Hello Ugur. In preparation for this reply, I read this thread as carefully as time allowed. Assuming your account was true and complete, my take is this:
- James Reed probably is not a very nice person.
- James Reed probably can make good pickups.
- Whether or not James Reed is a nice person or can make good pickups, he habitually cons pickup buyers by stringing them along with credible-seeming promises.
- In this instance there was a classic long con, in which Reed was the con man and you were the mark.
- The extreme length of the con was impressive, it should be said. Both the con man and the mark deserve credit for their persistence.
Some years ago an investment broker described to me the psychology of investors, comprising a range between the opposite poles of greed and fear. Other terms can be substituted (desire or good will instead of greed; disbelief or indignation instead of fear), but the logical relationships are constant.
Many years ago, I was conned in a long con. I lost more than you, yet like you not so much as to be damaging. What hurt was finally seeing the con laid bare, and my naivete in it. That was a pivotal event for me, and helped me transform myself into the hardened c*nt I am today.
When I hear stories like yours, I remember both the broker's advice and my personal history. Few people are born with the talent to never be conned in the least way. The rest of us have to learn the game, or at least how to avoid the game. And the trick to that is to learn the softest lesson possible.
Let all of us here learn from others' dealings with James Reed and his ilk, and not let our desire trump our sense of self preservation.
Ugur, I wish you luck in getting your money back. There are plenty of pickup makers of integrity, so you will have your set of custom pickups before long.
Best,
Snaxster
