eBay requires each seller to post a return policy. I have always felt that my job was to do so well that no returns are necessary. However, human nature being what it is, from time to time there will be a problem transaction, even for the most careful of sellers.
My return policy is that I must be notified of the intent to return within 30 days of receipt of goods, and that the item must be in the original packing, and postmarked within 30 days of receipt. If there is an error in the listing, and neither I nor the buyer catch that error before the item is shipped, a return could be reasonable. Here is an example. I had two sets of 6 sterling teaspoons. One set had a retailer's mark on it, and the other did not. The auction description mentioned the retailer's mark, but the set that had that mark has already sold. That was my error, and since the buyer had bought the spoons because of that retailer's mark, I felt that a return was more than reasonable.
Needless to say, a buyer may NOT return an item because he or she chose not to read the entire auction description carefully before bidding. An example of this was a buyer who complained after receiving a spoon that it was monogrammed, even though the auction description clearly stated that the item had a script W monogram. I did not accept a return on this auction.
Partial returns are also definite no-nos. A buyer is not welcome to buy a set, cherry pick the choice pieces, then return the rest. Keep it all or return it all, but there must be a serious error somewhere in the listing to justify the return.
Frivolous returns are also right out. These stories can get funny. One man wanted to return an item because he claimed he was drunk when he bid. NO. Another left the box out on the lanai on his beachfront property for a month before opening it. The carbon steel knife blade had rusted. He was quite put out that I would not accept the item back after a month of exposure to salty air. My favorite is the guy who wanted to use a set of dessert forks for the winter holiday season, then return them the following spring!!! His retort was that I had lost a customer by not accommodating him. My feeling was that he was doing me a favor by getting lost and staying there.
I can count on the fingers of 1 hand the number of times I have had to accept a return in alomost 11 years on eBay. Almost everyone who buys from me is a top-notch eBayer, and I love you all.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Everything you need to know about shipping
I decided to use this space to give an exhaustive explanation of my shipping policy and shipping charges, as the text is too large to include with each auction description.
Shipping professionally is the exact opposite in concept from shipping cheaply. Inferior materials and service is false economy. I learned how to ship breakables when I was a young teen, observing my foster mom, Margie, as she worked in a fine china shop in Burlingame, California. Everything used in the packing was clean and new, and the objective was to have the shipped item arrive in the correct number of pieces, as well as in a clean and visually appealing container.
When I started selling on eBay, I wanted my buyers to have the same experience that hers did. I had bought for some time on eBay before I started to sell, and I was taken aback by the number of items that arrived dirty or unpolished, and wrapped in newspaper, used paper towels, or plastic bags. My initial reaction was: UGH. Occasionally I got the opposite: clean or polished product, wrapped in new tissue, and properly enclosed in a clean and sturdy box. I always tried to thank the sender for his/her professional packing. Breakables arrived in a variety of ways, sometimes damaged due to the choice of the sender not to use plastic fill, bubble pack, and double boxes when prudent and necessary.
I quickly found out that the United States Postal Service would give me free boxes if I signed up to use Priority Mail. This meant that I could use new, clean, and proper boxes at no cost, resulting in the happy fact that I did not have to charge a handling fee to cover the cost of boxes. At less than a penny a sheet, I can buy tissue paper in bulk. For those items which require bubble pack and plastic fill, I can figure the modest cost into the minimum bid price. Occasionally I need to use a box size which is not available in the Post Office selection inventory. In that case, I sometimes figure the cost of that box into the minimum bid price. Another important benefit to Priority Mail is that the delivery time is 2 to 3 days. The longer an item is in transit, particularly a breakable, the more it is handled, and the greater the chances that it will be damaged or mislaid.
I do not believe in offering "free" shipping, as I feel that this is an insult to the buyer's intelligence. The only way to avoid adding shipping charges is to figure the amount needed into the minimum bid price, in which case the shipping is not free at all. However, so-called "free" shipping has become my default, in order to avoid infantile whining about shipping costs. It is hard for me to understand how functioning adults can fail to understand that the cost of shipping is determined by the USPS, NOT by the seller.
Reality is that the Post Office has been raising their rates on a regular basis, and will very likely continue to do so. eBay has made it possible to print labels and buy postage online, a service which includes up to $100 of insurance and tracking at no extra charge.. It is not possible to change what the Post Office charges. Using Priority Mail options over First Class is actually less expensive, as First Class charges extra for tracking and iinsurance, and does not provide free boxes.
Why is some sort of trackable delivery confirmation necessary? I did not know that it is the only proof of mailing that eBay and Paypal will accept until a buyer claimed that she did not receive her purchase. I did have an insurance receipt, and the dispute was settled on the basis of that, eventually, but I learned a valuable lesson when the customer service rep who helped me with the issue told me to ALWAYS get a delivery confirmation if I wanted eBay/Paypal to rule in my favor. I think it fair for eBay/Paypal to now let the seller and buyer have that service at no cost, and I am grateful for that.
Why is insurance needed? A professional seller is expected to know the consequences of shipping uninsured merchandise. If I sold new goods which are easily replaceable, I could choose simply to send an exact replacement if something was lost, stolen, or damaged in the mail. However, I sell old things which are quite difficult to impossible, in some cases, to duplicate. The Post Office and eBay both expect me to make the best choices based on my experience as a seller. If I do not require insurance, and the buyer does not demand it, I am morally and perhaps legally obligated to come out of pocket to reimburse the buyer in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Failure to do so would not only damage my reputation as a seller and affect my feedback rating, but could result in the suspension or loss of my eBay selling privileges.
I do not use UPS because of numerous previous bad experiences with this company. The United States Postal Service has given me many years of virtually problem free shipping. Enough said.
In summary, I use the United States Postal Service based on a good track record, I use Priority Mail because I get shipping materials free of cost, and the delivery time is quite quick. I do not ship without delivery confirmation and insurance because judgment based on experience indicates that both are a wise choice.
Now comes the caveat: if you do not like my shipping costs or policies, you are under no obligation to bid or buy from me. Simply avoid my listings. There are many other sellers who will be happy to do things the way YOU want. Conversely, they are so many great buyers out there who are happy with the way I do things, and they continue to buy from me year after year.
Shipping professionally is the exact opposite in concept from shipping cheaply. Inferior materials and service is false economy. I learned how to ship breakables when I was a young teen, observing my foster mom, Margie, as she worked in a fine china shop in Burlingame, California. Everything used in the packing was clean and new, and the objective was to have the shipped item arrive in the correct number of pieces, as well as in a clean and visually appealing container.
When I started selling on eBay, I wanted my buyers to have the same experience that hers did. I had bought for some time on eBay before I started to sell, and I was taken aback by the number of items that arrived dirty or unpolished, and wrapped in newspaper, used paper towels, or plastic bags. My initial reaction was: UGH. Occasionally I got the opposite: clean or polished product, wrapped in new tissue, and properly enclosed in a clean and sturdy box. I always tried to thank the sender for his/her professional packing. Breakables arrived in a variety of ways, sometimes damaged due to the choice of the sender not to use plastic fill, bubble pack, and double boxes when prudent and necessary.
I quickly found out that the United States Postal Service would give me free boxes if I signed up to use Priority Mail. This meant that I could use new, clean, and proper boxes at no cost, resulting in the happy fact that I did not have to charge a handling fee to cover the cost of boxes. At less than a penny a sheet, I can buy tissue paper in bulk. For those items which require bubble pack and plastic fill, I can figure the modest cost into the minimum bid price. Occasionally I need to use a box size which is not available in the Post Office selection inventory. In that case, I sometimes figure the cost of that box into the minimum bid price. Another important benefit to Priority Mail is that the delivery time is 2 to 3 days. The longer an item is in transit, particularly a breakable, the more it is handled, and the greater the chances that it will be damaged or mislaid.
I do not believe in offering "free" shipping, as I feel that this is an insult to the buyer's intelligence. The only way to avoid adding shipping charges is to figure the amount needed into the minimum bid price, in which case the shipping is not free at all. However, so-called "free" shipping has become my default, in order to avoid infantile whining about shipping costs. It is hard for me to understand how functioning adults can fail to understand that the cost of shipping is determined by the USPS, NOT by the seller.
Reality is that the Post Office has been raising their rates on a regular basis, and will very likely continue to do so. eBay has made it possible to print labels and buy postage online, a service which includes up to $100 of insurance and tracking at no extra charge.. It is not possible to change what the Post Office charges. Using Priority Mail options over First Class is actually less expensive, as First Class charges extra for tracking and iinsurance, and does not provide free boxes.
Why is some sort of trackable delivery confirmation necessary? I did not know that it is the only proof of mailing that eBay and Paypal will accept until a buyer claimed that she did not receive her purchase. I did have an insurance receipt, and the dispute was settled on the basis of that, eventually, but I learned a valuable lesson when the customer service rep who helped me with the issue told me to ALWAYS get a delivery confirmation if I wanted eBay/Paypal to rule in my favor. I think it fair for eBay/Paypal to now let the seller and buyer have that service at no cost, and I am grateful for that.
Why is insurance needed? A professional seller is expected to know the consequences of shipping uninsured merchandise. If I sold new goods which are easily replaceable, I could choose simply to send an exact replacement if something was lost, stolen, or damaged in the mail. However, I sell old things which are quite difficult to impossible, in some cases, to duplicate. The Post Office and eBay both expect me to make the best choices based on my experience as a seller. If I do not require insurance, and the buyer does not demand it, I am morally and perhaps legally obligated to come out of pocket to reimburse the buyer in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Failure to do so would not only damage my reputation as a seller and affect my feedback rating, but could result in the suspension or loss of my eBay selling privileges.
I do not use UPS because of numerous previous bad experiences with this company. The United States Postal Service has given me many years of virtually problem free shipping. Enough said.
In summary, I use the United States Postal Service based on a good track record, I use Priority Mail because I get shipping materials free of cost, and the delivery time is quite quick. I do not ship without delivery confirmation and insurance because judgment based on experience indicates that both are a wise choice.
Now comes the caveat: if you do not like my shipping costs or policies, you are under no obligation to bid or buy from me. Simply avoid my listings. There are many other sellers who will be happy to do things the way YOU want. Conversely, they are so many great buyers out there who are happy with the way I do things, and they continue to buy from me year after year.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Victorian cake saws
Victorian cakes were a very serious proposition: the device for serving them is called a cake saw, a piece which resembles a knife. On the top of the blade are indentations for both scoring the cake and for actually sawing away at a really tough one. The blade has a point, useful both for probing for nuts and fruits, and for nudging pieces around, moving them from serving stand to place plate. These wonderful devices became obsolete around 1910. Frequently, cake saws exhibit some of the most elaborate fantasies available in Victorian silver. These make ideal wedding gifts for cutting the wedding cake.
In the course of my treasure hunts, I have found a number of fabulous cake saws, but my favorite is neither the most rare nor the most beautiful. It came to me with a note attached that reads, "Found buried under an oak tree in Minnesota."
In the course of my treasure hunts, I have found a number of fabulous cake saws, but my favorite is neither the most rare nor the most beautiful. It came to me with a note attached that reads, "Found buried under an oak tree in Minnesota."
eBay feedback: How Meridenmor does it
A while back, eBay changed its rules for feedback. The most radical change was that sellers are no longer allowed to leave anything but positive feedback for buyers. This did not affect me much, as my buyers are 99% a pleasure do work with, and I would leave them positive feedback anyway. However, some confusion has resulted, and this is the ideal venue in which to explain my policy on feedback.
To protect my rating, I leave feedback only after feedback has been left for me. If you are waiting for me to leave feedback for you first, one or both of us might grow a beard before this issue gets resolved! :) I need to be sure that you are pleased with your purchase and plan to keep it before I leave feedback. Thanks in advance for your understanding on this.
I also ask that you attempt to resolve any problems BEFORE leaving feedback. Give me a chance, just as you would want me to give you one if there were a problem on your end. A while back, a buyer used feedback to complain that she did not know that an item was monogrammed. The problem is that the auction description clearly stated that there was a W monogram. Had the buyer reread the description, or asked me about it, there would have been no need to leave unfair and denegratory feedback for me. Should I be penalized because the buyer did not fully read the description?
Just a reminder: please read the ENTIRE description before bidding or buying. There are multiple reasons for the length of the text, and all is stuff you need to know before you bid. If you do not like to read, please skip my listings altogether, as neither of us needs a problem transaction.
Once again, many thanks to all those who express their appreciation for the research and work that goes into my descriptions. Your kind words make my day.
To protect my rating, I leave feedback only after feedback has been left for me. If you are waiting for me to leave feedback for you first, one or both of us might grow a beard before this issue gets resolved! :) I need to be sure that you are pleased with your purchase and plan to keep it before I leave feedback. Thanks in advance for your understanding on this.
I also ask that you attempt to resolve any problems BEFORE leaving feedback. Give me a chance, just as you would want me to give you one if there were a problem on your end. A while back, a buyer used feedback to complain that she did not know that an item was monogrammed. The problem is that the auction description clearly stated that there was a W monogram. Had the buyer reread the description, or asked me about it, there would have been no need to leave unfair and denegratory feedback for me. Should I be penalized because the buyer did not fully read the description?
Just a reminder: please read the ENTIRE description before bidding or buying. There are multiple reasons for the length of the text, and all is stuff you need to know before you bid. If you do not like to read, please skip my listings altogether, as neither of us needs a problem transaction.
Once again, many thanks to all those who express their appreciation for the research and work that goes into my descriptions. Your kind words make my day.
Those who do not like to read
I have had a couple of amusing emails lately from those who do not like to read. To each his own. I am a retired teacher, a lifelong avid reader, but aware that there are many who do not fit this profile. I am pleased to leave them in their blissful state, but I wish they would not feel the need to write and tell me all about it.
When I was active in real estate I would sign nothing until I had read every word in the contract, because I knew I would be held to the terms of that contract. I wanted to know every word, every jot and tittle, because I did not want to embarrass myself at a later date by having to admit that I had signed something while ignorant of its content.
Some people complain about having to read a paragraph. If this is beyond your skills, the good news is that eBay is full of descriptions in other forms. My writing is geared to those for whom reading is a pleasure, not a chore. One of the joys of self-employment on eBay is being able to do what feels right for me, and the freedom to say no to those who want me to do things their way instead. Happily, there are more than enough buyers who like what I do and the way I do it, allowing me to make a comfortable living.
eBay policy states that the auction description is a legal document, binding both the seller and the buyer to its terms. I take my time when writing my auctions, and I include everything that the prospective buyer needs to know BEFORE making a purchase. I also include information of an educational nature in my descriptions. I love researching and writing about old things. After all, what is the point of it all if one does not enjoy one's work to the hilt?
The best part of what I do is hearing from those many buyers who are happy with their purchases, especially those who are thrilled to have learned something from my auctions. As a former teacher, that is the best reward anyone can give me for my efforts.
Those who read everything in the description are not only in danger of learning something new; they also know the exact condition, size, shipping cost, and other necessary details. I try to be thorough enough that no additonal questions are needed, although I am happy to add any info not included in the description.
Someone sent a message demanding that I restate certain information in a way that is not "wordy". My response was that the wordy parts are all things you need to know before buying. Obviously, my caveat to read the entire auction description before bidding was lost on this individual. Another wanted me to read the description for him, piecemeal, in a series of emails. My response was the final teacher word: NO. His response made my fingers itch to type, "Do you want cheese with that whine?"
Now the part of me that is not naive also wonders why anyone intelligent enough to be interested in what I sell would want to be ignorant of the basic facts of the transaction. The answer is not pretty, but it seems pretty obvious to me. The potential buyer wants a problem transaction. There is a need for a target for some anger and frustration. I know that sounds crazy. However, I have had people buy something without reading the text, then complain about the monogram, or scratch, or heel dot that is clearly described, and demand a refund because they didn't read about it! OK. Here it is: it is my job to describe everything in meticulous detail, and it is the buyer's job to read it all! If the buyer chooses not to do so, and I have done my job, then the buyer must accept the consequences of his/her choice. End of discussion.
I have gotten to where I can smell a problem transaction a mile away. If I sense one coming, I try to encourage the potential buyer to go elsewhere to buy. Neither of us needs the aggravation of a transaction that does not close quickly, pleasantly, and smoothly.
This is a good opportunity to thank the thousands of buyers who do just that. They provide a smooth, pleasant transaction every time. I love ya all!!!
If you do not agree with this, or you do not like to read, do not bid on my auctions or buy from my store. Better yet, if my wordiness annoys you, don't even look at my sale listings. That way we will both be deliriously happy. :)
When I was active in real estate I would sign nothing until I had read every word in the contract, because I knew I would be held to the terms of that contract. I wanted to know every word, every jot and tittle, because I did not want to embarrass myself at a later date by having to admit that I had signed something while ignorant of its content.
Some people complain about having to read a paragraph. If this is beyond your skills, the good news is that eBay is full of descriptions in other forms. My writing is geared to those for whom reading is a pleasure, not a chore. One of the joys of self-employment on eBay is being able to do what feels right for me, and the freedom to say no to those who want me to do things their way instead. Happily, there are more than enough buyers who like what I do and the way I do it, allowing me to make a comfortable living.
eBay policy states that the auction description is a legal document, binding both the seller and the buyer to its terms. I take my time when writing my auctions, and I include everything that the prospective buyer needs to know BEFORE making a purchase. I also include information of an educational nature in my descriptions. I love researching and writing about old things. After all, what is the point of it all if one does not enjoy one's work to the hilt?
The best part of what I do is hearing from those many buyers who are happy with their purchases, especially those who are thrilled to have learned something from my auctions. As a former teacher, that is the best reward anyone can give me for my efforts.
Those who read everything in the description are not only in danger of learning something new; they also know the exact condition, size, shipping cost, and other necessary details. I try to be thorough enough that no additonal questions are needed, although I am happy to add any info not included in the description.
Someone sent a message demanding that I restate certain information in a way that is not "wordy". My response was that the wordy parts are all things you need to know before buying. Obviously, my caveat to read the entire auction description before bidding was lost on this individual. Another wanted me to read the description for him, piecemeal, in a series of emails. My response was the final teacher word: NO. His response made my fingers itch to type, "Do you want cheese with that whine?"
Now the part of me that is not naive also wonders why anyone intelligent enough to be interested in what I sell would want to be ignorant of the basic facts of the transaction. The answer is not pretty, but it seems pretty obvious to me. The potential buyer wants a problem transaction. There is a need for a target for some anger and frustration. I know that sounds crazy. However, I have had people buy something without reading the text, then complain about the monogram, or scratch, or heel dot that is clearly described, and demand a refund because they didn't read about it! OK. Here it is: it is my job to describe everything in meticulous detail, and it is the buyer's job to read it all! If the buyer chooses not to do so, and I have done my job, then the buyer must accept the consequences of his/her choice. End of discussion.
I have gotten to where I can smell a problem transaction a mile away. If I sense one coming, I try to encourage the potential buyer to go elsewhere to buy. Neither of us needs the aggravation of a transaction that does not close quickly, pleasantly, and smoothly.
This is a good opportunity to thank the thousands of buyers who do just that. They provide a smooth, pleasant transaction every time. I love ya all!!!
If you do not agree with this, or you do not like to read, do not bid on my auctions or buy from my store. Better yet, if my wordiness annoys you, don't even look at my sale listings. That way we will both be deliriously happy. :)
Christmas Tree dinnerware
Each year about this time, I begin to plan my strategies for holiday season selling. This involves, at some point or another, opening up that dreaded box. No, not Pandora's, although the end result sometimes feels like it. I am talking about the box of Christmas Tree china.
From time to time, I find this pattern by different makers, although I tend to zero in on Spode and Cuthbertson. The pattern itself is still in production by Spode and other makers, and this year's end-of-season overstock can beome sought after items a few years down the road. Since I don't celebrate Christmas, I buy these items for resale. Ever the eternal optomist, I visualize the plate or cup and saucer or trio going on happily and smoothly to its new home.
Reality: not. Instead, the scenario goes somthing like this.
Email from Meridenmor (seller) to FlipFlop2008 1/2(buyer) : Hi. Just a note to let you know that this auction ended 10 days ago, and as of today, I have not received payment of $18.45. I would appreciate hearing from you soon.
2 days later, no response.
Phone call from Meridenmor to FlipFlop2008 1/2.
Meridenmor: Hi. I am the eBay seller of the Spode Christmas Tree cup and saucer that you won 12 days ago, and I am calling because I sent an email regarding the payment for this auction, and have not heard back from you yet. Perhaps my email did not reach you?
FlipFlop2008 1/2: (after 45 seconds of silence). Who are you? Why are you calling me?
Meridenmor repeats the above text.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: How did you get my phone number?
Meridenor: From eBay.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: How dare they give that information to you!!
Meridenmor: Well...we do have an open transaction. Have you sent payment yet? Perhaps it got lost in the mail?
FlipFlop2008 1/2: Listen, I just bid on too many things this season. I can't be expected to buy everything, you know.
Meridenmor: Good point. But a bid is a commitment, and eBay does expect-
FlipFlop2009 1/2: I don't care. I have too many problems. I had surgery on my great toe last week, and the dog threw up, and my boss has shingles. I can't deal with all this! I am hanging up now, and don't you EVER call me again!!!!!
Meridenmor then files a non-payment dispute. FlipFlop2008 1/2 replies.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: I can't believe you are doing this to me. Stop harassing me!!! I am going to report your behavior to eBay, you skunk!
30 days later, no payment having been received, eBay credits Meridenmor with a refund for the listing fees, and dings FlipFlop2008 1/2 for non-payment.
The next day, Meridenmor's answering machine recieves this call at 2:01 AM.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: I can't believe that you went after me for only $18.00!!! Don't you have anything better to do than revenge yourself on innocent people for such trivia? Get a life, buster! Now eBay has suspended my bidding privileges for a MONTH because of you! Now my bid for the nuclear powered bottom scratcher that my mom wanted for Christmas has been cancelled, and it is all your fault! I can't find another in time for Christmas! This is all your fault, you grasping, scheming, revengeful snake! I hope you are happy now that you have ruined my entire life!!!!!! I HATE YOU!!!!
Now I wish I could say this is a nice piece of fiction, but the truth is that for some weird reason, almost every Christmas Tree transaction I have had in almost 20 years of eBay selling has been a no pay with more problems than Carter has pills. Is this pattern jinxed? Anyway, I wish I could write more, but Never Open Antiques just called, and they have gotten in a shipment of Christmas Tree, so I need to sign off and get over there!
The moral is: Hope triumphs over experience every time.
Cheers to all!
From time to time, I find this pattern by different makers, although I tend to zero in on Spode and Cuthbertson. The pattern itself is still in production by Spode and other makers, and this year's end-of-season overstock can beome sought after items a few years down the road. Since I don't celebrate Christmas, I buy these items for resale. Ever the eternal optomist, I visualize the plate or cup and saucer or trio going on happily and smoothly to its new home.
Reality: not. Instead, the scenario goes somthing like this.
Email from Meridenmor (seller) to FlipFlop2008 1/2(buyer) : Hi. Just a note to let you know that this auction ended 10 days ago, and as of today, I have not received payment of $18.45. I would appreciate hearing from you soon.
2 days later, no response.
Phone call from Meridenmor to FlipFlop2008 1/2.
Meridenmor: Hi. I am the eBay seller of the Spode Christmas Tree cup and saucer that you won 12 days ago, and I am calling because I sent an email regarding the payment for this auction, and have not heard back from you yet. Perhaps my email did not reach you?
FlipFlop2008 1/2: (after 45 seconds of silence). Who are you? Why are you calling me?
Meridenmor repeats the above text.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: How did you get my phone number?
Meridenor: From eBay.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: How dare they give that information to you!!
Meridenmor: Well...we do have an open transaction. Have you sent payment yet? Perhaps it got lost in the mail?
FlipFlop2008 1/2: Listen, I just bid on too many things this season. I can't be expected to buy everything, you know.
Meridenmor: Good point. But a bid is a commitment, and eBay does expect-
FlipFlop2009 1/2: I don't care. I have too many problems. I had surgery on my great toe last week, and the dog threw up, and my boss has shingles. I can't deal with all this! I am hanging up now, and don't you EVER call me again!!!!!
Meridenmor then files a non-payment dispute. FlipFlop2008 1/2 replies.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: I can't believe you are doing this to me. Stop harassing me!!! I am going to report your behavior to eBay, you skunk!
30 days later, no payment having been received, eBay credits Meridenmor with a refund for the listing fees, and dings FlipFlop2008 1/2 for non-payment.
The next day, Meridenmor's answering machine recieves this call at 2:01 AM.
FlipFlop2008 1/2: I can't believe that you went after me for only $18.00!!! Don't you have anything better to do than revenge yourself on innocent people for such trivia? Get a life, buster! Now eBay has suspended my bidding privileges for a MONTH because of you! Now my bid for the nuclear powered bottom scratcher that my mom wanted for Christmas has been cancelled, and it is all your fault! I can't find another in time for Christmas! This is all your fault, you grasping, scheming, revengeful snake! I hope you are happy now that you have ruined my entire life!!!!!! I HATE YOU!!!!
Now I wish I could say this is a nice piece of fiction, but the truth is that for some weird reason, almost every Christmas Tree transaction I have had in almost 20 years of eBay selling has been a no pay with more problems than Carter has pills. Is this pattern jinxed? Anyway, I wish I could write more, but Never Open Antiques just called, and they have gotten in a shipment of Christmas Tree, so I need to sign off and get over there!
The moral is: Hope triumphs over experience every time.
Cheers to all!
Measuring silverware accurately
An issue came up recently that reminds me of a few things that I should mention about old silverware. First of all, when I measure pieces I almost always turn them over on the ruler. This gives my old eyes a more accurate view of both ends of the piece. I use a steel ruler that belonged to someone who worked with precision instruments, for further accuracy. A less expensive ruler can be far less accurate. If you check the measurement on a wooden ruler or a tape measure, there may be quite a difference, as what you are using is most likely far less accurate.
I always use the word "about" in the sales description for this reason, among others. I usually try to measure to the nearest 1/4 inch; sometimes, but not often, I measure to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. If I am measuring a plate with a wavy or ruffled edge, I measure the diameter at the widest point. If you feel that you must have accuracy in size beyond that, I urge you, for the sanity of both of us, to shop elsewhere! :)
Many people do not realize that silverware is formed by many sets of dies. The dies wear out and are replaced after a certain number of runs. The new dies may not be exactly the same in size and detail. If a pattern has been produced over many years (1847 Rogers FIRST LOVE from 1937 is a good example), one may find all kinds of differences, depending on the year of production. Sterling silver pieces may decrease in weight as well. Teaspoons made in 1906 can be much more substantial than those produced in 1922. So the spoon you purchase from me may not be an absolutely exact match to those in your set. This is a fact of life, and not carelessness or an attempt to defraud. Be sure to ask questions before you buy, so that there are no surprises when you receive your purchase. Once more the caveat: NEVER bid on any auction or store item without reading all the auction text and looking at all of the pics. Bidding based only on the title and thumbnail is a recipe for a problem transaction, something that neither of us needs.
I always use the word "about" in the sales description for this reason, among others. I usually try to measure to the nearest 1/4 inch; sometimes, but not often, I measure to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. If I am measuring a plate with a wavy or ruffled edge, I measure the diameter at the widest point. If you feel that you must have accuracy in size beyond that, I urge you, for the sanity of both of us, to shop elsewhere! :)
Many people do not realize that silverware is formed by many sets of dies. The dies wear out and are replaced after a certain number of runs. The new dies may not be exactly the same in size and detail. If a pattern has been produced over many years (1847 Rogers FIRST LOVE from 1937 is a good example), one may find all kinds of differences, depending on the year of production. Sterling silver pieces may decrease in weight as well. Teaspoons made in 1906 can be much more substantial than those produced in 1922. So the spoon you purchase from me may not be an absolutely exact match to those in your set. This is a fact of life, and not carelessness or an attempt to defraud. Be sure to ask questions before you buy, so that there are no surprises when you receive your purchase. Once more the caveat: NEVER bid on any auction or store item without reading all the auction text and looking at all of the pics. Bidding based only on the title and thumbnail is a recipe for a problem transaction, something that neither of us needs.
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