Been screwed and screamed at

[Aine of the Fae]

Lately I've been opening up an MSN chatroom and offering free readings. I usually have about 30 or so people come and go wanting readings. The first night I did about 25 readings and then called it a night. Everyone was nice and I got a couple of thank yous but not very many. Well, tonight when I opened up the room, I decided to limit it to 15 readings. I was way too tired after doing over 20. This wasn't a problem and the people in the room were really enjoying the readings. And then my computer crashed. This is a typical once a year thing and it happened to pick last night to do it. I worked all night and got everything ok and got myself back online only to find an email from one of my regular chat groupies whining and complaining and calling me a liar and saying he'd never be back again. I know I shouldn't get upset about it, but I thought he was a nice guy, we'd had a lot of nice conversation and we understood each other pretty well. Now, I'm beginning to think I shouldn't open up the MSN chatroom anymore because people just don't respect what I'm doing.

And then, the other way I got screwed yesterday. I was online and a woman popped up on my AOL IM. It's in my profile that I'm a reader. This is usually no problem, I like doing readings. Well, she asked how much I charge. I told her and she asked if I accept PayPal, which of course, I do. She went and paid me through PayPal, and I checked, I received it. So I did the reading for her. It was long, drawn out and icky. Well, this morning after I finally got my computer working right and got back online, I checked my email and there was a letter from PayPal saying that she had canceled the payment and accused me of fraud.

I'm really starting to lose my faith in people because of these and other problems. I'm even beginning to consider giving up reading altogether.

Sorry to rant for so long guys, just needed to get it out I guess.

[Azure]

It sounds to me like you need to find a place to read that isn't online. Do you have a local psychic fair or something?

As for the lady you read for who cancelled payment, once again, some people are just nasty. There is nothing you can do to make them any better.

[tarotbear]

Wow!

As I may have stated elsewhere, I do NOT have IMing except for people who are already on my IM list. This keeps people from bothering me at any and all hours looking to get a free reading when I am working or otherwise occupied.

Unless you put limits on yourself, you will be on the road to a quick burnout. Doing a mere 10 readings every day will stress you out and leave you wanting unless you have big energy stores and a lot of psychic protection.

You need to have a better set-up with your online clients, even if that entails you sending them a pre-written agreement and they have to send it back to you as proof they have signed the agreement. I don't understand the PayPal thing, tho - maybe you should have a talk with them. Services rendered is services rendered and there must be rules about that, somewhere. Since 'doing a reading' is an intangible, you may not have the protections other types of services have.

Perhaps you should look into working for a psychic 'line' and not doing this independently. It is really unfortunate that you had to experience such a horrible time, but as Vince Lombardi is quoted as saying 'Good Guys Finish Last.'

Sending some caring feelings and a hug your way.......

[ankhesen Sekhmet]

If I remember correctly you posted elsewhere about how you got an offer to do readings offline, I haven't checked again but maybe it'd be better if you concentrated on that?

I'm sorry people are not being thankful for your help - that's one reason I stopped doing readings a lot :(

[Aine of the Fae]

I've decided not to provide online readings anymore (except for at MW of course, you guys are great).

The thing with the client and PayPal is a mess, I have no way of protecting myself because it's a service and not a physical purchase.

I've got an offer to possibly work in a shop near me and I'm also going to start doing the Michigan Psychic Fair in January. Dealing with people face to face will be much easier on my readings as well.

Thanks for all the support guys, I just needed a place to vent. I'm feeling much better now.


(((((((Everybody))))))

[ankhesen Sekhmet]

Well I'm glad you've worked it out for yourself. It's unfortunate to give of yourself and get slapped in the face such as you were. My blessings are with you {{{Aoibheann}}}

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Ouch! As Tarotbear said, sending some caring feelings and a hug your way ((((Aoibheann))))

I'm glad your getting the chance to read in the shop and at the physic fair. Hopefully things will go better for you on that route.;)

[AmbivalentMirage]

Good luck with the new job opportunity.

I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune with online readings. The online world is difficult and tricky in any kind of situation. I'm glad you'll still be reading at MW, though. I've really enjoyed learning from some of your posts. :-D

[Flaire-FireStar]

((((((((((((Aoibheann))))))))))))))))

[tarotbear]

Another reason I don't like to do free reading to total strangers... :smash:

I got another of those 'OH, PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE" requests while in a chat room. I already had another reading to do for a longtime client and I do have a real job -- and a life! :bug:

I did the reading and just typed it out and tried to send it. The message comes back "This mailbox does not exist."
:uzi: :shot:

[Haedis]

Ugh. If that person really DID end up paying a fraud someday they should atleast chalk it up to their own bad judgement and think of the loss of money as a lesson learned. The person obviously didnt know much about the Tarot, because most people understand that readings dont always go smoothly and accurately no matter how good the reader is. There's really no excuse for cancelling the payment.

I definately think readings in person would be less stressful. You could tell more about what the person is like and you'll be more apt to see if they're negative skeptics or just plain deceiving you.