posted 07-31-2007 04:46 AM            

Moderators note:
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Charming & karen0713 are one in the same.
This post relates to the post/thread Introduction and question
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Hi Steve,

I see that you caught me. I really do have a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and I did used to be an accountant, however since the accident I'm unable to return to my job and now I'm trying to make some money and entertain myself by reselling. Actually reselling is the only way I can buy and enjoy any nice pieces for the time that I have them. Just because I sell doesn't mean that I'm not interested in learning about silver or in my case, silver plate and pewter because I never find any silver I can afford, but it's very hard to find any good information or anyone willing to educate me in the subject. Such is not the case with glass. Glassies are very willing to help others and I have learned a lot by asking questions. Silver people on the other hand are generally snooty as is the case with your organization. I did a lot of independent research on this piece before resorting to SMPub, and I did get the same answer from the eBay forum, the reason I used your board was because of the bee question, which I read on your forums somewhere. Now I will never know. And I don't really trust the silver forum on eBay, I always double check if I find conflicting information. But I'm sorry I lied when I said I wasn't doing pre-sale research. If I get stumped again, I'll be back, under a different screen name and with a different email and photo upload site of course. Thanks for the hint, I know how you caught me and I will be more clever next time despite the TBI. If it weren't for that I would have been more clever this time. Why are silver people so stuck up? It's like a private club and it sure doesn't help to foster a passion for silver collecting. Glassies are so much nicer and willing to help others. I guess it's the same reason rich people leave crappy tips and poor people leave good ones, you don't know what it's like to struggle.

Karen

posted 07-31-2007 06:00 AM            

You have totally misunderstood the purpose and point of this forum.

Here in the forum the interested enthusiast will find freely given knowledge and advice generally unavailable elsewhere - given by people who genuinely love the silver and find their particular corner of interest fulfilling and challenging.

The information, enthusiasm, advice or just free comment given is all done in a spirit of sharing amongst a community of like-minded souls.
There is no snobbery, just shared enthusiasm.

Time given freely to others has a price, and that price is that all the contributors (and some are the world experts in their field) can offer their knowledge in the hope that it is a form of 'torch passing'.

The SSF forum is not simply there for greedy ignorant lazy people to use as an easy way to make money.

posted 07-31-2007 09:05 AM            

I used to collect EAPG but there are so many reproductions now one cannot keep track of them. As for free knowledge most dealers will tell you whatever you want to hear and whatever will sell their glass. This also happens with less savory silver dealers. The collectors of glass are very nice people and have no problem with sharing. But even they would rather not share with dealers.

posted 07-31-2007 07:28 PM            

You may be able to sneak back in "under a different screen name and with a different email and photo upload site of course" to disguise your real motives of using the SSF for business research. I hope you wouldn't bother. I also hope your threat to continue your abuse of the SSF is not genuine and that when you say "But I'm sorry I lied when I said I wasn't doing pre-sale research." you were sincere and that you will not continue the deceit.

The Guidelines and the New Members' Post Here Forum evolved because of the type of insensitivity, deceit & abuse which people like you have propagated at SSF. What you and others like you have done has had a very deleterious effect on all of us, New, Established, and future members alike. After such insensitivity, deceit & abuse, it is an unfortunate fact that there are established and very knowledgeable SSF members who don't look at the New Members' Forum at all now, having had their fill of such chicanery over the years. Many others continue to look, but wait to reply until the new member has done several posts over some period of time. Why? Because they don't want their good will and generosity to be perverted by deceptions which may not be apparent in a new member's first few posts. We are a civil, caring, and passionate group of Silver enthusiasts, expecting nothing more than to be treated in a like manner by all who would join us. We always listen to reasonable explanations, often give second chances, and try never to judge rashly or in haste.

In this case, however, all the online/offline/private dialog is 100% in agreement: we are terminating your posting privileges.

If you feel the need to express yourself additionally about this please send e-mail to info@SMPub.com.