Boycott SLExchange! Redux

When a bell rings, the sound travels from a single source outward. A bell can not be un-rung, this song can not be unsung.

Many people have asked me to speak about SL Exchange so they could decide how to proceed. Others have asked what to do regarding their products and L$ held at the site; some have asked what will happen in the future. I have even been encouraged to join in other ventures and to become active in boycotts of one sort or another.

I am NOT attempting to persuade public opinion - my goal has been just the opposite! I have worked to keep this private and to get back to business as usual, and that has not happened.

I've talked privately with SL residents who are uniquely involved with our community and who would be honest with me. I have also consulted with others I know personally and professionally.

SL Exchange has been involved with a number of RL and SL businesses. We have had discussions concerning services, features, and expansion into additional SL and RL markets. Other businesses are aware of our efforts from different perspectives - venture capital investors, Linden Lab folks, and other inWorld business people. I have used due diligence at all times, and have honored the terms and conditions of my SL Exchange business contract, the LL TOS and Community Standards. I continue to do so.

There is a written partnership contract detailing the SL Exchange business. I have a 40% owner share in SL Exchange - my business partner knows this, and has acknowledged our partnership contact as recently as today.

Simply put - I have been party to an attempted hostile take over of my ownership share of SL Exchange. This began early morning of 1/12/2005 when I was locked out of SLExchange.com and denied access to our business accounts.

At no time prior to 1/12/2005 was I informed by my partner that he had serious concerns about our business transactions. Six days later, just after midnight on 1/18/2005, he began this thread. During the previous 6 days, (12th-18th) he refused all attempts to discuss his grievances - including an inWorld meeting with a Linden Lab representative and myself.

On the afternoon of 1/18/2004, I received a message from him acknowledging our business contract, and an offer to purchase my 40% portion of SL Exchange. The offer stated that my failure to sell to him would result in SL Exchange ceasing operations. Some inWorld discussions have occurred, but we have failed to agree on how to value the business. I've been presented a final buyout offer and I am again told my failure to sell to him will result in the liquidation of the business. I have rejected his offers.

Lastly, the reference to blackmail in message #1 was not made by me. It referred to the first message to me on 1/12/2005 explaining why I was locked out of the website. In that message a L$-amount was offered to be paid to me immediately on 1/12/05 in return for my silence concerning the termination of my involvement with SL Exchange. If I choose not to agree to his cash offer, he stated I would receive nothing but I would be free to talk. I was also informed, there would be no negotiations, no telephone calls, no instant messages regarding this situation.

I thank everyone for their patience and restraint and the many messages of support and encouragement during this difficult time. Your positive words do matter, and their impact on me has been helpful.

That message says NOT to boycott SL Exchange.

That message says NOT to boycott SL Exchange.

Given that Apoth has reportedly threatened to kill SLExchange if Merwan doesn't give in, it's not entirely clear to me what this is going to accomplish.

Merwan has spoken.

Show me the legal agreement , you still rely upon hearsay. He may be right; he may be wrong. Where is the writing?

Where does it say that?

Many people have asked me to speak about SL Exchange so they could decide how to proceed. Others have asked what to do regarding their products and L$ held at the site; some have asked what will happen in the future. I have even been encouraged to join in other ventures and to become active in boycotts of one sort or another.

I am NOT attempting to persuade public opinion - my goal has been just the opposite! I have worked to keep this private and to get back to business as usual, and that has not happened.

I have no reason whatsoever NOT to believe what Merwan said in this post. It is because of that fact that I will not be part of a project that gives profit to Apotheus any longer. Apotheus started this thread as a P.R. stunt to salvage his image because he KNEW it would go public.

And I don't care WHAT Apotheus says the "definition" of blackmail is, HE IS BLACKMAILING MERWAN with his REPUTATION. Apotheus is taking this entire matter and putting it on Merwan's shoulder's, FORCING (blackmailing) him into taking what is obviously a lesser amount than Merwan's share is worth.

Merwan has EVERY RIGHT to not cave into threats and the shady practices of Apotheus. If SLExchange ceases operation, it will be because of the majority shareholder ceasing its operation.

People -- go get your money our of SLExchange NOW. We have witnessed the kind of business practices Apotheus uses, I will not allow him to do it with my money, no matter how large or small of a SLExchange customer or merchant I am. And this is saying a lot for me, because sales of my products on SLExchange beat my sales in-world almost 5 to 1. Hell, most of the time I don't have money in the game unless I've got SLExchange sales coming in.

It's a cool service. But cool services run by crooked people... I will not support.

I mean, hell, if Apotheus had just voiced his concerns, plans, ideas with Merwan, this whole ugly situation probably would have turned out a lot differently.

Now to go update my SecondServer account...

I've also withdrawn my business from SLExchange.

(Although Ulrika heading the effort to make it all about her was almost enough to make me reconsider.)

eah and he did it so well I thought he was the sole owner. He is the reason I used the service because I know he's trustworthy. I don't think I'll be using it anymore either. Why can't I withdraw my funds?

OK, I hope everybody is now removing their money and items from SLExchange. If Apotheus is willing to harm the merchants so obviously over this by ceasing operations if Merwan does not accept he needs to have everything pulled from beneath him. Let him cease operations. He'll never run an equivalent service like SLExchange after this if he does indeed go through with it as the community will just kick it into touch before he gets it started.

It's clear that Apotheus doesn't have the merchant's interests at heart here, only his own greed.

I have temporarily de-listed my items from slexchange. I've seen enough that I'm seriously concerned about who I'm doing business with.

I will await for Apotheus to present his side of the story before coming to a final decision.

Merwan has spoken. Let's show him our support by boycotting SLExchange. I'll start spreading the word tomorrow -- I have the whole day off.

~Ulrika~

It's in Merwan's best interest to maintain that position.

I would like us as citizens to autonomously organize a boycott to show our support for Merwan and ethical SL business practices. .... ~Ulrika~

Please don't use my name to organize.

Ouch. I can't win can I? Maybe next time you could PM me so it's no so embarrassing. I won't use your name any more.

~Ulriika~

Since, however, you now "know" he doesn't, hows about editing your posts?

If you want to retrieve your reputation and demonstrate some true good will, you will not only cease to use Merwan's name, but you will cease to have anything to do with this situation as an EFFECTIVE acknowledgement that you jumped the gun severely and stirred up so much muck that those of us involved with SLExchange, who need to make a decision will have that much more difficult a time seperating fact from heresay.

Your involvement in this situation has actually made me, and evidently some other people want to do the opposite of whatever you agitate for simply to avoid being associated with you in any way.

In politics, an effective person is one who puts the cause above their personal glory. If you really care about the cause... bow out now.

Surreal

Ironic that as Surreal was writing this attack against Ulrika, she was doing just that.

My reputation is irrelevant. Personal glory is irrelevant. Justice is what matters.

I'm sorry to hear that you're the kind of person who would support a thief simply because of your irrational dislike of me. I notice that when this irrational dislike manifests itself in the forum, it is often accompanied by charges of someone seeking "personal glory". I think that says a lot more about the accuser than me.

I'm tired of filling these forums with hateful posturing. Send me a PM or an email at Ulrika.Zugzwang at gmail.com and we'll discuss this in detail.

~Ulrika~

Well I appealed in vain to whatever better self you might have possessed.

Believe whatever you like about my opinion of you. My dislike is based solely on your actions and words in this matter. I'm in good company.

I have no desire to waste any further time on you.

Ironic that as Surreal was writing this attack against Ulrika, she was doing just that.