[barrysloate]

I used to get emails fairly often from collectors who were about to make a trade and wanted to know if I felt they were getting a fair deal. I always hated these inquiries because I never want to get in the middle of somebody else's deal. And I can't tell you how many times I've advised the person not to do the trade or deal, and then found out he did it anyway. I always wondered why he asked me in the first place.

I've also helped a number of people without getting even a thank you in return. Finally, I sometimes get emails from people asking me for advice on a deal, and they sign off only using their first name. Am I supposed to know who it is? Is it somebody I might know well but don't realize it?

Overall I tend to help people out but I'm not a big fan of the unsolicited email. People do often want free advice and while I don't expect to be paid for answering a question, I do sometimes feel I'm being taken advantage of.