Re: [Paddlewise] Important heads-up on GAWTS

> From: outdoors_at_biddeford.com

> At 05:05 PM 3/17/98 -0800, Jackie Fenton wrote:
> >
> >Hello friends,
> >
> >I decided to let the GAWTS invitation message go through followed by 
> >some background history...
>         
> 
> Jackie,
>         This sounds like a classic con game.  Much of this moving around of
> addresses and accounts is similar to what the rip-off artists do with snail
> mail addresses and phone numbers.  As you say, let the buyer beware.  I
> think some checking with the state in which GAWTS does business and the
> nearest Better Business Bureau would be a wise idea before even considering
> sending any donations.
-

Hi Bill,

I'm not sure.  It could be a really bad case of disorganization but
I don't understand all the organization name changes and email address
changes and disappearances (while the PO Box and Fax numbers remained the 
same) and am also bothered by the commercial sea hunting connection and the 
attempts to closely mimick GASP and misrepresentation of ACA membership
(deliberate or not).  I've known about this since last summer but as it 
mostly involved failed attempts to post to GASP, I ignored it.  However once 
the message reached the community, I felt it important to inform the community 
of what I knew before folks started sending money.

Your suggestion of checking with the BBB is good.  However, it failed me
when I went with an auto repair business.  They had just changed their
name so the record of their "past" was never revealed and I got screwed
(BBB said "no complaints on this business").  I guess a side note would 
be to make sure the establishment is truly established.

Regards,

Jackie

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Hey!  Those weren't no jellYFISH!!!  You swallowed my SPONSonS!  Gimme 
back my SPONSONS, Fish BREATH!



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