I almost had a heart attack. (PSA)

[Dormire]

OK so, I went to trade with someone in Nookazon and I was sure I properly fenced my paths leading to areas, including vaultable areas. Apparently, there was a blind spot I missed behind a tree and I noticed it way too late when the person I'm trading was not to be found in my Nook Shop or the Resident Services area (the trader asked to shop at the twins and Able's)

I ran as fast as I could to my leftmost part area where I was arranging and storing all my items I'm going to give for an event I'm planning. I saw the person picking them all up and I instantly pushed home and exit (luckily they were at the middle of picking them up) it was for a while so I was scared that the autosave kicked in without me noticing but when I checked all the items are still there. I was almost at the verge of tears because I worked really hard on crafting those items and going to people's islands to gather crafting mats.

I know I was just going to give them away but those aren't for people who are greedy, it's for people who deserved it. I was so mad I lost the energy to play the game for the rest of the night.

Also, about the trader they thought the items were free to take because it was outside. I was still so mad I just blocked and reported them.

Guys, if you have items down and are trading with others, please fence them and make sure every blind spots are checked. I was lucky enough the autosave didn't kick in but I'm sure if I was just a second too late I would've lost all that effort...I'm still shaken about it.

Edit: I'd like to make it clear that this person does not represent Nookazon as a whole. This is merely one bad experience out of all trades I had. I don't intend to demonize the site but rather to spread awareness to not easily trust traders outside TBT.

 

[DawnAri]

so sorry that happened to you! why would they think obviously hidden items are free anyway it's weird imo

 

[coderp]

Wow... It's a good thing you caught them before they left/autosaved. I have some items on my island floor that I would be furious if they were stolen... Namely my moon DIY for my brother

 

[Xme]

That is sooo stressful. I had a trader, not from this site, come and ask if they could explore after. I said no thank you please leave through the airport... then they took off running! My adrenaline was through the roof trying to hit the end session button.

 

[Dormire]

so sorry that happened to you! why would they think obviously hidden items are free anyway it's weird imo

That person deliberately looked for spots that they can go through my island. I'm so paranoid about my blind spot areas now. I should start filling vaultable areas with bushes because my hands are still shaking. That was not an accident. It was deliberate. Honestly, why are people like this...

 

[DJStarstryker]

I've always been paranoid about things happening like this even though I've been lucky enough to never see it myself. Who does that? I don't think you should ever assume anything on the ground is free. It's only free if the host says it is or if there's a sign indicating that things in the area are free. And even if there's a free area, don't be greedy and take all of it. Just take a few things and leave the rest for others. Why are some people so rude?

 

[mrs_z]

omg! i'm so sorry..

SHAME ON THAT GUY!! wow!

 

[daisyy]

i'm so sorry you had this experience it breaks my heart when people abuse the trust of players who just want to help others. thanks for the reminder about fencing, definitely makes me think twice before opening up my island!

 

[Romaki]

Even if they were left there to be picked up, they could have still asked you considering you didn't mention it anyway.

This sounds like a terrible experience, I really don't understand why people have to push it like this. It was clearly fenced off.

 

[DawnAri]

That person deliberately looked for spots that they can go through my island. I'm so paranoid about my blind spot areas now. I should start filling vaultable areas with bushes because my hands are still shaking. That was not an accident. It was deliberate. Honestly, why are people like this...

I understand, guess being carefull and take precautions is key!

it's still weird to me, when I joined this forum I was a bit nervous about letting people visit my island but I've only had good experiences
(I also don't have stuff on the ground anyway as it would ruin my 5 stars, but still have only had very friendly interactions)

I've never had visitors from outside of this forum though

 

[Dormire]

I've always been paranoid about things happening like this even though I've been lucky enough to never see it myself. Who does that? I don't think you should ever assume anything on the ground is free. It's only free if the host says it is or if there's a sign indicating that things in the area are free. And even if there's a free area, don't be greedy and take all of it. Just take a few things and leave the rest for others. Why are some people so rude?

Exactly. I fenced the entire area except where people can access Able's and Nook store but no, I had to miss *one* spot. My intention was CLEARLY not to give them away nor hinted the items there were free. It's so annoying. Would I really buy that excuse that it's free for all if it's on the ground? Jesus...I need to get my self together though. I could barely keep my hands steady because of that scare lol...

 

[DJStarstryker]

I keep hearing stories like this from people trading via Nookazon. I hear stories like this sometimes from Turnip Exchange too. Just tells me not to use those sites for trades.

I haven't heard stories like this from people here on Bell Tree, but I feel like if any stories like this were to crop up, the moderators would take action on your behalf. Nookazon and Turnip Exchange are probably more or less the wild west, where people can get away with things like this.

 

[Iris_T]

I got distressed only reading about your experience, glad it didn't end badly!

As some others have pointed out, even if it was in the ground people should ask before taking anything and besides all the fencing is already saying to anyone that you don't want people wandering around... (finding the blind spot and taking stuff is really shady, whats wrong with people?)

 

[Dormire]

I understand, guess being carefull and take precautions is key!

it's still weird to me, when I joined this forum I was a bit nervous about letting people visit my island but I've only had good experiences
(I also don't have stuff on the ground anyway as it would ruin my 5 stars, but still have only had very friendly interactions)

I've never had visitors from outside of this forum though

TBT is luckily an oasis in a desert full of malicious people. Any places outside TBT has a higher chance of encountering scammers due to how loose the rules are there + there's no established rep system (besides Reddit's RateMyMayor but you need to look for it unlike in TBT where you have to carry it everywhere...)

I got too complacent. *sigh*

 

[pinkfawn]

After an IRL friend ransacked my island I am very paranoid about letting anyone in. She needed iron and I told her about 4-5 times to only take the stuff on the ground around the rocks. I went AFK to make lunch because I thought she understood. She took the stuff around the rocks, my turnips in their farm area, all of my fruit and all of the materials in my crafting area including 60+ customization kits. She brought back the crafting stuff (didn't realize she took my turnips until I was ready to sell) but she said she thought she could take it. I'm not really sure why people think if its on the ground its theirs to take. I use star pieces to decorate my town and now I'm having second thoughts.

 

[Hanif1807]

Man, good for you you're able to save them before the worst happened
Seeing alot of traders acting like this really giving me anxiety to open my island for visitors or trading in the future

 

[Sencha]

This is something that always scares me when playing online! So sorry you had this experience. I don't understand how people can just act like that, they wouldn't do that irl. Hopefully...

 

[Dormire]

I got distressed only reading about your experience, glad it didn't end badly!

As some others have pointed out, even if it was in the ground people should ask before taking anything and besides all the fencing is already saying to anyone that you don't want people wandering around... (finding the blind spot and taking stuff is really shady, whats wrong with people?)

Exactly. It's already a clear indicator that you shouldn't go anywhere than the intended area. I feel like this isn't the first time that person did this. Normally, you don't look for blind spots. No one usually thinks about that. I've traded with others and never once they thought they can get past the fences.

Now I'm aware that's always not the case. It's scary to think about it.

 

[victoriae350]

OMG That sounds like it was stress city!! People shouldn't pick things up off the ground unless there's a sign or the host has specifically said, "You can take this!"

Yes to the fencing! Precautious is key. I follow one of those Facebook groups that talks about flagged players, and some of the horror stories are awful!

 

[Dewasa]

It's weird how people can think that when they are visiting, items on the floor is considered free, even if it's not what/why they are there for.