Fatboyslim, I am sorry you misunderstood my response. It was not meant to disrespect, downplay, insult or ridicule anyone. It was meant to explain piece by piece that what you are asking for in your post is literally impossible. Ideologically, you and I disagree on the solution to this problem. That is all. At the same time, I actually said a couple of your ideas were interesting.
I think it is despicable that there are people who intentionally take advantage of other people but unfortunately this is the world we live in. It always has been and always will be. It is disgusting to me that straight-up fraud is happening to so many people in this hobby. Other times, I believe vendors have every intention of fulfilling their end of the agreement but they get in over their head and are unable to do so for various reasons. I don't believe that either case is acceptable. I don't condone this or look the other way and I don't find it humorous. At the same time, there are things we can all do to prevent becoming a victim. As Chris said, many people have pointed these things out many times.
Some people look to blame someone else or SOMETHING else (like a web forum) for their poor decisions. These people seem to be looking for someone to save them and others from the pain of their own mistakes. Power-hungry politicians and governments prey on this type of thinking. They are waiting to take your freedom in exchange for "guaranteeing" your safety. On the other hand, I believe in freedom and personal responsibility. My post was meant to outline that we must each accept personal responsibility for the business transactions we get into. I do not believe in placing the blame on a website instead of accepting the consequences of poor decisions made. We must all accept the consequences (good or bad) of our own decisions.
I guess I got carried away with the tongue-in-cheek comment about the congressman. It was just that, tongue-in-cheek. That is what the little winky emoticon
means. It is not meant to be interpreted literally or seriously. It was a ridiculous comment to counter the ridiculous terrorism reference. It was a nod that if you want complete safety, you have to completely give up your freedom. There are those waiting to give you exactly this. As Benjamin Franklin said
"They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."I personally would rather have the freedom that allows an open exchange of goods and services on this forum. I believe I can be trusted to decide what products are right for me, whom I want to do business with and how I pay them. While I appreciate valuable feedback about vendors who have not fulfilled their obligations, I don't believe Lamboclone needs to protect me from my own poor decisions nor do I want that intrusion. I would prefer an open and free exchange.
Peace brother. I don't think you are an idiot. It's not like that at all. We just disagree.