Be careful dealing with "Nick Stern"
 

Hello

Who: the name he/she is using is Nick Stern
(email) [email protected], (PayPal) [email protected]
From his email: "We manage sites like toppornsites.com bestpornsites.org toppornsites.porn mypornbible..."
I believe he has an account here, but I don't know it.

Problem: 8-9 days ago he bought an expensive link (header menu), and promised to pay soon. After the link was placed, he kept avoiding paying, using various excuses. One day he just stopped answering.

After several warnings, today I deleted the link. This is a warning for you, when dealing with him.

If anyone wants proof, I can send email screenshots.

well, he wasted your time but at least you didn't lose any money.

Got the same email and after some research realized it was a scam. I offered exchange links on some blogs and never heard back... but ya was shady from the beginning.

Sorry to hear you've been screwed over, but I have to ask a question - Now I never sold any links myself, nor have I bought any links myself, but as an outsider, why on earth are you putting the link up BEFORE you've been paid?

In any other part of life from buying a newspaper to buying a car, you pay before you read the newspaper, or before you drive off in the car...

Even McDonalds waits for my money before handing me my burger...

So why are links so different? Does he say, I'll pay you XXX for the link, but I won't pay you until you've put it up?

Like I say, genuinely not trying to be a dick, but why are you putting links up before you've been paid? Why are links different to all other aspects of life?

.

Well, in this case is like some sort of proof how you can actually own site. Tho, it should not be held for too long if not payment in proper time, especially if link generate traffic as well.

Ahh OK. Back in my day, I'd just upload a 'blank' .html page to root domain with a message to person who wanted proof and link would have been domain.com/NickStern.html

Come on man, everyone knows you've always used to include that dancingturd.gif on your 'blank' pages.

Name rings a bell and I connect it with shady stuff - I can't remember why...

No prior dealings with us.

Normally any links that is sold you put up the link while in discussion with the person and they pay asap. Like give them maybe 30 mins for payment. If not done, remove link and ignore them :p

As @Klen said, the first reason is the proof that I own the site.

The second reason is that 95% of customers are honest and they pay, the same day or in the next 2-3 days. Showing trust and goodwill is important for a business relationship, some of my customers keep buying year after year.

But now I changed the policy, for links and banners payment comes first, and placement after. For posts I still accept payment after publishing - the customer wrote the article, so in the worst case I keep the article.

I have never had a problem with site owners buying links, we understand each other and play fair.
This man, and all the others I've met with similar behavior, are "adult SEO agencies" (usually just one person). They all have 5+ different emails and identities, so I'm sure one day he'll knock again on my door I will not recognize him. But at least this email (and his PayPal account) is marked for all people that read this post.

Got to love the 'American' using a yandex email :)

Fair enough, but I'd still go the route I used to use to prove ownership if needed

Fair enough. I'm not trying to tell you how to run your business, and trust IS a good thing - But in my book, it must be earned. When I was doing my VHS tapes (Yes, and dinosaurs ran amok outside) Id have a minimum order of 100 which HAD to be paid upfront. Then, after the customer had made a more than a couple of orders, (usually three) I'd then offer 50 tapes on credit. This meant that I trusted the customer, that he would always come back as he could have the tapes before he sold them, and IF I didn't get payment for the 50 tapes (Never Happened) then I had already made enough from the first few purchases, to cover a loss of 50 tapes. However, because I was happy to front them the tapes, they never messed me around, as they didn't want to spoil a good thing :)

And it's also fair to say that the guys purchasing the tapes were already criminals - As was I - Hardcore Porn was COMPLETELY illegal in the UK at the time. One or Two tapes for personal use would have been overlooked by an over zealous copper (He'd probably be more interested in borrowing one, than in arresting you) but to move large numbers was an absolute 'No No' that carried serious time....

Good Move :thumbsup Can't see anyone who legitimately wants to do business having a problem with that :thumbsup

I'm trying to be fair (especially as I can make mistakes, like everybody else) so I had to add this to the story. It's up to you to evaluate it.

I published this post 2-3 days ago. Yesterday "Nick" contacted me, offered excuses, and wanted to resurrect our deal. I refused and explicitly told him not to send the money.

But anyway he sent some money (not the full agreed amount, but also not small - $200 as USDT) to which he referred as a kind of compensation for my troubles. I offered several times to send it back, but he refused. The last contact was today, with me insisting on sending it back before closing further communication, and he refusing and apologizing.

My understanding is that this post prompted the reaction, that it wasn't sincere. GFY is one of the most important places for adult business (if you know better please let me know :) ) so keeping your good name here is important. But I might be wrong, maybe he was sincere, so I'll let it to you to decide for yourselves.

I also think this kind of forum should have a separate part for these kinds of threads - bad experiences with some users, agencies, or ad networks. It can be useful for at least two purposes:
1. one place to search for your new contact to check before making a deal
2. people can there defend themselves from accusations (I'm sure there will be false ones, or just misunderstandings)

If you think this is a good idea, can someone forward it to a moderator or anyone else who can decide on the subject?

Current search plus google search is working fine to find such info. Of course, there is room for improvement but there are some things which can be done instantly and some which require more time.

:pimp:pimp