[78-L] The Zen of 78 acquisition

[Malcolm Rockwell]

My manila envelope suggestion was flummery.
I almost expected him to send the the record anyway... in two pieces!
The "Send the seller a note" box on the invoice is limited to 500 
characters and my packing instructions are tailored to that limitation, 
but I will see if I can't add your suggestion, as it is a good one. Thanks.
Mal

*******

On 12/15/2011 7:58 AM, Cary Ginell wrote:
> Further thoughts on this -
>
> You might want to add something to your regular message to sellers saying that they have the option of having you send them a box of your choosing plus packing material and instructions - all paid for - and they can just use your packing materials. If it's a record you really want and value, it might be worth it to ensure you don't get a billion shards in a manila envelope.
>
> Cary Ginell
>
>
>> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:33:36 -1000
>> From: malcolm at 78data.com
>> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
>> Subject: [78-L] The Zen of 78 acquisition
>>
>> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>>