This is my account of what happened and my opinions of the experience.
Greetings,
In the roughly 15 years I've been here, and dozens of transactions, I've had only a couple less than really solid/positive experiences. I don't believe I've ever left negative feedback.
However, when a member here comes to me, offers me an item at a price, I agree to purchase it, then 'ghosts' me, wastes my time & money, edits/removes content, and doesn't take an offered opportunity to explain themselves, IMHO it casts a negative light on the forum, at least for me.
Tthomas had two watches for sale in this thread, an Apple Ultra and a Garmin 7X,(initially at $600): https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/closed.1918630/
Short version was I started a conversation and we exchanged multiple messages, but didn't strike a deal. Towards the end Tthomas became unresponsive, so I figured he moved on for whatever reason.
Then on March 21, Tthomas messaged me asking if I would consider buying the Garmin for $400.
There were some additional messages on payment method/timing, and Mar. 22, I agreed to purchase the Garmin for the offered $400 via USPS Money Order.
Two days later (Mar. 24) Tthomas responded with "Ok let me know when you’re ready. It’s boxed up and ready to ship."
The next day, I replied it sounded good, to mark it 'SPF' and I'd send him the MO in about 7 days. I asked him for his email address which he provided. I posted in the thread I'd be taking the Garmin per our comms.
Afterwards, Tthomas became unresponsive for a time, but then did respond on Apr. 11, asking if he had sent his address.
I asked for his info a couple more times, and then on Friday Apr. 14, with the weekend approaching, advised I would move forward with purchasing the Money Order (I had a busy workweek ahead of me the following week), No response from Tthomas. True to my word, I purchased the $400 MO (with fee) the following day (Apr 15).
I messaged that afternoon (Apr. 15th at 5:29 PM) that I had purchased the Money Order asked again for his info so that I could send it. I could see Tthomas had read the thread again about an hour later at 6:25 pm with no response. He also wasn't responding to emails.
At 9:25 PM I posted again in the conversation that I had seen he had read the convo earlier without a response, and I asked him why. No response.
The next day (Sunday, Apr. 16th) I posted the following:
Sunday at 10:02 AM
You know I can see when you read this conversation, right? You read it again a couple hours after I posted the above^^. So you're aware of where things stand.
No. 6 of the forum/exchange rules:
SECTION 3 - Rules for Everyone -
6. These forums operate on honesty and integrity. As such, we have a dim view of people who act dishonestly. Your actions in the community have consequences, even if they happen elsewhere, something to keep in mind.
And FWIW, money has changed hands: After I advised you I was going to do so on Friday (above^)- I purchased the USPS Money Order . USPS Money orders aren't free and neither is gas. That was your opportunity to speak up.
The ball is your court - all you have to do is the right thing - honor your word.
Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks.
M
Tthomas subsequently left our conversation and edited his original sales thread to remove the original listing details/description.
No response, no explanation, nothing, even when give the opportunity to do so.
I conferred with one of the Supermods, invited him into the conversation Tthomas and I had, and the Mod advised I could post what happened here in the GBU
I had to expend more time and gas to get the $400 MO resolved.
So, you can decide how you like, but this kind of behavior, IMHO, is not consistent with Rule 6 and the high standards I've normally experience here on the forum.
(The above isn't every single exchange/detail, but gives you the pertinent information.)
Hopefully this was a one-time occurance for whatever reason.
Have a good weekend.
Boss