Comments on: Risky Business

By: Lackey

Lackey — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:18:34 +0000

A whole separate article could be on Magic Online risk mitigation, and the very scary prospect of using PayPal to monetize MTGO objects — Twice I've been burned when I've sold complete sets or Event Tickets to MTGO users.

One transaction occurred when dealing directly with a player on MTGO who reversed the charges three days after the transaction was complete, and the money already in my PayPal account was yanked out of my account.

The other was through eBay, but the buyer used what turned out to be a stolen credit card, and the CC company nullified the transaction a month after it had processed. The buyer bought about a dozen similar MTGO items the same week from a variety of sellers before the card was reported stolen, and ebay deactivated that buyer's account. However, since I had already withdrawn the money from the transaction into my brick and mortar bank, Paypal instead now claims I owe them for the transaction, and has since locked my account.

Be aware that PayPal considers the exchange of virtual objects to be a "service" and therefore it not an insurable transaction for goods. So they will not assist in any funds reclamation related to MTGO transactions gone amuck.

If there are more secure methods of conducting real-world currency exchanges involving MTGO cards (an escrow service, an automated arbiter, etc.) I'd love to know more.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:40:57 +0000

Some time ago, I had my backpack stolen from me at an event. It was the first big tournament that I had played at (drove out of town to go to) other than new set releases. My backpack was under my chair while I was playing and when I got up, it was gone. No one saw anything. I lost over $1500 of cash/cards/electronics etc. I've come to grips with it over time, but I think what annoyed(I was much more than just "annoyed" at the time) was that the tournament host was unsympathic to say the least. My wallet, car keys…everything except my cell phone and the deck I was using was stolen and the host of the tournament seemed to care less. I won't mention their name cause I'm over it and I'm not interested in smearing a very popular company who I'm sure is otherwise good for the magic community. It was my responsibility and no one else's. Overall bad day though. I stopped playing for almost a year. Had to sell my deck to the vendor to get cash so I could buy gas to get home. Wife had to call locksmith to make a car key. And when I asked the host to make an announcement or for anything they could do to help, they reacted as though I was annoying them…like I'm supposed to just say, "oh well, it was only $1500…it's not that big of a deal, don't bother concerning yourselves with the wellbeing of players at your events." Anyways, I said all that to say there's a dark side to all the money that can be made of collectible products and naive participants. Since then, I've heard much worse stories, people asked to follow others back to vehicles/hotel rooms only to be mugged…just be weary and careful of what you get yourself into and take the time to think about what you're doing.

By: ernest

ernest — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:37:22 +0000

Please see the following regarding this guy.

I forgot his first name…Thomas? Tom? I don't know. Last name Gils.

He is a big burly dude, 26-32, brings a friend with him that is skinny/doesn't talk.

He's actually very nice, very friendly, and I guess plays the innocent role very well.

To me, his cards were very good fakes. But I've been out of the game for a long time. However, at the same time, what I could tell was that the printing was shady.

Finally, he's very intelligent/tricky. He bolts his Jace's in plastic, so you can't take them out/view them. And he pretends he doesn't know what's going on, so when you see a Mox Pearl in the pile, you get a little excited about what's going on. But that's gotta be fake too given what we're all talking about here.

Lastly, I should have suspected when I found an identical offering to what you put up, even located in the same geography (Chicago).

Thanks

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=6…

Sounds good,

Can I get your number?

Thanks

– Hide quoted text –

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 9:19 PM, Mr. Gill wrote:

Oh, I am not leaving the game. I was never in the game. These were my brothers and he moved out some time ago…a falling out with my parents. They just want the magic stuff out of their house.

From: efang01@gmail.com

Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 15:38:45 -0500

Subject: Re: collection

To: oneugotano@hotmail.com

No problem. Just wondering why you're leaving the game.

It's not a problem, we'll talk about everything tomorrow.

Btw, what's your phone number?

Thanks

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 10:28 AM, Mr. Gill wrote:

Well, I don't know what information I can give you. I am very unknowledgeable about these cards. You can ask though.

From: efang01@gmail.com

Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 22:56:23 -0500

Subject: Re: collection

To: oneugotano@hotmail.com

Ok, not a problem. I'm in the office M-F, 8-6PM.

Can you do me a favor? Aside from those cards you have listed on your listing, could you provide some further information? It would be beneficial to me if I can see what product I want to keep, and what product I want to trade this weekend (hosting some friends).

Thanks!

On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 10:09 PM, Mr. Gill wrote:

Hey, my schedule got rearranged for tomorrow. I would like to meet on Thursday.. same time and place.

Sorry if there is any inconvenience.

From: efang01@gmail.com

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 18:23:56 -0500

Subject: Re: collection

To: oneugotano@hotmail.com

How about the one here? This is kinda close to work for me. I'm not sure if you can find parking though (parking in the city is difficult anyways).

So, confirm for 3PM, Weds (11/03/2010) at this location? If so, I'll go to the bank tonight. Won't have time during the day since I work as well.

250 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(312) 496-0021

Subway: Quincy/Wells

Get directions – Is this accurate?

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your collection.

On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 4:46 PM, Mr. Gill wrote:

Panera is great. You can decide which one just supply me with the address. How does 3:00 sound?

From: efang01@gmail.com

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 15:44:20 -0500

Subject: Re: collection

To: oneugotano@hotmail.com

Sounds good. I work in the loop and live in the south loop. There are multiple panera's etc, located in the vicinity. Let me know where is convenient and I can choose a place to both or our liking.

Thanks

On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 3:32 PM, Mr. Gill wrote:

Yes, the collection is still available and I will be in Chicago on business on Wednesday. I would be happy to meet you at a neutral location if you would like to purchase the collection.

Just let me know.

Thanks.

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 19:09:20 +0000

Subject: Re: RE: collection

From: efang01@gmail.com

To: oneugotano@hotmail.com

Excellent.

First,

What is still available?

Second,

Where in Chicago will you be located?

Thanks!

On Nov 1, 2010 12:29pm, "Mr. Gill" wrote:

> Yes it sure is. I will be in Chicago on Wednesday if you would like to purchase it.

> Thanks.

> Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 15:28:11 +0000

> Subject: collection

> From: efang01@gmail.com

> To: sale-mpxsb-2030951258@craigslist.org

> ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY

> ** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home

> ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping

> ** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
>

> Hey, very interested in your collection. Is it still available?

> Thanks!

By: Matthias

Matthias — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:48:14 +0000

Nice article. It's important to address the risks that every trader has to take into account while trading.

If buying online I would make sure to get a telephone number or an address that you can verify, so that you can file a complaint in case you get cheated.

When selling cards, you should be careful with Paypal. Paypal protects the buyer a lot, but there's no so much protection for the seller, so if someone just cashbacks the Paypal transfer with his credit card, you might flat out loose the money, as Paypal will not give out any personal information about the buyer.

Finally you should do some better proof-reading. On several occasions, words are missing or are in the wrong order.

By: NoahWhinston

NoahWhinston — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:30:20 +0000

Sorry, the email didnt copy into the article. I'm working to fix that