General Warning About Doing Deals, Loaning Money Or Payment Plans

[Brian]

This popped up on FB, and since then I have had more details and info, and wanted to post a general warning here about dealing with people we have ony met online.
Sometimes, even nice guys or people we have seen online for a long time can get us into a spot of bother. Always be wary guys. I know we all want to help out others, and give people the benefit of the doubt, but where passion is involved in collecting, some will get in over their heads and perhaps not be able to pulfull their obligations.
To quote from Facebook:

 

It has come to attention that a member of our group has been approaching others here to borrow funds for swords purchases which are never repaid, asking for free fittings and sending out swords for shinsa/restoration on unfulfilled payment plans. I am not going to call him out by name at this point, however if this sounds familiar and you were approached or loaned a member funds which were not repaid please let me know

The person is also a member here, and whilst i won't divulge personal info, I would like to urge everyone to be careful before loaning money, doing favours or sending items with payment plans. It is just good practice to be cautious. I don't think we have deliberate scammers on board, but sometimes people get into a situation where their eagerness overwhelms them, and I do not want members losing goods or money.
Don't fall for pity pleas, don't donate stuff unless you are willing to write the item off. And don't let people arrange services unless you have verified them.

Brian

[ChrisW]

Wise words to live by and apply for any situation really.

[Brian]

Yes, but if anyone here has been approached and asked for money to fund a purchase, or is being asked by a non-dealer for staged payments or is battling to recover funds from a private deal, I would like to know about it via pm.

[ChrisW]

Affirmative!

[lonely panet]

as a person who has done staged payments in the past on the NMB, as a buyer and a seller.

please  name this GUY. or evan better remove him from the NMB.

 

I don't think fraud should be given a second chance

[Ken-Hawaii]

I've been very lucky as both a buyer & a seller on NMB, & perhaps that has led to a false sense of security that everyone is honest, all the time. Thanks for the wake-up call, Brian.

[Brian]

I won't "name and shame" yet....unless there is a future need. I hope the person has calmed down and is trying to sort out those involved.
Sometimes fraud, sometimes just over eagerness. Either way, never buy above your means and never take advantage of others' generosity.

 

[vajo]

As for general in life. Dont buy something you cant pay. Spare and wait.