Magic: The Gathering Trading Post

Bad Traders

When trading on the Internet, there are many people out there: Good traders and bad traders, good traders who turns sour, etc. To avoid them (you can't really), you must be very careful. When trading, ask for references (if you're sending first or you both agreed to simultaneously send) and check them! If you don't, I can easily supply you 100+ references and demand that you send first.

When trading with people who are using free e-mail accounts (ie., Hotmail, Juno, Usa.net, Mailmasher, Rocketmail, etc) and even some of the commercial ones (ie., AOL, Prodigy, CompuServe, Netcom, etc), you should be very careful. Many of these accounts can be acquired free of charge (the commercial ones usually give you one month free trial) and can also be obtained in multiples (ie., used for their references). Do note, if traders are using Hotmail, they must have some form of Internet access as Hotmail is a web-based e-mail system. I don't believe people will use a public access terminal (ie., ones found in cafes, library, etc) to negotiate a trade with.

Also, when their using a postal box as their mailing address, ask them to send first. It is just safer that way.

Another way to check if the person you're dealing with is actually "alive", you can demand a conversation on the phone before you send out the cards. Most people will give their phone numbers. If you're planning to make a big trade, give them a call first.

A final note, if you can also check "bad trader lists" that are widely available on the net. Here are some:

However, note, like I said before, some good traders can easily turn sour. Please take precaution (from above) when trading on the net.

Also, when trading on the net, there are some FAQs that might help you on your quest:

The following list are "bad" traders that I have encounter since my days of trading on the Internet. If you want more information about them, just let me know. I won't publish their address or their e-mail address.

Aaron Cushing of South Burlington, Vermont, USA
Beware of this guy! He gave me a list of 52 references which I checked them all. Of the 52, only 4 of them said that they traded with Aaron, while the majority said that they never heard of him or the e-mailed bounced. After I told him that I want him to send first because of the results of his references, he said that he never sends first and wanted to simul-send or there would be no trade. I questioned his honesty and about his references. Yet, he comes back and still insist on simul-sending or no trade. Does he ever give up? Now, you see what I mean about checking other people's references? He gave me 52 references which would usually overwhelm someone. By that, others might skip the reference check and would either send first or simul-send. Anyhow, I don't usually post other people's address/e-mail address for the sake of their privacy and perhaps they have learned dishonesty is not the way to go, however, Aaron has been repeatedly posting to the trade newsgroup even after my "Bad Trader Warning" posts. [Sept/97]

Aaron Cushing ([email protected])
1185 Shelburne Rd. Apt C16
South Burlington, Vermont 05403-7708
USA
Ben Anders of Parker, CO, USA
Like the below cases, Ben has agreed to send his cards on a certain day. However, it's been over two months now and I haven't received the cards nor heard from him. I have sent him several e-mails asking him to reply yet I get no response. I'm not saying that he is a bad trader, however, do be aware of my case with him. He has somewhat tried my patience and prevented me from using the cards we agreed on with another trade. If you ever had any success with him, that's great. During the time when we negotiated our trade, he didn't have any references (ie., has never traded before). Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. [Sept/97]
Adam Lange of Pierce, NE, USA
I am still currently investigating this person. All of his references checked out, however, to this date, I have not received any of his cards yet. A so-called friend of his (also from Pierce, also using an e-mail account from Hotmail, and also subscribing to an ISP named ConPoint in NE which both him and Adam are using) has been telling people that Adam has an "evil" brother who is doing "bad" things with his brother's account. Note: I have received my cards back from Adam after numerous e-mails and finally a regular snail-mail. Even though he did return my cards, the trust is already gone. [June 30th]
Robie Mears of Melfa, VA, USA
All of his references were Hotmail (his own alias). He agreed to send first, but to this date, I have not yet received his cards. Also note, his friends on ESVA.NET (their ISP) are in this together.. so beware.
Scott Hotchkin of Flemington, NJ, USA
He agreed to send first on a certain date. At the end of that week, he e-mailed me and said that his cards were stolen (which should of been on its way to me). We then made another trade agreement, and he said that he would send first. To this date, I have not received his cards. Note: I've read on the newsgroup that Scott has also ripped off someone else. So please be aware.

What do I consider as a "bad" trader? Well, any trader who has violated the first law of negotiating -- lying -- is considered a "bad" trader in my books (well, on the web). If they said that they'll send the cards on a certain date, they better. If they said that they've already sent the cards, the better have. If they're not going to send on a mutual agreed date, then why bother proposing it in the first place?

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