finn

Hi. I saw this article today and it made me think about my brief experience at RWG and both the creation and destruction of the reputation of MD2020. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/talk-deeply-be-happy/?src=me

Mike: Despite all this, I know that you are a good person who desperately wants to be happy. It is still within your control to take positive steps here and end everyone's misery, including your own. You owe it to everyone and yourself. You're the only one who can do it. This whole episode will be a pivitol point in your life either way. It will either haunt you, causing your stomach to drop out in shame every time you think of it for the rest of your life (or it will make you angry--either way it will be a drag on your life and happiness) or be the thing that caused you to change your approach to life, the world and its inhabitants. If you choose the latter, you will some day be able to look back on this episode and see that it was the best thing that ever happened to you. Imagine yourself 5, 10 or 30 years from now having lived a stable life surrounded by family and friends who love and respect you. Its completely possible. But you have to fix this Mike and then work on "fixing" yourself (we all need some fixing--please don't be offended). We all make mistakes and hurt others. I believe I have hurt you Mike and I'm very sorry. Somehow, I have offended several members' of this forum and I'm sorry for that too. Like you, I have hurt many others in my life. You've hurt many people Mike. I would suggest acknowledging it to them and then slowly and carefully returning everyones' watches (or parts so that they can pay someone to reassemble). By doing this, you can only help yourself in a legal sense. Every element of your crimes are provable whether or not you return these watches--so returning them can't hurt you--it can only help. Indeed, a criminal case would be very hard to prosecute if everyone has their watches back--even if they are in pieces. You have many things going for you Mike. When you are doing good, you are a good watchmaker and can therefore earn a living at some point. When you are doing good, you are polite, friendly and affable and therefore can rebuild your life and make new friends. In your posts, you tried to make people smile and I always pictured you as a happy-go-lucky person. A kind person. You provided information in posts for free in response to many members' casual questions. You did extra work on people's watches and did not charge them for it (including for me). You are NOT a thief, although you have behaved like one for reasons we can only guess. But you are not, at heart, a thief. I'm not sure what went wrong Mike, but even the usual suspects that cause people to do similar things can be altered and you can live a happy stable life if you commit to change. Once again Mike, I'm very sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me. Don't hesitate to contact me if you want to discuss anything. Please make this episode a turning point Mike. Our darkest moments can be the best things that ever happened to us if we seize the opportunity and commit to change.

Just checking back in. Again, very surprised by the tone and anger that some members have towards me. I'm not proud about it, but it was my lengthy shout-out to Mike several months ago that caused people to communicate and realize the scope of Mike's behavior. These threads started because of that. I was derided for trying to capture in words the scope of Mike's behavior and then for trying again and again when the vocal members on this forum kept missing the point. Those few members directed their anger at me and were very protective of Mike. Although I don't understand why you feel I am not a victim even though he has $320 that he did not earn, it is a fact that I got my watches back. I did so because I perceived the situation for what it was and took a reasonable and effective course of action in a timely manner. Both my perception and course of action was dismissed by some of the vocal members. These folks who seem to pass as leaders on this forum (who I know are good people) seem to have led people into a ditch and now lash out at people who come along and offer some help getting out of the ditch (that they've been stuck in for months). The things some of these members pointed to as reasons that I was not to be listened to were (1) I called Mike at home; (2) I threatened legal action. Competent and experienced people would have recognized this as a very reasonable course of action under the circumstances--particularly when it worked. Its pretty late in the game now though. I absolutely agree that no one should go to Mike's house with anger or vengeance. But I think it is very reasonable to go to the business address (even if it is a residence) of a watchmaker to ask about your watch under these circumstances. I would suggest that people in the area do it one at a time over the course of many days. PLEASE DON"T TRY THIS IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS--be respectful, polite and speak calmly. If you've hired lawyers, get their input first. I would also call him at home and leave respectful messages. I believe he lives with his mother--I always felt that the more she knows about this the more likely you'll get your watches back--maybe she'll try to keep him out of jail and send them back herself--or maybe she's rightfully sick of his behavior and will let him learn a lesson. But it increases your chances and that's all you can do now. If he tells you to leave, just leave. I found that making it personal helped with Mike. In contrast to his rants online, he was "please" and "thank you" when I got him on the phone. In most States, you are not trespassing until asked to leave and then you refuse. I would check Ill law first. Please be careful with attorneys' fees--if a few letters don't show any signs of promise I would seriously just consider going to the police (those with reps may lose them but gens will be returned if confiscated and Mike will probably have to agree to pay everyone back to avoid jail). I've given up on my $320 (although some of you have made it clear that I am not a part of this club anyway), but please contact me if you want to discuss or have questions about the advice of your attorneys. I'd hate to see people be strung along by attorneys (as a group attorneys are very honest but some will milk clients). I fear that those that seem to be leading this effort seem inexperienced and easily misled. Perhaps there are people behind the scenes with more experience in this sort of thing that can deal with the attorneys and gauge the effectiveness of proposed strategies. I'm sorry to those few members of which I speak--I know you have many, many good qualities. This mild criticism is meaningless. Its good to be naive about bad behavior and legal strategy. I agree that I don't seem capable of making a short post. Sorry.

During the course of my experience with Mike, several things happened that caused me to believe that Mike has serious emotional problems. He is a young man on a bad course. I would just suggest that he suffers more than us from this episode. We'll move on, but unless Mike changes he will repeat this fiasco over and over in life. He suffers now--being a trusted member of this community was so important to him. A community should support its members--whether online or in real life. I also would suggest that all of us will be happier if we forgive him and recognize that he probably doesn't do this just out of evil intent (if at all), but because he is in turmoil and ashamed and trying to protect himself. That being said, we do Mike no favors by not teaching him a lesson here and, even with forgiveness, everyone deserves their property back. To the extent you have not done so, I would recommend sending an e-mail and registered mail telling Mike to cease work on any watches and send them back to you immediately. Inform him that failure to do so within one week will result in the local police being contacted. If it is true that Mike is holding onto several thousand dollars worth of watches, this is a serious crime and Mike faces a real chance of going to jail even if he has no record. He will also have to reimburse everyone. But first you have to establish that Mike is holding your watches without your permission--so do it in writing. If in the end the police are involved, be prepared not to get your replica watch back. It will be evidence, and while it is legal to purchase and own a replica, the police are going to have a hard time returning it. Also, it may be illegal to send it through the mail (I'm not sure about this). This approach avoids paying a lawyer at least initially. The police can do the work for you. But please try to do it without anger--its hard, I certainly get angry when I'm not careful--forgiveness can be a constant process but its worth it. And if we do it right, we (well, I've given up on my $320) can get our property back and help a fellow human being thrive in the future. A few months ago I sent Mike several private emails pleading with him to return everyones' watches immediately and to rebuild his client base. I've offered to help him do it. I wish you had listened Mike. Please Mike, save your future and return all watches ASAP. If you have sold anyone's watch, you're in big trouble. There is no defense. I would try to work it out with that member before the police get involved--get some certified checks ready. You might want to talk to a lawyer first. Mike, you have placed yourself in a position where all your choices are bad--please choose the best of the bunch before it is chosen for you. Just imagine--instead of allowing this continued descent into anger and name-calling we instead help a fellow human being achieve a more stable path in life. Its a win-win. Now that's an f'ing community. To do so, people have to be willing to post comments on a deeper level than the superficiality that pervades. Also, please don't respond to some of the members who have no interest in this. Sorry for bothering everyone again. I check in only every few weeks only to find critical responses to what I think are very fair posts. Its strange that I keep being told to "drop it"--I barely pay any attention to this while some of those telling me to let it go are posting constantly. Much of my posts were to convince all of you to stop this nonsense and demand your watches back--Mike's behavior towards me was inexplicable and I laid it all out for you to see. And when you didn't get it the first time, I did it again and again. I'm sorry it seems to have offended so many, but I am proud of my conduct here--I tried to help Mike, I tried to help you and I tried to help myself. The passive-aggression comment from one of the members was fair and well-taken. Thank you for pointing that out to me. I think it was pretty mild but I was doing a bad job of dealing with my anger when I wrote that. I'll have to watch that. It clealry detracted from my message which is my fault. Thanks again! I want to thank the gentleman for identifying other watchmakers for me--I'll contact them. Good luck everyone--I don't think Mike is a thief--there's still a chance you'll get your stuff. I hope so anyway.

I'd like some advice. I have hesitated to leave negative feedback for Mike under his RWG profile. This is his way of making money and that's not something to mess with without good reasons. But it is also important that this site serve one of its main purposes--to provide accurate information. So I wonder if it is unfair to others if I don't leave some negative feedback. Anyone considering doing business with Mike deserves to know this stuff first (as well as all the positive things people have said in the past). If anything, I think I would just leave this thread's web address as the comment for the feedback so they can decide for themselves. Does anyone think this would be unfair to Mike?

Hi folks. Just checking back in because I got one of MD2020's failed repairs back from the local watchmaker. This was a brand new watch keeping nearly perfect time that I sent to Mike in early March 2013 for a cleaning. I got it back in late August running over a minute fast. He told me he wasn't sure what had happened so I gave him a few more months to figure it out. Finally I asked for it back in August as it became obvious that Mike had taken in more work than he could handle and was blowing off dozens of clients.. So last week I took it to my local watchmaker to see if I could salvage the watch. He said it was probably lubricated incorrectly. A week later, I got back a watch keeping nearly perfect time. For some reason, Mike was not even able to clean this watch correctly. There is no good excuse for this. I fear there is much more troubling Mike than just "family matters". When excuses don't make sense, they're usually not true. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd get my watches back ASAP before Mike disappears. Finally, Mike please return my $320. You did not earn any of it at this point. It will cost me more to repair your repairs--even a cleaning by you required a repair. There is no justification to keep my money. How can you treat people this way? In any event Mike, no matter what you choose to do, I wish you well and I hope you get your life in order.

It is kind of hard to say I burned my bridges with Mike--although the bridge seems to have been burned for sure. But I think Mike did the burning--which is convenient for him since he still has my $320--a nice trick. As an indicator of my complete frustration in dealing with Mike over a 6 month period, I told him he could keep the money if he would just send my watches back in one piece even if they were not repaired--which he did not (and sent one back with a totally new problem). But why would I rely on a moderator to resolve this and bother them with this? They have no authority to compel Mike to do anything. My choices are sue him (which I am not going to do), forget it or continue to rely on Mike eventually seeing that he has behaved immaturely and unprofessionally here and see that he has to refund at least part of my money. I want Mike to do the right thing for his and my sake. No one is doing Mike any favors by trying to cushion him in this matter. He will hopefully learn a valuable lesson and avoid this kind of stress in the future. He knows he is wrong here. He is just so angry at me right now. So I will continue to ask him to forgive me and call me so we can resolve this. At some point, I'll just give up. So Mike, if you are reading this, if you continue to avoid me I will just give up--but that doesn't mean you should allow this to happen. I am sorry in advance that this bothers so many people.

I was looking for a watchmaker to repair some of the work done by MD2020 on my watches and found this thread. I was not really surprised to find MD2020 and some of his friends taking such a high-handed position with this member--complete with angry name-calling. In the following thread you can evaluate the trustworthiness of thier positiion here. http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/162239-md2020-who-is-dealing-with-him-im-worried-now/ In this thread, various people, including myself, discuss the saga of MD2020's monumental delays in responding to customers and returning their watches. In my case, he returned my watches after about 6 months--all of the in worse condition than when I sent them to him. One was returned completely disassembled and in a bag. He did this in an angry tantrum after I dared to ask for my watches back after 6 months of patience. I had paid upfront, and to this date, he refuses to even contact me so we can discuss a refund. Some of the people ganging up on this guy actually support MD2020 in the other thread.

By the way, is there anyone that can repair my watches? I'm actually a very easy customer. I pay upfront and am willing to wait patiently for up to six months before becoming even a little difficult. Seriously though, I'd like to fix these watches so if anyone can recommend someone I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

I was just checking back after a couple of weeks and was surprised to see this thread was up to 20 pages. I was also surprised to see that Mike's supporters are still requesting it to be closed. I continue to reach out to Mike occasionally so we can resolve our dispute. He still refuses to contact me. I paid him upfront and, after a temper tantrum, he sent me back three watches almost 6 months later in various states of disrepair including one completely disassembled in a bag. I feel I deserve at least some of my $320 back (enough to repair his repairs), but he still refuses to even respond. So I don't think it is fair to say Mike has resolved things. While I physically have three watches in my possession--2 were rendered inoperative by Mike and are useless and one is at least wearable but still requires repair. Mike, if you read this please contact me--preferably by phone. I'll treat you with respect. If you are unable to bring yourself to do this or if you can't do it without losing your temper, just make a payment on PayPal. I wish you well Mike, but we have to resolve this.

Thanks for your advice guys. I understand your point. I understand on these forums some people are very active and develop an interest in policing the content. But please understand that I am not posting to entertain you or to offend you. Indeed, if you never read my posts that would be fine--even preferable. I have always tried to keep this private--but Mike will not reply. I wouldn't read my posts if I were you--they would be boring and repetitive. But other people who are still wondering about their watches may be interested as well as people considering sending watches to Mike. And I suspect Mike reads these posts. But I am sorry that it aggravates you. It is certainly not my intent. So if I check back next week and still see that people are having a hard time getting their watches or contacting Mike, I may post again and risk offending you. Or if it seems that Mike has gotten things straightened out, then we can chalk my experience with Mike up to an aberration. I hope that is the case. Last, the 4 month vs. 6 month complaint. After I found the part for Mike (a seconds hand that broke when Mike removed it) after waiting 4 months and Mike installed it, something else failed when he put the watch back together and I waited another 2 months (patiently) before asking for my watches back. Also, I was not responsible for ordering the first failed part, I paid Mike to do that. I only did it when Mike kept telling me that a bunch of different suppliers would not get back to him and I realized he was not really trying. I actually did him (and myself) a favor by deciding to get it on my own--which took 5 minutes (a few emails). I think a professional would have been a little embarrassed by that. But, thanks, I'll take you advice. I'm going back to my life for the next week or so and then I'll check this thread again to see what's going on. Maybe Mike will offer a portion of my money back so I can repair his repair.

I have tried to contact Mike several times since my last post. He refuses to reply. I have never called Mike a name. I have expressed sympathy and understanding for his troubles. I waited patiently for 6 months (listening to an unbelievable number of excuses none of which explain a 6 month delay including the tragic death in his family) before nicely asking for my watches back unrepaired and allowed him to keep the money I paid upfront. He returned three watches in an angry and childish tantrum, each one in worse shape than when I sent it to him 6 months ago. One was brand new and sent for cleaning and keeping almost perfect time. It was returned running 30-40 seconds fast. One was returned completely disassembled AS A BAG OF PARTS. The third was also brand new and sent for cleaning--returned with significant blemish on its face and after setting the time the minute hand does not start moving until about 45 seconds after the seconds hand (keeps good time otherwise). Since I need to have this last watch repaired again, I asked him for a portion of the $150 back that I gave him (I forgave him initially for the blemish on the face--he agreed to fix it after dragging his feet and suggesting I was scamming him--but never fixed it). He refuses to respond. My language has been kind and supportive. He has blocked me from PM. Remember, this was after 6 months of patience and understanding. He keeps saying I threatened him (untrue) or that I'm a "noob" (true) or that I am "a joke" (possibly true). Most of us have lost family Mike--you are not alone and we grieve with you. But we don't use it as a weapon and throw it in people's faces especially when it makes no sense (it doesn't explain the preceding 5 1/2 months). This is extremely angry and aggressive behavior. The Chinese part you looked for for 4 months I was able to find in 5 minutes (literally). I asked for my watches back because this had all the signs of a sinking ship. It seemed more likely than not that I would never get them back as one member after another reported similar problems and behavior. It seemed akin to a collapsing pyramid scheme--although I don't think you started out intending to hurt people--quite the opposite in fact. I think you are probably a good person, but misguided and immature--something we have all been at one point in our lives. Don't be offended MIke. If this is not the case, you have no need to get angry or offended. Everyone will see in time. I just ran out of patience. You call me names, but I am not angry because I know it is not true. The one who has the tantrum is always wrong (because deep down they know it but can't admit it to themselves so they protect their ego with anger--you have to recognize this or you will repeat this behavior throughout life). So Mike, please return at least a portion of the money I paid you. If not, have the courtesy to explain why you think it is fair. I have to repair your work. To me, you did not meet your end of the bargain. You may email me privately if you wish. I have tried at all times to keep this private but you have completely frustrated my attempts at discretion. Do the right thing Mike--you'll never regret it. Thanks Mike. I'm rooting for you.

The email with the so-called "threat" is copied below. I don't think you can find much of a threat. I bolded the "threat" so you don t miss it. Two months after this when the IWC was still not repaired and it looked like Mike was going to send me a bag of watch parts, I did threaten to sue about a week ago but I quickly retracted that threat and just gave my watches to Mike instead. And exercising your legal rights is not really a threat. I do agree that my formal tone of writing may seem harsh to some but if you look at the words used--they're pretty mild. I hope for the best for Mike. I say it all the time. I've said many kind things about him despite this mess. But folks, the only thing I did was send MD2020 2 watches in March for simple work. I paid upfront. Six months later Mike returned a broken PO and a UN that had been disassembled and was placed in a bag (there is no way for me to now if all the parts are even there--its just a bag of parts). About three months ago I also sent a new IWC for servicing. 3 months later he sent me back the watch with a defect on the front of the case, a deep scratch on the back case and a minute hand that does not start to move until 45 seconds after the seconds hand). This was a new watch when I sent it. Mike has my money for that work too. Also, I did call Mike at his home on 2 occassions when he stopped communicating. The first time we had a pleasant conversation and I felt Mike would come through. The second time I left a message. Mike can play it if he wants--it was not threatening. I also expressed sincere concern for him--something I still have--this is a very stressful time for Mike I imagine. Anyway, here is the email: From: Thomas Frizzell <thomas.frizzell@sbcglobal.net> To: Mike Dabrowski <md2020repair@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 5:58 PM Subject: Re: Fwd: 28/5 #7 - D - 49020 - thomas.frizzell@sbcglobal.net Hi Mike: First, I apologize for the length of this response. But please read it patiently. Please step back and look at this from my perspective. All I have done is send you watches and money upfront. I have been forced to react to several needs for repair that were, by anyone's measure, not my fault. Each time, I have responded with patience and good-faith understanding. I did not blame you. Indeed, I offered to pay for the repairs that have become necessary while you had my watches. So to have your only suggestion to resolve this matter fairly [referring to IWC that was returned damaged] be to check watches more closely when YOU receive them is disappointing. I have treated you better at all times. However, so as not to rule it out, there is, of course, the possibility that there was a hairline crack already in the watch case when I sent it to you and that it suddenly and dramatically propogated over the three days of shipment back to me. But this seems unlikely. Ladder caracks don't work that way. Also, the crack is not in the QC pics (which I sent to you and you can recheck). Neither you nor I noticed what is, a rather large and obvious defect. The defect is so apparent and obvious, that it must have happened in shipment back to me, otherwise you would have seen it. Also, I did some research--the crack will continue to spread since it is ceramic. The watch case is pretty much worthless and ruined if it is cracked. I believe you are surprised by this because you intended to do a good job--you just made a little mistake. I think that any suspicion you infer in my motives are made in the moment and you don't mean them. If you look at this objectively, I just sent you some watches weeks to months ago and since then have just patiently and graciously reacted to whatever has happened on your end. When something breaks, I say OK please fix it and tell me what it costs. I mean, I have offered to pay to fix things that occurred while my watches were in your possession on at least two occassions--(1) the seconds hand and the (2) recent problem on the ceramic PO. I did this on the assumption that these repairs were not your fault. So I think I deserve the benefit of the doubt here. I believe you care about the quality of your work and don't want to believe you may have accidentally damaged a customer's watch. But I do think the packaging and lack of cushioning is probably to blame. I know the bubble wrap is usually enough. When I send watches however, I do a better job. In shipment, these things get thrown, dropped, stuck in sorting machines. Mike, I just don't think it is fair to say you are not responsible for this (although it doesn't make you a bad person or watchmaker--you just made a mistake like we all do at times--but we have to fix our mistakes). Bubble wrap and a document package is not enough to protect $800-900 worth of someone else's watches. The post office will tell you that. Show them what you did and see what they say at the post office. Also, Mike--when a watch is given over for repair, a bailment is created (I was a lawyer for 10 years before I became a Registered Nurse--don't worry it doesn't mean anything that I was a lawyer--I quit for a reason). It has to then be returned in at least as good a condition as when received. And if its not, then the bailee (in this case you) is responsible. In law school, many of the cases you learn involve watches, clothes and art. My sister is a lawyer in Chicago, if you want I can have her check on what the law is in Ill. Let me know. In terms of what to do to fix this Mike, I'm open to suggestion but in the end I'd like to give you another crack at offering a constructive suggestion to resolve this that does not involve suggesting I sent you a damaged watch. l leave it to you to do what you think is fair. I do hope you agree to repair or replace it (assuming you agree it is cracked). If it can be repaired, I'll take a used case in good condition--even with some normal scratching But I just can't keep responding to my watches not being returned in good condition. What should have been some simple and quick transactions have been anything but. I don't know if anyone is to blame but I know its not me. So if you think it is fair for me to lose about $480 on this (watch plus servicing), then I don't think I will fight. I'll just eat it MIke. I just can't keep dealing with this stuff Mike. If I ever get my PO and UN back--I guess I'll be thankful. But right now Mike, based on the tone of your last reply, it sure feels like I'm going to be out over a $1000 dollars (I really am doubting that I will ever get my other watches back working Mike) when all I ever did was send watches to you, pay upfront and wait patiently while I'm told all the reasons my watches have not been returned to me in at least the same condition as I sent them. That I'm even defending myself is kind of absurd really.

I'm sorry you feel this way Mike. I should add that I didn't threaten legal action until last week after you failed to communicate with me for over a week after I nicely asked you to send my watches back unrepaired and said you could keep my money too. This was the level of my frustration after nearly 6 months. You can't do this sort of stuff Mike. I don't know why you got mad at that--but you should try to figure that out. When we spoke by phone two months ago or so, you admitted I had been more than patient. I'm not sure why you're taking this position now--I just wanted my watches back--if you had replied OK and sent me the tracking this would have ended (I didn't receive any emails Mike and I was looking--several months ago we stopped PM-ing because you similarly claimed that I hadn't received several PMs too). And in the end I gave you the watches rather than take any legal action. I had moved on, I was happier giving you the watches and money rather than chasing you. Initially, about 2 months ago I mentioned that my sister is a lawyer in Chicago because you didn't seem to understand the law of bailments and how it applies to you. You NEED to know this Mike if you are a watchmaker. I offered to get you information on this so you believed me because you seemed to think you were not responsible--and my sister is naturally the person I would have called for questions on Illinois law. I told you I was a lawyer also so you would believe me. As I told you, I quit many years ago and became a Registered Nurse because I didn't like conflict--I assured you I would not sue you because of this--but then another couple months passed and you stopped communicating. Had you not read a threat into this and taken me up on my offer, you would find that when you take someone's property for repairs, a bailment is created. That means you have to return the property in at least as good a condition as you received it. If this doesn't happen, for whatever reason including an innocent mistake on your part, you are still responsible. You need to know this Mike if you take people's property for repairs. So when you returned my IWC with a significant blemish on the face of the ceramic case, I was shocked that your only response was that you didn't know what happened and to suggest that you had received it this way and I was trying to cheat you. I was angry at this. But you would have seen this blemish Mike, it was obvious. You also had seen the QC pics before I sent it. In fairness, you agreed to fix it after trying to avoid it at first. You assure me it is not a crack and I take you at your word--but you sent it back to me with the same blemish--a blemish that was created while you had control of the watch in a bailor-bailee relationship (this includes your choice of shipping materials). Also, now that I have the watch back, there is a guouge on the back of the case and the minute hand does not start to move until about 45 seconds after the seconds hand--it seems to keep OK time after that. This was a brand new watch. But I forgive you Mike (I do have a right to correct mistatements in your post though). I wish you could do the same. Last, the China parts thing. I do understand it takes a while to get parts from China sometimes. That is why after waiting 4 months for you to do it and repeatedly hearing that suppliers would not return your emails, I did it myself. I did it in a total of about 5 minutes (a few emails in the space of about 2 hours), and Andrew from TrustyTime agreed to send me a seconds hand for free. I have no experience sourcing parts. You can't ignore this stuff Mike. Its a big part of the story. And I sent it to you without even a hint of annoyance--I just said here is the seconds hand and thanked you. But please forgive me Mike. I'm sorry I couldn't wait more than 6 months. I'm sorry I threatened to sue you when you stopped communicating and threatened to send the watches back in whatever condition they were in (a threat you followed through on as I received a bag of parts for one watch). I'm sorry I made this public. I'm sorry Mike. Surely, after this 6 month ordeal there must be at least something you are sorry about. I'm telling you Mike, it is freeing to admit mistakes and apologize. Also, you are free to publish our emails as long as it is all of them. But I agree with some of you--this is too much. I'm not going to check back on this thread so I don't feel the need to respond if Mike says mean things about me again. I agree with Mike in this one respect--on 2 occassions I briefly got angry with Mike and varied from my normal demeanor. In each case, my anger was at Mike's avoidance of responsibilty and not even the 6 month delay. If you look at the emails--it really was pretty mild but Mike took it hard. I apologized in each case privately as well. I work hard not to get angry and I failed here. . Anger never works. And I learned that I still have to work at this--so something very positive came out of this for me. I should never be more concerned with my property than other people's feelings. I am disappointed with myself in that regard. But good luck Mike.

I wanted to add a few more kind words about MD2020. When I asked for my watches back, I eventually got them. During the 6 month period that Mike had 2 of my watches, I offered to pay him more for repairs to the ceramic PO on several occasions (I sent it for servicing initially but the seconds hand broke when he removed it and then when I located the part months later and he replaced it, something else broke--I'm still not sure what), but he never asked for more money or took me up on my multiple offers to pay more (which he easily could have done if his intentions were not good). To me it seems like Mike is a person more interested in making friends on the forum than in making money.I hope he is not offended by this--I think wanting to make friends is a beautiful thing (if kept in balance) and I think it bodes well. But when things are not balanced, you end up with neither friends nor money sometimes. I think he was genuinely offended when I asked for my watches back--in disbelief that I did not trust him. He got mad and stopped communicating with me and he sent my watches back in anger. He may not yet have the capacity to see my point of view, but the fact that he fundamentally believes he is honest means he probably is. In explaining the delays over 6 months, I think he told me some things that were not true--but these are more like white lies to save face. Anyway, if I'm at all correct (and I may be way off), maybe we can all send a collective message to just return peoples' property right away (repaired or not) and all will be forgiven. We all deserve to not have to worry about our property and Mike deserves peace as well. Mike has a duty to relieve our anxiety, but I think we have the same duty to him. I can't imagine the stress he feels. Anyway, I hope this works out for everyone.