I recently thought I would start using middle earth because I liked the site layout, and they had good prices for what I was looking for. I deposited 1.2 and then .4 btc (decided to buy a little more than I originally planned), but the seller's pgp was not working so I tried to withdraw to BB to buy from someone else.
I tried withdrawing and it was taking forever, and not showing up on the blockchain. I noticed that I had an extra notification, so I checked it, and it was from the Hobbit saying "Middle Earth - not BTC mixer. Rules- no bullshit. Explain your actions to Gandalf or Gollum." I messaged Gollum about 20 minutes ago, but I thought I'd put this out there that this site is sketchy as hell. Even if it all works out, that is ridiculous that they have the ability to stop withdrawals. Regardless of the outcome I'm never using this site again. "No bullshit" my ass.
UPDATE: They responded and now I can't withdraw for a week apparently... I tried messaging them to ask if I could just have the coins in my balance and buy something, so they get their precious fee money. I'm also going to message the mods of this board to have them removed, because this is such an obvious scam.
It is known, they've been doing this for a while now, and have always had the "no mixing" rule, as far as I know. They use this as an excuse to stop people's withdrawals if they put them in the market and try and take them right back out without purchasing anything. It's total bullshit, but I guess I understand (gotta get them FEE$ son). Someone in the exact same predicament as you made a thread very similar to this a couple weeks back.