QUOTE(914itis @ Jan 4 2013, 09:42 AM)
Okay, I looked at these links above in more detail, & had read them when they first came out.
These two links reference topics & member post threads about problems with specific members - Lurkers or otherwise - who have been bad & less than upfront with their dealings.
This problem is
not limited to only new non-forum-posting members (Lurkers), but also includes a few longer term members with more "official topic post counts" & higher tag ratings - even some well over 50 posts.
It really is a matter of reporting & policing problems with sellers &/or member vendors who don't perform as promised, misrepresent items, etc., and allow those posts & topics to remain & get worked out, or serve as a warning to others - without getting closed down, which only serves to help & protect the offending seller/vendor.
Unfortunately in some cases, those who complain about problems with long term & better known members who are sellers &/or member vendors, get shut down & silenced by the masses by overwhelming posts attacking or contradicting the person with a problem &/or closed by the admins.
Listen - anyone can make mistakes, not fulfill their obligations business-wise, blow-off &/or piss-off customers from here, & we shouldn't suppose that the long term folks nor anyone else selling is always perfect or right.
So we all should really not be so ready to enforce group protectionism when this happens, and allow those folks with seller/vendor problems to voice their concerns & problems on here - of course after &/or in conjunction with trying to work it out by PM, email, phone, etc. with the problem person.
I'm not saying to post problems in topic threads as the first or only step - folks should try directly with the seller/vendor off line, but certainly as a part of a follow-up or part of the process to seek resolution.
And folks on this board shouldn't assume that the complaining party hasn't done something privately yet when they do post in a topic, but guide & confirm that they try to do so - rather than blasting them with those "...well I've never had a problem with 'x'....!" - since that helps neither the party to resolve the problem.
Okay - off my IMHO soap box now...