(10-25-2011, 03:12 AM)Hersute Wrote: If you look further down the TOPICS list, you'll find another thread where all that has been debated at great length.

If you are referring to the "...time to set the record straight about Gary Cross (BA)" thread, then I missed the info about the gambling habit(if it is true).

And because of that thread I was asking if the information is legit, a lot of the stuff there seem to be speculations (except the infos from John).

I know a lot of people are angry at the guy (like myself because he owes me money) and that is usually not a good basis for objective reporting.

I think ba is selling his company to someone else i heard.

@ HaMa

Believe me, the point you are making has been made many, many times before.
There have been all sorts of allegations, rumours etc.
Some people have refuted them and some supported them.
Pages & pages of arguing back & forth.

Now that BA is no longer officially trading and many people have been left stranded & out of pocket, the point of whether he truly does or doesn't have a gambling problem is irrelevant.

(10-25-2011, 08:57 AM)Hersute Wrote: Now that BA is no longer officially trading and many people have been left stranded & out of pocket, the point of whether he truly does or doesn't have a gambling problem is irrelevant.

Right, but it would explain where the money went (if it is true).

It just seems redundant to me to speculate on the question of where or how the money went.
He could have had any number of personal issues or circumstances that caused the problem.
If he were still trading, those circumstances may have been relevant.
But as he isn't, the focus now is on rectifying the appalling results of those circumstances.

(10-25-2011, 09:19 PM)Hersute Wrote: If he were still trading, those circumstances may have been relevant.
But as he isn't, the focus now is on rectifying the appalling results of those circumstances.

Actually some of the rumors say, that BA founded a new company so that people think they are dealing with a different management. So it may be still relevant.

In addition to that, if he gambled the money away how should he pay back hid debts?

Ok HaMa.

Firstly, you REALLY need to get up to speed on what is currently happening re BA and his business.
There are lots of posts on this & other forums that can help you do this.

Secondly, if he drank all the money away, gave it to a tramp in the street, spent it all on prostitutes or fine dining & high living or putting his niece through university, how does knowing how it was spent help anyone to get their money back?
How exactly do you hope to discover with any degree of certainty that he has a gambling problem?
How do you define 'gambling problem'?

Maybe, with a little bit of luck, you'll get a behavioural psychologist, that specialises in addiction, to come forward with proof of knowing BA (and his extra curricular activities) and then your mind can be put at rest.

The simple fact that he disappeared owing lots of customers money & stock (despite promises to the contrary) should be enough of a warning for potential customers without needing to clarify the why's & wherefores.

The victim gets to determine what's "relevant" in a situation such as this. If it helps them cope, then there should be no problem with them inquiring where the money went. Much easier to simply ignore their inquiries than taking them to task for it. Lots of other threads and posts to read if their's don't suit you. More tolerance is in order, in my humble opinion, for this particular topic. It's their time.

I just think 'gambling problem' is too confusing an allegation to substantiate or dispel.
For people to read "BA has a gambling problem" and it put them off pursuing the man for refunds, because they believed he's gambled all their money away, would be wrong.

Growing up, my father was addicted to gambling. Fortunately he was rather good at it and it kept us in several homes & in private education.
However, the fact was, he had a gambling problem, even though he didn't have a financial problem.
So the phrase 'gambling problem' doesn't really help to clear anything up for anybody regarding their refunds.

As no one knows for sure exactly what BA's situation is, I think its best to avoid misleading rumours and stick to the facts.

Whatever the case may be... There seems to be a track record.. I have been around his forum for longer than most people.. and he has had ongoing disputes continuously with people he has done business with. There was a time where it seemed his company was doing well and he had a very large following, but as time went by.. it appeared his company and business just progressively deteriorated. Than we have the whole thing that happened with John and the lawsuits.. To me this has been something that has been going on for awhile very slowly and now it reached the breaking point.. He moved all discussions to his private forum, and now he locked that one too.. SO no one can post etc. I don't know what his plans are or what happened with the money.. Its merely speculation.. But I am hoping he is working on getting people their refunds.

You guys have to understand, just a couple years ago.. everyone would be defending BA to the death.. he had a lot of fans that slowly disappeared over time.. As far as his character and the way he does business, I don't know what is going on.. But to say something positive about him. Overall I believe he was a positive force in this community. He ran one of the best forums around, and he always tried to bring new stuff to the table even if they failed,, I appreciated his willingness to always improve products and services. He also kept the prices low and in turn I believe helped keep all the other guys prices low.. With BA gone.. I am hoping that we don't see a bunch of price hikes. Even if you hated BA,, I really believe that he helped keep price competition