In case any of you out there were curious as to how the Book deception ended up, here's the rest of the story.
Joker Man finally e-mailed me back...actually, his wife did...and said to send the book back and she would return the money. She also said it was their mistake. That's all I wanted people!! Admission of guilt.
I declined her offer for a refund (I never asked for one, and it would cost more to return the book, because of shipping charges), and told her I wasn't trying to be rude or crappy. I just wanted her to learn something.
The moral:
It's better to be honest and not sell something, than it is to be deceitful and have to deal with me.
Besides, if it didn't say First Edition, I would have asked, they would have said, "I don't know", and I could have taught them about Book Clubs and First Editions, thus teaching them something. I hoped they learned their lesson.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Deceived: Part 2
When we spoke last, I was in the midst of an E-Bay deveival...Joker Man decided he was going to tell me the book was a "First Edition", when in fact, it was a Book Club Edition.
Ok, enough recap, read Deceived: Part 1 if you forgot what's happening.
So, I get a return e-mail from Joker Man and he says:
"In my description, I never claimed to be an expert. I don't even know how to tell if a book is a book club addition."
Yes, addition.
So, of course, me being the nice guy I am, sent the following:
"If you were enough of an "expert" to claim the book was a first edition (for those of you not in the know, First Editions don't usually say First Edition on the inside), then you should be "expert" enough to know it's a Book Club Edition."
I went on to school him on where to find the BCE markings, and left him with the hope that he wouldn't deceive others.
He blew me off.
I think I will leave him negative feedback, because of the deception...and the crappy return e-mail. Serves this Joker right!!
Ok, enough recap, read Deceived: Part 1 if you forgot what's happening.
So, I get a return e-mail from Joker Man and he says:
"In my description, I never claimed to be an expert. I don't even know how to tell if a book is a book club addition."
Yes, addition.
So, of course, me being the nice guy I am, sent the following:
"If you were enough of an "expert" to claim the book was a first edition (for those of you not in the know, First Editions don't usually say First Edition on the inside), then you should be "expert" enough to know it's a Book Club Edition."
I went on to school him on where to find the BCE markings, and left him with the hope that he wouldn't deceive others.
He blew me off.
I think I will leave him negative feedback, because of the deception...and the crappy return e-mail. Serves this Joker right!!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Deceived: Part 1
Hello, my name is Tony, and I am an E-Bay Addict.
"Hello, Tony!!" (that's your part, jeez people, help me out here!!)
I love searching for stuff I don't need on E-Bay. It's one of the great joys of coming to work every day (don't tell the boss.) But sometimes, you make a purchase, and the results aren't as good as you had hoped.
Last week I bid on, a 1945 "First Edition" James Hilton Novel, "So Well Remembered." I am a big Hilton fan (if you haven't read Lost Horizon yet, DO IT!!), and I am also a collector of the aforementioned "stuff I don't need", so 1st Edition Hilton novels seemed appropriate.
After the bidding war ceased...ok, I was the only bidder...I had won the auction. today, the book came in. It looked like the photo...but upon closer inspection...
IT WAS A BOOK CLUB EDITION!!
Now, for those of you not in the know, a Book Club Edition is a mass produced edition of the original book that is distributed through the Book Club at prices that are the equivalent to 100 books for 3/4 of a cent. In other words, they aren't collectible, they aren't rare, and they definitely aren't FIRST EDITIONS!!
With my blood boiling, I layed down an e-mail to the seller, telling him of my disapproval. Before I sent the spewing hate, I rechecked the auction. Nope, it doesn't mention Book Club Edition...
So, I set back to the e-mail. Remembering that he has yet to leave feedback for me (E-Bay works off a feedback system...Positive, Neutral, and Negative. The more positives you have, the better your chances are of selling your items.) I decided to back off my original e-mail and give him a chance to respond to my allegations.
My letter basically said: I won this auction for a "First Edition" and the book is a Book Club Edition. I am very disappointed, as I feel deceived.
I never asked for a return in money or anything like that. Why? That's not the point. I don't want a refund...I want an apology, an explanation...AND, most of all, I want him to be nice and admit he deceived me. The book was cheap, so that's unimportant. I want him to say, "I made a mistake. I'm sorry."
But, I bet he won't. I bet he will come back and say something about "E-mailing him to ask questions BEFORE the auction ended."
If the description said "First Edition", would you e-mail and ask if the book was a first edition? Me either.
I actually hope he says something about "No Refunds." If he does, I'm going to bust him with the fact that I didn't ask for one, and then say: "It's funny that I can't assume the book isn't a Book Club, but you can assume I want a refund..."
What is today? The 24th. I will wait for his e-mail and update you all on what his resulting comments are. If he is nice...I'll give him a positive feedback for being nice, shipping fast, and the likes. If he is an ass about things, I'll sacrifice myself and give the negative. I have 219 positive feedbacks with only one neutral (a story for another time involving an LJN Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka doll...). I think it may be time to get that first negative for the cause of honesty in E-Baying!!
"Hello, Tony!!" (that's your part, jeez people, help me out here!!)
I love searching for stuff I don't need on E-Bay. It's one of the great joys of coming to work every day (don't tell the boss.) But sometimes, you make a purchase, and the results aren't as good as you had hoped.
Last week I bid on, a 1945 "First Edition" James Hilton Novel, "So Well Remembered." I am a big Hilton fan (if you haven't read Lost Horizon yet, DO IT!!), and I am also a collector of the aforementioned "stuff I don't need", so 1st Edition Hilton novels seemed appropriate.
After the bidding war ceased...ok, I was the only bidder...I had won the auction. today, the book came in. It looked like the photo...but upon closer inspection...
IT WAS A BOOK CLUB EDITION!!
Now, for those of you not in the know, a Book Club Edition is a mass produced edition of the original book that is distributed through the Book Club at prices that are the equivalent to 100 books for 3/4 of a cent. In other words, they aren't collectible, they aren't rare, and they definitely aren't FIRST EDITIONS!!
With my blood boiling, I layed down an e-mail to the seller, telling him of my disapproval. Before I sent the spewing hate, I rechecked the auction. Nope, it doesn't mention Book Club Edition...
So, I set back to the e-mail. Remembering that he has yet to leave feedback for me (E-Bay works off a feedback system...Positive, Neutral, and Negative. The more positives you have, the better your chances are of selling your items.) I decided to back off my original e-mail and give him a chance to respond to my allegations.
My letter basically said: I won this auction for a "First Edition" and the book is a Book Club Edition. I am very disappointed, as I feel deceived.
I never asked for a return in money or anything like that. Why? That's not the point. I don't want a refund...I want an apology, an explanation...AND, most of all, I want him to be nice and admit he deceived me. The book was cheap, so that's unimportant. I want him to say, "I made a mistake. I'm sorry."
But, I bet he won't. I bet he will come back and say something about "E-mailing him to ask questions BEFORE the auction ended."
If the description said "First Edition", would you e-mail and ask if the book was a first edition? Me either.
I actually hope he says something about "No Refunds." If he does, I'm going to bust him with the fact that I didn't ask for one, and then say: "It's funny that I can't assume the book isn't a Book Club, but you can assume I want a refund..."
What is today? The 24th. I will wait for his e-mail and update you all on what his resulting comments are. If he is nice...I'll give him a positive feedback for being nice, shipping fast, and the likes. If he is an ass about things, I'll sacrifice myself and give the negative. I have 219 positive feedbacks with only one neutral (a story for another time involving an LJN Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka doll...). I think it may be time to get that first negative for the cause of honesty in E-Baying!!
Thursday, February 17, 2005
'Cause I'm The Trash Man
Of all the thankless jobs out there, I think Trash Man has to rank right up there at the top. I understand that. But I still think we should hold these people accountable when they utterly destroy our trash cans.
I came home last night to find my trash can's handle torn and broken. This is the third time this has happened. Come on, trash men, it's not like I'm throwing blocks of concrete in the bottom of these things!!
"Let me gently pick up this trash can and WHOA!! Feels like a ton of bricks in that bad boy!"
No, I throw away a few bags of trash, and the trash man, in turn does a double handed yank on the handle, followed by a dump of the trash and a triple axle with a full Yurchanko as he slams it to the frozen ground, shattering the can's very being.
Who pays for this? Ultimately, it's the trash can who pays with broken parts and broken dreams. All that can wanted was to hold the trash, and make it's mamma proud. Now, it's just a broken shell of a can. That's just garbage!!
So, I will buy a new one and sit the old tattered can out to be thrown away...it's funny how long it takes the trash man to actually take the old can with him. For the first couple of weeks he will pick it up, see no trash and throw it back to the ground, empty. You actually have to put the old broken can into the new can...like it's trash, or that thing sits there forever.
I should write a note on it...
"Please throw my old trash can away. It was a good trash can, UNTIL YOU BROKE IT!! Please leave $10 to cover the cost of a new can."
Nah, better not...who knows what the Trash Man would do then!!
I came home last night to find my trash can's handle torn and broken. This is the third time this has happened. Come on, trash men, it's not like I'm throwing blocks of concrete in the bottom of these things!!
"Let me gently pick up this trash can and WHOA!! Feels like a ton of bricks in that bad boy!"
No, I throw away a few bags of trash, and the trash man, in turn does a double handed yank on the handle, followed by a dump of the trash and a triple axle with a full Yurchanko as he slams it to the frozen ground, shattering the can's very being.
Who pays for this? Ultimately, it's the trash can who pays with broken parts and broken dreams. All that can wanted was to hold the trash, and make it's mamma proud. Now, it's just a broken shell of a can. That's just garbage!!
So, I will buy a new one and sit the old tattered can out to be thrown away...it's funny how long it takes the trash man to actually take the old can with him. For the first couple of weeks he will pick it up, see no trash and throw it back to the ground, empty. You actually have to put the old broken can into the new can...like it's trash, or that thing sits there forever.
I should write a note on it...
"Please throw my old trash can away. It was a good trash can, UNTIL YOU BROKE IT!! Please leave $10 to cover the cost of a new can."
Nah, better not...who knows what the Trash Man would do then!!
Monday, February 14, 2005
If You Can't Beat 'Em...
Last weekend, Becky and I set out to convert a gaping hole in our computer room into a magnificent CD rack. Sounds simple enough. But when you consider my lack of any "handyman" type skills, and Becky and my inability to get along while doing projects, the task seems a little more monumental.
Last summer, Becky and I remodeled our bathroom. Part of the project included tearing out a closet from the Computer room, and incorporating the space into our tiny bathroom. The result left a hole in the computer room where the closet door use to be. Becky wisely suggested that we convert the space into an inlaid CD rack. (Great Idea by Becky #1)
After many months procrastinating (as I do so well), we finally decided to start the rack.
Ok, Becky told me I had to do it.
I drew up some plans and was mentally ready for the task. I was so confident, in fact, that I told Becky's mom the job would take, max, 5 hours (not including time to get the wood.)
We went and bought the wood and started to build. Things were actually going well. I was measuring the wood and cutting it with the circular saw (something I had only used twice before in my life.) Things were progressing well. Then, our first "discussion".
Becky: "Are you going to put spacers to hold the shelves up?"
Translation: "Don't put spacers to hold the shelves up, it will look stupid."
Me: "Yes."
Becky: "Oh, I think it would be better if..."
Oh, no. Here it comes. Becky tells me for months to build the CD rack, build the CD rack...then, after I rack my brains coming up with this plan...she tells me HOW to build it. UGH! This is why I get mad...usually. This time, I decided to take a different approach.
I admit, at first I fought her ideas. Saying things like, "That will be too hard!" and "I don't want to do it that way...(cause I'm a whiny little baby, I should have added.)" But then, I just said, ok, let's do it your way.
And you know what? It actually came out BETTER than my original idea. It took a little bit of work, but her CD rack idea was great. (Great Idea by Becky #2) The project got done, and we hardly fought at all about those little things.
After we finished building the shelf, puttying, and painting...we made a collage of music pictures on the back wall behind the shelves for added effect that came out cool, and was a fun project to do together (Great Idea by Becky #3). I was really surprised how well we worked together, given our shady past work history. Maybe I'm growing up a little, and becoming a little more patient. Scary thought.
In case you were wondering, the shelf took 8 hours to build, and about 4 hours to collage. Total with painting, getting the lumber, building and collaging...15 hours. But it was fun!!
Total Great Ideas by Becky on the CD Rack project: 3
Total Great Ideas by Tony on the CD Rack Project: 0
I hope you all will stop by and see Becky's great CD rack!!
Last summer, Becky and I remodeled our bathroom. Part of the project included tearing out a closet from the Computer room, and incorporating the space into our tiny bathroom. The result left a hole in the computer room where the closet door use to be. Becky wisely suggested that we convert the space into an inlaid CD rack. (Great Idea by Becky #1)
After many months procrastinating (as I do so well), we finally decided to start the rack.
Ok, Becky told me I had to do it.
I drew up some plans and was mentally ready for the task. I was so confident, in fact, that I told Becky's mom the job would take, max, 5 hours (not including time to get the wood.)
We went and bought the wood and started to build. Things were actually going well. I was measuring the wood and cutting it with the circular saw (something I had only used twice before in my life.) Things were progressing well. Then, our first "discussion".
Becky: "Are you going to put spacers to hold the shelves up?"
Translation: "Don't put spacers to hold the shelves up, it will look stupid."
Me: "Yes."
Becky: "Oh, I think it would be better if..."
Oh, no. Here it comes. Becky tells me for months to build the CD rack, build the CD rack...then, after I rack my brains coming up with this plan...she tells me HOW to build it. UGH! This is why I get mad...usually. This time, I decided to take a different approach.
I admit, at first I fought her ideas. Saying things like, "That will be too hard!" and "I don't want to do it that way...(cause I'm a whiny little baby, I should have added.)" But then, I just said, ok, let's do it your way.
And you know what? It actually came out BETTER than my original idea. It took a little bit of work, but her CD rack idea was great. (Great Idea by Becky #2) The project got done, and we hardly fought at all about those little things.
After we finished building the shelf, puttying, and painting...we made a collage of music pictures on the back wall behind the shelves for added effect that came out cool, and was a fun project to do together (Great Idea by Becky #3). I was really surprised how well we worked together, given our shady past work history. Maybe I'm growing up a little, and becoming a little more patient. Scary thought.
In case you were wondering, the shelf took 8 hours to build, and about 4 hours to collage. Total with painting, getting the lumber, building and collaging...15 hours. But it was fun!!
Total Great Ideas by Becky on the CD Rack project: 3
Total Great Ideas by Tony on the CD Rack Project: 0
I hope you all will stop by and see Becky's great CD rack!!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Let's Get Physical
There's nothing like a physical. Not the "turn your head and cough" kind, but a full out, check yo' nekkid ass, down and dirty, head to toe, physical.
On the one hand, it's nice to know that all the little aches, pains, odd veins, and weird rash things you have are normal.
But on the other hand...
If you take out "on the other" from the above sentence, you know what's bad about physicals. It's over now, thankfully, and I am healthy. For those of you that know me, I'm sure you are happy. For those of you who don't, you probably don't care.
Either way.
On the one hand, it's nice to know that all the little aches, pains, odd veins, and weird rash things you have are normal.
But on the other hand...
If you take out "on the other" from the above sentence, you know what's bad about physicals. It's over now, thankfully, and I am healthy. For those of you that know me, I'm sure you are happy. For those of you who don't, you probably don't care.
Either way.
Here Today
So, this is it. The new layout. Becky made it a little easier to look at (no pink signatures behind the words.) Thanks to both of my commentors for helping me with the design.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
New Layout
Ok, I need some help here people!! Becky has thrown some new juice into my blog, and I want to see what you all think. Great, decent, too busy, liked the plain way better...
Just drop a comment in the comment section at the bottom and let me know!
Thanks,
Tony
Just drop a comment in the comment section at the bottom and let me know!
Thanks,
Tony
Charming: Round 2
A comment to the last post:
Anonymous said...
not try at all because you can't get it right the first time? how uninspired is that?! everyone deserves a chance and some things, they deserve to try until they are content with the outcome. it's because no one's perfect that we should encourage a third. nothing comes easy. it probably didn't take you only two times to learn to walk or talk in a complete coherent sentence or learn to ride a bike, or swim. There's hardly anything that a person can complish completely right in the first two tries. we learn and get better at things. my mom would always tell me a saying that they have in vietnamese and basically, it says that failure is the mother of success. plus, what is success without failure every now and again
My answer:
After having read this comment, and re-reading my post, I would have to agree with the comment. My post didn't make sense, and it was incorrect. Let me rephrase what I should have said:
To give someone a second chance, or even a third, is both acceptable, and honorable. But I would say "Keep trying!!" or "You'll get it!!"
Saying "Third time's the charm" to me is like saying the first two tries mean nothing, but it's the third try that's important. If you get it on the second try, it's ok, but the CHARM is the third try!! Be damned if it takes you 4, cause then what do you say?
"Third time's the charm, but the 4th try is pretty good, too!!"
No, you shot yourself in the foot when you say one particular try should be the best of the bunch.
Actually, I kind of like "Failure is the mother of success." Thanks anonymous's mom for that one!!
Anonymous said...
not try at all because you can't get it right the first time? how uninspired is that?! everyone deserves a chance and some things, they deserve to try until they are content with the outcome. it's because no one's perfect that we should encourage a third. nothing comes easy. it probably didn't take you only two times to learn to walk or talk in a complete coherent sentence or learn to ride a bike, or swim. There's hardly anything that a person can complish completely right in the first two tries. we learn and get better at things. my mom would always tell me a saying that they have in vietnamese and basically, it says that failure is the mother of success. plus, what is success without failure every now and again
My answer:
After having read this comment, and re-reading my post, I would have to agree with the comment. My post didn't make sense, and it was incorrect. Let me rephrase what I should have said:
To give someone a second chance, or even a third, is both acceptable, and honorable. But I would say "Keep trying!!" or "You'll get it!!"
Saying "Third time's the charm" to me is like saying the first two tries mean nothing, but it's the third try that's important. If you get it on the second try, it's ok, but the CHARM is the third try!! Be damned if it takes you 4, cause then what do you say?
"Third time's the charm, but the 4th try is pretty good, too!!"
No, you shot yourself in the foot when you say one particular try should be the best of the bunch.
Actually, I kind of like "Failure is the mother of success." Thanks anonymous's mom for that one!!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Charming
Often in the English language, phrases come up. They evolve. "The Proof of the pudding is in the eating..." has evolved into "The Proof is in the Pudding." I have writen about this before.
One phrase I can't figure out is "Third time's the charm."
What?!? Why exactly are we giving people who suck at something THREE CHANCES to get it right? That just seems a little excessive to me. Ok, two tries, I may buy, because nobody's perfect. But to encourage a third?
And where did this phrase evolve from? I have no clue. I think this is one that stood on it's own somehow. All I know is, if it's going to take me three tries to get it, I probably don't want to even attempt it once.
I want the first time to be the charm. I don't call it being lazy, I call it being realistic. If I'm not skilled enough the first two times...forget it!
One phrase I can't figure out is "Third time's the charm."
What?!? Why exactly are we giving people who suck at something THREE CHANCES to get it right? That just seems a little excessive to me. Ok, two tries, I may buy, because nobody's perfect. But to encourage a third?
And where did this phrase evolve from? I have no clue. I think this is one that stood on it's own somehow. All I know is, if it's going to take me three tries to get it, I probably don't want to even attempt it once.
I want the first time to be the charm. I don't call it being lazy, I call it being realistic. If I'm not skilled enough the first two times...forget it!
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