Help Craig Johnson recover from anti-sword bias

Being a maker in todays world can be challenging on many levels. One goofy thing about this digital age is the use of online payment systems. As a craftsperson it makes business around the world much easier.

 

Sadly this leaves an individual, like myself, susceptible to the whims of the corporations who manage these systems. They are arbitrary and the rules are written so they may interpret them as they will even when provided with proof that the rule does not apply.

 

In my case it is even more egregious as this popular payment system froze funds in four accounts. Two of which where my personal accounts used for private purchases and collecting. The other two where a business account for the company where I work and the other a non-profit account for a 501c3 educational organization I volunteer for.

 

The infraction they sited when they froze these funds was that we sold firearm parts. We do not. After much interaction with their agents in resolutions they changed their answer to we sold an illegal knife. We do sell knives, swords, axes and many other such replicas of medieval wares but none are generally considered illegal. We are also very aware of the laws concerning such things and they were incorrect in their statements about these laws on several occasions.

 

After freezing the funds for 180 days they confiscated 1830.19 of my personal funds from my two accounts as a fine. They also confiscated the non-profits funds (we will do a separate event to counter that wrong) and allowed the business to receive their frozen funds. The wrong committed for absconding with my cash you might ask? Well after hours on the phone and getting up the chain of command as far as they allowed a supervisor admitted it was the sale of a hand axe. A hatchet style nordic axe based on an early iron age example found on an archeological dig in the Nordland district Norway.

 

So after much triviality I am out this money and being a craftsperson thats a pretty big bite to take, especially when it was not anything I personally did. This is why I am hoping to flip a certain finger at the electronic bank, as they are no pal of mine.