Featured The one that got away a few weeks ago

Good Evening Everyone,

I know it appears that all my finds are miraculous and beautiful and I never mess up, but I figured I'd tell you a story of how not everything I do goes to plan. A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a listing, and I was probably literally drooling when I saw it. Unfortunately, I got the losing end of the stick but it's a good lesson that not every deal is meant to happen.

So, where to begin with this one. I woke up first thing in the morning to look online for any new postings, and what jumped at my eye instantly was a listing for "sterling tea pots." Here's what it looked like:



So I message the seller, and ask if I can see the markings on the bottom (no harm in being transparent, since they are already listing the items as sterling silver). He sends me all these photos, and it's at that point that I realize the tea set also has a platter. And he's asking $250 for everything including the platter. Now, based on these photos, want to take a guess on which item perked my interest the most?



So I tell the seller I'll purchase the entire set for $250, I also tell him I'm driving from 2 hours away. We make an agreement, I hop in my car. I'm updating him on my location the entire time i'm driving...................I've now been driving for 1.5 hours to meet him, when he says to me "I can't meet today."

Now aside from the obvious shock that this is about to happen, that a seller is about to cancel on me after I've driven that far, it's a good lesson that the art of finding silver online and closing the deal isn't perfect. But overall, it's a great market but sometimes it doesn't work out perfectly.

I inquired and asked for explanation from the seller, and he proceeded to make up a terrible short story about how a family member had to enter the emergency room, and he absolutely couldn't meet. I was so mad because I was being lied too. If he just tells me the truth, that he didn't realize how valuable the item was, I have no issue and just accept the situation. But instead I get a bold faced lie, he promised that he would message me the next day (that obviously never happened) and the listing was taken down. So...that's my sad story to share, I'm not really complaining, but just trying to show the other side of this hobby, does anyone else have a similar experience to share?

 

Guessing Makepeace. Ironic name, given outcome.

 

I told this story here before,but it fits. A few years ago I was at an estate sale and I found a bag full of silverware marked $10. Upon looking closer,I see its all English hallmarks.I excitedly tell my friend Im with about my find,and apparently was overheard by some JERK who ran and told the lady running it what Id said. When I go to pay she takes the bag and says "sorry,this isnt for sale after all" . I was livid,but what can you do? I bet you anything someone else contacted him,he told them you had agreed to buy it,and they offered more and were closer.

 

Bummer. I agree with Bronwen on Makepeace being the winner in the lot.

 

Oh yeah, I can feel how bad that emotion would feel for you too johnny....And it brings up a good point actually. When I'm sorting through items I'm going to potentially buy, I make sure I'm respectful of other buyers too. I found something awesome and the seller informed me that someone was coming to look at it. I bit my tongue, but god knows I wanted to offer her more money to entice her to meet up with me. I bit my tongue, because it's not fun to get back doored on a deal. On this particular one, I think he just managed to figure out it was worth a lot more than he was asking. I'm fine with that, I'm fine with someone telling me that, the reason it stung more was because he fabricated a terrible lie to get out of the situation. In my eyes, if you make an agreement with someone who's driving a long way, you're locked into that deal. The time for re-evaluating if you should sell an item has come and passed. Just like the bag you found, it's available, it's for sale and should be sold at the price on it.

 

Unfortunately my friend, truth,honor and ethics are rapidly diminishing in this world of ours. All one can do is be your best and hope karma takes care of the rest.

 

It's one reason I've learned to keep my mouth shut when I find something good but way underpriced, at least if I'm halfway interested in it. If not, I'll let the seller/dealer know and make myself a few brownie points. And hope I find other stuff they seriously missed.

 

It seems that many of us has had deals pulled out from under us for one reason or another.....none too legit...!

The dealer who was selling items for a friend...I picked up a brooch...said I'll take this one....she took it from me...bit it...and tossed it in her purse....saying oh, that's not for sale !
Really?

Y'know...MrN8......you have that butt wipes address ....... I'd call back , and ask his wife if the family emergency turned out OK !!!!!!

 

Haha, I do have his address, that's for sure. I've thought about dropping in on a random day unannounced, just to see what he'd say if we were face to face. I just want to see him come out with the truth, the truth is more valuable than the silver to me at this point, catching someone in a lie is a powerful thing.

 

I can deal with a lot of things. Being lied to or lied about aren't two of them.

 

Yes, yes it is.....but not half as powerful as confronting the liar to his face !

If it were me.... & I can be a nasty piece of work....and I was only 30 minutes away ...... I would have kept on driving....stopped off at a flower store nearby...picked up a cheap arrangement with a card...and drove to his door......whereupon I would ring the bell and whomever came to the door .. would get a loud announcement that the flowers were sent by Aunt Betty in the hopes of a speedy recovery !!! Then just sit back and enjoy the fallout !!!

 

The only thing I'd worry about....is that you folks have lots of guns !

 

Uh huh. Once you wanted to buy after seeing the marks, leading him to bother to take a better look himself.

 

That is why when I go shopping with a friend or relative we always work out codes beforehand. Things like "Mom would like this" means "This sells really well on eBay."

 

Hi,
My MIL and I were at a house sale. I espied a good bunch of Russell Wright china and was going to ask for a discount if I bought it all. My MIL God Bless her whispers Is that the good stuff you love. The owner was standing right next to her. I was so embarrassed I just paid full price. Actually the woman was offering it a huge discount. It was her wedding china I got 53 pieces for 35 dollars.
greg

 

My daughter and I used to tag sale together. She (fortunately) can have a poker face, and blandly agree with me when I mention that we really need some "everyday china." That outrageous claim was made when I was using four sets of china, and Lord knows how many sets of depression glass -- and living alone.

 

On the odd occasion my lovely wife is with me at a sale....it's all I can do to keep her from pointing at things, saying......OHH , I like that !! .....

 

EVERYTHING that happened in this thread is why you keep your mouth SHUT when looking for bargains.

 

yes...except that when you are interested in buying someones stuff....the natural reaction is .." maybe they see something I missed...& I've priced it to low ! "

 

This right here, is why communism just died, man.