i need advice on how to handle a situtation. i was a member at another luthier forum for a while, had my own thread and although i didnt get much notice because i build exotics and restore lutes, about a year and a half ago, i had serious family problems because i was in the military, and i got deployed to iraq three times since 2002. well my wife couldnt take it anymore, so i got out. i had stoped building when trouble came knocking, and i left on the thread i was building a 7 string, which i will allways build, that i was having problems and might take some time off.

  well when home life settled, about a year later, i again, started to build again. when i went back to the forum, my handle, my threads and everything, had been deleted. gone. i took another name, and started to post again, well i got smart messages of individuals who recogonized my email address, and threatened me not to start any more trouble or they would ban me.

well since that, on their weekly auction, i bought a total of a thousand dollars worth of hardwood, that i still have not received or even given a total for, but yet i see others building with it. i managed to get all the spruce i bought, about two thousand dollars worth.  but i cant even get spruce anymore as they will not send me a invoice anymore. i take it, they just dont want me around!

i even had one individual come here, and message me, literally judging me for leaving when things were tough...who are they to judge me??

so i take it, they dont want me around, which is why i came here, because one of your members, my friend, here in this city, asked me to come here, and said, we arent like that. but still i get garbage from "them" in this place.

advice??

Mark

[QUOTE=LanceK]Hi Mark,
There is little we can do about what transpires via the Private message system.

As to any other forum on the Internet, I have no advise as to whether you should go or stay, I will say this though, you are always welcome here!

My only advise, participate where you feel welcome and comfortable. [/QUOTE]

well thanks for the welcome. thats the first one i got here. i know they arent my friends, so is really not a question of should i go there or not. i learned this trade at a really young age, as it was a escape from a brutal upbringing and was my only escape. i wont fly anyone else's flag, which is probablly the reason for it all, but my teacher, was the greatest, in and out of the shop and no one, ever, will compare.

if these individuals cant be blocked, then it leaves me little to no recourse other than to thrash em.

All my best

Mark B

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue]Welcome, Mark!

Thanks for your service to our country!

I believe you've found the right forum. As far as being able to purchase great tonewood we have quite a few great sources at the OLF. Just look at any of the advertisers and take your pick.

As far as being harassed via PMs, my only advice would be to ignore the static and participate in our forum to whatever extent you feel comfortable. Best wishes![/QUOTE]

hey, it was my pleasure, to take out some terrorists!!!!

i have seen some really spectacular hardwood here, and that tiger myrtle, ohh my gosh.........I WANT IT!!!

just makes me feel like........they are trying to ruin this site for me too.... i bothered no one, but sometimes..........trouble comes lookin for YOU!!!

thanks

Mark

[QUOTE=LanceK]Mark,
feel free to email or PM me the names of the offenders.
Dont post them here, just send them. That way I have a record of when this started.

Thanks
L[/QUOTE]

ok, thanks lance.

Mark

i really dont know, and since there is a "avoid-no talk" attitude towards me, i really cant say since they deleted my handle and threads to say what happened. it really dont matter, im done with the whole situtation. i got the truth in my pm's, and i just want to be left alone, action speaks louder than words.

thanks for the "thanks" though, sometimes it makes a big difference in my day to hear someone say that after i sacrificed so much, and almost my marriage.

all my best

mark b

thanks for the "thanks" though, sometimes it makes a big difference in my day to hear someone say that after i sacrificed so much, and almost my marriage.

all my best

mark b

  You guys are too nice!!

i have done alot of business with some of the individuals you listed, wonder'd where they were hangin out??

thanks for the good advice guys and i think i will do just that.

MEB

[QUOTE=Billy T][quote=Mark B]i bothered no one, but sometimes..........trouble comes lookin for YOU!!![/quote]

     Believe me Mark, you could be the nicest guy in the world, an that would bother plenty of people!

Sometimes trouble comes "looking" for you

     Trouble has your address, phone number, email account, social security number, fingerprints, shoe size, and personal access to your underwear drawer, he doesn't have to look for you!

     Billy Dean

Oh! Welcome to the forum Mark!
[/QUOTE]

isnt that the truth!!

when i was in the military, the id card had a chip on it with all your life history on it and they can see it from satalite.........LOL

[QUOTE=zac_in_ak]1st Thank you for your service and sacrifice you probably dont hear it
enough but there is a grateful nation out here!
I have never been in the service but was in rotc so I have been around those
with your sense of national dedication and I am proud to call you a fellow
american

2nd Welcome to the OLF you will find that we are a pretty good bunch!

3rd we have some great sponsers here that have some of the finest zoot

Enjoy and remember stick and stones... ignore those who don't have
anything good to say..[/QUOTE]

well thanks for the kind words, but i think the best thing for me is to stay away from places like this. there are too many imposters from there, here, and all they do is try to start trouble no matter where they are!! this is only a hobby to me, and i could care less what anyone thinks of me. i'll stick with GAL and Myspace. There individuals care what my opinion is, and its not two or three individuals tryin to set themselves up as the know it all, end all and bee all.

dont get me wrong, i like this place alot, but as long as certain individuals are here..........

I am not

peace out ya'll

MEB