Since I opened my Booth at the Antique Mall selling records in March, I've been rather fortunate. Sales have been great, and the overall feeling was the Mall employees respected my inclusion to their "team". Besides the first week, when 2 of my 6 Fake Gold Beatles records "vanished," I had no issues whatsoever.
Until yesterday.
I was told by the management when I opened the booth that, as with any business, they had troubles sometimes with tag switching. So, with their direction, I took ALL the recommended steps to ensure that wouldn't happen. I came up with my own policies.
1. EVERY record was to have: Booth Number, Price, Artist Name, Record Name, AND Inventory number.
2. EVERY record $5 and above would be placed in a plastic sleeve with the tag on the sleeve, and the booth number also written in pencil on the inside cover of the record.
3. All records under $5 would have a sticker placed directly on the cover.
4. EVERY piece of inventory would be logged into a database, so I know what's out there, the price, and when I took it out there and sold it.
I noticed Wednesday night as I checked my sales that 5 records had sold for $1 a piece, which is odd, since most of my stuff is priced $2 and up. The second red flag was the fact that no inventory numbers were logged in, a practice the Mall is pretty good about keeping up on. I quickly looked at the title description the Mall had typed in, and my fears were finally realized.
Three of the records were suppose to be $5 each, one was $8, and the fifth was $20. $43 worth of records, sold for $5. CRAP! After a stressful night's sleep, I travelled to the Mall and arrived as they opened the doors.
I had planned on trying to find the empty sleeves to show the original prices, but I had no luck. As I searched, I did find a SIXTH price switch...a $3 Chuck Berry record that I THOUGHT had sold was sitting on the shelf in a plastic sleeve that was reserved for a $30 Chuck Berry record. The $30 record was gone.
Now my loses were at $65.
I approached the manager, and told him what had happened. He seemed as distraught as I was. He quickly accommodated my every whim, pulling sales receipts to see WHO sold the records, IF they buyer paid by credit card so he could be tracked, etc. Cash was used, eliminating the potential to know the scammer, but the employee was working who sold 3 of the 5 records. She remembered the transaction, as it was with a notorious "suspected" tag switcher, nicknamed "Combover Guy."
"It was Combover Guy, I know it was," she said with preciseness. The manager muttered a curse, as he knew Combover Guy was in the store, and he knew he should have been watching him, but neglected to do so. It had been weeks since he had tried anything, so they loosened the reigns a little on him. Since he had never been caught in the act, they couldn't really do anything about him, but they knew WHO he was, and they made sure, usually, to follow him around.
We focused on the 5 $1 records first, trying to figure out how this could have happened. We determined that he came in, slipped the plastic sleeve off 3 of the record, placed a tag that he made on the records, stashed the sleeve, and bought them. Then he went to his car, came BACK in, and did the same to 2 additional records using a second cashier.
The Sixth record was completely the fault of the cashier. The scammer peeled the price sticker from a $3 Chuck Berry record called "Golden Hits" and placed it on the cover of the $30 Chuck Berry record called "Berry On Top." The plastic sleeve was then placed over the $3 record. The cashier saw Chuck Berry and that was good enough for them...the TITLE of the record went totally ignored. A safe guard that should have prevented the sale, was overlooked.
"Why am I wasting my time writing this information if it's not even going to be looked at?" I asked.
"It will be looked at now." the manager relied.
Little consolation.
Once we knew the problem, the Police were called so a Police report could be filed. I really appreciated the extra effort by management to make sure the problem was noted. They also went the extra mile to ensure it wouldn't happen again by getting permission to call the police to "tail" Combover Guy should he come in again, and they even got the go ahead to tell Combover he had to leave the store on grounds of trespassing (suspicion of tag switching) if they deemed fit. A few other safeguards that I would rather not disclose were also put into place.
A follow up call is forthcoming, to fill me in on all the details. I'll let you know.
Of course, this isn't just $65 in loss. It's loss for me and loss for my friend who consigned the records to me (as they were his records that were hit). Now I have to break the news to him, risking him pulling his stuff, which looses me MORE money. Not to mention that nagging in the back of my head to not take the really good stuff out there anymore, for fear it will get switched...again, this looses me money (and the Mall.)
Since I've sold so much out there, I am hopeful it is an isolated incident, and it won't happen again. Especially with the safeguards that have been added, but it still frustrates me. Haven't found out yet what kind of reparations I might be entitled to, if any. More than likely nothing for the 5, since they probably had legit tags on them, but that $30 Berry record I'll fight over! No way that should have went through!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
How Karma Came Around and Bit Me In the Butt: Part Two
I got home with my newly bought Booty and went to work. I cleaned, photographed and listed a boat load of Punk records on eBay and waited for the money to come rolling in. Roll in it did, in waves!!
I made my money back quickly, but the $300 record still remained to be sold. No one was popping on it, and I was getting concerned. Finally, after reducing the price to $200, the record got it's one and only bid. Sold!! I was ecstatic that I got $200 out of it. I had come very close to doubling up.
The buyer was a guy in Japan. Sending a record overseas is kinda tricky. You have to pack it better, fill out customs forms, and spend some quality time at the post office. They know me there now...
This record was in great condition, but wouldn't you know it, the guy emails me and says the record was scratched and he wanted his money back.
I told him no.
Why? For the following reasons:
1. I say in my description that I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS.
2. I don't know if he recorded the record onto his computer and just wants his $200 back.
3. I don't know if the Post Office damaged it in transit.
4. The record DID NOT have a scratch on it when I mailed it.
5. The principle of the matter: I did my part, I was honest, and it's out of my hands what happens after that.
To make this story shorter, here is a thumbnail account of what happened next:
He filed a claim against me.
I fought it.
He won. As bogus as that sounds, he won.
He shipped the record back, and I prayed that he just recorded it and it wouldn't be scratched. My prayers were not to be answered on this day.
(Check the small scratches about and inch above the label at the 12 o'clock position.)
(The 3 o'clock position shows the major damage...big ole scratch!!)
I was pissed!! I checked my photos, and as you can clearly see from the pic below, that 3 o'clock scratch was NOT there!! Note the date that pic was taken, too!!
(Look, Ma, NO SCRATCH!!)
I filed an appeal based on the picture. But Paypal said, "We don't even open pictures in an appeal case...we don't know if it's the same record or not, when it was taken, etc."
So, here's the bottom line. Even though I say NO RETURNS, he can still return it. Even though he has absolutely NO proof that I sent him a damaged record (he didn't have to even prove the record was scratched!!), he wins. Even though I have DATE STAMPED PROOF that the record was clean, I still loose.
To make matters worse, I had to return his $15 shipping!! Now I have a $200 record I can't sell and I'm out the $15!! I lost a bunch on this one. To make matters doubly worse, this joker has Private Feedback so I can't tell others about this. To make matters triply worse, eBay has a NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK for Buyers policy, so I can't leave him bad feedback!!
Oh well, I guess it's a lesson learned. What's the lesson? I still haven't figured that one out...anybody help me out with that one??
The End
Epilogue:
Don't feel too bad for me...the remander of the LP's that I didn't post went to the Antique Mall and continue to sell. As of this post, I have made $470...a $130 profit from the initial purchase price of $340. Anyone want to buy a greatly discounted Jazz Fusion record??
I made my money back quickly, but the $300 record still remained to be sold. No one was popping on it, and I was getting concerned. Finally, after reducing the price to $200, the record got it's one and only bid. Sold!! I was ecstatic that I got $200 out of it. I had come very close to doubling up.
The buyer was a guy in Japan. Sending a record overseas is kinda tricky. You have to pack it better, fill out customs forms, and spend some quality time at the post office. They know me there now...
This record was in great condition, but wouldn't you know it, the guy emails me and says the record was scratched and he wanted his money back.
I told him no.
Why? For the following reasons:
1. I say in my description that I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS.
2. I don't know if he recorded the record onto his computer and just wants his $200 back.
3. I don't know if the Post Office damaged it in transit.
4. The record DID NOT have a scratch on it when I mailed it.
5. The principle of the matter: I did my part, I was honest, and it's out of my hands what happens after that.
To make this story shorter, here is a thumbnail account of what happened next:
He filed a claim against me.
I fought it.
He won. As bogus as that sounds, he won.
He shipped the record back, and I prayed that he just recorded it and it wouldn't be scratched. My prayers were not to be answered on this day.
(Check the small scratches about and inch above the label at the 12 o'clock position.)
(The 3 o'clock position shows the major damage...big ole scratch!!)
I was pissed!! I checked my photos, and as you can clearly see from the pic below, that 3 o'clock scratch was NOT there!! Note the date that pic was taken, too!!
(Look, Ma, NO SCRATCH!!)
I filed an appeal based on the picture. But Paypal said, "We don't even open pictures in an appeal case...we don't know if it's the same record or not, when it was taken, etc."
So, here's the bottom line. Even though I say NO RETURNS, he can still return it. Even though he has absolutely NO proof that I sent him a damaged record (he didn't have to even prove the record was scratched!!), he wins. Even though I have DATE STAMPED PROOF that the record was clean, I still loose.
To make matters worse, I had to return his $15 shipping!! Now I have a $200 record I can't sell and I'm out the $15!! I lost a bunch on this one. To make matters doubly worse, this joker has Private Feedback so I can't tell others about this. To make matters triply worse, eBay has a NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK for Buyers policy, so I can't leave him bad feedback!!
Oh well, I guess it's a lesson learned. What's the lesson? I still haven't figured that one out...anybody help me out with that one??
The End
Epilogue:
Don't feel too bad for me...the remander of the LP's that I didn't post went to the Antique Mall and continue to sell. As of this post, I have made $470...a $130 profit from the initial purchase price of $340. Anyone want to buy a greatly discounted Jazz Fusion record??
Monday, July 12, 2010
How Karma Came Around and Bit Me In The Butt: Part One
We all live by some life motto, whether we openly admit it or not. I TRY to subscribe to a couple at least. The first one is something that my Grandma always said: "Everything happens for a reason." The other is: "Always treat people the way you would like to be treated." I, personally, would like to be treated with respect and kindness, so I TRY to do the same towards others. Of course, none among us are perfect, and sometimes the rules get skewed a little.
I am not immune.
One day, as I'm trudging along on Craigslist, I come across a collection of records. The majority of the 250 albums listed are artists I've never heard of, mainly Punk bands and the likes. I did see some meat on the listing's bones, so I decided to email the guy.
His listing was the 250 records, and he was asking $450. Approximately $1.80 per record. I usually don't like paying that much per record on a large lot, simply because the margin to make money is rather slim. Sure, you can get $10 or so for some artists, but others you get nothing out of...you aren't gonna sell EVERYTHING! As long as I can double the investment, I feel like it's worth my time.
I went into the email half-hearted, because I really didn't know what was there. I figured, "Maybe I can low-ball this fella, get the records way cheap, and make a little money." So, my email was something to the effect of:
Hello,
I saw your listing on eBay, and I might be interested if you would be willing to consider taking less. Just let me know.
Thanks,
Tony
Really short, really crappy of me!! Rule #1 of selling or buying: always be willing to negotiate (but don't email the guy and say you want to buy them for less!) Let's just say it was a jack-ass move!
As I waited, not caring really if he emailed me back. I started to do a little research on the records. I quickly got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The records that I knew nothing about were in high demand, some selling for $20, $30, even $50 a piece! One was apparently a rare jazz fusion record that was selling for $300 by itself!! I could sell a small handful of these and make my money back, and STILL have 200+ records from which to turn the sweetest of profits!
However, at this point, it had been over an hour, and no response had come. I just knew I had offended the guy beyond the point of return. I sent a second email.
Friend...
My apologies for the earlier email. I didn't mean to be so harsh and short, and I hope you weren't offended in my offering less without seeing the records first. I am very interested in the lot, and I hope we can get together and make a deal for your collection.
Tony
I hoped I would get a response, but another hour passed, then another. I felt defeated. I was sure he had either sold the lot to another, or had shunned me completely.
At the end of the day, after having checked my email about 50 times, there was still no response.
The End
Did you really think that was the end? Silly readers!!
The next day, the guy emailed me back and was more than gracious. He wasn't offended (seems not everyone just sits around and checks their email all day long like I do...who knew??) and we quickly made arrangements for me to see the records at his parents house in Franklin.
I always fear the worst when I go into someone's home, but on this occasion, the fear was unwarranted. The man was more than hospitable to Hendrix and me as I pushed the stroller into a front room and began to rip through the albums.
The records were in excellent condition, but all the records I knew anything about were re-issues, lessening the value. The punk albums were legit, however, and the Rare Jazz Fusion $300 LP was also the real deal. I wanted these records. A stack of 45 RPM records came out and I started to halfway look at those while I added up how much I could sell each of those LP's for in my head.
(As a side note, it is a little uncomfortable to look through Punk albums while a nearly 50 year old guy's MOM sits basically over my shoulder looking at them, too. What's that? You wouldn't feel uncomfortable? Yeah, here's some of the names: Guttermouth: BALLS, Butthole Surfers, Grimple: Up Your A*@, Gas Huffers...oh, did I mention one of the covers had a tasteful picture of a guy with his wang out taking a leak? Uncomfortable now??)
I think we both knew what came next. The negotiation. I tried $300, he said he wouldn't take less than $380. So, I told him I couldn't do it, and started to walk away...I threw a final blow in, $340.
He scratched his head, and finally agreed. Now, if I could unload the one record for $300, I was almost back to even. Of course, anyone who has ever sold anything knows you don't want to just break even...you want a profit. I always aspire to double my investment, and I really thought it was possible with this lot...
Until...
(TO BE CONTINUED)
I am not immune.
One day, as I'm trudging along on Craigslist, I come across a collection of records. The majority of the 250 albums listed are artists I've never heard of, mainly Punk bands and the likes. I did see some meat on the listing's bones, so I decided to email the guy.
His listing was the 250 records, and he was asking $450. Approximately $1.80 per record. I usually don't like paying that much per record on a large lot, simply because the margin to make money is rather slim. Sure, you can get $10 or so for some artists, but others you get nothing out of...you aren't gonna sell EVERYTHING! As long as I can double the investment, I feel like it's worth my time.
I went into the email half-hearted, because I really didn't know what was there. I figured, "Maybe I can low-ball this fella, get the records way cheap, and make a little money." So, my email was something to the effect of:
Hello,
I saw your listing on eBay, and I might be interested if you would be willing to consider taking less. Just let me know.
Thanks,
Tony
Really short, really crappy of me!! Rule #1 of selling or buying: always be willing to negotiate (but don't email the guy and say you want to buy them for less!) Let's just say it was a jack-ass move!
As I waited, not caring really if he emailed me back. I started to do a little research on the records. I quickly got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The records that I knew nothing about were in high demand, some selling for $20, $30, even $50 a piece! One was apparently a rare jazz fusion record that was selling for $300 by itself!! I could sell a small handful of these and make my money back, and STILL have 200+ records from which to turn the sweetest of profits!
However, at this point, it had been over an hour, and no response had come. I just knew I had offended the guy beyond the point of return. I sent a second email.
Friend...
My apologies for the earlier email. I didn't mean to be so harsh and short, and I hope you weren't offended in my offering less without seeing the records first. I am very interested in the lot, and I hope we can get together and make a deal for your collection.
Tony
I hoped I would get a response, but another hour passed, then another. I felt defeated. I was sure he had either sold the lot to another, or had shunned me completely.
At the end of the day, after having checked my email about 50 times, there was still no response.
The End
Did you really think that was the end? Silly readers!!
The next day, the guy emailed me back and was more than gracious. He wasn't offended (seems not everyone just sits around and checks their email all day long like I do...who knew??) and we quickly made arrangements for me to see the records at his parents house in Franklin.
I always fear the worst when I go into someone's home, but on this occasion, the fear was unwarranted. The man was more than hospitable to Hendrix and me as I pushed the stroller into a front room and began to rip through the albums.
The records were in excellent condition, but all the records I knew anything about were re-issues, lessening the value. The punk albums were legit, however, and the Rare Jazz Fusion $300 LP was also the real deal. I wanted these records. A stack of 45 RPM records came out and I started to halfway look at those while I added up how much I could sell each of those LP's for in my head.
(As a side note, it is a little uncomfortable to look through Punk albums while a nearly 50 year old guy's MOM sits basically over my shoulder looking at them, too. What's that? You wouldn't feel uncomfortable? Yeah, here's some of the names: Guttermouth: BALLS, Butthole Surfers, Grimple: Up Your A*@, Gas Huffers...oh, did I mention one of the covers had a tasteful picture of a guy with his wang out taking a leak? Uncomfortable now??)
I think we both knew what came next. The negotiation. I tried $300, he said he wouldn't take less than $380. So, I told him I couldn't do it, and started to walk away...I threw a final blow in, $340.
He scratched his head, and finally agreed. Now, if I could unload the one record for $300, I was almost back to even. Of course, anyone who has ever sold anything knows you don't want to just break even...you want a profit. I always aspire to double my investment, and I really thought it was possible with this lot...
Until...
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Hidden Treasure
How often do you see a show on tv where someone is flipping around a yard sale and stumble upon an original Declaration of Independence, or a piece of junk that ends up being worth a fortune? It seems to happen to everyone except us, am I right? Well, my golden find came a few months back.
No, I didn't find anything that was worth a fortune, but it was a great find for me!
We were at the Flea Markets over towards Brown County when I spied a box of cd's on the ground. There was another guy picking through them, so I started looking around, viewing the vendors other wears while I waited. I found a nice Led Zeppelin Biography, and for some reason, I picked it up and opened it.
Inside, I found it was signed and inscribed by the author of the book, Richard Cole, the band's former Tour Manager!
I asked the vendor how much the book was...
.25 cents!
A sweet score! But it gets better.
The other guy was taking his sweet time, so I asked him if I could jump in and check the discs out with him. I flipped thought the discs and picked out a few. A Jane's Addiction, a David Bowie, and a JJ Cale CD for my dad.
"Those are $1 each today," the lady said.
The other guy left empty handed, and I started to the checkout with 3 cd's, and the score of the day, the signed Richard Cole, Zep book. As she was getting a bag, I enquired about an Abbey Road puzzle that was sitting on the table. Another $1.
So, $4.25 was the damage. I searched my pockets, and couldn't find the spare change, so I gave her a $20. Hard times had apparently befallen the vendor, as she couldn't change my $20. Making another search, I came up with $2.42. After the surrounding vendors refused to make change from my $20, I asked her if she would take the $2.42.
She agreed.
Later that night, I was looking at my purchases of the day. The Bowie CD grabbed my attention, because it was a newer cd from Bowie, and I had never seen it before. I turned the case over and saw it was stamped as a promo cd. A nice bonus!!
Then I opened the case.
The booklet was cover by this Hologramy looking piece. Which was pretty cool. But under it...
The CD booklet was signed by David Bowie!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!! I quickly checked to make sure it was a marker, and not printed on the booklet. It was really marker. I grabbed the computer to check the validity of the signature, and it looked legit!!
(Framed CD)
I was blown away that my $2.42 bought me a signed book, and unbeknownst to me, a signed Bowie CD!! Now I realize these aren't Declarations of Independence or anything, but that's a $20-$30 Bowie item, which isn't too shabby from a Flea Market!!
No, I didn't find anything that was worth a fortune, but it was a great find for me!
We were at the Flea Markets over towards Brown County when I spied a box of cd's on the ground. There was another guy picking through them, so I started looking around, viewing the vendors other wears while I waited. I found a nice Led Zeppelin Biography, and for some reason, I picked it up and opened it.
Inside, I found it was signed and inscribed by the author of the book, Richard Cole, the band's former Tour Manager!
I asked the vendor how much the book was...
.25 cents!
A sweet score! But it gets better.
The other guy was taking his sweet time, so I asked him if I could jump in and check the discs out with him. I flipped thought the discs and picked out a few. A Jane's Addiction, a David Bowie, and a JJ Cale CD for my dad.
"Those are $1 each today," the lady said.
The other guy left empty handed, and I started to the checkout with 3 cd's, and the score of the day, the signed Richard Cole, Zep book. As she was getting a bag, I enquired about an Abbey Road puzzle that was sitting on the table. Another $1.
So, $4.25 was the damage. I searched my pockets, and couldn't find the spare change, so I gave her a $20. Hard times had apparently befallen the vendor, as she couldn't change my $20. Making another search, I came up with $2.42. After the surrounding vendors refused to make change from my $20, I asked her if she would take the $2.42.
She agreed.
Later that night, I was looking at my purchases of the day. The Bowie CD grabbed my attention, because it was a newer cd from Bowie, and I had never seen it before. I turned the case over and saw it was stamped as a promo cd. A nice bonus!!
Then I opened the case.
The booklet was cover by this Hologramy looking piece. Which was pretty cool. But under it...
The CD booklet was signed by David Bowie!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!! I quickly checked to make sure it was a marker, and not printed on the booklet. It was really marker. I grabbed the computer to check the validity of the signature, and it looked legit!!
(Framed CD)
I was blown away that my $2.42 bought me a signed book, and unbeknownst to me, a signed Bowie CD!! Now I realize these aren't Declarations of Independence or anything, but that's a $20-$30 Bowie item, which isn't too shabby from a Flea Market!!
Hendrix turns 2!
Hendrix Dylan turned 2 on the 22nd of June! Dang, I can't believe how fast time flies. Here are some pics to keep you entertained!
(Hendrix in his Spongebob hat...that boy has serious Spongebob fever!)
(Hendrix was a little more civil eating the cake this year!!)
(Spongebob face!!)
(Reaching for his Spongebob balloons)
(Here's the Spongebob cake that I made for him. Not the best, but still pretty cool I guess for a 2 year old!!)
(Hendrix pushing his cousin, Hailey.)
(Hendrix in his Spongebob hat...that boy has serious Spongebob fever!)
(Hendrix was a little more civil eating the cake this year!!)
(Spongebob face!!)
(Reaching for his Spongebob balloons)
(Here's the Spongebob cake that I made for him. Not the best, but still pretty cool I guess for a 2 year old!!)
(Hendrix pushing his cousin, Hailey.)
Guess Who's Back!!
Alright, alright...so it's been over 6 months, sue me? Anyone still out there?? The blog is coming back, hardcore!!
Keep watching, i'm ready to post it up!!
Keep watching, i'm ready to post it up!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Photos for Paypal Appeal
This photo shows the record that I just received back from the buyer. Look at the 3 o'clock position on the vinyl, across from 33.3 RPM. You can clearly see a scratch.
This is the original photo I took and HAVE in the post. If you look in the same spot, there is NO SCRATCH! The vinyl all around looks pristine!!
Again, this is the RETURNED LP, and you can see a LARGE scratch a little to the right of the 12 o'clock spot.
Another original (pre-ship) photo shows, again, no scratches!!
The vinyl was perfect before, and is scratched up now leaving me with merchendise that I cannot resell for the same value as before the buyer received it!
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