Harm caused by scammers...

[TeleDog]

Just need to get something off my chest...

I'm kinda sick of some of the things that seem to be going on here. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I look at this as a community of guitar players who share one passion, the Les Paul. This is supposed to be a friendly place to discuss guitars, to talk about music, not to come and try to pull a fast one on somebody else.

These little scams that some have tried to perpetrate here are not so innocent after all. Even if there was no economic harm, you have to now think about what they've done to the board in general, as a community.

I for one have a box full of stuff I don't use, parts for amps and guitars. I honestly don't have any use for that and don't think I'll ever do. So I was contemplating just giving away the stuff right here.

Oh, but now I just don't know! You see, it's a bad feeling when you think you're helping out some scammer, it's a bad feeling to think somebody's laughing behind your back thinking about how much crap they can get out of you.

This is not about just giving away some parts, it's about how you feel about this entire place and what goes on.

No harm to the board? Think again. We just don't know what to believe anymore. Before you know it this could become a place where people are constantly on the defensive, doubting everything, reading between the lines... Who the hell wants to come to some internet board to feel that way? No damage done? Yes, there's a LOT of damage caused by those people who try to rip others off!

Just had to say that, I hope you guys don't mind. To the mods, if you think this thread is inappropriate please feel free to remove it.

Thank you!

 

[River]

+1

 

[LongBeach]

Ya, what Teledog said!

Walk the straight & narrow, or, BEAT IT!

 

[AXE]

I concur.

Now lemme hold a dolla$

 

[LoKi]

Scams? I missed something. I tried to mail away a part to a buddy on here, and he never received it, unfortunately. Maybe I screwed up the addressing and I've moved since then.

Other than that I've never had any bad dealings on here. I agree that scammers hurt the community though. I figure I can judge who's trustworthy on here based on my personal relationships, but how do you know anymore? Hmm...

 

[Harmony]

I agree with the above.

However, I also think there is some games being played. So it is very hard to work out who is being truthful, scamming and just a game.

We can't go by just some ID and length of time on here, nor someone who we all think are legit. As history has shown us, even after a year thinking we know someone, turns out to be a lie.

Internet will always be like this, you have to take your chances I guess.

It is a shame though that maybe someone is very real and needs that help or could do with that free part etc.. so those bad apples ruin it for others who need it.

 

[Hamtone]

I dont know what happened but no one likes a scammer

 

[River]

I don't know if TeleDog is referring to actual rip-offs, or more about bullshit (lying) in general. To me it's a scam when a teen pretends to be 42 years old, a 54 year-old pretends to be 20, or a member impersonates someone of a different gender. I suppose sometimes there's no nefarious motive, but I think it always turns out badly for at least one other party. And some who see that if they can sneak an inch, they can probably steal a mile.

I am quite sure some members here have helped others when the pretenses were false. I think it really sucks, but it's just a reflection of real life. I no longer trust anyone asking for material help. If I offer it, it's gonna be my idea.

 

[LoKi]

I have a confession to make.

 

[TeleDog]

You know, I don't pretend that people are always going to come here to be brutally honest, it won't happen, I'm well aware of that and it doesn't bother me that much.

What gets to me is the games. The little kid who pretended to be a luthier and even asked members to send him their guitars for repairs, God knows what he would have done! Or the "soldier" who wanted to get a free Tele.

Now, thanks to that, nobody is sure of anything. I've seen it happening, people question everything. I thought I was helping out a kid who was facing some difficulty playing, and then it turns out that "kid" is probably up to no good. That feels real bad!

Why does it have to be this way? Nobody here's gonna think anything of anybody if you can't play or if you're 18 instead of 50. For the love of God, life's complicated enough without having to turn places like this into some crap.

I don't care for those "virtuosos" who can't tell a whammy pedal from a cry baby. I care about those who come here to play a game only trying to see how much they can get.

 

[Hamtone]

I don't know if TeleDog is referring to actual rip-offs, or more about bullshit (lying) in general. To me it's a scam when a teen pretends to be 42 years old, a 54 year-old pretends to be 20, or a member impersonates someone of a different gender. I suppose sometimes there's no nefarious motive, but I think it always turns out badly for at least one other party. And some who see that if they can sneak an inch, they can probably steal a mile.

I am quite sure some members here have helped others when the pretenses were false. I think it really sucks, but it's just a reflection of real life. I no longer trust anyone asking for material help. If I offer it, it's gonna be my idea.

I will go with that, in all seriousness I agree. I gave someone here something, and was pleased to do so, even if they were a kid or a flaky oldman or woman

I am actually in my 80s and my name is hugh I live in North Hollywood and recently got some new roomates Oooops wrong threa.

 

[Hamtone]

Yeah that is some whack shit. If I sent my guitar to some 12 year old thinking he was a luthier, I would have drove to his house knocked out him and his old man, slapped his mother for good measure

You know, I don't pretend that people are always going to come here to be brutally honest, it won't happen, I'm well aware of that and it doesn't bother me that much.

What gets to me is the games. The little kid who pretended to be a luthier and even asked members to send him their guitars for repairs, God knows what he would have done! Or the "soldier" who wanted to get a free Tele.

Now, thanks to that, nobody is sure of anything. I've seen it happening, people question everything. I thought I was helping out a kid who was facing some difficulty playing, and then it turns out that "kid" is probably up to no good. That feels real bad!

Why does it have to be this way? Nobody here's gonna think anything of anybody if you can't play or if you're 18 instead of 50. For the love of God, life's complicated enough without having to turn places like this into some crap.

I don't care for those "virtuosos" who can't tell a whammy pedal from a cry baby. I care about those who come here to play a game only trying to see how much they can get.

 

[LoKi]

Yeah that is some whack shit. If I sent my guitar to some 12 year old thinking he was a luthier, I would have drove to his house knocked out him and his old man, slapped his mother for good measure

Yeah, at least you'd have the address. Why would anyone pretend to be a luthier anyway? Greg and Roman seem pretty damn frazzled all the time. I wouldn't wish that much work on anyone.

 

[PapaSquash]

Agreed River. Any lie is stealing the truth from the person who hears it. And even if it's "just" a lie to be accepted, then the person who accepts the liar feels betrayed when the truth comes out.

I find it hard to be real open about how I feel and who I am inside. An environment where we're all suspicious makes it worse.

 

[Hamtone]

Yeah, at least you'd have the address. Why would anyone pretend to be a luthier anyway? Greg and Roman seem pretty damn frazzled all the time. I wouldn't wish that much work on anyone.

Trudat Poor kid was probably trying to grow his yanni hair

 

[mrpesca]

The world is full of bullshitters. It used to be an art. Now anyone with an internet connection can be whoever they want with impunity. It's a lot different when you have to stand there and look someone in the face and tell a bald faced lie. You just have to assume that everyone is full of shit and be pleased when you find out they are what they claim. I've even been burned by aquaintances I've known for some time. The only difference here is that you can't knock their teeth out.

 

[River]

The world is full of bullshitters. It used to be an art. Now anyone with an internet connection can be whoever they want with impunity. It's a lot different when you have to stand there and look someone in the face and tell a bald faced lie. You just have to assume that everyone is full of shit and be pleased when you find out they are what they claim. I've even been burned by aquaintances I've known for some time. The only difference here is that you can't knock their teeth out.

Where there's a will...

 

[Hamtone]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI2fin4fwN0]YouTube - Brad Paisley-Online (Official Music Video)[/ame]

 

[Harmony]

Well I am an adult and female. I am sure that can be confirmed now lol

And someone here knows me.

Teledog..got a spare case my friend? Just kidding

 

[80's Rocker]

I agree completely. It really is a bad feeling to have somebody laugh at how much they get out of you and you not to know it. I think I understand how you feel about it. I would probably not give somebody something guitar related for free unless I knew they would treat it right and love it the way it deserves. But...what can we really do about scammers?