Pony Meet Reference Checks? Should We have them?

[Sky Rocket]

I heard from another collector that she wasn't allowed to a pony meet b/c they couldn't do a reference check on her.

Do we really need reference check or police checks before we attend a pony meet? Lady Whimsy and I have been holding them for three years, and no problems. Baby Ice Crystal a few years before that, with no major problems.

Has anyone had problems at pony meets with people?

Sky Rocket

 

[garej]

I doubt that is seriously needed. IMO, it is purely over reactionary.

 

[MustBeJewel]

I think it's really the choice of the person hosting the meet. Some people do them, some don't. A lot of people are uncomfortable with allowing people they haven't met into their homes, and online refs can bring a sense of peace of mind.

I do ref checks for my meets. From the feedback I've gotten from the people who have attended, they feel much more comfortable knowing that scammers and people with no contacts and references don't attend. It helps create a safe-feeling atmosphere, and generally puts peoples' minds at ease. I've been personally complimented numerous times by attendees on my efforts to maintain a sense of security in that fashion.

As to whether ref checks are necessary, I think it's just a personal opinion. The host/hostess has the right, in my opinion, to control who they allow into their home.

Has anyone had problems at pony meets with people?

I've heard of some but couldn't give you exact sources offhand. Personally, I've done ref checks for the past five meets I've hosted, more as a precautionary measure than anything else.

So, from a different standpoint, there's my 2 cents

 

[MustBeJewel]

I wouldn't know how to begin going about a reference check

For me at least, a ref check consists of having three or more email references of online transactions that went well, and show honesty and whatnot on the person's part. What I usually ask for is:

1) pony name
2) real name (some just give the first)
3) email refs (and ebay refs, if applicable)

And again, that's just me.

 

[Sky Rocket]

I do understand that it is a personal preference, but you are making your meets and exculsive event. You can chose not to invite someone in your home, that's smart. I fear that the causal collectors, or those just starting out are missing out on meets. Lady Whimsy and I have meet a numorous amount of these collectors are always a valued addtion to our meet. We once meet a collector with three Rapunzels this way (it was at Baby Ice Crystals meet).

I think it is a sad state of the world when people have to be screened before they attend a pony meet. I hope that when meets get larger and away from peoples home that my friends will be able to attend without reference checks.

I would love to hear stories about bad people attending meets if anyone has any to share. I know all about Pinwheel and the head switch at Ponypalozza a few years back, and about her other antics. Having been at a Pony meet with Pinwheel, she's not worth exculing from a meet.

Sky Rocket

 

[Lilithdrff]

I think it's a good idea when holding a meet at a personal residence.
I wouldnt do it for a meet being held at a public place, like a park or something like that.

Just a safety issue, and definately completely up to the person holding the meet.