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Hey now, This is just a quick little story about my Good/Bad Trader page. I had decided that I would make two pages for this website: one to list the good traders that I have had the pleasure of dealing with. The other for the bad traders. Funny thing though, I have yet to be ripped off in a trade. I was just adding it because I had seen the same on other traders websites!
I had it all planned out. My pages would be distinct! Unlike any I had seen. I decided to use religious overtones, (even though I am not overly religious) as this seemed to fit in well w/ my plans.
My good traders page would have a heavenly background with pix of Pigpen, Keith, Brent & Jerry. I had planned to add some sweet GD midi for atmosphere. The title of this GT page was going to be Good Traders Heaven!
My bad traders page would have a background depicting the torments of a fiery hell complete w/ pix of demons, devils, flaming animated GIFs, etc. I had planned to add a midi file of some horrible static noise. The title of this BT page was going to be Bad Traders Hell!
Now wouldn't you know that I had the pages all written out & was collecting the graphics for the pages. About this time I was patting myself on the back, congratulating myself on the uniqueness of my GT/BT pages. I thought that they would be cute (which I still think they would have been).
Now about the same time the ugly ego monster was rearing its head in my mind, I was sending out emails to traders that I have traded w/ asking their permission to list them on my Good Traders page. Lo & behold the replies came in giving their permission. When all of a sudden one came in that would burst my smug little bubble!
At this point i will include his reply:
Hi Allan, Sure, I welcome my email address on your page and I will put a link to you on mine when I get set up. I have mixed feelings about your putting a list of bad traders on your site; I know they are out there (I have encountered only one, but that was because his tape deck's speed was way off (too slow, tape he sent me was unlistenable) and he would not believe it (I checked his tape on 4 different decks). You might engender some bad will among those who made a simple mistake or among some potential traders. How about something like this - a link to a Bad Traders Page where you say "email me with a name or email address of someone you think might be a bad trader and I will let you know what my experience (if any) with him/her was." That might present a more positive "vibe"! Best regards, Rich
As I read the email, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Rich was absolutely right!!! My ego totally deflated, I gave his kind email some thought & came to a quick decision.I replied:
Hey Rich, Thanks!!! A most excellent idea. You know I spent part of the day
today working on my good trader page & set it up for a second page w/ bad
traders. Funny thing is I have never been ripped off yet in a trade. I had
just seen them on others page & was just building it in. You are absolutely
right I should keep it positive & not fall into the cynical side
(especially since the experience isn't even mine) & keep to my belief that
people are basically kind & to be kind!
"Once in awhile you get shown the light / in the strangest of places, if you
look at it right."
I am gonna take your advice & keep it positive! Thanks for taking the time
to care, the mark of a true head!!!
much peace, Allan
I ended up not even doing a link to a Bad Traders page, because I don't have one!!!
What Is there left to say except thanks again Rich, for being kind & pointing out the kind path to follow !!! So if there is a moral to extract from this story, It should be apparent!!! The only thing that I would add is that if you are a bad trader & owe me, please send my music!