Merchant Archive

Thread: mercahnt banned -- why me ? no email from soe

Brilyn
Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:56 am
#14

< A simple post in the Announcements forum or on the front page of starwarsgalaxies.com saying "We are banning accounts which have come into contact with duped credits. Anyone who simply received credits will be banned temporarly and will be reinstated as soon as this matter is cleared up. We apologize for the inconvenience." posted 24 hrs ago would have saved a lot of anger and frustration by a lot of people. >


What, you mean something like:


We are suspending the accounts of these players and banning anyone who has participated in this "money dupe", which includes transferring or receiving of funds/credits.



Which has been on the login for the last couple days?


Or maybe you're talking about this announcement that was posted at about 1am (GMT) on the 17th? Which would place it ingame 48 hours prior to the start of this thread?



Maybe people need to get off their butts *before* getting angry and frustrated. We were informed. If people wander into the game with their eyes closed, when SOE have clearly stated things, whose fault is that?



Hint: Not SOE's......



Brilyn
Master Weaponsmith
Master Shipwright
Main vendor on Naboo, Vagabond's Rest: -1850, 2330
Secondary vendor on Talus, Kyu'mai: 250, -4680
Starsider
kaspars_tenowog
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:06 am
#15

I shouldn't have to read the forums and all the launch notes to survive in a game, this is not the fault of the merchants. How about we place the blame where it belongs, on the dupers and SOE's piss poor coding that allows it to happen
Brilyn
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:08 am
#16

< Wait so this is my fault for being a succesful merchant???


you are wrong -- It is not my fault for haveing system supported vendors. >


Read what I actually said, rather than making me appear like I'm arguing with *your* post.


I'm NOT talking about your post at all.



Hence why I quoted Karrack, and not you.




As for you, you're in an unfortunate situation where some scumbags took advantage of your good merchandise to try and launder their duped credits.


Assuming you have no part in this (and I am assuming you have no part in this), then I'm sure you're accounts will be un-suspended as soon as the torrid details are uncovered.



Brilyn
Master Weaponsmith
Master Shipwright
Main vendor on Naboo, Vagabond's Rest: -1850, 2330
Secondary vendor on Talus, Kyu'mai: 250, -4680
Starsider
Brilyn
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:13 am
#17

< I shouldn't have to read the forums and all the launch notes to survive in a game >


Uh huh, you should never have to read the manual to learn how stuff works. Hell, Driving lessons are for other people too, not you, right?


Anyway, the launch notes I quoted were right at the top. I understand how complicated this is. Maybe they can arrange 27 popup windows, with neon lights and dancing Jedi?



< How about we place the blame where it belongs, on the dupers >


Yup. That's who I'm blaming. Read my top post on this.


< and SOE's piss poor coding that allows it to happen >


uh huh..... How about not making great big assumptions?



Every code that has been made, can be broken. Every machine can be hacked.


Bug or no bug, if people *want* to dupe, they'll find a way.



Brilyn
Master Weaponsmith
Master Shipwright
Main vendor on Naboo, Vagabond's Rest: -1850, 2330
Secondary vendor on Talus, Kyu'mai: 250, -4680
Starsider
LadyGrace
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:15 am
#18






Brilyn wrote:



What, you mean something like:


We are suspending the accounts of these players and banning anyone who has participated in this "money dupe", which includes transferring or receiving of funds/credits.



Which has been on the login for the last couple days?


Or maybe you're talking about this announcement that was posted at about 1am (GMT) on the 17th? Which would place it ingame 48 hours prior to the start of this thread?



Maybe people need to get off their butts *before* getting angry and frustrated. We were informed. If people wander into the game with their eyes closed, when SOE have clearly stated things, whose fault is that?



Hint: Not SOE's......





I think you missed the point ofthe comment:


Anyone who simply received credits will be banned temporarly and will be reinstated as soon as this matter is cleared up. We apologize for the inconvenience." posted 24 hrs ago would have saved a lot of anger and frustration by a lot of people." (my emphasis)


I agree that this credit dupe is a huge blow to the game economy and that the people who were responsible for it are ultimately at fault not SOE. However, what is being discussed here is the banning of innocent accounts (accounts that have protested their innocence at least, since I can't verify either way) and the subsequent lack of communication in direct relation to those bannings.


Being the children of a democratic society, we are accustomed to being able to appeal unfair decisions and so when we are hit with afailure to communicate when we feel we are being unjustly treated it makes us upset and angry. Understandably so.


I also deal in large credit transactions and high-end items and will be incredibly upset if my account is banned, even more so if it was done without explanation. I am entirely sure that the people I contract through directly(and give large tips to for purchasing stock) are clean and would not participate in duping. However, I can't know the same thing about allmy customers. Unless it was well beyond the pattern of normal sales, after reading some of the posts in regard to the bannings I don't even want to report high end sales in case it ends up in both my and their accounts being banned unfairly.


I am concerned that operating a vendor at all seems to be taking a risk with your account and with the stock that is sitting on your vendors. At least on my server the dupe does not seem to be as prolific as on others, we just have to cross our fingers and hope that no duped credits pass through it. The other option is closing the vendors for now, and that goes against my right to play this game.




Adrianna
v Grace Industries v
-3171 5939 Tranquility Naboo
Imperial Faction Sales
Rebel Faction Sales
MaDuece
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:15 am
#19






Valuthorax wrote:

Wait so this is my fault for being a succesful merchant???



you are wrong -- It is not my fault for haveing system supported vendors.







If you are a merchant that deals in large amounts of credits then it would be wise to suspend your operations for awhile. You make yourself a very convienent target for any credit duper that wishes to "launder" his money.


While it is an unfortunate consequence that innocent people get caught up in the scam, it is in your best interest in the long run that the credit exploiters be caught. The enormous amount of duped credits in the game hurts the economy and ultimately your business interests.


If you are truely innocent, then a little patience on your part will prove to clear your name in the end. Continuing to rant and rave about it may actually hurt your efforts for reinstatement in the end. After all, prisons are full of "innocent" people.

Brilyn
Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:26 am
#20

< Being the children of a democratic society, we are accustomed to being able to appeal unfair decisions and so when we are hit with afailure to communicate when we feel we are being unjustly treated it makes us upset and angry. >


Hey, s/he *has* appealed.


It's only been 24 hours since he posted the Thread.



While I agree a simple "Sit tight, we're looking into it" would have been nice, I've already spoken about this in my previous post up top.



And I do believe that DocSavag (y'know, the Correspondant? The people who are there to communicate between the Devs and Players) has already said to the guy 'sit tight, they're looking into it'.


I believe his exact words were


"It will get worked out it will just be a bit while they sort through it."




C'mon, what's the problem? The lack of specific 'to you, from SOE with love' emails?


Get over it.


Take a pill.


Wait til Monday.



These things take time to track and fix.


Kicking heels and screaming on the profession board is just throwing a tantrum......


< I also deal in large credit transactions and high-end items and will be incredibly upset if my account is banned, even more so if it was done without explanation.>


Ok, let me help y'out here.



If your account is banned tomorrow, your explanation is:


"We are suspending the accounts of these players and banning anyone who has participated in this "money dupe", which includes transferring or receiving of funds/credits".



Clear? Fantastic.



< I am concerned that operating a vendor at all seems to be taking a risk with your account and with the stock that is sitting on your vendors. >


Hey, if someone whistles through my store and drops a couple mil on my stuff, first off, I'm going to do a mail dump, and keep the mails ingame too.


Then, if I get banned, I'll mention it here ("hey, look, I got banned too.")



Then I'll give SOE a working-week to sort it out.



Why? Because I'm not 6 years old....... /rolleyes



Brilyn
Master Weaponsmith
Master Shipwright
Main vendor on Naboo, Vagabond's Rest: -1850, 2330
Secondary vendor on Talus, Kyu'mai: 250, -4680
Starsider
joined42904
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:03 am
#21

Valuthorax,


May I suggest that you post here that you specifically waive any confidentiality or other protection to which you are entitled under your agreement with SOE which would in any way prevent SOE from responding truthfully to the community about why you have been banned?




I'm an armorsmith. All transactions for decent armor are generally at least a quarter of a million credits. And plenty of people buy 2 or more suits for slicing purposes. If there is bad money in the economy, I have probably received some. But I'm not afraid?


Why? Because I am a bona fide seller for value. Check what they got. Look at the average price of that item. I'm out that item. I have the item's fair market value in exchange. I ought to be entitled either to the item or to the credits, right?


It's very easy for someone to claim to run the a sort of business that involves large tips with money paid to the folks who find specified items in the game. It might be true. It night not be. But let's not pre-judge against the decision of SOE just yet. We folks reading this post don't truly *know* enough facts yet.



Issadra 12-pt Master Armorsmith, Master Merchant
NERF Armory 5103, 2008 Lost Sanctum Dantooine
Specialty Shop and Outlet in Andromeda Corellia
kaspars_tenowog
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:07 am
#22






Uh huh, you should never have to read the manual to learn how stuff works. Hell, Driving lessons are for other people too, not you, right?


Anyway, the launch notes I quoted were right at the top. I understand how complicated this is. Maybe they can arrange 27 popup windows, with neon lights and dancing Jedi?





Yup. That's who I'm blaming. Read my top post on this.




uh huh..... How about not making great big assumptions?



Every code that has been made, can be broken. Every machine can be hacked.


Bug or no bug, if people *want* to dupe, they'll find a way






Look SOE is partially to blame for the way this is being handled. They have had a very shotty track record of communications with the community in the past and it looks like this situation is no different. While I will aggree with you that any and all code can be broken, why is it that SOE always seems to leave these loop holes in the code? SOE is not blameless in this. As far as me having to read a manual to drive a car, seemed to come pretty naturally to me don't know if you had problems or not. However a gamer should not be forced to read the forum and the patch notes to play the game. A game who makes sales his or her goal in this game should not have to suspend their enjoyment which they are paying $15 a month for, out of fear because some one else is a smacktard. I especially do not like the fact that you are taking the time to talk down to everyone here who has a beef about a lot of innocent people being banned just because they are playing their profession.


Maybe you need to stop making big assumptions about the level of intelligence of the people that are on the boards when some of your time might be better off being used to do something constructive, or do you need to read the patch notes and the forums to figure out how to be a decent person?


---edited to quote your whole post

Message Edited by kaspars_tenowog on 08-19-200411:09 AM


Message Edited by kaspars_tenowog on 08-19-200411:10 AM

Message Edited by kaspars_tenowog on 08-19-2004 11:10 AM

Valuthorax
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:10 am
#23

I specifically waive any confidentiality or other protection to whichI amentitled underthe agreement with SOE which would in any way prevent SOE from responding truthfully to the community about whyI have been banned.



Valuthor Rax
Wanderhome
Korrack
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:23 am
#24






joined42904 wrote:

Valuthorax,


It's very easy for someone to claim to run the a sort of business that involves large tips with money paid to the folks who find specified items in the game. It might be true. It night not be. But let's not pre-judge against the decision of SOE just yet. We folks reading this post don't truly *know* enough facts yet.





Val is the largest re-seller of rare and legendary loot on Wanderhome. He sells everything from Themepark loot to crystals to legendary weapons and krayt tissues and legendary looted weapons and armor. I dunno about the economy on other servers, but Wanderhome seems very rich. When people buy things from Val, they don't pay in the hundred thousands, they pay millions.


+10 clothing attachments can go for upwards of 5-10 millions credits or more. Krayt tissues can go for huge amounts in large stacks. Legendary stuff is ridiculously priced.


So, I know that Val deals in sales in the millions. He would never notice someone coming to his vendors and buying 10 million of stuff because that is normal for his operation. He is a true merchant, millions out to buy stuff, mark up and sell for millions. Money in, money out. When I came on the forums this morning, I was not surprised in the least to see Val had been banned for receiving duped credits. Hell, if I was a duper his shop is the first place I'd visit.

There are also many weaponsmiths on Wanderhome who deal in the millions of credits in business weekly if not daily. I'm cheap and I pay 300k+ for each of my pistols. I could pay upwards of 2-3 million for rare tissue krayt pistols.


Anyway, this has all been a very suyrprising day. I'm sure it will sort out in the end if Val manages to get a hold of customer support. A little birdy who works for SOE told me that a script was used to find all of the people who had come in contact with the duped money and they were banned. It was very automatic. I was also told that if anyone was wrongly accused that they were to contact customer support. Funny, how people are guilty first and they used a program to find the dupers and ban them. I hope it's not the same code that causes me to warp 150m when I get off my swoop.


I believe the bannings were justified, just handled badly. The notice given was not adequate in that is basically says everyone will be suspended/banned. It says nothing about innocently people being temporarly banned. So what are people to think? Hence today on the forums. Welcome to SOE's customer support.


Oh and Brilyn, I'm over 6 thank you.




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Tarnak_Archvold
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:46 am
#25

I remember that when the merchant nerf was first discussed a few, someone posted a list of what the credit to $ ratio was of different servers. On some servers, it was buy at 0 (zero)... that was properly the first sign of the dupe.
Now anyone the bought credit properly wend out and spend them, that is why people credit after all. And that means that the toughs credit ended up in the hands of merchants...
The best was to launder credit would be to tip someone who would tip someone who then bought something from you main... SoE needs time to sort that out, and they need to freeze the accounts that currently hold duped credit, before the spread even further. Bear with them, and if it is not resolved by Monday THEN start calling for lynching. (snail mail properly work better then email, but the phone is the bet way)




"Once upon a time Rangers roamed the galaxies... Before the dark times, before the NGE. "
Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger.
Valuthorax
Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:54 am
#26

but no email explination--- and im guilty till proven inocent...


I also have around 15 ingame friends ready to quit and i didnt ask --- sometimes it take a friend to hold friend s together -- and at times i am that glue



Valuthor Rax
Wanderhome
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