I'm really sorry to those who lost network accounts. Those accounts are far more valuable than the price of most products that are intended to enhance success with networks.
I think there's always a risk when you buy electronic goods and services from a vendor in any situation, but especially in IM forums ... and most especially BH IM forums.
That said, there are many excellent vendors on this forum, such as Uptown, OldenStyleHats, Troph, Wealthy, Boomer, Wealthy, DominateIM, Bodeezy, Freq, OddJob, Nevarc, Gen ...
I'm sure I've missed quite a few in my list above so I apologize in advance for that. But my point is that the real standouts such as those named above, are those who take extra care in their customer service and support. I know it's hard to know how it will go in advance, but you can protect yourself best by purchasing from those whom have both a good history and recommendations from senior members here. That's not to say that those histories and recommendations comprise an infallible failsafe; they don't. There exist too many factors outside of any vendor's control.
As a disclaimer, I don't purchase that much in BST for the simple reasons that 1) I'm not really black hat so I purchase only those products that have a practical white hat application that I can use, and 2) I'm busy with taking care of a family, my clients and with the general chaos of life -- like most of us.
All that said, losing a good CPA network affiliate account can be painful. Personally, I won't jeopardize my own accounts knowingly. But I'm disappointed that a product was sold here that "guaranteed" protection with certain procedures and failed to either deliver or make good on the promises in the sales copy.
This is no reflection on the Admins or Mods here, of course. No forum can actively police this sort of activity without entirely exhausting the (fantastic but unpaid) staff.
Just my .02
Best,
Sine