I am absolutely tired....

[Greenbeans]

This past week has been a rough one for me, and those in the know know why. I have $1200 worth of cards which I will most likely never see again, and have gotten nothing in return to show for it. I am tired of having to deal with the problems both on here and on ebay. I don't know what to do. I feel burnt out of collecting, and with this situation happening to me over the past few weeks, i'm not too sure if its worth even doing this anymore. Im 29 years old and I have collected cards since I was a little kid. But its not like it used to be. It's not the same fun. I suspect after the next few days im going to drop off the face of the earth here for a while, at least once I get some form of closure to whats happening.
To the person who knows who he is, thanks. (I cannot say his name nor will I - Im better than that) Thanks for taking the passion out of all of this for me. Thanks for leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Thanks for being so desperate. Thanks for taking advantage of one of the few things I actually loved - sportscards. Thanks for killing off the feelings I had about collecting, and the fun I used to have in pulling the big hit. And thanks for making me lose trust in trading online now. I made a few friends here, and the moderators have been great if not better than that, but I cannot seem to get over the fact that half of my collection has been taken from me and I have to resort to trying to do something of a legal nature to get back sports cards. SPORTSCARDS!!!!! I guess it isn't a hobby anymore for some people. I guess its an addicition.
In the next few days, I am going to decide what to do with the small piece of my collection I have left. I may tuck it in a closet and try to get over all of this, or I may sell it. At this point, I have no idea. But I did want to say something to everyone here who is honest and truthful....You guys are what makes this site great. Continue to weed out the few who try to destroy it for the many.

Peace

Michael

[trampus]

That really sucks. I hope you get them back, and he gets what is coming to him. It seems you can't get into anything anymore without having a few jerks to deal with. I'm online alot and don't do much througout the day so if you need any help scouring auction sites feel free to let me know. I'm no fan of any illegal activity, but, stealing is my most hated.

[BlackDiam0nd66]

Michael-

I am really sorry about your situation, and kept hoping it was just a fluke and that your cards would arrive. I am still holding out some hope.

It absolutely disgusts me that these low lifes prey on people who make it a point to trust other collectors. This hobby is nothing like it used to be (I have been in it off and on since 1974, full on since 1987). I am so hoping this is just a fluke with this specific user and you all who are owed cards will receive them soon. I am stunned by the number of collectors who were good now turn bad....it does make one think twice, and even three times, about trading anymore.

I can honestly say though, there are still more good folks than bad. That's part of what keeps me going. I have been fairly fortunate in my dealings online/via mail. I started trading through the mail from a magazine that listed peoples addys and stuff (this was before I had a computer) in 1996. I have been ripped off about 5 times through trades/Ebay....not a bad record, but I use my gut feeling when dealing with someone...if I even feel remotely strange about dealing with someone, I don't. As far as ebay, I will not buy from anyone with under 99.5%....it has worked for me thus far.

If you really do still have the passion for collecting, but this incident is really moving you away from it, I would make the suggestion that you hold on to your cards and maybe take a step back for a bit. I would hate to see another good trader leave the hobby. You may regret selling your stuff later, then have nothing to start out again with.

If you need to talk, vent, etc please feel free to email/PM me.

Peace~
Rima

[Gooner_Singe]

Its unfortunate that you have been scammed like this, if it was me i'd be naming names, letting everyone know who he is. Good luck working it out

I guess it isn't a hobby anymore for some people. I guess its an addicition. > Not an addiction, more a of 'quick buck'

[JFried1029]

Greenbeans- I agree with Rima 100%. I have gotten ripped off over the years multiple times, first by an unscrupulous mail order dealer, then a couple of times in the old bulletin boards, and finally 3 times here. Every time it happened, it made me so miserable that I stopped trading for awhile.

But the passion to return to the hobby has always kept me coming back. Right now you are too close to the situation to view objectively what you will want to do in the future. While one bad deal takes the fun out of 100 good ones, you shouldn't let others ruin the hobby for you.

[palantri]

Michael- weve never traded, but i understand where you are coming from, my first online trade some scumbag took me for every GU and auto I had at the time...and I decided not to let that kind of person ruin my hobby for me... losing 1200 bucks worth of anything is tough, but I agree with Rima and JFried- dont give up yet. Keep what you have, and wait and see if the passion returns. Meanwhile, there are a whole bunch of us "good guys and girls" here that would be happy to help you regain a collection...who do you collect? if youd like, I can see what i have and send it your way. I know it wont make up for what you lost, but hopefully it will help you see that there are good people to trade with online, and some good friendships can be made here...
Ed

[kunox04]

Michael,

I haven't been at this site long; I haven't even collected very long compared to most, nor have I had anything but mostly positive experiences. But I can empathize. Like palantri said, I'd be happy to help out. I see you collect Bowman Sterling; I've got a card you probably need coming in as well as a few other items it seems like you might appreciate more than I do. If you PM me your address, as soon as I get settled in (moving in a few days), I'd be happy to send you out a few items free of charge. Consider it something like "disaster relief."

Hope to see you around here still. You seem like a good guy and I'd hate for you to be turned away by one rotten apple from a hobby that, as you know, can bring a hell of a lot of enjoyment.

Craig

[Melvinnapu]

Everybody gets scammed. I was scamed for a Piazza ( Kid/Guy sent me a Canseco card of the same year worth the same as the Piazza) card early this year and the worst part was the moderators here didnt believe me. Im sorry man hopefully things perk up for you..

melvin

[ChicagoCubs04]

Everybody gets scammed. I was scamed for a Piazza ( Kid/Guy sent me a Canseco card of the same year worth the same as the Piazza) card early this year and the worst part was the moderators here didnt believe me. Im sorry man hopefully things perk up for you..

melvin

lol when I read that I thought you said you were scammed for a pizza!! haha yea it's late and I should go to bed.

Anyways back to the topic. Michael I don't think you should leave because there really are alot of good traders out there and you shouldn't let just one bad soul ruin the hobby for you. Of course it's you're choice though. And trust me when I say I know how you feel as I have been ripped off on several sites including this one but never for too much. I hope everything works out for you.

[sealedpwr]

Michael-

I am really sorry about your situation, and kept hoping it was just a fluke and that your cards would arrive. I am still holding out some hope.

It absolutely disgusts me that these low lifes prey on people who make it a point to trust other collectors. This hobby is nothing like it used to be (I have been in it off and on since 1974, full on since 1987). I am so hoping this is just a fluke with this specific user and you all who are owed cards will receive them soon. I am stunned by the number of collectors who were good now turn bad....it does make one think twice, and even three times, about trading anymore.

I can honestly say though, there are still more good folks than bad. That's part of what keeps me going. I have been fairly fortunate in my dealings online/via mail. I started trading through the mail from a magazine that listed peoples addys and stuff (this was before I had a computer) in 1996. I have been ripped off about 5 times through trades/Ebay....not a bad record, but I use my gut feeling when dealing with someone...if I even feel remotely strange about dealing with someone, I don't. As far as ebay, I will not buy from anyone with under 99.5%....it has worked for me thus far.

If you really do still have the passion for collecting, but this incident is really moving you away from it, I would make the suggestion that you hold on to your cards and maybe take a step back for a bit. I would hate to see another good trader leave the hobby. You may regret selling your stuff later, then have nothing to start out again with.

If you need to talk, vent, etc please feel free to email/PM me.

Peace~
Rima

Micheal- that is exacly what i did for about 3 months , i was ripped off twice in a row by members who are no longer here. You will eventually get the want to get back on this site or any other that you go on. And you will get over it, it just takes a while to get the frustration out. My deal's were not anywhere near what yours was and i hope that you will recieve your cards.

I am also available if you want to PM/email me.

cliff