Tell me why....

United States
March 17, 2008 9:06pm CST
do people immediately assume you want to scam them? I have been using myspace to market and network. I sent a girl a message today about fundraising. Her cousin has cancer and she created a myspace pg in honor of the cousin. Well, she was advertising a fundraising event and I thought that my vacation fundraiser would be a good fit for her. She emailed me back calling it sh** and some other stuff that I can't remember the exact words for. Well, I sent her an email back saying that I didn't understand why she felt that way and I was just offering. I also stated that I felt I didn't deserve to be cussed at or treated so rudely. I was just trying to help out. Guess I learned my lesson. I am seriously considering removing this page from my friends now. I'm that upset over it all. She is the first person to talk to me that way about my business and I have talked to tons of people. Why do people feel this way?
3 people like this
16 responses
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
18 Mar 08
I am SO sorry this happened and I have had similar reactions too. Unfortunately people become scared when it comes to people marketing things to them or something. I have no idea why it is but I have experienced similar things too. And yeah that would be more hurtful since you had spoken about this to her, I know I would have removed her... however see how you feel in a day or so and decide then when you are feeling more settled about the whole thing. Sorry again, that this happened to you (hugs)
2 people like this
• United States
18 Mar 08
I'm waiting to see if she responds to my last message. If not, I will most likely remove her. With my fundraising program, I should be the one who is scared. I let the people do the fundraiser, which includes raffling off a vacation, then pay for it. What happens if some person decides to run off with the money and not pay me? Well, I guess it doesn't really matter since they don't get the vacation til they pay for it. But you know what I am saying.
1 person likes this
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
18 Mar 08
Yeah I understand, man I am sorry :(
2 people like this
• United States
19 Mar 08
Don't be discouraged by this one individual. What you are doing is great, and you know that by the response that you are getting. The way that she reacted to your proposal is totally unprofessional, and it should be ignored. Unfortunately, in this day and age, everyone is skeptical of things they see on the internet. Not everyone reacts in this manner, and it makes me wonder how successful her event really will be, seeing how unprofessional she is. Don't change anything you are doing to promote your business. You know what is working, you keep on doing it. Not everyone will like your business, but that is where the "SW" rule comes in. "Some will, some won't, so what? Because someone else is always waiting."
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Mar 08
Oh, that's good. I just didn't want you to give up just because of one negative person. So many people give up on their dreams for this one reason, and its sad that they let others, especially negative people control what their destiny is. Being in the same profession, I didn't want this to happen to you.
• United States
19 Mar 08
Thank you for the encouraging comment. I think I have decided to start a blog about the fundraising. I will link it to my myspace page, but I don't think I will keep the fundraising stuff on there any longer.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
18 Mar 08
Now I may be reading this wrong but it looks like from your post you sent the email to someone who you didn't really know. You saw her Myspace area and sent the info to her in order to help her out. If that's the case she might see it as unsolicited mail and in that case she has no idea who you are, if it's legit or anything else. She might get a lot of those every day because of her MySpace account and yours could have been the straw that broke the camel's back and she snapped. Also you have to remember that just because something is up on the Internet doesn't mean it's legit and many people are leery to trust things that are sent to them especially from places like MySpace since there is no verification needed to put things up there. You could say you are anyone and no one has any idea if it's true or not. I know you stated in the one post that they don't have to put out any money to start but eventually they would have to pay for it and how could they be sure that once paid they will receive the vacation package? There are no guarantees and that is probably what the girl was looking at. Just because you asked to be her friend doesn't mean a whole lot really. How many people have you had asked to be your friend on MySpace or even here? I've had many that are scammers just wanted to be able to send me links to different scams. Now that said I think she was wrong to use such language. She could have just deleted the email or wrote back and stated "No thanks, don't write again" but there was no need to use profanity. She was out of line there. One more thing I want to add in this, do you know for sure that her page about her cousin's cancer is legit? Sad but true I have seen sites out there that are "In memory of" or are in "Tribute of" that are all fake. They are designed to get attention, people's sympathy or even donations to scam people. Something to think on with her. If it wasn't legit it could be why she re-acted the way she did.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
19 Mar 08
I was just going by what you wrote up there. That you had sent her information about fundraising and she wrote back on it. I also stated she was wrong to use such language. Yes she may expect contact but perhaps only in the way of donations and not on how she could do it better. She might take that as critism. One doesn't know and one can't say for sure especially since you don't really know her. This isn't someone you have known all your life or anything so who can say what she was thinking. From the sound of it you don't need her in your life and you should just not bother with her anymore.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
I didn't try to tell her how to do it better. I just simply said that I would love to fundraise with her.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
If she doesn't want people to contact her regarding her cousin, she should not have put the page up in the first place. She has to understand that people are going to contact her left and right. There is a contract that is signed to ensure proper channels are taken and all. I don't know about her page. I didn't ask. I wasn't sending her any links. And my page is not entirely devoted to my business. There are pics of my tutus. The only part that has anything to do with my fundraising is in my blog.
1 person likes this
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
19 Mar 08
Depending upon her situation right now as to how things are going for her Sister she may have taken it wrong. It is very hard for people to come across as helping on the internet. When people can not hear your voice inflection this creates a situation some times. This too shall pass and no if you have had a good response thus far and only one bad one, it is good. Ainge
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
That is true. It's her cousin though. I would gladly give he my number and speak with her over the phone though. She didn't even give me a chance to get that far. It's too bad though. It's really her loss.
• United States
19 Mar 08
I know it is hard. Don't be surprised if she does contact you on a better day. Ainge
1 person likes this
@myanime (434)
20 Mar 08
maybe she experienced to be scam before. Just don't mind her. As you said you are not deserve to be treated that way.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Mar 08
and she took it out on me.
• United States
18 Mar 08
Hey Girl, I am sorry to hear about that happening to you. I would not remove your page just because of her. She had no right to treat you like crap either.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
I'm not going to remove my page. I was considering removing her from my friends list. Thanks for caring!
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
18 Mar 08
That is because there are more scammers than genuine users I suppose in the internet. The gullible internet users are being fully exploited to ultimately cheat. Therefore, many users consider any message from stranger as scam message. Spam is different - companies and individuals sending some unsolicited materials. Scammers usually get involved in money matters directly or indirectly. So better to scan each message on its merits and demerits and therefore even the genuine senders are scanned for scam.
• United States
18 Mar 08
But did she have to be rude and cuss at me? No. She could have simply asked for verification. Or a phone number. Something concrete. Which I end up talking to the organizations I help on the phone anyway. Easier that way. I won't just post my number tho. I wait to make sure people are serious first.
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
18 Mar 08
well we cannot really blame other people dear. it is just that there are so many scammers out there so it is really difficult to differentiate an honest person from a scammer, especially with the internet. i am sorry this had to happen to you. i guess that she her reaction was overrated. she could have just ignored you, right? anyway, don't worry too much about her and let us just continue with earning. God bless and take care!
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 08
Thanks. I feel better now that I have slept on it. Still no answer from her though.
• United States
18 Mar 08
According what you are saying, I think I can see what the mindset. I've done many fundraisers over the years with my off line business. When a group has a fundraiser set in progress. It's hard to get there attention to take on a dual fundraiser. Therefore, it has to be approached, once that fundraiser expires. Then see if they would take on your fundraiser with their next project. In her case, she has planned her fundraiser and that is what she is focused on which rudely has you stated, she replied with her remarks. Without seeing her site, I'm not able to accurately form a proper opinion. But, still she could of replied and said thank you for the offer and she would consider it. I would be curious to review her site.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 08
Well, they are holding a fundraising event. My fundraisers work great at events. You just set up a table and have someone man it. Vacations sell themselves. That would be all you would have to do.
@heathcliff (1415)
• United States
18 Mar 08
I am sorry to say I fall victim to the same scam paranoia your potential customer seems to be experiencing. My first look at your MySpace page gave me a bad gut reaction. I have not really analyzed my feeings about it enough to give you good advice on presentation, but I do NOT believe you are scamming anyone. Still, even as a scam-ophobe, the lady's reaction is unacceptable. I can sort-of understand skepticism, but not anger. Some people just need to vent, I guess, and unfortunately, she let loose on you without bothering with things like research or facts. You probably should drop that friend page and just move on yourself. She's not worth the aggravation, even if she does turn out to be a nice person who had bad day. Don't be down on yourself about it, unless, deep down, you are doubting your own motives. If you're okay, you can be the better person and let it go. Sorry about my own initial suspicions. Stay strong.
• United States
19 Mar 08
I'm better, thanks. Please tell me what you think about my page. I don't want people to feel that way. I am not using it just to promote the fundraising though. I also custom make tutus and clothing. I have that stuff on there too. I didn't want to create yet another one.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Honey This gal may be very stressed with her cousin illness. We all do not react the same to watching the ones we love in pain. You need to remember that most things like this are not even personal. Get past it Doll.. Everyone will not realize you speak from the heart. get past it and move on. No need to change anything.. it's only one opinion and that of someone going through a hard time. oxxoxoxoxoxxo
1 person likes this
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
18 Mar 08
Well, maybe, they been through a devastating experience of helping out someone and that it was somewhat fraudulent. Trust at times when tainted brings out all the doubts in the world. It may take sometime before the ability for them to trust will come back. Or it could be that she somehow has the character of being rude. I mean, why waste your time being angry or saying all the nasty words rather than just ignoring some email right? Has she replied with your email, maybe that will tell.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
Maybe she should say that. Maybe she should have just politely declined. I was not rude to her.
• Philippines
18 Mar 08
I am so sorry to hear about what happened to you. She might not have understood what you were trying to do for her. At the very least, she shouldn't have treated you that way. I don't agree with what she did but I think you should try explaining your side to her.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 08
Thank you for understanding. I did email her back. I have not received a response. I will wait til tomorrow night for that. I wasn't rude to her at all in the first email. I don't understand people sometimes.
• Philippines
18 Mar 08
I guess it is because there are a lot of people who scam people on the internet, but, when I feel that someone is trying to scam me, I usually ignore the message. That person who cussed you out is way out of line. I mean, it is not right to say mean things to someone who is just suggesting another option. He/she could've asked you more questions about the fundraiser you are offering instead of just exploding on you like that.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
Exactly. Thanks for understanding.
18 Mar 08
I think because there are so many scams circulating nowadays most people are extremely wary! So, you wanted to raise money for her and she is rude? There is no proper explanation... But maybe it was not you who was the scammer? p: Sorry, me being quick to judge and accuse? I can understand she might be cautious about scammers, but maybe she should not be so rude... I guess maybe you should find somebody who better deserves your help! p.s. how do you raise your money ? what sort of fundraising events? and do you donate it to random causes? hehe, hope i'm not too nosy Px
• United States
19 Mar 08
I already have others doing fundraisers. This makes me want to do some raffles myself and donate the money to others on my friends list just to prove that I am legit. Know what I mean?
• China
18 Mar 08
maybe some people always think that others would scam them if they are willing to help without requiring any return/reward, since themseves always consider the reward, such as money or fame or something eles, before they give the hands to the people in need. so do not care for this, just2crazygirlz, it is not your fault. dare to love, dare to leave, never forgive!
• United States
18 Mar 08
I get the good feeling knowing that I am making a difference. That's what I get out of it.