THIS is why I get angry and want to take a break from all of this sometimes.

[Brian]

A long term seller here....always making private offers to just about every newcommer who posts a sword here. Does MANY private deals over the years..always has plenty of items on sale.
Posts SEVENTY tsuba for sale today. Not just one bulk pic....38 replies with pics of ALL of them over 2 pages.
This combined with the 30+ other items already on offer.
So when I hide the tsuba post and politely mention that maybe a Gold Membership would be appropriate for someone listing over 100 items here and who has never really supported the forum....
I get told that since none of the items sold, and that hosting fees over there in Europe are so cheap...it is implied that I am being greedy asking for at least some support?
OVER 1000 Pm's going out regularly from this account. A second account already registered under a different name, already sending out hundreds of pm's. A fake name. A competing Nihonto forum in the works....

NO. I refuse to allow people to take advantage of this place and the people that participate here. From now on, people who take advantage and refuse to contribute....gone. And I WILL start to charge for abusing this place if it continues to be a drag on my finances. There is no reason I shouldn't gain some small benefit from the hours I spend here!
Anyone who thinks I'm greedy for suggesting monetary support for what amounts to easy info and access to thousands of collectors and customers....you are welcome to try doing this yourself.
Thank you to that German member who decided that listing over 100 items is not worth $60 a year. You're either very selfish, or a shit dealer.
Either way, finish off your deals.
Sorry for the outburst folks. But if I'm going to have to deal with stress like this, there has to be an upside.

/rant

[Bazza]

Brian said:

> people who take advantage and refuse to contribute....gone

 

AND SO SAY ALL OF US.  Begone all who aren't in this for the spirit of camaraderie and knowledge in Nihonto.  BEGONE.  Be merciless Brian, merciless.  We who are left and who have been here for many, many years will thank you for your devotion and Spirit.

 

BaZZa.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Get 'em outta here!

 

 

[robinalexander]

12 minutes ago, Brian said:

Either way, finish off your deals

Brian, based on what you have said  I personally wouldn't give a s%^t about allowing him to  finish anything off.

 

Just cut the bastard off.

[Brian]

Also...I would appreciate a private message from people who have come here for info on their swords who are maybe newcommers here, and have immediately received lowball offers on the items from dealers.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with making private offers, but I would like to know how widespread this is, and if there is a pattern.

[Brian]

1 minute ago, robinalexander said:

Brian, based on what you have said  I personally wouldn't give a s%^t about allowing him to  finish anything off.

 

Just cut the bastard off.

Rob,
I am afraid that there may be unwitting members involved in the middle of deals, that may suffer the consequences if pm access is suddenly halted.
For their sake, I'll allow a winding down.
 

[robinalexander]

Nice sentiment...ok, so give him 24 his to notify any purchasers of his 'new' contact address.

 

That's fair.

[Michaelr]

Brian I AGREE WITH YOU AND THE OTHERS AVOVE 100%. Do what ever you have to do to keep this Forum what YOU AND THE OTHER GREAT MEMBERS have made it.  Thank you for looking out for the rest of us. 
   MikeR

[ROKUJURO]

I can absolutey understand your anger!

While many people are struggling to make their living, it is only fair to think of the means we are using, and the work that is necessary (and done by others!) to keep everything running smoothly.

It is certainly not too difficult to understand that.

[Sansei]

".....maybe a Gold Membership would be appropriate for someone listing over 100 items here and who has never really supported the forum...."

 

Brian, I agree with your comments.....and "ranting" can be cathartic for both the ranter and the audience. Would it be possible to have a policy where the membership level is tied to the number of listing? That is, LISTINGS and not SALES. For example, if the total number of listings reaches certain levels, the membership level would need to be upgraded? I have received private messages regarding offers for blades that I own. I would definitely not call them "low ball" offers. There will always be some individuals who try to "game" the system for their own benefit. Thanks for doing a great job managing this forum.

[Matsunoki]

100% support you Brian. I detest freeloaders who take unfair advantage of anything or anyone. This forum is amazing and has been of great help to me on many different levels. Don’t let a few rsoles spoil it for you (or the rest of us). And I am certain none of us begrudge you some sort of income for what you do. I am still in favour of charging a small membership fee……but I know you are against that so I’ll shut up again🙂

Regards, Colin

 

[Mark S.]

3 hours ago, Brian said:

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with making private offers, but I would like to know how widespread this is, and if there is a pattern.

 

I’m not a dealer, and I have only made a private offer ONCE by PM… but only after the member clearly stated in a post (albeit NOT in the For Sale Section) that they were considering passing the blade on to someone who could care for it and appreciate it.  
 

But what you describe Brian doesn’t only happen here.  I witnessed the same type of thing happen at a show (won’t say which one do as not to shed a bad light on that show).  A couple brought in a family blade for ‘advice’ and one of the dealers (who over the years I have learned to stay far away from) followed them out into the hallway to work a side deal that made the whole situation uncomfortable.  He really wouldn’t quit, but luckily the couple stuck with “No”.  I rarely if ever speak up, but after the situation ended, I politely said to the couple that there were many good dealers in the room they should trust… but in my opinion, he wasn’t one of them.  They smiled and agreed.  And no, I didn’t make them an offer on the side. 
 

DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BRIAN AND DON’T FEEL BAD!

[Mark]

 not to hijack -- but if you notice that in Chicago let me know. i have signs in the registration area saying all deals must be done in the showroom and my staff lets me know if anything questionable is happening and i take care of it.

[vajo]

4 hours ago, Brian said:

Thank you to that German member who decided ...
/rant

 

Brian its all ok but i thought we are alle members here. Why you point out that he is German? I need no answer or anything. I only wonder.

[Brian]

Because I wanted people who may be involved in ongoing deals to be able to get contact details and finalize any transactions without "naming and shaming" directly. The person isn't a bad guy. It's not like he's a scammer or anything. I'm not criticizing his sales. So there is no-one to avoid or shame or watch out for.
It's a simple case of "Is it reasonable to expect to be able to list 100 items+ for sale, whether they sell or not...upload hundreds of pics and then when asked rather politely if they would please at least take a Gold membership, imply that I am asking for unnecessary funds, and rather remove your sales than contribute anything?
You and most of the German members didn't have large batches of items for sale, so by elimination I am sure members will know who to make sure they have contact details for. I don't removed anyone either. Just some requested listings.
Yes, I will by necessity have to start limiting the number of For Sale posts for non contributors. Don't worry...I'll allow enough that it will be more than reasonable. Guys will still be able to list free as before. But I am not going to allow freeloaders to post 20+ items at a time without giving anything back.
 

[Stephen]

Morning in the garden and i come in to this?

Totally unacceptable probably should have been removed a long time ago but Brian's too nice a guy. 

Drop the hammer mate no more free rides for mega items seller!

 

[zanilu]

I am with you Brian 100%!

[dimitri]

I'm new, I learn from your subjects and I try to understand the rules without breaking them, I've never been contacted privately for a sale anyway. But I agree with you, managing a forum is a crazy job, not to mention the hosting costs and the storage capacity which must grow every year. Afterwards there may be a kind of compulsory donations per year, there are already ca on forums. Anyway, I hope all goes well for you Brian.

[kissakai]

100% behind your action/post. There is need to change anything but this must be so obvious and is unacceptable

Try to keep the NMB as it is and thanks for all your hard work

I like it when someone gets a good deal and a good deal is when the seller and buyer are pleased with a sale

I just saw a sale that I thought that was a nice buy and I felt like congratulating the buyer

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by kissakai
Text added

[drbvac]

You actually accomodate these types for about 10 seconds longer that I would and not only here - I would make sure he is out of business on any and all venues he is on !  True collectors do not need to deal with these types of people or dealers. 

[Brian]

Just want to clarify that there are no rules againt pm deals and making offers. We try not to invade too much into people's private lives. I get that people are going to make offers and do side deals and I expect there are 10 times more deals done behind the scenes here than in the commercial sections. Probably more.
My point was that someone who does a great deal of business via pm's should be the last one protest about being asked to contribute. If you gain something significant from being here, why wouldn't you? And don't counter with "no sales" because if you have listed hundreds of items here, and you have still had no sales....then you are probably just expensive and not attractive to buyers. That's not my fault.

[Brian]

Well, I was prepared to leave the member to finalize any deals and participate without taking advantage of the For Sale section, but since he decided to edit his account to remove name, location, etc and change his username to an offensive one, I guess I don't have much choice and have removed "Nihontocollector" as a member.
If anyone was busy with deals, I will assist with putting you in touch.
I'm not sure what his real name is...I am pretty sure like a few here, the one used is a pseudonym.
I'm going to be cracking down on multiple registrations/accounts, and have some new software to dig those out, so please note that some accounts may be merged.
And I'll be formulating a policy on what is fair use and what is abuse of the Sales section.
Thanks for your indulgence and sorry for the controversy all.

[Sansei]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

Well, I was prepared to leave the member to finalize any deals and participate without taking advantage of the For Sale section, but since he decided to edit his account to remove name, location, etc and change his username to an offensive one, I guess I don't have much choice and have removed "Nihontocollector" as a member.
If anyone was busy with deals, I will assist with putting you in touch.
I'm not sure what his real name is...I am pretty sure like a few here, the one used is a pseudonym.
I'm going to be cracking down on multiple registrations/accounts, and have some new software to dig those out, so please note that some accounts may be merged.
And I'll be formulating a policy on what is fair use and what is abuse of the Sales section.
Thanks for your indulgence and sorry for the controversy all.

 

This was a good discussion for the forum, Brian. It clears the air, addresses the negativity, and will allow everyone to move forward with confidence.

[Vermithrax16]

On 5/9/2023 at 6:11 AM, Brian said:

Also...I would appreciate a private message from people who have come here for info on their swords who are maybe newcommers here, and have immediately received lowball offers on the items from dealers.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with making private offers, but I would like to know how widespread this is, and if there is a pattern.

I would be very interested as well.

 

[Baba Yaga]

"Also...I would appreciate a private message from people who have come here for info on their swords who are maybe newcommers here, and have immediately received lowball offers on the items from dealers."

 

Dealers??? Anyone who has sold 1 sword is considered a "Dealer". This hobby, as most obscure hobbies is filled with a snake pit of vipers who call themselves collectors and not dealers. Newcomers have always been looked at as prey for the blood dripping Vampire's.  

[Alex A]

You might get a few "blood dripping vampires" Baba,  but plenty of newbs do well from advice given and also get to buy swords at a lot less than was originally paid by the seller.

 

All evens itself out.

 

[Mister Gunto]

Cheers, Brian. Maybe set a monthly limit on items offered for sale by regular members (like 3-5 pieces, blades, tsubas, whatever). Above that it wouldn't be unfair to ask that the seller list as a Dealer or be a Gold Member.

[mareo1912]

Cheers brian, everything done right!

It's not a loss at all, especially not considering the ##**#* quality items that were always offered. 

We should preserve a certain level, both in terms of pieces offered and reputable+fair members.

[vajo]

13 minutes ago, mareo1912 said:

Cheers brian, everything done right!

It's not a loss at all, especially not considering the ##**#* quality items that were always offered. 

We should preserve a certain level, both in terms of pieces offered and reputable+fair members.

 

Marco that sounds you looking for a quality police who decides which items are worth to get offered 

Guys please. I know that member since a long time in that forum. He was allways polite and i could not say anything bad about him. From where came all that hate? We should not go into the direction of TikTok and Twitter. 

Thats my personel thoughts. Sorry.

[Brian]

Chris, I agree. However if you list hundreds of items, and then post 70 tsuba with 2 pages of pics..and someone politely suggests that maybe it would be appropriate to at least support the place with a Gold Membership, the last thing I expect is to be told that my hosting must be costing me too much, and that I can rather delete their posts. Really? I pay more than that on other collector forums just to be able to VIEW the for sale section, never mind participate in it.
Anyways, what's done is done. Unfortunately it jaded me slightly and made me realize that I have every right to be able to get some reward back from the time lost and stress received here.