]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

I've never sold, only bought, but this is why I like paypal. I dealt with a member from the forum earlier in the month where he would only accept a check. I'm not sending anything until the item is in my hands because I couldn't take the risk of paying for something that I never got. Suprisingly, I did get the bat, and I sent the check the following day. I just don't see why someone wouldn't pay you because that was the most generous thing someone has done for me in this hobby. Yeah, I could have easily skipped out on the payment, but there's no way I could feel good about myself.

[eisenreich8]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

I've never sold, only bought, but this is why I like paypal. I dealt with a member from the forum earlier in the month where he would only accept a check. I'm not sending anything until the item is in my hands because I couldn't take the risk of paying for something that I never got. Suprisingly, I did get the bat, and I sent the check the following day. I just don't see why someone wouldn't pay you because that was the most generous thing someone has done for me in this hobby. Yeah, I could have easily skipped out on the payment, but there's no way I could feel good about myself.

Just curious how you can pull that off, cuz you won't get by anywhere like an auction house, eBay, or anywhere else that I am aware of, except maybe a trusting member of this forum. I have always had to pay before I received my item.

[perlman9]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

I appreciate all the support and know I was just involved in another fiasco with a GU helmet, it all worked out as the original buyer got his money but I am out that as well, and was feeling very distrusting of the hobby and actually contemplated selling everything and moving on to something else, but the response has been very positive which has helped me revitalize my spirit a bit for the hobby. Thanks everyone!

[dcgreg25]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

I just wanted to respond briefly to the thread. The moderators are aware of the posting and we are discussing a position on the proper protocol.

The protocol for questioning auction items should serve as a good reference point for these types of issues. I would strongly urge members to try to resolve the issue directly and provide other members twenty-four hours notice before making a post about non-payment issues, etc. This would provide an opportunity to resolve issues that may be simple misunderstandings. It sounds like this issue has been ongoing but I do not want to set a negative precedent.

There is a certain level of trust afforded by members to other forum members (some more than others) and there should be some accountability among members. As always, I would stick to the facts as attacks, baiting, etc. detract from the purpose and will not be tolerated.

I will post a more formal response once we have had a chance to discuss this further but wanted to at least offer some insight. Thanks!

[perlman9]

Re: Mods: How to handle a member who is non-paying?

Thanks for the update Greg. Those were the reasons I wanted to ask the question before posting as I know that sometimes we all have good intentions and things don't work out, but this has been two months with now no email response. But I also try to avoid member attacks but think, from what I have heard from others, the ability to hold members accountable on the forum may help members be accountable on their own.