I echo Noah's comments. I've been a member of other forums on other topics where some of the members were also doing business a business related to forum. This has its pluses and minuses. They have great insights to bring to the community by virtue of doing the work, and they are often motivated by great passion for the topic, instead of, primarily, by money. (Perhaps this is a genesis of some of the problems you see as well.)

My heart goes out to the people who lost money. I would be especially angry and frustrated in this situation. It hurts to think that a kindred spirit would not deal fairly with you.

This causes a conflict for everybody, since both Mike and Dr. Deltron have been wonderful citizens of this forum. And I don't want Mike to disappear. At the same time, I wouldn't want him to continue to hang around without resolving the issues he has created. Then, every time he posts, there will be someone, who feels burned and angry every time he sees a new post, and is tempted to bring up what has happened.

The whole thing makes me feel sad. I always tell people that I am a member of an "online community" here (both here and at bentrideronline.com). The exemplary way that people treat each other here is something special. We share parts, knowledge, experiences, our lives. (If you don't believe me, just check out the macho d!ckhead pissing contests over a SS/FG or Alt Bike.)

It hurts to have to say, and it's easy for me to say since I'm not in Mike's shoes, but I feel that Mike is responsible to us all over this. The onus is on him first and foremost to communicate with his customers and to set right his dealings. And I really hope he does.

Eric