[78-L] The Zen of 78 acquisition

[Malcolm Rockwell]

I just went through one of the strangest experiences I've had in my 
years of surfing and buying from eBay.
I bid on and won a record on the Zen label out of New York. Could have 
cared less about the material, but I got a kick out of the label head. 
$13.00 total.
I sent my regular instructions for packing:

It's a long way to Hawaii so here's how to pack: use 4 10" sq. pieces of 
box cardboard - put record(s) between - tape edges - put 7 or 8 pcs 
crushed newspaper in a 12x12x4 or larger box - put record sandwich in - 
put 7 or 8 more pcs crushed newspaper in to fill - shake - if contents 
shift there's not enough paper - if box bulges there's too much - 
readjust and seal - Thanks -- TMR

I then got an outraged note back telling me how he was going to pack it 
and if I didn't like it that was just too bad, so there.
I replied that his method was really very nice but mine had a breakage 
rate of around 2% over 30 years and would he please, etc., etc.
He sent me back this:

Do you expect me to go out for an hour and look for a 4-inch box to buy, 
then buy a few newspapers--I don't read newspapers so I don't have any 
(I read news on the web)--and cut my 12" fillers 2" to meet YOUR 
needs--FOR A $13 RECORD???????????? NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For a $50 
record, yes. NOT for a cheap $13 record. I'll send the cancellation form 
out right away.

I them told him he should just put it in a manila envelope and send that.

He took umbrage at my sally and then refunded my payment and canceled my 
order, even though I refused it (which I didn't know one could do with 
eBay). At this point I wanted the record as a point of honor, if for no 
other reason. Because of that I can no longer send him feedback praising 
him for his packing method and his even-tempered way of dealing with a 
new customer.

I guess I gotta be Zen about it! That's okay with me.
I'd still like to have a "Zen" record, though.
Mal