What Would You Do?

You know, I see quite a few emails written in all caps. I usually just ignore that style, not reading anything more into the message. Just me, but if I damaged something, I would just send it to the buyer for no cost (maybe shipping only) after telling them about the error. Or, offer it at a reduced price, again preceded with your explanation of how it was damaged. It was unfortunate, but no need to read anything more into it from either party, and mess up future sales / relationships. Just my two cents.

I tend to agree with Partime on this one - if I am the seller, and I damage an item after the sale, I will offer a refund for the item. If the buyer still wants the item, I'll probably discount it (provide a partial or full refund) and send it to them. I'd rather still provide the item if the buyer still wants it instead of the refund, than have an irate customer.

Kevin,
First, no need to hurl personal insults (and personal attacks are against forum rules). I am no one's 'puppet'. Yes, I was aware of the situation between you and Bill and yes used it as a basis for the scenario outlined above. I intentionally did not use any names because I truly wondered how others felt about this kind of situation. Bill had absolutely nothing to do with it, it was my doing. Period.

Just like my last poll about the "listing dilemma" I was seeking feedback that helps me with Stamp Smarter. I get all kinds of Reviews and I want to make sure that I am in touch with the way folks think about these kinds of issues so I can make better decisions. (And yes, these decisions also include how to handle Bill's reviews which are often strongly opinionated.)

So sorry if I care about these topic and am interested in other people opinions. But your assumptions are way off base and frankly I am surprised the forum mods have not warned you for this kind of personal attack.
Don

Partime/orstampman.....YES. That is what I usually do.
Actually did it again last week with a c1....I sent the
buyer a BETTER replacement than what he bid on....He just left GREAT feedback

This was where a buyer was trying to bully a seller....that is it.
I did not have time to reply to his email.
Bill knows he typed in all capitals for a reason...not a mistake.

I still have the stamp here....I have no problems verifying what happened.
It was the was it was handled ....that is all.

Don....I know you were aware.
I can tell from the way the post was written.

Calling someone a "puppet" is an attack???
Dont you run the Stamp Smarter site that Bill promotes???
You and him work hand in hand together....correct???

Is this an attack???
Calling someone a liar without proof???


Bill has my phone #....he could have called
and discussed this situation when it happened.
It could have been handled differently.

Kevin,
Yes, calling someone a puppet is insulting. Yes, I own and run Stamp Smarter. Yes, I am friends with Bill. Yes, he supports it and contributes by writing Reviews (as do many other people).

But Bill does not tell me how to run Stamp Smarter. It is my site. Bill has, of course, opinions on things but I want to hear everyone's opinion. Which is exactly why I use the polls in this forum to better understand how folks feel about these things. I make these decisions almost on a daily basis, offering members advice on how to write reviews. Just in the last week I have answered no fewer then 6 email seeking input on various seller/listing situations. You might not believe it but my advice always sides with the seller, 'giving them the benefit of the doubt'.

No one was calling anyone anything as far as I can tell, I know none of my posts do. Read my poll again, I thought I painted the issue equally fair to both the buyer and the seller. And as you can see by the result, folks are about equally divided in this kind of situation.

Is something wrong? You seemed to not have any patience with the new hobbyists today in the other thread? I am sorry if this poll struck a nerve for you, you did not need to apply it to any dispute between you and Bill.
Don

I would think that there is not enough data in this hypothetical problem to conclude that the seller has exposed themselves as a liar, so at this point of the transaction, believe it would be a hasty conclusion.

Don....
I apologize for my comment to you.

Your posts do not....it was Bills post that called me a liar.

Nothing wrong....I was trying to teach the poster something.
Unused could mean many things (as all of us regulars know)...
Trying to find his thoughts....so he basically answered his own question.

[A.) It may be that the seller probably recognized the stamp was worth more than it sold for and lied about the damaging it so he did not have to ship it. But whatever the reason it appears he is not trustworthy and you should not consider future purchases from him [/]

I hope that folks will recognize that my previous post was worded as it was because that's he way the poll question was posed by Don - "lied about....." so naturally, my opinion was based on that assumption. And as Don has already clearly noted, I had nothing to do with him posting the poll. It was his idea.

I apologize to anyone who believes my use of the word "liar" is too strong. I think the facts as presented here speak for themselves. Further, 14 people have responded to the description in the poll as it was worded, using the word "liar". So my opinion as previously worded is not unique.

What a truly rotten thing to do. To call Kevin a liar (when he wasn't lying) and to air this dirty laundry in public when he chose for his own reason not to sell the stamp is disgusting! And Don I agree with Kevin about the puppet bit - you have zero interest in this transaction - it was between two very experienced sellers - and they needed no third party advice how to work it out. Starting this thread, knowing full well that it involved a frequent poster on this forum is nothing but mean spirited.

And Kevin did I understand correctly that he left you a negative? And you've known him for years? I hope at least that you have put him on your blocked bidder list to prevent further annoyances.

Unfortunately the whole story is not being told here, but I do not wish to cause any more rift than has been done. I will let folks judge this incident for themselves, but I stand on my reputation of 40 years in the business, many of which has been in service to others. Those who know me will know that I have helped many folks in this hobby, both online and off. If I would be free to tell the whole story, I would, but apparently Jenny's mind is made up. So be it.

Bill there is no doubt that you have helped many and often unselfishly for no charge. But as far as this dispute is concerned, the only thing anyone has to go by is what is written here - you publicly called Kevin a liar because he refused to sell you a stamp. If there was honesty at the very beginning, this thread would not have degraded so quickly into name calling and bad feelings.

Jenny,
Again, calling other people names is not only against the forum rules but shows bad form. You are the one who said in this very thread that making assumptions is a bad thing. I concur. Nothing will begin a flame war quicker then when one person assumes that they somehow knows what the intention of another person is. No one is inside another person's head.

As I stated, this is not my first poll, my history is that I ask about sticky online listing situations. If for a second you thing that I somehow began laying a 'trap' for Kevin months ago with the intent of luring him into revealing the situation between himself and Bill, well I don't know what to tell you. I have supplied the reason I made this post. You have now called me a liar, a puppet, and mean spirited. Please show me in any post that I have ever made in any thread where I have insult other people.

I am unsure why there is friction between you and I. Having disagreements and exchanges of opinion is fine; you can believe whatever you want. But to come in here, especially when Kevin and I had resolved the issue and both apologized is not good for anyone. I will give you the courtesy that you have not given me and not make derogatory assumptions for whatever your reasons might be for behaving this way. I see no reason why we cannot disagree without the insults and personal attacks.

Again, I am sorry that this thread has stirred up passions. As mentioned I do not take lightly the issues that I deal with on Stamp Smarter. This is the food on other people's table and certainly a free market situation. But there are plenty of grey areas that I can use some advice and input on while navigating with these decisions. And just like everyone else your opinion is welcome, you made some good points early in the thread. But there is no other shooter in the grassy knoll here.
Don


PS. And just to clear up any confusion. I have known Bill for about 2 years and strictly via online communications. I have never met him 'in real life' and we have talked on the phone a total of once in that 2 years. He does NOT make any decisions regarding Stamp Smarter. Since I started Stamp Smarter Bill has offered me his opinion on various topics and while welcome I have rejected many of them. But we share one very common ground, we both want to give something back to the hobby we love. I have fought very hard to keep Stamp Smarter 'above board', transparent, and fair. There are few insults or demoralizing comments that anyone can direct towards me that dig deeper then saying that somehow I am being manipulated by Bill or anyone else.