Just to clarify...
Regarding our admins and their opinions, I don't think they needed to be or should have been heavy handed in this situation; per say.
I also don't have a problem with people airing some warnings in public, especially if for non-members and for sponsors. However, I do think when the dispute is between active members that the participants need to keep it civil, and the admins should assure that is the case.
Not to pick on George, but George C said:
The reason is we do not get in the middle unless something is illegal or there are threats, attacks or name calling. Lasik did not do any of this. He just posted emails and Carey did not disagree with any of the facts.
To that I completely disagree. Lasik even stated that he did "attack" Carey in the thread. Essentially, from the very title and opening of the post he attacks Carey's profession. I don't know who wouldn't consider that a "low blow" attack.
The intent of the thread seemed to be to get opinions if renegging on a deal is something that should be done. I submit that 100 out of 100 people before even knowing the facts of a case will agree it's never warranted; and that 99 out of 100 after knowing the facts will still have the opinion that renegging is a bad thing. So, the stated reason for Lasiks post is pretty much moot. I submit that Lasik knew Carey was wrong; Carey knew he was wrong (and doesn't care or can sleep at night through rationalization), and any sampling of people will agree that Carey is wrong. So, what's the point of the public opinion poll, really?
The real reason for the post, IMHO, was to blow off steam, and maybe to warn people of Carey's ethics. Lasik would hopefully agree that's the case. If that is the case, then it's a fine post, otherwise, I guess. If it were me, I would simply post an "ALERT" on the swap and sell board with a title saying:
"Member alert - before dealing with any member here email to get my side of a recent deal that went badly and be forewarned!"
The above approach could have kept things more civil...and been less of like driving by a car accident at a slow speed.
Again, I am assuming some things here, and this is simply my opinion. We potentially (probably) lost a member this week; and some have said good riddance. But since this guy wasn't actively selling a bunch of stuff on this site, I don't think the risk exposure was such that we needed this public service and incivility.
As for not being able to please all the people all the time; I'm not displeased. I simply think all parties could have done better here. If you expect little, you usually get it.
TJR
