Okay. I think this needs to be said.
Not everyone treats collecting the same. Some are not as sentimental as others about their collecting and selling. As such some people do think of it as a business. When treating it as such you'll have your gamut of business people and their ethics. Not all business people are unethical, it's a person to person thing just like collecting. I think people should keep this in mind.
As far as how much he paid people in Columbia for their ponies, it does not directly matter. What matters is if people are willing to buy the pony for the high amounts he's placed on them. If there is no market, he gets no money for his Colombian ponies. We set the price ultimately, not him. If you don't want to support him, simply do not buy. End of Story.
In regards to the way he's being treated or is treating others. That is first of all a personal matter. Communication is between two people firstly. Him and his buyer. If that is lacking, then it's time to approach with a mediator. Getting other people involved does not help an already messy transaction. If there are enough communication problems that bother you as a buyer before finalizing the transaction, do not follow through. Bow and take your leave if you feel that is best.
People are people, they are not all the same and not all with get along. This being said not all transactions are smooth, polite or amicable. I could do a transaction with X person and have everything go smoothly and then my friend can have a transaction with X and have it end being disappointed and put off from working with them. It's a personal transaction on these boards. This was why they were created. If you don't like the person, their policy, their price, their attitude, whatever.. You don't have to buy it. It's your choice.
Also, just like advertising making a big fuss over this only fuels the situation. Good or bad advertising is still advertising. If you don't want people to pay attention, don't give them the advertising. Please understand, I am not saying to brush it under the rug and pretend it didn't happen. Proper information and documentation will help any people who are willing to look for that information in the future. Being informed is important as a buyer, a collector and a seller. I know we are a community and look out for each other. This is a wonderful thing. I'm merely saying, making a fuss makes a bigger fuss if you are not directly involved.
With all that being said I am not here to support any particular person. I am not a personal friend of lars or of SoSilver. This is my opinion on the matter from a Marketing Perspective. I just wanted to give people a bit of information.
This whole incident is unfortunate. I am sorry that is happened to any person who would invest so much money into something that means a great deal to them.
