Status: active
Reporter: John

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I hate to have to do this, but it is time. When Joe was in some financial difficulties, he offered some packages for sale. Most of the Moderators got together and decided to buy the PC games bundle -- mainly to help him out -- and then just divide up as best we could. But, again, it was mainly done because we knew he needed the money -- none of us really greatly wanted anything on the list significantly.

The package did arrive, but several of the games were not really as advertised and at least one game was actually missing completely from the set. I informed Joe -- and he said that he would send it soon. Later, when he couldn't find it, he said that he would send some other items to make up for it instead -- which we said was fine.

This went on for months. Now, all of the email addresses we have for him are invalid -- he has changed them. Therefore, I've decided to file this BTR. I don't mind waiting when he is really in trouble -- but when he makes it impossible to contact him by changing his email address and not letting me know, that is simply not acceptable.

Joe -- if you contact me with a valid email address and give a status update of when you expect to ship, I will likely remove this BTR. Thanks.

Status: active
Reporter: sgtshaggy

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  What can I say? TheSimbul was having some personal problems (the nature of which I will not disclose)and basically needed quick cash so he put his game collection up for auction in packages (PSX, PC, N64, etc.). I didn't really need the games as I had most of them but 28 PSX games for $250 for the most part excellent titles was a good deal and I wanted to help him out. We agreed I would pay a down payment before Xmas which I did ($50) and the remainder before the end of January. (I sent the remaining $200 on Jan. 13.) The games never came, the communication was poor. At first he said his car had broken down three times, then he set a definite mailing date of today which was his supposed payday. I wrote to confirm that he had sent and the email I get is as follows:


  Sorry, I have had a problem with quite a few of the games. I was trying to figure a way to still complete the full trade but in the end figured it to be to high a cost. I have to send your money back to you. I will send the first half the week of the 8th and the second the week after. My daughter and her friends had gotten ahold of the games. 8 are missing, 8 more are scratched beyond repair, the disc doctor killed 2 of those 8, and I now have a game I never had before. I do understand your concern and do apologize humbly. Please feel free to place a BTR on me till your money is returned. I will also send something extra for a little reimbursment with the first payment. I will get it back to you as fast as possible. You 2 were always good to me and I am sorry this happened.

Joe
TheSimbul

  I find it hard to believe that 16 of the games are suddenly screwed and am leaning more than a little towards the notion that this was either an organized scam or more likely someone down on their luck who took advantage of the situation. Needless to say I'm disappointed that a trader of TheSimbul's calibur would resort to this and I'm more than a little angry.
  You've not been completely honest with me. If you needed cash that badly you could have come to me as a friend (as that is what I considered you to be) and asked for it straight out and I would have given it freely with no expectation of repayemnt. Bottom line is I want my money back in one lump sum and you have a limited time to get it to me. I suggest the communication improve from this point forward because I'm only nice to a certain extent. Do the right thing Simbul, surely you have more class than this. I truly regret this has happened but I feel I have few alternatives.

UPDATE

TheSimbul has contacted me and committed to a reasonable/short time frame to have the money paid in full. I will continue to update as more pans out or doesn't but let's hope it goes smoothly.

UPDATE

My patience wears thin. He has immaturely changed my rating to a vulgar not to mention false jab at what I don't know but this is truly pathetic. He's a loser, a sad pathetic loser. Don't trade with him. I'm through being nice about any of this, I tried and it got me nowhere. '


UPDATE

Bill has removed the nonsense that TheSimbul changed my rating to. Many thanks.

UPDATE

Talked to Joe on the phone last night. Plans on paying us back in 2 installments, hopefully no hard feelings on either side. I hope it all works itself out.

UPDATE

Joe agreed to send first payment out on Friday, March 8,2002. I returned from vacaction on March 14,2002 to find no payment and no email with any explanation. I emailed TheSimbul the same evening and have yet to receive any response.

UPDATE
March 17,2002

I have spoken with TheSimbul and his excuse for not sending the money is that he supposedly got laid off again. How convenient. I really don't care at this point what his situation is. I have no sympathy left. I've contacted the police and hope they can help me take it from here. Should this trader come back, I would advise any and all not to waste their time.