[W&B] The Optimistic eBayer

[geary-h at mindspring.com]

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures. We want to see what two mortgage payments look like.
Geary

-----Original Message-----
>From: Milan Zahorcak <milan.zahorcak at comcast.net>
>Sent: Feb 6, 2007 11:14 PM
>To: "'Collectors of 19th Century Cameras &
>	Photographica'" <woodandbrass at kjsl.com>
>Subject: RE: [W&B] The Optimistic eBayer
>
>
>Well, I don't know him personally, or if he knows his business, but he
>apparently knows something that I don't.
>
>We've had a couple of distant indirect run-in's with each other, the most
>baffling a few years back.
>
>I met a wild-eyed dealer from somewhere off-planet at a California show.  He
>had a very cool lens at a breath-taking price.  I offered way too much -
>which still wasn't enough - and was turned down.  I gave him my card with
>the usual "If you should change your mind . . ."
>
>The next day I'm back home and he calls.  Do I still want the lens?  He says
>he'll split the difference with me.  
>
>I gave long thought to the immortal words of Herbert W. Meier (an old friend
>from way back) who once told me: "It's only money."  Gulp.  We're talking
>two mortgage payments here.  But Herb was right, of course, and I simply
>wrote out a check and put it in the mail, knowing full-well that if I didn't
>pay the price, I would NEVER get another chance.  (By the way, as Jim
>McKeown predicted in one of his corollaries, I was wrong.)
>
>A few days later, the check cleared.  A few days after that the lens was
>shipped, and about 9 or 10 days after the original offer was made, the lens
>was in my collection.
>
>The day after the lens arrived, I get a call from the dealer, wanting "his"
>lens back and telling me that he would give me a full refund.
>
>???  I'm sorry, what?
>
>He says . . . and this is no kidding . . . that he had talked with our
>friend (the optimistic eBayer in the subject) and was told that he was
>robbed, and that I should have paid twice as much.
>
>???  I'm sorry, but didn't I pay what you asked?  I was pretty sure we had a
>done deal when he cashed my check, much less shipped me the lens.
>
>I regret to admit that I wasn't feeling very compassionate and his argument
>fell on deaf ears, and at that point things really went downhill, and he
>swore that we would never do business again.  My loss, I'm sure.
>
>But boy, you gotta wonder.
>
>mz
>
>
>
>> From: woodandbrass-bounces at kjsl.com 
>> [mailto:woodandbrass-bounces at kjsl.com] On Behalf Of David Silver
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 8:02 PM
>> To: Collectors of 19th Century Cameras &Photographica
>> Subject: Re: [W&B] The Optimistic eBayer
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Geary,
>> 
>> That's crazy Fillipo down in Hollywood, and he's VERY 
>> serious.  We can all laugh at his asking prices, and things 
>> he puts on eBay sometimes get relisted for months on end, but 
>> he DOES sell, a LOT, and seems to have no lack of "fools" 
>> (born every minute, apparently) who are eventually willing to 
>> pay.  He knows his business...
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> David Silver--President
>> International Photographic Historical Organization
>> E-mail: silver at well.com  Telephone: (415) 681-4356
>> Webpage location: http://www.well.com/user/silver/
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 geary-h at mindspring.com wrote:
>> 
>> > I've run across this guys items a time or two in the past 
>> and I think 
>> > "Is he serious?"
>> >
>> > 
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/Kodak-No4-Speed-Kodak-Gorgeous-Vintage-Folder-Came
>> > 
>> ra_W0QQitemZ270085827862QQihZ017QQcategoryZ11717QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it
>> > em270085827862
>> >
>> > I've got a Speed 4A in much nicer shape then his that I'll let 
>> > somebody have for half what he's asking.
>> >
>> > After looking at SELLERS OTHER ITEMS I think he must be laundrying 
>> > money. Geary
>> >
>> >
>> 
>
>