Once black listed, always black listed?

[kamidake]

So I was contacted by a collector, basically soliciting their cels, and after almost a month of e-mail, we came to an agreement. But during that time, several alarms sort of went off in the back of my head and their RS gallery and screen names didn't came back with anything. Until just now when I got the name on the paypal invoice, I thought, wow, that name sounded familiar. After searching through the good ol' beta archive, lo and behold, there was a string of incidents related that name.

I had to e-mail and back out of the agreement, because I felt, due of whatever happened back then, I cannot trust him to deliver the cel, or the cel in good condition, or whatever other reasons.

But I thought, well, maybe this time it's legit? I mean, those other accounts happened years ago. Still, couldn't go through with it.

So what do you guys think? Should have given the guy a chance? Did the right thing to back out?

[theultimatebrucelee]

maybe offer a bit more and ask him to list it with pics and full details on ebay, would that help?

[oxypetalus]

I would go with your gut feelings. If you don't feel comfortable dealing with this person then don't do it; especially if you have the feeling that you might regret doing so. On the other hand I think the other user has the right to know why you're backing out. Tell them up front that you remember there being some incidents that happened in the past and that you feel reluctant to carry out the transaction. I do believe that people can change though, for the better or worse. If they were willing to negotiate and kept in contact for 1 month it sounds like they were serious to me but I don't know what happened in the past. Did they take people's money and then disappear?

[kamidake]

On the other hand I think the other user has the right to know why you're backing out. Tell them up front that you remember there being some incidents that happened in the past and that you feel reluctant to carry out the transaction. I do believe that people can change though, for the better or worse. If they were willing to negotiate and kept in contact for 1 month it sounds like they were serious to me but I don't know what happened in the past. Did they take people's money and then disappear?

Actually that was exactly what I did. I told the person I remembered incidents in the past, even though I wasn't directly involved, I felt like I cannot trust to to through with the transaction.

And the thing is, for the person to be so persistent was one of many red flags for me. Although I was suspicious from the very beginning. (a woman's intuition? lol!)

[Gonzai]

For the person it was, you definately did the right thing.

He is totally not honest.

Got to love a women's intuition!!

[ashenfairy]

Several months ago I bought an insanely rare cel from someone I know was questionable via ebay. I knew they were kind of shady but they had gotten good feedback recently and it was something I really wanted. So I decided to try it.

They were in good contact with me for a few weeks, as they told me when I bought it it would take awhile to ship. Then it dropped off and I didn't hear from them for a solid 2 weeks. It had been over a month at this point.

luckily I paid with my credit card, so I filed a charge back, and I did get my money back but it took well over a month.

So even though they may seem "reformed" there's really no guarantees. I'd say it probably just best to avoid people like that.

[zerospace]

I agree with most of what's been said -- when in doubt, go with your gut. I actually had a similar incident with someone who has a not-so-hot past history around here and elsewhere in the cel collecting community. I chose to not deal with them as well, and I'm certainly no worse off for it.

[MyBaby]

Hey, I agree with what you did. Unless he'll agree to you paying half now and half payment AFTER you receive the item, then it's no deal. Use Paypal or a credit card.

[ReiTheJelly]

I have successfully dealt with black-listed people before and have never had any problems. But I've always treated them with extreme caution and given a no-nonsense attitude to the proceedings. *shrugs*