Nearly a victim of a scam... Am I in my right or not? - Guild Wars Forums

Lagg · Sep 15, 2005, 10:17 PM // 22:17

EDIT: editted out the names

This is the exact report which I've sent to the GW user support concerning a potential scam.

Quote:

My apologies for burdening you with this, but I seem to have fallen prey to a very disconcerting scam.

On Wednesday the 14th of September, I am involved in a trade with a player who goes by the name of *******.

The trade goes as follows: I'm trading a certain item of mine (golden Shadow Bow) and a sum of money (11k) for a certain item of his (golden Chaos Axe). The trade goes well, we're all friendly, nothing out of the ordinay happens.

The next day, he shows up again, telling me he accidentally sold the item I traded him (the golden Shadow Bow), and now he wants his item (the golden Chaos Axe) back AND more money from me (4k). I do not wish to comply with this. First off, it's his mistake, not mine. Our deal was closed the day before. Second, I actually mean to use the item I bought off him, so I tell him it's already customized. It is, however, not yet customized. So he asks me to see it. I tell him to hold on, as I go off to customize it. I then show him the customized item.

He is, of course, enraged at this, since this takes away his last chance to actually get his item back. I know that this might seem like a cruel thing to do from my part, but I really intend to use this item (obviously, since I customized it). It's not an act of random malignance.

He goes on by saying he will tell all his friends to no longer trade with me. In my book, this is called blackmailing. I admittedly lose my temper at this, so I tell him what I think of him: as in "him being the biggest *sshole ever", forgive my French.

He goes on by saying he'll report me for swearing at him, something which I plead entirely guilty for, since I really did swear at him (and in hindsight, I'm still glad about it). He also tells me he supposedly has friends at ArenaNet who will get me banned. I take this rather lightly, of course.

Now, in return, I tell him I'm reporting him for trying to blackmail and scam me.

And then something happens: I get disconnected right away. Something which very seldom happens. Now, I could reconnect a few moments later, but it really had me scared there for a while.

So do allow me to press charges against this person for trying to blackmail me. I'm not asking he would get banned or anything (after all, I used hard language against him, and also retorted with the lame "consider that a ban, too" which is against the EULA as well, so I'm hardly free of guilt), but players need to be protected against this sort of threats, one way or another.

I tried to use common sense, even though I did lose my temper. At least reassure me that I'm not getting reprimanded for doing so.

Cordially,

****** "Lagg Olagg" ******

P.S. Please find the conversation in question attached to this message.

Yes, I know I shouldn't have lost my temper and sworn at him or threatened with the lame "you're banned" arguments too. Still, he sold me the item and it's righteously mine now, he has no right to claim it back.

And yes, I fully admit, I was being arrogant about it. No doubt about it, I could have handled this more maturely.

But I was in no way being cruel to him. I am now using this item. I didn't just customize it so he couldn't get it back. I can't help it if he made a mistake by accidentally selling the item I traded him to a merchant.

As you can see, I really feel bad about this whole ordeal. Heck, I even feel bad for him.

fenix · Sep 15, 2005, 10:22 PM // 22:22

lol you can't ask for the item back. he would have still had it in inventory, thats my bet. you cant suddenly change your mind about a trade. thats stupid

Lagg · Sep 15, 2005, 10:27 PM // 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by talon

lol you can't ask for the item back. he would have still had it in inventory, thats my bet. you cant suddenly change your mind about a trade. thats stupid

That's true as well. He can't possibly prove that he no longer owns the item which I sold him, nor that he hasn't already sold it to someone else.

I'm still willing to believe he didn't lie to me about that and that he really did accidentally sell it to a merchant, but that doesn't mean I should take the blame for it.

I apologise for getting so upset about this, but it just really got to me badly this time.

Starsky-sama · Sep 15, 2005, 10:29 PM // 22:29

well if he was "telling" the truth. He could have gone about it, in a much better way.

What was he expecting, full compliance just cuz he said he made a mistake, and then acting all high and mighty about it...

By using his common sense and thinking it through b4 confronting you, It was really your choice to give him 4k extra for the axe, since everything was said and done with the transaction before.

some ppl just like to act this way in games I guess.

/meh.

*added: edit out the names, cant name names in the forum.

Sir Skullcrasher · Sep 15, 2005, 10:30 PM // 22:30

Put it simply.. once someone completed the trade.. the items is your! The original trader should not have the right to get the items back ( what the point to trade if you want to keep the items). Report him for being a idiot in trying to scam you and i'll remember to put another person on my ignore list

eightyfour-onesevenfive · Sep 15, 2005, 10:35 PM // 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagg

Yes, I know I shouldn't have lost my temper and sworn at him or threatened with the lame "you're banned" arguments too. Still, he sold me the item and it's righteously mine now, he has no right to claim it back.

Those two sentences are all that has to be said about this, imho. I don't know whether that person was extremely stupid or extremely insolent (or maybe both), but I'd consider everything he said an empty threat.

Hmm, maybe I should try going to the bakery and claim my money back for the bread that I bought there yesterday and which I just ate...

wsmcasey · Sep 15, 2005, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Even if the guy report you to A-net, there not gonna do anything! The guy has no proof, and even if he did he will look like an even bigger idiot than he already does. The trade was made............nuf said.

jenna mysti · Sep 15, 2005, 10:37 PM // 22:37

lol....that is so funny....there is no way a-net would ban you for that....he was just trying to ....i dont kno ...maybe make you feel bad...i woudl have told himt he same thing...maybe a little worse....i would have showed him the axe uncostomized and said...hm tough man

wsmcasey · Sep 15, 2005, 10:39 PM // 22:39

I hope you really were planning to use the axe, because you would only be hurting yourself by customizing it........lol

Daegul Mistweaver · Sep 15, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenna mysti

there is no way a-net would ban you for that....he was just trying to ....i dont kno ...

The word you're searching for is blackmail.

fenix · Sep 15, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42

On an off note, what sort of axe was it? The mods that is.

Ilya Khan · Sep 15, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42

If only I had this guy's address...
I would go there while hes sleeping, take one of his pillows, and begin a pillow fight with him!

Sir Skullcrasher · Sep 15, 2005, 10:43 PM // 22:43

I want a gold chaos axe!!

Lagg · Sep 15, 2005, 10:54 PM // 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by talon

On an off note, what sort of axe was it? The mods that is.

He traded his Furious Chaos Axe of Enchanting

6-28
+14% while enchanted
Furious (10/10)
Enchantments last 17% longer

for my Fiery Shadow Bow (of Shelter, iirc)

Fire 15-28
+14% always
-5 energy
+5 Armor (iirc)

and I paid him 11k on top of that.

To be honest, I'm not really into the whole trading scene. I just happened to want that axe. He seemed rather experienced to me. I have no idea if I made a fair deal or not, really. I'm really happy with the axe, even though he's just taken about half of my fun away already.

If his sole purpose was to make me feel bad, he'll be glad to know he succeeded. Yes, I get upset rather quickly about these things.

LifeInfusion · Sep 15, 2005, 11:17 PM // 23:17

I would take the bow over the axe any day. You can get enchanted axes from collector's but not 15% always bows.

And once a trade is done, it is over. They can't ask for their stuff back.

galkraft · Sep 16, 2005, 12:02 AM // 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilya Khan

If only I had this guy's address...
I would go there while hes sleeping, take one of his pillows, and begin a pillow fight with him!

Yeah, or compensate him with a real axe ;-)

But seriously, if someone has any sort of power or ability to mess with your account, that's worth raising a flag to ANet. Sounds like a fluke by what you said, but don't feel guilty about bugging ANet.

wow, didn't know ---hole could be said unfiltered. Ha! But report for cussing? wtf!? ---- ----- ---. How many times do you see ---- like that in PvP? ANet will tell him to raise the filter bar.

Lagg · Sep 16, 2005, 12:12 AM // 00:12

Actually, I turned my cussing filter off. So if he had his filter on, he wouldn't even see that I had cussed at him.

Quote:

But seriously, if someone has any sort of power or ability to mess with your account, that's worth raising a flag to ANet. Sounds like a fluke by what you said, but don't feel guilty about bugging ANet.

Anyways, you're all probably right and I'm getting upset about nothing. It was just the very eerie coincidence of me getting disconnected right after that conversation, thinking he somehow did that.

If he's reading this, he's probably having a good laugh.

FootballKA · Sep 16, 2005, 12:13 AM // 00:13

well, i think the guy who was asking for his axe back is an idiot because he actually thought that he was going to get his axe back and 4k after you trade him ur bow and 11k. Not only would this trade back be a loss for you but it would defy all logic...im sry but that guy is just a retard.

Wolvenbear · Sep 16, 2005, 12:26 AM // 00:26

You probably have nothing to worry about. When you completed the trade, the axe was yours and the bow & 11k was his. If he sold/dropped/destroyed the bow accidentally, than that is his fault not yours. He had no right to request his axe back, let alone threaten you if you didn't return it. That tells me he is either (1) a scammer or (2) an idiot. If (1) he probably just sold the bow for a nice sum of money. +15% always on a bow is pretty nice. If (2) he was just blowing off steam because you are obviously not as idiotic as him, which made him feel bad about his mistake.

From what I've seen A.Net does a good job helping its customers. Complaints of this nature generally receive a slap-on-the-wrist punishment or, more likely, nothing at all.

Mavrik · Sep 16, 2005, 12:43 AM // 00:43

If a couple swear words got you banned then there would be a lot more people banned thats for sure!

and the guy is a idiot... there is no way I'd have even shown him the axe customized or not. Would have simply said "Sorry, I'm using it." and ignored him... or offered to give it back to him at 22k

Sep 15, 2005, 10:29 PM // 22:29	#4
Starsky-sama Forge Runner Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Land of the Z Chest \o/ Guild: [NOT]-Nomads of Turmoil. Profession: W/	well if he was "telling" the truth. He could have gone about it, in a much better way. What was he expecting, full compliance just cuz he said he made a mistake, and then acting all high and mighty about it... By using his common sense and thinking it through b4 confronting you, It was really your choice to give him 4k extra for the axe, since everything was said and done with the transaction before. some ppl just like to act this way in games I guess. /meh. added: edit out the names, cant name names in the forum. Last edited by Starsky-sama; Sep 15, 2005 at 10:32 PM // 22:32..*

Sep 15, 2005, 10:22 PM // 22:22	#2
fenix Major-General Awesome Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Event Organiser and IRC Tiger Guild: Ex Talionis [Law], Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] ????????????????&# Profession: W/	lol you can't ask for the item back. he would have still had it in inventory, thats my bet. you cant suddenly change your mind about a trade. thats stupid

Sep 15, 2005, 10:30 PM // 22:30	#5
Sir Skullcrasher Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Guild: 15 over 50 [Rare] Profession: W/Mo	Put it simply.. once someone completed the trade.. the items is your! The original trader should not have the right to get the items back ( what the point to trade if you want to keep the items). Report him for being a idiot in trying to scam you and i'll remember to put another person on my ignore list

Sep 15, 2005, 10:36 PM // 22:36	#7
wsmcasey Jungle Guide Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Right behind you. Guild: HeRo Profession: W/Rt	Even if the guy report you to A-net, there not gonna do anything! The guy has no proof, and even if he did he will look like an even bigger idiot than he already does. The trade was made............nuf said.

Sep 15, 2005, 10:37 PM // 22:37	#8
jenna mysti Jungle Guide Join Date: Jun 2005	lol....that is so funny....there is no way a-net would ban you for that....he was just trying to ....i dont kno ...maybe make you feel bad...i woudl have told himt he same thing...maybe a little worse....i would have showed him the axe uncostomized and said...hm tough man

Sep 15, 2005, 10:39 PM // 22:39	#9
wsmcasey Jungle Guide Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Right behind you. Guild: HeRo Profession: W/Rt	I hope you really were planning to use the axe, because you would only be hurting yourself by customizing it........lol

Sep 15, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42	#11
fenix Major-General Awesome Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Event Organiser and IRC Tiger Guild: Ex Talionis [Law], Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] ????????????????&# Profession: W/	On an off note, what sort of axe was it? The mods that is.

Sep 15, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42	#12
Ilya Khan Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Guild: -FdM- Profession: Me/Mo	If only I had this guy's address... I would go there while hes sleeping, take one of his pillows, and begin a pillow fight with him!

Sep 15, 2005, 10:43 PM // 22:43	#13
Sir Skullcrasher Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Guild: 15 over 50 [Rare] Profession: W/Mo	I want a gold chaos axe!!

Sep 15, 2005, 11:17 PM // 23:17	#15
LifeInfusion Grotto Attendant Join Date: May 2005 Location: in the midline Profession: E/Mo	I would take the bow over the axe any day. You can get enchanted axes from collector's but not 15% always bows. And once a trade is done, it is over. They can't ask for their stuff back.

Sep 16, 2005, 12:13 AM // 00:13	#18
FootballKA Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: The Fellowship Of Zion Profession: N/E	well, i think the guy who was asking for his axe back is an idiot because he actually thought that he was going to get his axe back and 4k after you trade him ur bow and 11k. Not only would this trade back be a loss for you but it would defy all logic...im sry but that guy is just a retard.

Sep 16, 2005, 12:26 AM // 00:26	#19
Wolvenbear Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: GMT -5 Guild: GBP	You probably have nothing to worry about. When you completed the trade, the axe was yours and the bow & 11k was his. If he sold/dropped/destroyed the bow accidentally, than that is his fault not yours. He had no right to request his axe back, let alone threaten you if you didn't return it. That tells me he is either (1) a scammer or (2) an idiot. If (1) he probably just sold the bow for a nice sum of money. +15% always on a bow is pretty nice. If (2) he was just blowing off steam because you are obviously not as idiotic as him, which made him feel bad about his mistake. From what I've seen A.Net does a good job helping its customers. Complaints of this nature generally receive a slap-on-the-wrist punishment or, more likely, nothing at all.

Sep 16, 2005, 12:43 AM // 00:43	#20
Mavrik Forge Runner Join Date: May 2005 Location: Alaska	If a couple swear words got you banned then there would be a lot more people banned thats for sure! and the guy is a idiot... there is no way I'd have even shown him the axe customized or not. Would have simply said "Sorry, I'm using it." and ignored him... or offered to give it back to him at 22k