Why I think it's wise to avoid FB knife groups

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arskrg

arskrg

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This is just a warning based on my recent experience to steer clear of Facebook (FB) knife groups because they're cliquish, and they don't have any sort of reliable feedback system like the one here on BladeForums.

A while back I joined a few FB knife groups because I like knives.
One of these groups often holds raffles for ZTs.
$10 a spot, 20 spots, 2 spot per person max, winner picks their own ZT.
About two weeks ago I noticed that one of the spots on a raffle was #622.
My anniversary is 6/22, so I figured what the heck. If I lose, it's only $10.
Next day I won a ZT. WOO HOO!
So the guy who runs the group sends me a PM asking which ZT I want, and a friend request.
I pick my ZT, accept the friend request of the guy, and go on about my way.

The next day I see on another FB knife group a thread with about 40 comments just completely bashing the ZT guy.
All kinds W&C caliber name calling and whatnot.
What I didn't notice, however, were the words thief or scam artist anywhere in the thread.
I was in the market for a ZT0620 and was going to wait for the ZT guy to get some in stock and buy one from him, but not if there was a chance I'd get ripped off.
So I sent a PM to one of the guys bashing the ZT guy asking if they just don't like him because he's an ass, or of it's because he's a scam artist.
Instead of a response along the lines of, "Yeah, steer clear of him because _____________," I got "Ask Him. Your on His Friends list. Oh. Btw spy. Good luck finding a group other than his to join"
I go to reply and explain everything I just explained here, but the guy has blocked my PM's.
Instead of trying to get to the bottom of it, this paranoid dude assumes he knows it all and gets me kicked out of the group, and another one since then.
Instead of helping me to not potentially get ripped off in the future, this dude doesn't answer my question and blocks me.
Honestly, I don't really consider it a loss at all being kicked out of a group with people like that.
The only problem I had was, who knows what they were saying about me in their secret group now that I was kicked out and guilty by association because I was a member of the ZT guy's group (which I've since left).



I have, by the way, searched here and Google for the ZT guy's name and have not found a single shred of feedback, positive or negative.
That's why I haven't mentioned his name.
I've also not mentioned the name of the paranoid dude who got me blacklisted from several FB knife groups, because I prefer not to be a dick.
(even though I know he's a member here ;) )
 
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My experience with several private knife groups on FB has been positive. One of them is about the only way to get a shot at early release and limited edition knives. The only raffles I get involved in are "sale" raffles run by dealers with limited stuff that you can't usually get...you win you buy.

Mike
 
Sorry to hear about this. Most people on BF are outstanding stand up characters. The ones that aren't don't seem to stay around to long. Use the ignore list, for people you'd rather not socialize with on B F.
 
Krav said:
Sorry to hear about this. Most people on BF are outstanding stand up characters. The ones that aren't don't seem to stay around to long. Use the ignore list, for people you'd rather not socialize with on B F.
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My bad. I will clarify in my thread, but was talking referring to Facebook (FB) knife groups.
I've had tons of positive buy, sell, and trade experiences here on BladeForums (BF)
 
The entire reason I created a facebook account was because it was becoming a prime venue for sales (in another hobby/business).
I despised it.
I refused to "work it" because I disliked the medium; and I ultimately removed that page. The "gotta sell" mentality drove prices down at an amazing rate, as undercutting and price wars were the norm. Misinformation abounded; as did the petty antics you describe. I refused to join groups, and removed myself from any to which I got added. I'm still tangentially involved with that hobby - having discontinued my business - so I see what it has become. There are still good people; but low quality, scams, and BS are in abundant supply. Tick off one self important player, and one can find oneself blacklisted from numerous groups without having any say in the matter. Issues become one-sided as material can be deleted on a whim; leaving no way to find the story unless somebody happens to copy everything as it is happening.
Social networking - the way of the future. :barf:
 
Given the fact Facebook's majority user base has an over-inflated sense of self, rational discussions are few and far in between. I find bladeforums to be way better than Facebook or any other group for knives and edged tools.
 
I've had mixed experience with FB knife groups...hell, mixed experience with FB in general, lol. I've seen the same lottery offerings you mentioned but never chose to take part in them. I have purchased a knife through a member on FB group, but the seller is also a member here in good standing. I'd be wary about getting too financially involved in any of these FB groups as there's no real moderation/administration power in them; all they can do is ban and block whereas I've seen the admins here go to extraordinary lengths to expose and stop scammers.

I find it curious that the largest Spyderco fan site on FB has been rejected by Golden Spyderco due to conflicted social issue standards. :eek: I've seen some other FB sites unwittingly promote counterfeits and clones.

FB is fine for pictures of knives, cars, cats and idiots, I just avoid getting too invested or revealing personal info there.
 
Hackenslash said:
...FB is fine for pictures of knives, cars, cats and idiots, I just avoid getting too invested or revealing personal info there.
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This brings up an interesting point.
It's funny to me that I feel safer buying, selling, and trading $100+ knives here with an invented name than I do on FB using my real name.
 
Thanks for the heads up. Just when I think I want to join FB, something like this reminds me why I've never joined at all.
Sorry to here you got blackballed, but there's better folks here to deal with.
I've never liked clubs much anyway.
 
I would be leery of paying any money for any FB raffle. I hope you get your knife.

As to the other guy being paranoid, you can't blame him. Or maybe you can. Lots of people are on meds (and I don't mean that disparagingly) or should be. I've had my share of run-ins with some people with a strong streak of paranoia. You just have to be wise in how and with who you associate with.
 
Rey HRH said:
I would be leery of paying any money for any FB raffle. I hope you get your knife.

As to the other guy being paranoid, you can't blame him. Or maybe you can. Lots of people are on meds (and I don't mean that disparagingly) or should be. I've had my share of run-ins with some people with a strong streak of paranoia. You just have to be wise in how and with who you associate with.
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I got the knife 3 days after I won, so as far as I'm concerned the ZT guy is more of a stand up guy than the dude that wouldn't answer my question.
Of course, the ZT guy could have a long list of prior shady stuff he's done. But how would I know, the other guy wouldn't answer my question.
Just to be safe I left the ZT group a few days ago.

 
I belong to two Microtech FB groups and I find it to be very resourceful and have done many transactions over there . I have almost always been the seller and I do agree wholeheartedly that I would rather buy on a forum where there is true moderation . In all seriousness all this internet crap is a time waster ... I am sure I should be doing something else as I type this...OK bye
 
This would have been much more interesting if FB was even close to being a relevant platform for anything more then having imaginary friends.....most of us let that go just after we stop wetting our beds.....

To be surprised by getting ripped off when you join a group of people you don't know, and enter "contests" with zero need for any kind of validity, is surprising.....
 
JR88FAN said:
This would have been much more interesting if FB was even close to being a relevant platform for anything more then having imaginary friends.....most of us let that go just after we stop wetting our beds.....

To be surprised by getting ripped off when you join a group of people you don't know, and enter "contests" with zero need for any kind of validity, is surprising.....
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Is this referring to me (OP) ?
 
Sonnydaze said:
A gossip column for kids. IMO. :)
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I don't disagree with you, but I'm sure lots of people with no interest in knives could say something similar about this place if they knew the massive amounts of time and money people spend here.
 
Sonnydaze said:
A gossip column for kids. IMO. :)
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naw, the kids don't even like or use facebook, they moved to other platforms already. it's mostly late 20's year olds and up now a days.


never had a use for facebook myself, never will...better places to go and read, learn and participate in.
 
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