Potential bad trade - looking for "preemptive" advice.

[connivingsumo]

I’ve tried to read through the rules thoroughly, and the bad trader rules, as well as the deadbeat-backout rules (I noticed they were the same), but I’m afraid I haven’t committed them all to memory, though I try.

What I’m not sure about is how to handle a potential “trade going bad?” There's definite dishonesty going on, which gives that nice "fishy" feel.

I have all kinds of PMs from this fella – who shall remain nameless at this time – that claims he mailed my items when he didn’t, has given me bogus confirmation #s, and also tried to set me up on a “three way trade” for models that he didn’t even have in his possession.

Not sure what to do and I’m just looking for advice from you experienced/seasoned folks. Honestly, I’ve had 30 solid trades over the last year here at Bartertown and NEVER had one problem – I love Bartertown!! So I think 1 bad trade in 30 is some very good numbers and says a lot about the quality of people here.

What I want to do??? Well… I want to just back out of the trade – accept his negative feedback/post about me – and be done with the trade. Sure, I don’t want nasty feedback about me, but I’d rather take the hit in the ego/rep dept. rather than the pocketbook dept; not to mention the frustration and headache this has been thus far.

Anyway, just because I “want” to do that doesn’t mean I will – I really am here, humbly, looking for advice.

Thanks BT!

Best,
Rik

[porkuslime]

If you are sure that he is being fishy.. and you have a fairly solid evidence in PM trail, with bad tracking numbers, admissions of not mailing etc.. I wouldn't sweat it much.

Are you out anything? Money, models? Anything but time?

If he has threatened a bad Reference if you back out, he might be guilty of ITL Intimidation..

it is subjective I admit.. but not having a lot to go on is hindering. If he is (in your mind) truly guilty of malfeasance and bad trader practices (and it sounds like you are certain) Tell him you are wanting to cancel the trade.. for XXX and YYY reasons .. should not be a big deal, if he has not shipped either. If you have his models and he has nothing of yours, that gets trickier.

How many ratings does this guy have? Has he been around here a while? Does he have similar strikes against him already?

-Porkuslime

[insidius]

Need more specific information to advise you.

[JohnHwangBT]

If he changes the terms of the deal, you can back out if you don't agree to them.

So if he suddenly springs that it's a 3rd party trade, then you can back out without penalty.

[bluemeenie]

I would PM a Moderator like Pork or MM the PM's you have and trader ID as TBH they probably have a pretty decent feel for who is kosher around here and who is not, and even if a deal is kosher or not.


They might actually have dealt with the person you are talking about and give you first hand experience as to whether he is cool or not....

[flagg07]

More info would help.

1) Get the complete details to the Mods via PM/ e-mail, including all of the trader's info. They may have additional knowledge of the individual which could help you out.

2) Is the trade still in the "talk" process or has either party shipped anything?

3) Generally speaking, your gut instinct may very well be correct. Did I read correctly that you've gotten false tracking #s? Changing the trade around (from you and him to involving a 3rd party) is grounds to cancel. I would think fake tracking is grounds for a negative.

4) ITL intimidation is highly frowned upon. Don't get in an e-peen match with him. If what you've stated about this trade is true, and you can substantiate your claims, you should be able to back out with minimal repercussions. Eventually, that FB blemish would be fixed as long as you could prove it is not deserved.

5) The whole point of negotiating is to come to an agreement on the trade. Once you've agreed to terms, you can't change them willy nilly.

[connivingsumo]

Hi Everyone,

I want to thank all of you for your willingness to help and your advice. I would also like to apologize for not giving more information but I sincerely wanted to protect the person's identity for the sake of me trying to get a temperature reading/process understanding.

Since my post, I have contacted Porkuslime and he walked me through how to solve the problem and remain blemish free throughout the process. I think the trader is just new/inexperienced and had some life events, so all seems to be working itself out.

Special thanks to Porkuslime for his willingness to help, ability to listen, and offer unbiased - no BS - usefull advice. I can see why he's a moderator/administrator.

Again, thanks to all of you - I think BT is one of the best online communities I've ever been involved with and I would like to do everything I can to keep it that way - I've met some serious quality people here.

Best,

Rik

[MagickalMemories]

Yeah.
That Porkuslime's a great guy.

I think I wanna have his babies.



Eric

[redstarone]

Yeah.
That Porkuslime's a great guy.

I think I wanna have his babies.



Eric

Dude, those are my babies.... I called em first! like 3 weeks ago!

Gimmie dooz babies!

[MagickalMemories]

Dude, those are my babies.... I called em first! like 3 weeks ago!

Gimmie dooz babies!

LOL

If I called you a '<not smart>, would you be offended?
I'm not actually CALLING you that... I'm just curious to see if it would offend you. LOL


Since he's gotten his answer, I'm locking this thread before our Dumb *sses drag it any farther OT.

Eric