Comments on: Rob Cockerham writes article critical of Cash4Gold, gets offered cash to kill story http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 07:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Scuba SM http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398340 Scuba SM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398340 Takuan @23, Yes. Takuan @23,

Yes.

]]> By: fandango2000 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-418567 fandango2000 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-418567 The original article seems to completely miss the REAL point, which is quite amazing. It says you are only offered a third of the gold's actual value. That would mean that when they triple the offer (to just over the pawn shop offer), that that is the actual value. This cannot be the case, as then they (and the pawn shop) would not be making any money. The real truth, is that this new (tripled) amount is still only a FRACTION of the real value. The actual heart of the scam is the use of dwt. If the writer of the article can't even be bothered to convert 14K dwt into market price gold, what are the chances a seller will? So what is the 'actual' value, please? The original article seems to completely miss the REAL point, which is quite amazing.

It says you are only offered a third of the gold’s actual value. That would mean that when they triple the offer (to just over the pawn shop offer), that that is the actual value. This cannot be the case, as then they (and the pawn shop) would not be making any money. The real truth, is that this new (tripled) amount is still only a FRACTION of the real value.

The actual heart of the scam is the use of dwt. If the writer of the article can’t even be bothered to convert 14K dwt into market price gold, what are the chances a seller will?

So what is the ‘actual’ value, please?

]]> By: Evil Jim http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398603 Evil Jim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398603 Glad to see Rob's article getting even more coverage thanks to BoingBoing. Cash4Gold may be a legal operation but it's certainly not an honest one. Glad to see Rob’s article getting even more coverage thanks to BoingBoing. Cash4Gold may be a legal operation but it’s certainly not an honest one.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398349 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398349 @Takuan #23: <blockquote>are honestly telling me in all the vast maze of laws and regulations that throttles your daily life and bankrupts the makers of wooden children's toys that there is not one single ordinance violated by these greedy, scheming bastards?</blockquote> Maybe and maybe not, but as far as I know greed and scheming aren't illegal. @Takuan #23:

are honestly telling me in all the vast maze of laws and regulations that throttles your daily life and bankrupts the makers of wooden children’s toys that there is not one single ordinance violated by these greedy, scheming bastards?

Maybe and maybe not, but as far as I know greed and scheming aren’t illegal.

]]> By: Jazzhigh http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398351 Jazzhigh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398351 Though I have no evidence to prove it, I always just assumed these operations were for fencing stolen gold. I doubt there is much checking up on the source(s) for the valuables. Probably much safer than taking it to your local pawn shop and who cares if they are only giving you a third of the value, it's all profit. Though I have no evidence to prove it, I always just assumed these operations were for fencing stolen gold. I doubt there is much checking up on the source(s) for the valuables. Probably much safer than taking it to your local pawn shop and who cares if they are only giving you a third of the value, it’s all profit.

]]> By: squidfartz http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398354 squidfartz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398354 Jeez, I sure wish someone was trying to buy me off for what I type online. I could use the dough. Jeez, I sure wish someone was trying to buy me off for what I type online. I could use the dough.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398355 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398355 could we get them sent up in Luzerne, Pennsylvania? We could falsify their ages. could we get them sent up in Luzerne, Pennsylvania?
We could falsify their ages.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-401173 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-401173 http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0204/p03s04-usec.html http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0204/p03s04-usec.html

]]> By: Kyle Armbruster http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398362 Kyle Armbruster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398362 You mean there's a company paying less to their providers than they expect to get when they resell, <i>and keeping the difference for themselves???</i> Surely that must be illegal!!! You mean there’s a company paying less to their providers than they expect to get when they resell, and keeping the difference for themselves??? Surely that must be illegal!!!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398874 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398874 Surely no person in their right mind would actually think they are getting fair market value for the gold they send in. However, if I just robbed a house and wanted to unload a bunch of jewelry in a "fast,convenient" way Cash 4 Gold would get the job done. Not only could I sell my stolen jewelry without ever having to leave my home, I also wouldn't have to worry about law enforcement tracking me through my local pawn shop. B Surely no person in their right mind would actually think they are getting fair market value for the gold they send in. However, if I just robbed a house and wanted to unload a bunch of jewelry in a “fast,convenient” way Cash 4 Gold would get the job done. Not only could I sell my stolen jewelry without ever having to leave my home, I also wouldn’t have to worry about law enforcement tracking me through my local pawn shop.

B

]]> By: Chuck http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398363 Chuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398363 Dear Rob, Your article is PURE GOLD. And we want to offer you CASH for it. Get it? Cash? For GOLD? GET IT? LOL Hit me back, Joe Laratro Dear Rob,

Your article is PURE GOLD. And we want to offer you CASH for it.

Get it? Cash? For GOLD?

GET IT?

LOL

Hit me back,
Joe Laratro

]]> By: ChunkyMonkeyBrain http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398892 ChunkyMonkeyBrain Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398892 So who is writing the truth? Sticky... http://tandem-interactive.blogspot.com/2009/01/cash4gold-cockeyed-blog-and-me.html So who is writing the truth? Sticky…

http://tandem-interactive.blogspot.com/2009/01/cash4gold-cockeyed-blog-and-me.html

]]> By: buddy66 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398385 buddy66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398385 Wooden children don't have toys. Or are you suggesting Pinocchio maybe has a hand puppet? Wooden children don’t have toys. Or are you suggesting Pinocchio maybe has a hand puppet?

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398387 Stefan Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398387 Mannnnn, I submitted this story to BB last week. http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/010947.html#323490 Mannnnn, I submitted this story to BB last week.

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/010947.html#323490

]]> By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-443194 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Community Manager Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-443194 Scuba, that will be through the remnant network rather than FM itself. Did you get a screen shot? Scuba, that will be through the remnant network rather than FM itself. Did you get a screen shot?

]]> By: markmarkmark http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398401 markmarkmark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398401 How much corruption is inside? Will it mend? How much corruption is inside?

Will it mend?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398408 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398408 I guess they should have offered him gold instead? I guess they should have offered him gold instead?

]]> By: Bevatron Repairman http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398418 Bevatron Repairman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398418 @29: The killer app of these companies is for meth addicts, best I can tell. Swipe some of grandma's jewelry, stick it in the mail, and you've got next weekend covered. Stolen gold fencing, to be sure, but a very specific kind of stolen gold fencing. @29: The killer app of these companies is for meth addicts, best I can tell. Swipe some of grandma’s jewelry, stick it in the mail, and you’ve got next weekend covered. Stolen gold fencing, to be sure, but a very specific kind of stolen gold fencing.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-406098 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-406098 Additional info on this story can be found here: http://cash4gold.blogspot.com/2009/02/response-to-laratro-quote-in-msnbc.html Cash4Gold hired him and is responsible for his hiring, but he no longer works for the company and his actions were done independently. Additional info on this story can be found here:

http://cash4gold.blogspot.com/2009/02/response-to-laratro-quote-in-msnbc.html

Cash4Gold hired him and is responsible for his hiring, but he no longer works for the company and his actions were done independently.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398421 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398421 oh lawsy, I just saw a handle on ML: "speakertomanagers"! ahhh! oh lawsy, I just saw a handle on ML: “speakertomanagers”! ahhh!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-401240 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-401240 My favorite thing about this whole story is how the reputation manager has now ruined his own reputation. Joe larato responded, but he is NOT allowing comments from any nay-sayers questioning his "trendy" methods. He is only allowing positive comments on his own blog. Another shady, and disreputable way of performing "reputation management" http://tandem-interactive.blogspot.com/2009/01/cash4gold-cockeyed-blog-and-me.html My favorite thing about this whole story is how the reputation manager has now ruined his own reputation.

Joe larato responded, but he is NOT allowing comments from any nay-sayers questioning his “trendy” methods.

He is only allowing positive comments on his own blog. Another shady, and disreputable way of performing “reputation management”

http://tandem-interactive.blogspot.com/2009/01/cash4gold-cockeyed-blog-and-me.html

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398442 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398442 Spocko, i remember that nonsense. Good for you. Spocko, i remember that nonsense. Good for you.

]]> By: noen http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398189 noen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398189 Sure sure, that how it starts out "I hope we can come to a reasonable agreement here." It won't be long till they're sending their goons around: "Nice website you have there, pity 'sumpin should happen to it, capiche?" Nice to know the classics never change. Sure sure, that how it starts out “I hope we can come to a reasonable agreement here.” It won’t be long till they’re sending their goons around: “Nice website you have there, pity ‘sumpin should happen to it, capiche?”

Nice to know the classics never change.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398190 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398190 I wonder what kind of cell phone Mr. Larato uses? anyone? I wonder what kind of cell phone Mr. Larato uses? anyone?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398199 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398199 that's actually enough evidence to prosecute on - I hope. Or maybe Cash4Gold could be made famous on the internet. that’s actually enough evidence to prosecute on – I hope.

Or maybe Cash4Gold could be made famous on the internet.

]]> By: Xeno http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398202 Xeno Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398202 The 'OTHER CONSUMERS AFFAIRS WEBSITE' is most likely http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/279/RipOff0279115.htm. In a Google search for the same term, there negative title still comes up but if you go to the page, they have posted a retraction. The ‘OTHER CONSUMERS AFFAIRS WEBSITE’ is most likely http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/279/RipOff0279115.htm. In a Google search for the same term, there negative title still comes up but if you go to the page, they have posted a retraction.

]]> By: spyker3292 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398205 spyker3292 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398205 Don't you just love corrupt companies? :\ Don’t you just love corrupt companies? :\

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398974 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398974 CunkyMonkeyBrain, they both say the same thing. In fact Joe L has no problem with what he offered and "stands behind" it. So he doesn't see a problem with buying off that blog. Kyle Armbruster, you're being disingenuous. A <i>pawn shop</i> offered this guy over three times as much as Cash4Gold. Pawn shops are businesses that resell their product. They are renowned for buying low and selling high. If a pawn shop pays far more than another business for a commodity, then that other business is seriously ripping you off. CunkyMonkeyBrain, they both say the same thing. In fact Joe L has no problem with what he offered and “stands behind” it. So he doesn’t see a problem with buying off that blog.

Kyle Armbruster, you’re being disingenuous. A pawn shop offered this guy over three times as much as Cash4Gold. Pawn shops are businesses that resell their product. They are renowned for buying low and selling high. If a pawn shop pays far more than another business for a commodity, then that other business is seriously ripping you off.

]]> By: tkw954 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398207 tkw954 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398207 I think I smell a new business opportunity. I think I smell a new business opportunity.

]]> By: rak0ribz http://boingboing.net/2009/02/03/rob-cockerham-writes.html#comment-398719 rak0ribz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-398719 Well, silence _is_ golden... ...and he was offered cash for it... ...so, really, Cash4Gold was just being meta. Well, silence _is_ golden…

…and he was offered cash for it…

…so, really, Cash4Gold was just being meta.

]]>