This hobby has been tainted for me.

[shred5]

I am seriously considering getting out of the hobby.

I have had several transactions related to aquariums go bad lately on ebay, letgo and the last straw was on R2R.

I sold a perfectly good working light to a person. They did something to it, waited 4 weeks then told me it didn't work. I have a photo of it working literally 5 minutes before it was boxed up and shipped.

I highly doubt it was damaged in shipment given the way I packed it up. Plus, if it was he would have said something right off the bat.

Well, now, he has filed with paypal and called me a liar. Evidently, paypal thinks I am a liar as well and has put a hold on my account in the amount of the light until I get it back and refund his money.

On top of that, I have had a major setback when I broke something in my build that I can't afford to fix for while, especially since I have to give this guy his money back.

Many of you know, I have had a stroke earlier this year and stress is not good for that. I hadn't had a seizure in 6 weeks and had one last night.

So, since this hobby has become a source of stress and anxiety instead of one of enjoyment, I really need to rethink things.

This eats into Christmas money for my sons causing even more stress.

I have made friends here and had nice things done for me by folks here. I will feel like I let them down if I quit.

I thought this was a Christian forum. Evidently not, because a Christian wouldn't have done this to someone. (yes, that's judgmental and not Christian to say but I am really frustrated by all this)

I have messaged rev and heard nothing back. I am sure he is busy.

I WILL NOT NAME NAMES!

I just hope and pray this guy doesn't jerk anyone else around.

It's not the money. It is the principle and how I see dishonest people get ahead every day while folks like me struggle.

So, pray for me that I can move on from this either way.

I really have never just plain given up on something in my life. It's new territory for me.

It stinks when things go bad.
I will say this no matter how well you pack something it can still break.
I shipped a sump once and the guy got it and somehow ups cracked something on the inside of the sump.. The guy was good about it and said yea that was some of the best packing he has seen and fixed it himself. I had a skimmer shipped to me well packed once and it cracked too. I have no idea how they broke it.

Also some people do not try stuff right away. I have a bunch of stuff in the box for my new system that has been there for months and not tested. I am a trusting person but if it was there for several months it is my fault for not testing it right away.

It is getting harder and harder to buy or sell on the internet because of scammers. I was just watching a post in the R2R for-sale threads where someone has started to sell stuff several times and never shipped. Same person, they lock the thread but the dude should be banned.

Personally I will not buy or sell anymore to anyone who is not a regular on the forums. I hate to be rude but when someone contacts me with 6 posts a red flag now goes up and i am sorry i can pick who i sell too ..

 

[Retro Reefer]

Don’t let it get to you just try to look at it as a lesson learned albeit a costly one.. unfortunately in a situation like yours PayPal almost always sides with the buyer. I may be paranoid but as I have grown older I try to eliminate risk in almost everything I do including buying and selling to people I don’t know unless they have a stellar reputation ie. thousands of %100 positive feedbacks on eBay or say a veteran active R2R member..

Even without being scammed I have recently also been thinking about how much stress reefing can bring, I feel responsible for every creature in my tanks and if I have a fish or Coral that’s struggling I find myself constantly worrying about them along with what I need to do to correct the situation.. fortunately the Joy of reefing greatly outweighs the occasional frustrations.

As you know reefing is a exercise in patients, things will turn around for you in time so just take it for what it is a hobby and don’t let it effect your health or I’ll be riding shotgun with @Katrina71 to administer a severe attitude adjustment :D

 

[dantimdad]

dantimdad as requested I pray for your health and well being first and foremost.

You are nearly a 10-year member of our wonderful forum here and a solid rock to its foundation. I truly would not like to see you leave. I also look forward to your posts and presence on the forum.

You are correct. A Christian would not do such a thing reference the light you sent, nor would anyone with a moral compass. It certainly licks the red off of my candy.

If your decision to leave or take a break makes you feel as if you're letting friends down DON'T because friends understand. I consider you a friend as others here do and I would understand. I/we would sorely miss you but it really comes down to you, your health and family.

I consider you a friend as well. I would love to meet you when we go to Asheville in April. It's a honeymoon but, she has already agreed that on the last day, I can meet up with folks on the trip back. :)

 

[dantimdad]

Don’t let it get to you just try to look at it as a lesson learned albeit a costly one.. unfortunately in a situation like yours PayPal almost always sides with the buyer. I may be paranoid but as I have grown older I try to eliminate risk in almost everything I do including buying and selling to people I don’t know unless they have a stellar reputation ie. thousands of %100 positive feedbacks on eBay or say a veteran active R2R member..

Even without being scammed I have recently also been thinking about how much stress reefing can bring, I feel responsible for every creature in my tanks and if I have a fish or Coral that’s struggling I find myself constantly worrying about them along with what I need to do to correct the situation.. fortunately the Joy of reefing greatly outweighs the occasional frustrations.

As you know reefing is a exercise in patients, things will turn around for you in time so just take it for what it is a hobby and don’t let it effect your health or I’ll be riding shotgun with @Katrina71 to administer a severe attitude adjustment :D

Thanks bud.

And, you're a nut! :)

 

[Captain Quint]

........ scammers. .............. Same person, they lock the thread but the dude should be banned...............

+1 Anytime some bad scammers IB's, threatening and so on being members of two salt forums I once ran and once reported or caught by me were immediately banned.

 

[reefwiser]

I have seen people pull this trick before on equipment. Telling paypal it is bad to get out of paying for the equipment. I have been lucky and not had an issue but did have a club member has this happen. I agree bad buyers should be banned as well as bad sellers. This all works when everyone is doing the right thing. When one person does the wrong thing everything falls apart.

 

[theMeat]

It’s not just the hobby. There are crappy people and good people everywhere. And sometimes good people do crappy things. Add to that the ease at which things are misinterpreted via text, posting or other means of techy comunication and here we are.
The problem here is it is all here say . There is no proof of anything, we’are only hearing one side, and even if there was some proof to point at things are easy to fudge.
Bringing religion into this is pretty low. No matter your religion or lack of, if you want to make a dif for the better, than do it. Treat others as you would like to be treated and all that. When I find myself in a world of being screwed over from multiple angles what I do is the opposite. I make a conscious effort to go out of my way to help someone. Whatever your beliefs it easy to wrap your mind around concepts like you get more bees with honey, and you get what you give.
If the hobby is too expensive for you right now, or it is causing you more stress than enjoyment, it’s time to step back and take a break.

 

[dantimdad]

It’s not just the hobby. There are crappy people and good people everywhere. And sometimes good people do crappy things. Add to that the ease at which things are misinterpreted via text, posting or other means of techy comunication and here we are.
The problem here is it is all here say . There is no proof of anything, we’are only hearing one side, and even if there was some proof to point at things are easy to fudge.
Bringing religion into this is pretty low. No matter your religion or lack of, if you want to make a dif for the better, than do it. Treat others as you would like to be treated and all that. When I find myself in a world of being screwed over from multiple angles what I do is the opposite. I make a conscious effort to go out of my way to help someone. Whatever your beliefs it easy to wrap your mind around concepts like you get more bees with honey, and you get what you give.
If the hobby is too expensive for you right now, or it is causing you more stress than enjoyment, it’s time to step back and take a break.

Thanks for insulting me even more!

You are just a great guy aren't you?

Well, in case y'all were wondering: This was the final decision maker for me.

I'm signing off and out.

Later!

 

[UM Aquarium Club]

Can you post your exact sump needs? Lots of folks getting new things for Christmas. Maybe we can luck up and find one.

A lot of people have stuff just sitting around unused as well that I'm sure for the cost of shipping they would be willing to part with.

 

[WVNed]

Peace be with you

 

[MSB123]

Goodluck!

 

[rock_lobster]

Simple solution dont sell stuff. Or sell it local for cash. That has nothing to do with reefing your are complaining about selling used products in a 3rd party market which is applicable to anything you sell reef related or not..

 

[theMeat]

“Thanks for insulting me even more!”

Meant no harm and have no ill will. Certainly not towards someone I don’t know, who claims to be down on luck. Just being honest. Thanks for accusing me of otherwise.



“You are just a great guy aren't you?”

Many people feel that way. Thank you.



“Well, in case y'all were wondering: This was the final decision maker for me.”

Was not wondering. Though you were done already? Many members here said, in a nice way, you should take a break. Kinda like you were blaming others for your situation. Now that you’re blaming me for your actions.... Did you ever consider that guy got a light that doesn’t work? Or worked for a week then crapped out? Umm, no. You did however accuse him of being a scammer tho.

“I'm signing off and out.“

See ya

“Later!”

 

[Katrina71]

A lot of people have stuff just sitting around unused as well that I'm sure for the cost of shipping they would be willing to part with.

I think he needs 30.25" x 30.25" or something to fit that space. I know nothing about sumps.

 

[Katrina71]

***anyone by chance have such an item?***

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

Whatever the situation is. You don’t wait 4 weeks after a transaction, than claim something doesn’t work. How can PayPal side with the buyer after 4 weeks. Seriously [emoji19]

 

[fishybizzness]

“Thanks for insulting me even more!”

Meant no harm and have no ill will. Certainly not towards someone I don’t know, who claims to be down on luck. Just being honest. Thanks for accusing me of otherwise.



“You are just a great guy aren't you?”

Many people feel that way. Thank you.



“Well, in case y'all were wondering: This was the final decision maker for me.”

Was not wondering. Though you were done already? Many members here said, in a nice way, you should take a break. Kinda like you were blaming others for your situation. Now that you’re blaming me for your actions.... Did you ever consider that guy got a light that doesn’t work? Or worked for a week then crapped out? Umm, no. You did however accuse him of being a scammer tho.

“I'm signing off and out.“

See ya

“Later!”

Working for a few days and conking out, maybe. Waiting 4 weeks after you receive an item and then filing a claim-scam. Imho..

 

[theMeat]

Working for a few days and conking out, maybe. Waiting 4 weeks after you receive an item and then filing a claim-scam. Imho..

So we’v been told

 

[Seawitch]

I'm sorry you're having a rough time, please don't go.

 

[Ariel V Rosa]

Fist step is to foght paypals decision with evidence. Second step is to check in with the moderator if that forum and have them do thier due diligence to see if he has any previous history of this. Im pretty sure they wont tell you but they can make thier own decision to see if viewing that forum is a privilege he gets to keep. Now a thread like this serves no purpose to further your agenda unless you want to call somenuser tags out and that way everyone else is aware and we can also avoid that member who commited this vile act and breach of good faith.