I Confess...I Knew Better & Did it Anyway

I did know better...I bought two razors on eBay from "inkrazor" without checking
it out before buying. Funny how we do things we know we shouldn't...I won't
make this mistake again...

Bill, I should have waited until I could afford yours, I know it is as advertised.
Like a lot of folks I succumbed to "Want it Now" syndrome.

I doubt seriously anything will come of this, but I did send the following email
to "inkrazor" a few minutes ago... On the bright side, I hope some else new to
straights will benefit from what happened, "Inkrazor" has been pointed to Bill's
eBay guides, and I think I will be able to get some honing practice.....

Sorry for the length.....


Marcus

================================================== ==

Leo Bragg - Inkrazor
inkrazor@yahoo.com

Leo,

It was with great interest that I read in your notes about restoring razors and
making them available for folks at prices they can afford. I have been shaving for
quite some time with Double Edge razors, and I took up the straight a short while
ago to satisfy my own desire to reconnect to the past, and must admit, I am glad
I did.

Since our eBay transactions are complete, I decided to send you an email off-line
with some concerns. I did leave you a positive feedback, as I bought two razors I
wanted at a price I could afford, received speedy delivery, and I did learn a few
valuable lessons in the process. Always ask questions, ask for more and better
pictures, and to always remember there's another one like I want down the road.
With now only 9 eBay purchases, I do not want a negative feedback to impact my
eedback rating. I appreciate the feedback you left me, and thank you for not
waiting to see what I left you before leaving yours. It is an irritant to me when
sellers do that, and openly state they will leave the buyer a negative feedback if
they don't receive a positive feedback from the seller. At least they are up front
about it, but it isn't right when the buyer holds up his end of the transaction.

I received on Tuesday two razors I recently purchased from you, and must
confess that I will take your advise about learning as much as possible about
taking care of your razors, and include with that advice what to look for when
purchasing.

To that end, I wish I had asked a few questions to clarify some of your
descriptions particularly with regards to the Double Arrow #66 (#120013126482)
you described as "Near Mint". I have been looking for one of these, and I guess
I should have inquired as to the "unique blade" which is actually due to
excessive honing of the tip and not to the grind when manufactured. This honing
converted a 13/16" blade to 5/8" along the tip. I also cut my finger on the wedge
pin when taking it out of the box because whoever replaced that pin did not
properly preen it, and in fact, inserted the wedge upside down. The pin was
preened just enough to hold it scales together, and actually protrudes about
1/16" on both sides. The grain which was described as looking like Damascus
Steel along the spine is in fact minor pitting. Not exactly near mint...

The Wester Stone "Anchor" razor (120012218182) is a nice razor...I do however
wish that while the picture was speaking for itself, it had mentioned to me that
the blade had been shortened by a 1/4" and had light pitting. I will probably
replace the scales to tighten up the butt end spacing from 1/2" to 1/4" as it
should be, and replace the worn pivot pin collars which allow the blade to partially
open under it's own weight if the razor is turned.

Although there was not an shipping option on the Double Arrow, there was a
mention of a $1.50 additional shipping charge when purchasing additional items,
so at the time of purchase of each of the razors, I mentioned that I would like
both razors shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail® as I had selected for the
Wester Stone which did have that option. I did ask for a confirmation of total
shipping charge, but received no information concerning it...maybe that was
because both razors were a "Buy it Now" sale. So I was surprised when both
razors arrived in one envelope having been shipped what appeared 1st class
or US Postal Service Media Mail, which was one of the options for the Anchor. At
least the USPS delivered in a speedy manner.

Sorry if this seems like I'm unhappy with my purchase, I am not, but I am
disappointed. I will now need to spend several hours bringing both razors up
to the standard that was implied, and will not be able to shave with a razor
larger than 5/8th after correcting the blade on the Double Arrow. I primarily
purchased it because it because the #66 was manufactured with the blade a
shade over 6/8", which I wanted, and I have read they were made of good
steel and a joy to shave with.

I feel as if the descriptions were a bit misleading, and some information that
would have been helpful, especially for a person new to straight razors, was
not included.

I should have waited on both razors until I could find answers to my questions.
I knew better, but didn’t want either to get away due to a “Buy it Now”, so I
decided to go ahead with the purchase. I was looking at a few of your other
razors for possible purchase, particularly the Wade & Butchers, but in light of
the items I mention above, don't think I can rely on the descriptions.

In that spirit, I ask that you check out the following eBay guide for sellers,
http://tinyurl.com/ofh4h, written recently by someone that knows a great deal
on razor restoration. In fact, it was a Double Arrow #66 for sale on his web site
(http://www.billysblades.com/Straights.htm) that started me on the quest for this
particular razor. Although I wanted to buy his Double Arrow, my budget didn't
allow it, and when I spotted yours, I couldn't resist. With the savings, I was also
able to pick up the Anchor which I also looking for.

Bill also has an eBay guide for buyers, http://tinyurl.com/ejmbb, which contains
some good information for buyers. Unfortunately for me, both guides were written
after my purchase.

I am sure that in the future, I will be purchasing additional razors, and I hope
that some of those I investigate will be yours. Until then, I offer my
congratulations on the birth of your son, and pray you will be a blessing to
each other, as I know my son and daughter are to me. I genuinely wish you
continued success in your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Marcus

That was a nice, well-thought-out letter to an "uneducated" seller. Unlike some on here, you didn't get nasty with him. You outlined your concerns without making it personal, explaining what you thought was wrong, without offering unsolicited, browbeating, and unwanted advice. You didn't talk to him like he was your child, who you felt you had to "correct", and you didn't approach the problem with an air of know-it-all arrogance. Good job. As a seller, I love dealing with folks like you, and many could take lessons on how to handle a problem like this. Well done! Maybe the guy will offer a refund, or an exchange at the least.
Best of luck,
Joe

I agree with Joe. Very good job. Hopefully the guy won't put you on his list that won't allow you to bid on any more of his auctions after sending him to my somewhat sarcastic seller's guide. :D

Thanks Joe & Bill,

I've been working in Data Processing since the early 70's, and found out a long
time ago that hastly written emails can cause many problems...Folks tend to read
between the lines, insert their on feelings and prejudices and whatnot into what
they read.

I actually wrote the email in a text editor last night, read it a few times, changed
it many, and then slept on it. Got up today and read/re-wrote it a few more times.

We'll see what happens, but I doubt much will come of it...the Seller states on his
sales that refunds will be in the form of merchandise credit, but for me to do an
exchange, he would need to send me several good photos of his stuff and answer
a few questions I should have asked to begin with. In any event, I hope someone
else learns from my mistake....

I only sent him a link to the eBay guides. If he gets crabby or doesn't allow me to
bid in future, I'll send him to your "Tool for Those eBay Sellers Who Use "Mint' ".

Since I try to see a bright side to everything, I just thought of two
more good things that come from this....

1) I now have 12 posts !!!! :)

2) With the Double Arrow it will be Reaaaaal easy to shave with heel leading!!! :thinking:

:hmmm: Now if I can just build up the kitty again before Bill sells his #66....

Quote:

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Now if I can just build up the kitty again before Bill sells his #66....

---

That one is gone... not to worry... I'll have some new stuff in a couple weeks. I'm starting to catch up with stuff.

Heard back from "inkrazor".... As I expected, not much will happen from this one,
but at least he may clean up his act. I consider the matter closed, and will do my
homework in the future when dealing with eBay, but will probably limit my future
acquisitions to the members here, especially Bill and Joe.

Sorry for the length, but here's our exchange.

==============================================

Hi there and thank you for being honest and straightforward. I never meant
to be misleading in any way. I am also always open to answer any questions
about any of my items. also. I did not do any restorative work no either of
those razors. In all honesty I am still a little new to this whole straight razor
thing. so I encourage you or anyone to ask as many questions as you can.
I had a 'lot' of razors and was broke and needed to get them listed. maybe
too big of a hurry? I am so sorry for any inconvenience and will be sure
to be more thorough in my listings. Thanks for the insight. sorry again.


Leo,


Thanks for your reply and frankness. I don't think you were intentionally
misleading, just not quite clear on some of you statements and leaving out
some issues you may not have been aware of.

As I said, I just wished I had asked more questions, read a little closer, and
asked for additional photos. Some of the concerns I had with what I felt should
have been mentioned will prevent you from having dissatisfied customers in the
future. I will work on these razors and get them to a usable state.

Hopefully, the ebay guides will give you some tips that will be useful in future
listings, as well as in your own purchases.

I know how it is with a new baby, "rush, rush, rush", and "now, now, now".
Hope you are getting some sleep. Just remember to set the razor down when
you are around the baby....

Again, thanks for you reply...I look forward to your future listings.


Marcus

Nicely done. And he didn't attack you like Bill's guy did. Done like a gentleman.

RT