Hotmail, and other "anonymous" Email addresses

[Zoo Supply]

Just thought I would make a post about this, since I really havn't seen anyone else do it, at least in the near past.

Now that the internet has had time to trickle into almost every household in America, almost every household has either dial-up, or direct internet access. This allows the household to have specific email addresses.

It has been my experience, that the majority of "Great deals" that do not work out come from anonymous email accounts such as hotmail, yahoo, or some other provider.

I realize that some people still need these accounts, but if you are emailing back and forth, don't get lazy and use just email to converse with the other party.

Get off your but and USE THE PHONE! If we all just used the phone for a 5 minute conversation, a lot of the reason we have the BOI will be reduced.

Are we in an age when someone that is selling a product doesn't even have enough time to answer a few questions over the phone for a prospective customer? I know that I always answer my phone, and usually end up talking for quite a bit to customers, as well as just to BS with other herpers.

I know this post doesn't warn about anyone else in particular, however, look at the posts in the BOI and look at the relation between anonymous email accounts and scam artists. Hence the reason I posted this in here.

Anyways to sum it up, be a little more scrutinizing when doing business with someone that only offers an anonymous email.

Hope this post comes as help to someone
Tom
Zoological Supply
[email protected]

 

[Ravnos]

I definitely agree. Myself, I refuse to do business with anyone who can't afford (or is too cheap to get) a 9 dollar a month dialup account email address. There are just way too many scammers, spammers, and general con artists that take advantage of the complete anonymity of hotmail.com, yahoo.com, excitemail.com, the list goes on, addresses. And most certainly not just in the commercial herp world, its anything potentially involving money. Really though, should you have a problem, try and get IP information out of hotmail.com in order to track a scam artist. Short of a court order, they won't do it. With the sheer volume of data and logs they have, it wouldn't surprise me if they couldn't do it. I just find the use of freebie email accounts very unprofessional and, to me, immediately cast a questionable light on anyone using them for business purposes.

Adam Dawson

 

[Randy T.]

I do not totally agree with this idea. I for one use a hotmail addy for my email simply because my wife uses our account email and I think my email [email protected] is a better description of me. And to say someone is too cheap to pay 9 bucks a month to have an email addy makes them worse then Joe Schmo who does have one, is classless and rude. I do eventually plan to set up a website and I will have a link on it for both the website email addy, along with my current hotmail addy. I do agree 100% with you that people should converse on the phone more with customers/potential customers/ or anyone who they might be able to help. I even would take calls from customers on my cell phone when I was at work just to give the info the person was asking for, and to "ease" the worry and tension involved in an online purchase.

Just my opinion on the subject.

Randall Turner aka Randy T. aka [email protected]

 

[Cheryl Marchek AKA JM]

My e-mail addy is a yahoo.com address. Sorry you won't do business with me. Perhaps, rather than assuming everyone who uses a free e-mail account is a scammer, you should consider WHY someone might use one.

I got tired of changing my e-mail addy EVERY time I changed ISPs. (and I have never had a $9 per/month connection, Internet access must be cheap where you are) Well, why would someone change ISPs often enough for this to be a problem?

US Military. Air Force to be exact. (not me, my husband, but we moved with him) We have lived in Germany, Nebraska, Alaska, and California. There have been times when I have not had an "address" or a place to plug in my PC (which was in storage) for months at a time. You know, when you don't have a place to plug in your PC, you don't really keep paying for the ISP(and on US Military pay it's hard to justify paying for an ISP you can't use) ~ and they take away your e-mail addy if you stop paying.

But I could always go to a library and check my e-mail..........at my yahoo.com account. Now I could open an e-mail addy up with my current ISP, and I might do that if I ever try to sell anything, but it would really be no more reliable than my yahoo.com account...............changing ISPs is REALLY easy.

Maybe you should consider checking into someones reputation BEFORE you discount them based on the end of their e-mail addy. I can see where a hotmail or yahoo acount might make you look twice at the rep, well, you should look twice no matter the e-mail addy...............because it is incrediably easy to change ISPs and apparenty it is cheap too. ($9)

 

[meretseger]

I like being able to access my email remotely, and I don't like Outlook viruses. My broadband account has also had a long history and has changed hands once and I frankly have no idea how to access the email that comes with it. But I am more than happy to give out my info and phone number to anyone who asks, and heck, I'll even give out my real IP address.
Hmm.. I was going to be pithy and post it up right now, but my ipconfig closes right away. Strange. Well, anyway, you get the idea. Be accepting of email preferences, but feel comfortable before you send money

Erin Benner

 

[HerpVenue]

Get off your but and USE THE PHONE! If we all just used the phone for a 5 minute conversation, a lot of the reason we have the BOI will be reduced.

I kinda disagree.

While I do answer the phone....I prefer e-mail for a couple reasons

1. Everything is on record. It is right their in black and white. none of that he said she said stuff.

2. I can get to it when I want to get to it.


Also I have a friend who uses his yahoo. He just does not like the other e-mail. And I also know he won't cheat anyone. He won't let himself do it. His wife will not tolerate it. And I would fry him if he did.

 

[Cheryl Marchek AKA JM]

I must just be having a bad day. I meant to comment on the phone thing too.

E-mail is better. Get it all in writing. We have seen it a hundred times here.

Another EXPENSIVE example. I tried to re-finance my house recently. The "Rate lock" I was given expired July 19. I was assured over the PHONE it would be extended. Last week when the loan was ready to close they informed me the lock will NOT be extended. If I had it in WRITING I might be able to prove it. However I do not........difference to my mortgage caused by this small discrepency?? $300 a month. Thats $3600 a year. That is $108000 over the life of the loan. (Yes, all those zero's belong there, it is One hundred and eight THOUSAND) Sure wish that jerk had assured me the rate lock would be extended in e-mail rather than verbally on the phone.

Everything in writing, from now on. EVERYTHING, I don't care if the agreement is just that you can't or won't agree...........put it in writing or it didn't happen.

 

[midnightline]

I have to agree with Cheryl. I've changed ISPs several times in the past few months, and I'm very glad I have a yahoo account. I've had my yahoo email address for something like 5 years now, but my other email addresses keep changing. I, too, also like being able to check my email online from any computer.

While there's nothing wrong with getting phone calls, I'm on dialup at home, and most of the time when I'm home and not sleeping, I'm logged in online, so a phone call wouldn't reach me anyway. If I ever decided to make my hobby into a business, I'd consider a second phoneline or perhaps just DSL, but right now there's no real need.

Frankly, you can be scammed just as easily by someone with an ISP-provided email as you can by someone with a free email account, and likewise you can have just as good a transaction with someone on yahoo or hotmail as you can with someone who has an ISP-based account. There's no substitute for doing your homework and checking the BOI.

-Kat Hall

 

[Rob BryertonRKK]

OOOUCH!!!

Wow Cheryl hat's a huge difference. We almost had the same thing happen on a home equity loan.
These days you need everything in writing. There are Scammers involved with all types of "businesses"
I like to talk to my customers or the people I'm buying from on the phone but I'll will send a follow up email and reiterate what the agreement was. Better safe than sorry.
Take Care, Rob

 

[Stardust]

I think that talking on the phone and emails are both a good thing. For the most part I have done both. I have talked to the seller as well as emailed.
I have what I need in email in as much as what I am buying and how much ect... but I have also had the pleasure of talking by phone which gives me ease of a get to know and hear who I am buying from, something emails do not give. In most cases the seller has called me and discussed with me exactly what I am looking for and have answered any questions I may have.
For the most part, I have had very good experiences with whom I have gotten animals from, they have been willing to give some time to me which shows me they really care about their animals and customers.

 

[Wilomn]

I also use a yahoo account for all my business dealings. I don't really want everyone in the world to know my personal email account, that's for family and close friends.

As far as being scammed, take a look at the address. If it's someone's name like mine, [email protected], it's real easy to do a search and find out EXACTLY who I am and what kind of business I do. Now guys like piebaldpimps, or what ever their name was, they send red flags shooting up all over just by the tastelessness of the name.

From personal experiance, see the kelly sharp thread, I know how valuable a written record is, had we just discussed on the phone my concerns about the snake I purchased, I would be S O L. I may be even now, but I do have in writing what SHOULD have happened. I always give my phone number to people who respond to my adds and give them the option of calling me, though I must, at this point in time, say I prefer email just for the written record.

So, I think I'll keep my yahoo account and if it weeds out some problem customers, or even some good guys who are leary of anyone using free email, then so be it.

Wes Pollock

 

[Satyrday Reptiles]

Okay, I can't resist. Just my expierence - quite a few people contact us using "freebie" email addresses and more often than not, everything works out fine. Sometimes people will follow up using a "real" email, sometimes not - but still, I don't think a hotmail or similar address should automatically raise a flag.
About the phone, well for me - email is still best.
Aside from having it all in writing, and getting to it when you can; I work during the day, and most evenings are spent servicing the animals. At the end of it all, there's only a couple hours left and I can easily spend them just chatting away. Sure, it's fun and I enjoy talking with people, but you know... there's only so many hours in a day.

Elizabeth Craig

 

[Odd Ball Exotics]

I use a hotmail account for several reasons....

1. I dont get spam/junk mail on my hotmail account. I DO however get TONS of junk/spam on AOL, MSN, etc etc. You know the "big name" internet providers.

2. I have several email accounts, one for my business, one for me personally, one for my husband, one for our junkmail and one for my work (ie, job that pays the bill). This was the simplest way for me to set all of these email addresses up.

3. I've had nothing but headaches with internet providers in the past. The companies I've used in the past have given me nothing but trouble and I refuse to use any of them anymore. If I dont use the companies I cant have a "solid or traceable" email addy now can I?

4. It's free. I dont know about you but around here internet providers cost between $20 - $40 a month depending on who you go through. I just dont have that extra cash sitting around.

If you're telling people not to trust someone because of the email service they use, it's like telling people not to trust someone because of the type of car they drive or the color of their hair.

Personally I dont trust ANYONE till they've proven to me they can be trusted...and I don't expect anyone to trust me untill I've proven to them I can be trusted.

If you don't want to do business with me because of my email address I'm not going to cry about it...because it makes me wonder what type of person YOU really are if your THAT picky about an email addy.

 

[Zoo Supply]

Phones and email

Well I certainly didn't mean to sound like anyone was better for having an isp email, or that everyone with anonymous email was a rip-off artist. I know that isn't the case.
However, if someone really looked at it, I am almost positive that a large portion of these scam-artists ripping people off have anonymous email addresses.
I can check my mail wherever I go, simply by signing in to my website.
Most other people can do this also.

Either way, I of course didn't mean that you guys that use anonymous mail are ripping people off by using anonymous mail programs to do it....just pointing out that more caution and care must be given when ordering this way.


TOM

 

[Zoo Supply]

Oh yeah...

I also never said I wouldn't do business with someone with an anonymous email...just said more cautious...
Tom Snyder

 

[Wilomn]

Now wait just a darn minute. Does all this mean that REDHEADS CAN BE TRUSTED???? And that BLONDES DUMB NOT ARE????

Who'd a thunk it?

Wes Pollock

 

[BriarpatchHerps]

I partially agree with Tom in the fact that when searching the BOI or getting burned by someone it does seem that the dirtbags hide behind untraceable emails. By NO means am I saying all....just the scams in general, or maybe its due to the popularity of such accounts.

Me personally I love email, I'm always on the go, seldom around/awake on a normal persons schedule, I can read and reread it at my leisure, have a printable record of my dealings and quite frankly I can't stand a telephone lol

The only time I would use a phone is while at home and thats my time to forget the world. While talking I cant do multiple things and keep on track, with a pc I can. My phone MAY get used three times a week if that for very brief periods, its nothing personal I just feel anything short of an emergency can be emailed and I'll read it after a late night trip to the kitchen. I cant say I WONT talk to people but to be honest its rare and doesnt appeal to me. Too much time jabbering as a teen I suppose, Ive just had my fill for a lifetime lol

 

[Zoo Supply]

I guess it all depends...

I guess it really depends on how much time you actually are able to devote to the physical act of "selling" your animals. Luckily I can do this and make a living off it, so I can answer phones all day if I need to.

Some people can't, and I realize that hotmail, yahoo, etc... provide a service.

Would just be a lot nicer if people didn't screw over others... oh well...guess that will never happen
Tom Snyder

 

[Dragondad]

Choice

For the very same reason most scammers would use a blind email is the reason legit people like to use it. Fast and easy to set up and carries over from ISP to ISP. I was with AOL for almost 6 years when I moved I choose to look at an alternative provider. Broadband was available,and for only about $10.00 more than the AOL account so her comes the "hotmail". I have since moved again and this time usine DSL and thank god I have the hotmail since I didnt have to change a thing: like "Fauna emails" "Paypal account" "credit card statements" and quite a few other things that have come with the internet age.

So you can have your feelings about people with these accounts but remember you might be the one to loose out.

I agree with Richie I like communication via email. You have no missunderstandings and if there is trouble a track record of the transaction is available. Given all that nothing will replace the phone call to give me the last final warm fuzzy that what I am buying is really going to show up. Or in another point when I am sitting outside waiting for the delivery truck and the woman in my life is bugging me to call and find out why the new animal isnt here by 4:00PM an email just doesnt cut it.

You get a feel for the person your doing business with from the phone and that feel cannot be found in and email.

 

[Glenn Bartley]

Really though, should you have a problem, try and get IP information out of hotmail.com in order to track a scam artist. Short of a court order, they won't do it. With the sheer volume of data and logs they have, it wouldn't surprise me if they couldn't do it.

Do you think that getting information about a scam artist would be any easier by going to AOL or MSN or another huge ISP? I doubt it very much. I work in law enforcement and have lots of experience serving subpoenas, court orders and warrants. Any company out there that gives you personal information on one of their subscribers (without some sort of legal order or the subscriber's permission) is asking for a mega bucks law suit to be slapped up side their heads.

In general as for the main concern of this thread; I think the best way to avoid getting ripped off is to do some homework first. Check references and check boards like the BOI. Phone calls may make you feel better because you talked to someone, but a written email, that can be traced (even if from hotmail), is a piece of documentary evidence. If the offense is serious enough the documentation could be used in court. As for you saying, well that is what they told me on the phone - good luck - it is a he said/she said situation unless you recorded the call - and in many instances your recording a phone call could be a criminal offense, and likely a felony at that.

I prefer the emails - heck I pay enough for AOL. Of course the initial advice to possibly be a bit more leary of someone using a hotmail or yahoo address is well taken. All the more reason to come and check the BOI!