So anyone who reads this forum with any regularity will probably notice that I don't post a lot lately. In fact, over the course of the last few months I have quit coming here entirely due to something that has really been bothering me. Now before I relate the details, don't take this as one of those "Oh my gosh I hate all of you and hate this place and screw all of you guys because you all suck and I'm leaving and never coming back threads." This is not one of those at all. We have a fine group of people on this forum and a few have become close friends and I still think this is a good place to come for advice and to chat about our hobby. However, I need to clear the air on this so everyone knows the truth and is aware of the situation.
Some months ago, out of the blue, I had received a private message from a member. I won't name names, but this person knows who they are. I am assuming the private message was sent in regards to a tobacco trade that we had started to arrange but could not agree on the terms, but we canceled the deal on good terms and everything seemed fine. Several months went by and I heard nary a word from this individual, until I received said Private Message. The PM in question was incredibly hurtful, threatening, and at one point the lives of me and my loved ones was threatened. I contacted Kevin and told him about the PM I received. His response was to contact Lawrence and let him handle the situation. The next day, said member was booted from the forums, which I was OK with. The situation seemed to be pretty well under control, and I thought nothing of it.
Fast forward to a few months after that, I saw the the forum member who had sent the hateful message had been allowed to return. When I asked about this (I won't mention who I talked to), I was basically just told, "Well we're giving this person a second chance and keeping a really close eye on them." I was not happy with that answer, and was not happy that said person was allowed to return after making such hateful comments, and I frequented the forum less and less, because I felt that my safety and respect for my well being was just kind of brushed off with "Well things happen. Too bad I guess." (This is not what was actually said, but just a generalization of how I felt the situation was handled.
Take what you will from this, but I do not feel that this is right. I just feel that everyone should know that hateful and hurtful comments and threats were made, and the guilty party basically got a few months "forum probation" and then was allowed to return pretty much consequence free. The member in question has not attempted to contact me via PM, but the situation still makes me feel a little uncomfortable knowing that people can make threats and say hurtful things and still be allowed to post on the forums. And for the record, I took a screenshot of said message. I didn't want to post it out in the open but I will post a link where anyone interested can look at what was said. I am not doing this to cause drama or insinuating that I am going to leave the forum, but I wanted everyone else's take on it. Here is the link to the PM screenshot (warning: it is pretty graphic and hateful).
Threatening Private Message
Some months ago, out of the blue, I had received a private message from a member. I won't name names, but this person knows who they are. I am assuming the private message was sent in regards to a tobacco trade that we had started to arrange but could not agree on the terms, but we canceled the deal on good terms and everything seemed fine. Several months went by and I heard nary a word from this individual, until I received said Private Message. The PM in question was incredibly hurtful, threatening, and at one point the lives of me and my loved ones was threatened. I contacted Kevin and told him about the PM I received. His response was to contact Lawrence and let him handle the situation. The next day, said member was booted from the forums, which I was OK with. The situation seemed to be pretty well under control, and I thought nothing of it.
Fast forward to a few months after that, I saw the the forum member who had sent the hateful message had been allowed to return. When I asked about this (I won't mention who I talked to), I was basically just told, "Well we're giving this person a second chance and keeping a really close eye on them." I was not happy with that answer, and was not happy that said person was allowed to return after making such hateful comments, and I frequented the forum less and less, because I felt that my safety and respect for my well being was just kind of brushed off with "Well things happen. Too bad I guess." (This is not what was actually said, but just a generalization of how I felt the situation was handled.
Take what you will from this, but I do not feel that this is right. I just feel that everyone should know that hateful and hurtful comments and threats were made, and the guilty party basically got a few months "forum probation" and then was allowed to return pretty much consequence free. The member in question has not attempted to contact me via PM, but the situation still makes me feel a little uncomfortable knowing that people can make threats and say hurtful things and still be allowed to post on the forums. And for the record, I took a screenshot of said message. I didn't want to post it out in the open but I will post a link where anyone interested can look at what was said. I am not doing this to cause drama or insinuating that I am going to leave the forum, but I wanted everyone else's take on it. Here is the link to the PM screenshot (warning: it is pretty graphic and hateful).
Threatening Private Message