A most unfortunate event happened to me today, and if you don't believe it will happen to you if you follow my example, you're wrong. I had decided to place a very valuable game to me in my friend's hands over the summer. We've know each other for years now, and I figured it was time I placed more trust him as he had never proven otherwise. He was generous enough to return the favor by allowing me to borrow one of his games for a period of time, as well.

Before allowing either of us to take each other's games, however, I showed him both the boxes and the game discs to prove that both were in prestine condition. Over a month later,we meet and decide to trade back games. I give him his, which is practicallyas spotless as it was the day I took it, and he gives me mine. Since he trusted me and didn't check his game to make sure it was alright, I got guilted into doing the same and walked away.

It wasn't until an hour later that I checked it--that I was completely taken by surprise. The game disc itself had ringed scratches across its entire width, and while it still looked playable, I was deeply troubled. And then I checked the box...

He might as well not have returned it. Numerous dents were scattered across the front and back from what appeared to be pencil jabs--perhaps from his backpack, I don't know. The side had been partially crushed with a prominent dent and several bends. But how could he do this? Well, that's why that same hour I confronted him and let him know what had happened. I was not aggressive whatsoever, just inquistive, but he immediately took offense.

The only thing he could say was: "Don't even! Don't even!" He never asked to see the game to at least see the damage (I had it ready), and he not only denied any damage whatsoever but accused me of giving it to him in that condition....woah. He then went on to question how I had taken care of his game, but nothing improved from there on so I cut my loss and walked away to preserve the friendship.

I am writing this not to bash my friend, who I now know to exercise greater cautionaround, but to inform you of the dangers of mixing 'business' with friends. Don't be guilted into it, and don't be afraid to protect yourself. You look out for your best interests--he does not. So, fellow gamers, I wish you luck and may you be wise in all decisions.