Mouthpieces Ebay mouthpiece disaster

[Jules]

JonF wrote:
Out of a potential disaster, you've really landed on your feet here. The vintage Berg sounds like it'll be fantastic.

Yup- I've got Berg eny there too!

 

[jools]

talking of Ebay, I found an alto for sale. It's in America (southern states). If you read the description in a southern drawl it just comes alive...

Quote:"it has a dent on very bottom. the pads look to be ok and the case in original. it has a brilhart mouth piece that was made in fance. lots of fancy etching on the front of the bell. dont let the rusty look in the finish borther you it is just in the finsh and it will polish up very nice this sax is all brass. it measures 22 inches tall. look at more pictures below our description. look at our other auctions we have another sax a big tenor that is really nice. thanks."

(somehow, don't think I'll 'borther' bidding on that one)

 

[Moz]

[No message]

 

[Bobby G]

A big tenor, Jools? As distinct from a regular size tenor? Sounds like a Jools renovation job to me

 

[jools]

Bobby - the thing that put me off any sort of bidding on those saxes was the fact that the photos were taken outside a mobile home, in the dirt, propped up against the side of the trailer. Hmm. "Big" tenor - sounds like a "big problem waiting to happen" 😉

 

[Djangette]

Not so much of a disaster then? Pretty good result 🙂

I've been selling on ebay for yonks, but only seriously for a year or two (it's what keeps wolf from the door @ the moment) and 99.9% of time it's good. I try to sell instruments on dedicated sites too, but ebay is such a huge marketplace . . . I've tried to ditch PayPal and their discriminatory fee structure and practices, but had to go back as Americans can't seem to buy without it 🙁

It's not the same as it was in old days it used to be more personal and exciting, people bidding, asking questions and pre-snipey thing *yawns* @ them.

Also at people who expect you to be stuck to ebay waiting for them to answer questions just before sale end - there is life off internet.

I do buy too, but mostly bubblewrap, etc - on the odd occasion I'm interested in an instrument someone snipes me @ last moment or the darn thing disappears in a behind the scenes deal 🙁 - something I refuse to do to others who are watching my stuff.

The 0.1% of people that are mad/bad/ugly take up more of my time than they should - I have one neutral feedback ''not exactly what I wanted'' erm? It was a tab book, described fully and accurately, if he had a problem why didn't he email me - or not buy the darned thing in first place?

Sold a machine head to a guy in Germany who sent back ranting email demonstrating he was fluent in Anglo Saxon as well as English, it was 1,000 word essay and, apparently, we were worst rogues under sun and our parents weren't married, it digressed to all things wrong with ebay/the universe etc - the man wanted to fly over there and punch his lights out and started doing John Cleese impressions!

Once calmed down, reading between lines there was a problem with a washer or something so I just email back a ''so sorry for inconvenience, please just send item back and will issue full refund'' - then he sends back such a nice and apologetic email for his rant, could we just replace this washer? Yes, fine, no problem.

Really it's about communication, unfortunately not many know how to do that and forget there's people at the end of that text message. Yes, I've boobed in past too - usually misdescriptions get jumped on for which I'm grateful, if I've said something silly I'd like to rectify it. Some buyers too are more forgiving than I might be in similar circumstances - like when I sent someone an empty bottle of LAST fluid eek! He gave nice feedback at end though 🙂

I'm fed up with overseas buyers trying to get their stuff sent for UK postage too - and, while on postage - doesn't anyone with any sense take this into account before bidding/buying? Ebay is neurotic about it because those who load postage pay less to ebay in final value fee, personally I don't hold that against sellers when I'm buying - it's not just about the stamps that are on your item, I have to drive to my nearest post office, I have petrol as well as maintaining packaging (try to recycle, but mostly isn't possible) and sometimes have to actually pay someone else to do this job for me.

Denying sellers right of reply to negative feedback is silly - there's rogue buyers as well as rogue sellers - better idea is for everyone to see the dispute in full and make their own mind up.

Besides all that mostly it's OK, though am looking for better places to sell - time is ripe for proper competition with ebay/PayPal.

Well at least I don't have to put up with Hoodies trying to stuff drumsticks in their pockets any more!!!!

 

[Taz]

[No message]