...isn't it ironic. After saying how much I was drawing from the internet, I had a nasty experience with someone drawing quite a lot of money fraudulently from my bank account. My paypal account got hacked. It's been a nightmare. The bank, Paypal and the police all going around in ever decreasing circles with nobody being definitive (though the bank was great eventually) A friend used to work at Paypal and has been able to help somewhat but I can't see me using it ever again in the future. The suspicion is that it's something to do with some of the many small purchases I made from Ebay in the run up to White Mischief. It was almost £500 ($1000) in total over three fake transactions. One was withdrawn almost immediately after I raised them all with Paypal. One is still being contested and what really freaked me out was that the bastard sent me a piece of paper by UPS on Monday morning with something rather sinister written on it - so that presumably he could 'prove' that he 'sold' me something. It was so upsetting: the intrusion and the deceit as much as the annoyance and the worry.
The latest development is that the third transaction has been reversed to my account; but as I shouldn't ever have had any money leave my account, it's a bit confusing. I think that the guy who tried to take my money has now had the same amount debited from his account which gives me a credit balance. My colleagues all told me to transfer the cash to my current account - hey, it's not like I couldn't do with it but that would be very bad karma and I just want it all over. I will not use either service again which is pissing me off because of various things I wanted to buy for friends on Etsy and other places.
The good thing is that I have a reason to be saving my pennies - and that is a work trip to San Francisco! My boss agreed that I can go for the weekend of Renegade Craft so it's a free trip essentially (and my summer holiday though Ting and I were talking about diving in the autumn...). Can't decide whether to work before or afterwards - I guess if it's the end of my trip that might work better for me. So I have some questions for any of you folks that know SF:
Where to say? It will probably be at one of these hotels and I have the option to stay in the city and take the shuttle to work, or stay in the valley and move back to the city for the weekend. Or commute from the city all week, it's about an hour each way which I'm ok with as I won't hire a car; just have to work out what time it leaves in the evenings to return to the city.
What to do? Apart form Renegade Craft. I know there's more than a weekend's worth of stuff but let's not worry about that right now.
What are the 'can't miss' places or hang-outs? Who knows the city and has recommendations? Fabric shops, trimmings, LYSs, foodie spots, Japanese craft stores or bookshops?
Tell me all!
No pics as camera is dead - may revisit soon x
oh, you poor thing! that's horrible, just awful.
Hope things are sorted out soon and you can put it behind you (and find a way to shop online still!)
Posted by: ruth singer | Friday, 13 June 2008 at 09:34
Im just after leaving San Francisco and while I didnt do as much crafty searching as Id like (difficult with a new husband in tow, didnt want to subject him to too much!), I did manage to find Art fibers, which is a brilliant yarn shop, on Sutter and Market Street, and got her to ship yarn home for me.
There is also Brittax fabrics, which has about 4 floors of fabrics, and includes a very small selection of yarns, not sure what the street its on is called but if you go to Union Square, its one of the streets off the south (I think) of the square.
Foodwise, I can totally and utterly recommend The House of NaanKing in China town,especially the sesame chicken (or tofu) and the noodle stack....not to mention the TsingTao beer!!Enjoy...
Posted by: Sara | Friday, 13 June 2008 at 19:30
Ugh. Sounds horrid. I hate that all the promises companies make are only fulfilled if they feel like it. It is so frustrating to worry about buying stuff via the internet, especially when Etsy in particular is so lovely.
Bah humbug.
On the plus side, a free trip to San Francisco sounds lovely. Lucky you!
Posted by: Lucy | Saturday, 14 June 2008 at 11:26
Yuck. Sorry about the paypal woes. I hope it gets all straightened out. Perhaps your SF trip is your reward? Lucky you to have it be a work trip -- it's like me and my NYC trips -- I'll be distraught when I no longer have them to look forward to. I hope you have a great time -- I'd love to go to SF. In addition to all the crafty stuff, I want to walk across the GG Bridge!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | Sunday, 15 June 2008 at 05:14