More on M and M's Sales Cancelation, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

A week ago, we wrote about Marcthur Goosson and his "M and M Creations" having two sales worth a toral of 42,000 Linden dollars being canceled by Linden Lab and the money taken. When he asked Linden Lab for an explanation, they didn't say very much other than the sales, made through M and M's Marketplace page were "done with Lindens acquired from another source." So he turned to us, and our readers, for answers.

Marxus Lefevre was the one person who answered through the Newser's article comment section, saying:

It does happen a lot actually... when I was working for an estate, which shall remain unnamed, LL would take regularly L$ from the estate owners account with above explanations. Due to close contacts with the support we eventually figured, that there were rental payments done with money acquired, i.e. from stolen credit cards etc., often from Russian or Arabian accounts. If the money was stolen from another account, which happens to often sadly too, LL would return the money to the person it was stolen from, independent of the purchases made through the offenders. I always thought it was the right thing to do though, but I understand, that it comes disturbing to Marcthur or anyone who's not aware of these things.

On the Friends of Second Life Facebook page, there were more comments. While there were accusations of "shady business practices," others confirmed Marxus' story. " This has been done for years and even on almost on daily basis. It relates to their procedure on how to handle stolen accounts. And perfectly legal. Credit card comp, banks etc all do the same by reverting payments when accounts stolen. ... This a normal buisness practice and nothing shady." "it's just a nice way of saying 'stolen lindens'."

So why didn't Linden Lab just up and say that they were returning stolen money to it's owner instead of giving vague and cryptic explanations? The only responses I got were from the Facebook chatter, "They just can't give more details than (they) did due to privacy right issues of account holder. ... by law they can't."

I don't know where to look to confirm this explanation. But if this is true, it seems this isn't simply Linden clumsiness at work, but also the law. Still, couldn't the Lab find some way to give a better explanation to a confused content creator trying to make a few dollars only to find his sales canceled and the money taken? There is also to consider that if dealing with stolen cash is a frequent problem, Linden Lab may be naturally reluctant to talk about it. In any event, this seems to be the best explanation there is for Marcthur's missing money.

Bixyl Shuftan

Merchant's Sales Canceled, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

Longtime readers may remember "M and M Creations," run by Marcthur Goosson. For years, he has been making quality items for sale, such as his cottages. But he recently came to the Newser after an incident that concerned the sale of some of his cottages.

Besides his inworld store at the Isle of Paradise, M and M also has a Marketplace page. Sales there were routine until December 30 when Marcthur discovered the Lindens had taken away 11,000 Linden dollars from his account, "without any warning or explanation." A few days later on January 4, he found 31,000 Linden dollars were gone. So he asked Linden Lab what was going on. They gave the following answer

Thank you for contacting support. We'll be happy to explain! We discovered the Marketplace purchase on your store was done with Lindens acquired from another source. The transaction was cancelled and the Lindens that were used were subsequently removed. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Let us know if you need any further assistance!

Marcthur messaged them again for more details, and his money back. He was given this answer.

Unfortunately we are not privy to the specifics on which Marketplace purchase was actioned against, you do have our apologies! Our Accounts Review team discovered the issue and made a determination which resulted in the removal of the Lindens spent. For security purposes we cannot reveal the source of the Lindens or who spent the Lindens through your store.

Exactly what Linden Lab meant by "acquired from another source" they never stated. Marcthur wondered if it might be "fraud or stolen Linden dollars." But with the Lab not saying more, he could only turn to the Newser. Of the items involved in the canceled transactions, "I do not know cause they do not tell me. But given the amounts ans transactions in my overview it must be mainly cottages. So my cottages are in the wild now, and who-knows-what other items (I mainly sell full-permissions only). ... I am still in conversation with Linden Lab so they might compensate me or tell me more (or give me the LL finger)."

So far, Marcthur has yet to tell me of any additional information Linden Lab might have given him, or any of the lost 42,000 Linden dollars. If anyone knows of any similar incidents, please contact the Newser about it. In the meantime, M and M Creations remains open for business.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Paradise/217/158/22

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: No Cottage Bizar

Another magnificent new build of M and M Creations. The story behind this one is very special.

During summer of 2017 the fundamentals of my life were destroyed by a devastating event and nothing but ruin was left over. Instead of mourning, grieving and falling into depression which often is very tempting when you encounter a loveshock, I inspired myself to build again on the old ruins. To build up with new materials and vision and make a balanced connection between what was and what can be. Seven months later, my soulmate is still gone but still deeply connected. But I am proud to show you what can be done if you keep on looking on the bright side. This new building, which isn't a cottage this time, is a symbol of letting old patterns go and to have faith that new ones will arrive.

In my imagination the old parts of the building are the solid base upon which can be constructed anything. The big massive stones will support anything beyond imagination, but will also force you not to move them around to much. Thick walls and tunneled stairs, massive windows and impressive doors radiate the force of eternity. A solid home to live, love and feed the spirit of life, forever it seems. Unfortunately time does not support static events and will always manage to crumble down what once was thought to be there forever.

The soul stays in the stones and new times bring new ideas and new materials. The old parts are reconnected again with modern bricks, the massive windows are replaced with steel frames and all the old rotten wood is removed to make place for concrete beams and supports.

Everything connected again makes a new place to live, love and let the wheel of time rotate again.

Old and new in balance with the present. Bizar isn´t it..................

- footprint 30x24 meter
- landimpact 96
- scripted doors and windows with sound
- handcrafted textures
- the sink can be placed anywhere (1 meshobject)

Isle of Paradise (206/102/22)

"The Quest" at M&M Creations

By Bixyl Shuftan

M&M Creations has a long history of offering quality goods to Second Life's residents. In the past, they were noted for quality sculpted items. Then they began offering mesh products. Recently, they've offered a challenge for residents, in the form of a "quest."

 This quest is not an easy event. It is meant to be challenging, rewarding & fun.

This Quest contains 20 Questions.
With every Question you can gain a different amount of points.
The more difficult the Question, the more points you get for the right answer(s).
Some Questions have an 'open answer' which means you need to describe something, the answer on these Questions can't be 100% correct. A top score of 100 points is impossible.
The possible answers on the multiple choice Questions can have more then 1 correct answer,

but 1 is always better then the 2nd best. Name only the best answer possible.
Some answers will be a guess, approximately....

You can leave Questions blanc, it will only cost you some points. The perfect score doesn't exist, no worries. Better to work together and use the hints if you really get stuck...

The contestant with the highest amount of points will win a 20.000L$ Voucher.
Second Best a voucher of 8.000L$ & Third Prize is a voucher of 4.000L$!
If 2 best contestants end up with the same amount of points, they will share the prize.

I talked to 10 Goosson, one of the coowners of the store along with Marcthur Goosson. She told me people could play either by themselves or as part of a team, "they can pop in, click the jigsawpuzzle and try to beat the rest or cooperate to have an equal amount of points in the end. (The contest) will be exceptional, it's not an easy event. And it suits us, Marc's work isn't so easy done too and our customers really appreciate that."

"(We've been) in SL for 7 years now Bixyl, people keep coming back for our consistency on quality." A number of goods were for fellow content creators, "the creators who have been so loyal, they have seen all changes, just as we've experienced the creators world of SL. Only the 'oldbies' know how it was when the sculpts came in here. They are still a very important part of our range of products that people still use for their creations."

Of the quest, they, "made this quest winter last year, but didn't dare to launch it, not for easy consumers, not a hunt, just something born at M&M. Everybody can try to do this quest!! there are hints available, and oldbies can help out."

"All these years we've build up something with the creative core of SL, the people who make the world as it looks today, the content all users see and take often for granted. have they any idea what's behind all the creations? For the ones aware of it; this quest is not so difficult and fun to do. It's an event with a small wink ofcourse, no need to get all 100 points. (Is it) impossible... ehm, nope, but hard to get there."

"The point is, M&M are doing their things (for) 7 years the M&M way ... And I dare to be proud to present a different kind of thing to keep up the fun, give something back a challenging way and to get back in touch with all people still hanging around to provide good content in here."

For those interested in taking part, head to M&M Creations at DoubleMM (193, 81, 76). You can also learn more about 10 and Marcthur Goosson and their store at their website:
http://www.doublemcreations.org/ .

Bixyl Shuftan

M&M Creations:

Second Life Newser talked with 10 Goosson of M&M Creations about what has been happening at her store: M&M Creations. “M&M Creations just keeps steady and growing,” 10 explained, “There's a lot to tell. ... I’ll make it a short list.”

* The scenery screens have been deleted. After three years of selling those, the interest and needs were gone.

* Part of the main mall has been taken by the tree shop with all trees repacked with a temporary rez. So click, see and buy, or leave. Easy and much better than walking over the entire island and not being able to find what you are looking for.

* The flowershop, same story. The flowers have all been repacked, and some new shapes (sepals) have been added, with temporary rez as well. I dusted all flowers this way and was surprised about what I've created last three years.

* The landscaping shop has had a small transformation as well. It's filled, again a fast and easy way to see all builds rezzed, by using the good TP-system to visit the object you want to see.

* Marcthur is still releasing the Antique builder-packs. Those seem to be very popular.

* M&M Fashion will get more time and attention. Full Permission outfits with all materials used are very new in Second Life. Especially because all creators are so anxious about their goods being copied or stolen. We ignore the fear and keep making new things Full Permission to help designers of any level with good stuff to create great objects/outfits.

* It was time to create a new Tutorial: Fit & Wear Fashion Sculpts. A lot of questions about it and it isn't easy. So this tutorial is almost finished.

* In the line of this new tutorial, I will give the other three (and the new one of course) in-world and will schedule these. There has been a long running event in June: Tutorials. So, classes, classes and classes (this time on our islands platform with the possibility to rez, all people who will participate, can build right at the spot)

* I changed the island that much, only a few parts are now recognizable as they were.

- The fairyland has more wetland and has a huge cave with colorful scenes, all fantasy-flowers, fairy-like landscaping items, etc., are rezzed. I'm still amazed I built this all myself and I wonder around at midnight. The stage is wide and open next to the seaside with some quiet, hidden, corners to relax.

- We embraced Annika Designs with her low-prim builds (caves, waterfalls, etc.) so she has a place to rez a few of her great builds.

* Marc is also renewing the oldies. The cherubs have lighting shades and a very special copper texture. They really do look amazing.

* New fashion sculpts are made of course. Some of those oldies are renewed, because they needed the newest skills of the creator (smile).


10's 4rth Tutorial was released in the beginning of June, like all the others, free of charge. They have also been taking part in the gridwide Madpea Hunt.

Always improving, always striving to do better, M&M continues to offer shoppers high quality sculpted outdoor products. And 10 Goosson is still personally helping those new to building to become better at it.

M&M is at the Double MM sim: Click Here for the SLURL.

Bixyl Shuftan