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!
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