To enlighten members here the "bigoted posts" Sunfox refers to I will very briefly summarize here:
There was a post started on another forum about TAG. I didn't start it and didn't really WANT it started either because, for various reasons, most NOT known to any of the members on that forum INCLUDING Sunfox I had no intention of selling TAG to the USA.
Most posters were unimpressed to the point of ridicule about TAG - I knew well in advance this would likely be the case as the show was never really popular in the USA.
That was fine - I knew it would be so. At exactly the same moment I was replying to a post in that thread I received my 5th PayPal chargeback from a Canadian (the previous 4 were from Americans) all in a FIVE WEEK PERIOD!!!
Honestly, Mike - if you re-read that thread right up to your infamous post, there really wasn't anything shocking. There were also many supportive posts, supportive people that you turned off. What you said came out of total left field to everyone, and it's after that that things went downhill.
I was furious as the USA represents about 5% of Homepin business BUT created 100% of the problems - I vented on the thread and changed my website front page to say that I would no longer sell to the USA because of "too many small minded idiots that trust PayPal and chargeback at a moments notice" - or words to that effect. I have since softened my stance a little, but not much, those comments remain true - I NEVER said "ALL" as most of the pitchfork wielding posters seemed to think - I said "too many".
Alas, that is a distinction that few see. Your message targeted everyone in those countries, and thus so did the reason why you won't sell to them. Whether you see it or not, that's how it comes off to those living in those countries.
Also, I'm rather doubtful that 100% of your PayPal problems have always been USA/Canada based, so targeting them in specific at this time seems odd.
For some reason known only to Americans, they are the only ones in the entire world that are "allowed" to sell pinball and pinball parts and nowhere else in the world exists.
Not sure where this is coming from.
Of course every two bit idiot then had to stick the knife in including a couple of Australian posters that have been banned from both Australian forums and a well known Melbourne seller of pinball parts who has said he is making a machine. All sorts of stupid comments followed mostly fuelled by Pinchroma and Sunfox. "I will copy all Homepin boards and put them out of business" and similar rubbish.
Honestly - none of this would've happened if you hadn't made the comment you quote earlier... as well as the one, "Have fun in the USA living in your sheltered world." Now that really pissed them off! A lot of those people have been going through very difficult times, just like many other places in the world, and I don't think any of them appreciated that unjust generalization.
That's the guts of the story and all I can say is that if JJP does, in fact employ this Pinchroma character then God help them. If you think his comments on this forum were out of order then you would surely cringe at his "thread resurrection" today designed only to try and damage me after he failed miserably with his attempt here. He falsely claimed in his initial resurrection post that I was slandering Americans and Canadians "on other forums" - that is a lie, out and out. he then took the opportunity to re-post a screenshot from my webpage that was up for no longer than 30 minutes whilst I was fuming at the thieves who stole from me.
That message was actually up for several days. I know, because I was hoping you'd come to your senses quicker, but it didn't happen the next day or even the one after that. Then you removed the line about small minded idiots, and a few days later you finally reworded it to what it is now.
Also, you did say something in another forum to the effect of you couldn't care less if you ever sell another thing to the US, they think they're the center of the universe and no one can survive without them. Yeah, I know that's the general attitude of world vs USA, but you don't come out and say it! :-)
In any case I have tried at all times to remain logical about things but these personal attacks mostly from Pinchroma but also from Sunfox really are not acceptable in any shape or form.
Now Sunfox & Pinchroma, unless you actually have something to offer the members here why don't you just go back to that complete mess of a forum while it still exists. I don't believe anyone here is remotely interested in your BS any longer.
If you notice, these little tiffs come up only after you start posting in WOZ threads with what those more informed on the subject believe to be false information. I have begged you civilly several times to support your arguments with further information, but you always ignore me.
Let me repeat my last such request, and please point out where I am attacking or insulting you - and also point out where you responded to me with what I request.
I respect that you might have a different opinion. However:
1) When you say something that is provably incorrect - whatever the reason - and then you are corrected in such a way that you see it with your own eyes and it cannot be disputed, I don't expect a reasoned person to blindly ignore that information. It's very hard to have a discussion with someone who thinks the sky is green if he refuses to go outside or look at pictures to see that it's really blue. I don't expect you to take anything I say at face value, but please be open to adjusting your thinking based on empirical evidence.
2) Similarly, if you believe someone is incorrect on something, of if you are trying to present a differing point of view, then most people like to be shown facts or specific pieces of information that help them understand your opinion and your reasons for saying it. To LEARN, rather than be TOLD. For example, elsewhere you say that replacing the motherboard on WOZ will be a "nightmare". Why? How is it much different than replacing a CPU board on an embedded system? Please explain so that I and everyone can understand!
