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Hi,
well just an update: Matt has been in touch and I think he’s going to make things right.
This was really a tough decision to make the post and now I’m not sure it was the right thing to do; but I am certain it wasn’t the wrong thing.
I had to think of more than just myself and/or Matt’s reputation because it was sort of a time issue thing where I was afraid others might fall victim while I sat on the fence.
I know Matt can’t read this, but I DO wish things had went different.
Its obvious I like Matt and if you knew the circumstances you’d likely agree it was a tough decision that left no clear rightous path to take.
To have elaborated further was IMHO not going to accomplish my main goal which was to keep anybody here at CAP from buying into possible trouble; but could have possibly put Matt in a worse light than already was necessary to get my point across and also still not enough time to have passed to have merited it.
As for the Prof; he has nothing to be ashamed of at all.
Rather he should be proud that he runs a tight ship and I’m quite certain his decision was as hard as was mine.
Matt’s young and in retrospect I think he’s just made some bad decisions followed by something I think we all were guilty of at one time or another when we were young, which is not staying in touch and rather than doing what was promised on time; letting time slip past and then not wanting to face up to that fact; put off longer what he knew he had to do and I think what he absolutely had intended to do;
but like a kid; he didn’t follow up in timely manner.
So to sum things up I would say that a fair warning would be that if you enter into a financial relationship with him; expect to have things drawn out much longer than is first thought;
and though this was only part of our situation; on any business dealings it might also be wise to pay as you go; rather than upfront.
I like Matt too and defended him a lot when first he showed up with a bunch of very angry players nipping at his heels.
Steve, you are not the only one who has placed trust, several people did pay money and even more were hit up. If everyone had given what asked, Matt would have walked out with a bundle.
This concerns me. We are a community here, and apparently Matt has been gaining trust from many and playing them each seperately.
It bothers me that this is even possible, and I am glad you did post.
If Matt was looking to do business with a considerable number of cap members, he could have posted his idea here and gotten feedback and support galore. The targeting of many individuals at once concerns me. He can’t possibly deliver all the work he promised in the time frame he did, and he must know so.
Too many things are happening with Matt to be coincidence.
I prefer not to go into any detail about my dealings with any individual here. But I will go so far as to say that I agree with Steve’s post on every point. And I base this on my own experiences.
I don’t really have anything to add, because Steve almost described my own experience exactly. I share almost every opinion he expressed.
And I would reiterate Steve’s advice–if you’re paying someone to do work for you, do not pay them in advance.
So You consider Matt a reliable partner Randy? Was I mislead to believe there was a problem here when there wasnt?
I feel like I am being gas lighted here Guys!
I agreed with Steve, Professor. Nowhere in his post did I get the impression that Steve considered Matt reliable, and nowhere in my post did I indicate that I thought Matt was reliable.
Ok well I am totally confused BUT Matt stays locked out of the private areas until I am satisfied that he has any business in here.
There are more waffles being served up around here then Dennys.
Everyone carry on,
Matt May or May Not Be Unreliable. He may just be slow in keeping obligations and is not held accountable for some sentimental reasons.
Sometimes I feel like I am herding cats. Looks like I picked a bad week to quit sniffing glue.
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Well, just to clarify, Matt does owe me some work.
I’m concerned that I haven’t heard from him since he was out of town. (At one point I was concerned for his safety/well-being, but I’ve seen that he’s made some posts on his message board, so he’s apparently alive and well.)
But I like him. And I think he has some issues, and he is possibly troubled. I would advise caution when dealing with him, but I think anyone who’s kept up here at the boards for a while probably has that figure out already.
Hi,
Prof, did you get my PM?
I think that explains everything in detail.
just to clarify, I did not intend to change my original stance; as I DO think it would be wise to be careful in dealing with Matt in order to avoid the sentiments that Randy and I both share.
in matters such as someone’s reputation, I think it is important to do all possible to avoid trashing someone’s rep
while at the same time it is also very important to speak up and perhaps save others from stepping into the same pitfalls
which is what I have tried to do here.
its just that you have to step oh-so-careful to try and do every side justice that it might seem that I or we are being too vague, but to accomplish the above, vague is what I thought the best path to take.
suffice to say that several people now have come forward to say that they too have had less than expected results or experiences with Matt and therefore the reader should make their decisions accordingly.
edited to add:
as far as keeping Matt out of private areas, is a decision that is yours to make and I personally don’t have anything against his having access; now that I know what to expect from Matt.
But I also totally understand your decision and do not think it unjust.
I also agree with most of what Steve has said.
I have written and rewritten a post here several times over the past day, and haven’t been satisfied enough to submit.
Is lending or borrowing money something CAP is responsible for, or is it up to each individual to decide whether to take a chance on someone they know only online?
As CAP members, do we have a responsibility to do something about Matt’s gambling addiction (Not 100% sure about this, but all the signs are pointing to a significant gambling problem), or do we just simply shut him out?
Heck, I don’t know what anyone except Matt can do about his problems, but as webmasters who promote gambling, you’d think we’d be a little better informed about these things. I’m starting to educate myself. Borrowing, lying, avoiding us – all symptoms.
Of course, no one should lend him money. For the same reasons already mentioned, but also because it is enabling his addiction.
I sincerely do not believe Matt is “playing” us. He is a very messed up young man.
I also think that Steve posting publicly to express some financial problems with Matt was a good idea – especially if it prevents Matt from borrowing more money to feed his lifestyle.
I would have posted it myself, except that I was still talking privately with other CAP members, and making 100% sure that there was an consensus that we have a little problem here.
Matt probably has to hit bottom before he starts climbing out of his addiction. It’s already cost him his credibility and that’s the start of the downward spiral.
hehe fergie, i know the feeling. i just wrote two posts i was afraid to push “send” on. but i’m drunk, so that’s my excuse.
the quick of it all sounds like he’s an asshole (hey, he got me for a couple of bucks), but no one wants to wield the sword against him.
lou, i support you in banning him from the private forums. and while no one wants to crucify the guy, i don’t think i’d see any hands raised saying they were confident in matt and would recommend working with him.
and sure, there’s some caveat emptor in the air, but truth is, if someone f*cks you, you don’t just say “well, i should have known better” and stand by watching as he f*cks everyone else on down the line.
thanks for the action steve, you’re a stand up guy. it’s all a bit sticky, but it doesn’t sound like we’re on the wrong road here and we owe matt an apology.
jmho,
– mongooseThe thing is that we are a community here, and we need to watch out for each other.
It is anything but kind to protect one person based on personal feelings and subject so many others to – well – theft.
I am flabberghasted at how busy he has been, and how he managed to make each person who helped him feel very special and still very protective about him.
These are the marks of a con artist and not those of a confused kid.
I know it’s hard to admit one has been conned – not so much because of the lost money or the failure to detect the con, but because the con worked because it elicited feelings for the conman. To admit that those feelings were misplaced, that is the hard part.
I understand that (yes, I have been there, not this time though) and I am sympathetic all along the line.
Bottomline: Together we stand strong, divided we can be taken. Doesn’t just apply to the aff programs, it applies to everything.
Hi again,
thanks Mongoose for the words.
Yes Matt has nobody to blame but himself but I feel compelled to add the “rest of the story” as far as I’m concerned.
Matt is currently working on finishing a project he’d started for me and I think is truly trying to do right by me. This despite my post which I was upfront and told him about as soon as I was able.
I’ve not said anything about being locked out but only because he said he didn’t come here anymore so I figured there was no reason to not let sleeping dogs lie. (though I wouldn’t be lying if I said it also was the easier path taken).
I do note to those that are still owed money or work, that Matt has continued to work without any promise of further compensation but when I saw it was more work than I’d originally agreed upon, I’ve now told Matt I’d toss him another $100 when things are completely finished and it seems to have fueled the fire so to speak, (and he does do good work, what I’ve seen of it), so if you find yourself in my position in respect to Matt; it probably would speed up the process if you were to dangle some sort of carrot but be sure to not let him have it until every detail of things is correct.
I don’t think he’s a con, or at least I don’t think he thinks he’s a con, but lets face it; once somebody that is willing to go to the lengths Matt has proven to reach; and they are successful; it becomes easier the next time and the next.
Which is likely how we got to where we are now.
And yes its true that I gave Matt more trust than i’d ever give a stranger off the street because of posts I’d read in here about him. So I think some responsibility does fall on the community to police themselves and to be aware that if you do somebody wrong here at CAP, that you should expect repercussions although not necessarily from Lou.
A few bad posts will alert everyone there is a possible issue with a member, and I know for me; especially after this; would be enough to warrant extreme caution when dealing with that person.
Prof you can’t possibly protect us from ourselves; lol; so don’t sweat the small stuff.
IMHO you’ve handled everything quite justly and that will have to be good enough.
If one doesn’t want to find oneself behind the “eight ball”, then one should not give reason for that ball to start rolling in the first place.
I think 99% of the members here are very reasonable, rational people (except Ark of course)
LOL, sorry bud, I couldn’t resist.
anyway, and I think that even if there is some sort of a problem that if communication is kept open and in a timely manner; that nobody is going to unjustly trash anybody. (Ark’s saying ya right) – “
“So it seems that simple to me. Do what you say you’re going to do and when not; make sure to find the people involved and tell them of the reasons and then there will be plenty of understanding rather than confusion and accusation.
edited to add: if I’d listened more closely to Ark’s post (last week some time I think it was) – I wouldn’t be here now.
I bow to the master. Now if I’d only learn to listen to him better
Now if we could only get him to come back….
I think at some point in the past I may have been guilty of recommending Matt’s work here on the forum, but believe me, at the time, the couple of projects I’d given him were completed quickly and were very nicely done.
I didn’t quite become aware that this was a big problem until everyone else did, and it took some time to process.
I see that my post was not understood as I meant it.
I was agreeing with everyone.
I was also pointing out that Matt has a problem, and as “as a community”, I asked whether or not we had an obligation to see if we can help.
Quote:It is anything but kind to protect one person based on personal feelings and subject so many others to – well – theft.I was in no way saying we should protect Matt. Not at all. I don’t see his actions as theft, either. He’s an addict, and he borrows to feed his addiction with every intent to pay it back – but he can’t because he spends everything he gets faster than he gets it on the slots.
Personal feelings? Suggesting that we may look into how to get help for a member of CAP who is in deep do-do isn’t personal feelings. It’s humanity.
