ON A POSITIVE NOTE:

[sm1116]

Had a great experience with "Watling1" in getting some parts. He knows his stuff.

[marsonion]

I also had a very positive experience recently, via eBay, believe it or not. I had made an idiotic purchase of a way-overpriced, orphaned FOK vender mech which was trashed and rusted into a solid chunk of hematite. I bought it just because I wanted to test some of my homespun corrosion-removal formulations, and because I enjoy a "challenge," that is, I'm some sort of mechanical masochist. At any rate I discovered upon receipt that this old Mills junkpile didn't include any coin slides (my fault for not checking specifically).

Within a week of getting a cycle (minus payout, of course) up-and-running on this wreck, an eBay seller called BLAUTENSLA listed an assortment of ten 5c Mills coin slides, which I proceeded to win for less than ten bucks, plus priority shipping for about six bucks. Unfortunately (or not) the USPS tracking showed my slides bouncing back and forth up and down the west coast for several days. So, I made the formal "didn't get my purchase" notification through eBay. Well, BLAUTENSLA not only refunded me in full, he also rushed me fifteen more 5c Mills slides for free-- including the ones I needed most to complete the payouts, which I was fully aware were not included in my original purchase. Wow! Naturally, I gave him the biggest positive eBay feedback I could muster, just short of outright worshiping him online. Then, several days ago, the original shipment of ten slides finally arrived, with absolutely no indication as to why it was delayed in the first place, leaving me holding a variety of twenty-five 5c Mills coin slides for $0.00. And the FOK junkpile plays and pays out just fine now, after a lot of work, but that was “fun.”

I want to make this up somehow to BLAUTENSLA for his obvious integrity and overwhelming generosity, but I’m not sure what to do. Should I send him back some of his slides? Write him a check? For how much? What would be the fair thing to do in this situation?

[MikeB]

I also had a very positive experience recently, via eBay, believe it or not. I had made an idiotic purchase of a way-overpriced, orphaned FOK vender mech which was trashed and rusted into a solid chunk of hematite. I bought it just because I wanted to test some of my homespun corrosion-removal formulations, and because I enjoy a "challenge," that is, I'm some sort of mechanical masochist. At any rate I discovered upon receipt that this old Mills junkpile didn't include any coin slides (my fault for not checking specifically).

Within a week of getting a cycle (minus payout, of course) up-and-running on this wreck, an eBay seller called BLAUTENSLA listed an assortment of ten 5c Mills coin slides, which I proceeded to win for less than ten bucks, plus priority shipping for about six bucks. Unfortunately (or not) the USPS tracking showed my slides bouncing back and forth up and down the west coast for several days. So, I made the formal "didn't get my purchase" notification through eBay. Well, BLAUTENSLA not only refunded me in full, he also rushed me fifteen more 5c Mills slides for free-- including the ones I needed most to complete the payouts, which I was fully aware were not included in my original purchase. Wow! Naturally, I gave him the biggest positive eBay feedback I could muster, just short of outright worshiping him online. Then, several days ago, the original shipment of ten slides finally arrived, with absolutely no indication as to why it was delayed in the first place, leaving me holding a variety of twenty-five 5c Mills coin slides for $0.00. And the FOK junkpile plays and pays out just fine now, after a lot of work, but that was “fun.”

I want to make this up somehow to BLAUTENSLA for his obvious integrity and overwhelming generosity, but I’m not sure what to do. Should I send him back some of his slides? Write him a check? For how much? What would be the fair thing to do in this situation?

I'd suggest just contacting him through Ebay's messaging, tell him that you really appreciate what he's done up to now, let him know the original slides finally showed up, and ASK him what he'd like you to do. You could always offer to send him some money through PayPal's "Gift" option...

Maybe he'd tell you just to keep them and all, but it'll keep your conscience clear at least.

[YourBestBet]

I'd contact the seller and let him know you finally received your original purchase and then offer to reimburse him.

[TheFatman]

OMG .... hate those letters .... I have had a similar experience with this wonderful collector. I am a potter and he helped me more than expected by sending something I needed, and I created a bowl for him, just to say thanks. He asked for no money for what he did for me or anything. I had to do something to let him know how much I respect him as a collector and a seller. If you notice, nothing he sells, is never started for more than a penny. A wonderful man in this screwey industry.
Dave F

[marsonion]

Ah, I've emailed BLAUTENSLA directly more than once to express my appreciation in cascading rhapsodies of florid prose, but here's a typical response from him:

No problem

- blautensla

I have his full name and address, so tomorrow I'm just going to send him a check for $25.00. That ought to cover some of the damage, none of which was any fault of his own. The original package was addressed correctly.

[Dave]

We need more posts like this in this area of the forum.

Very refreshing.

[doc]

I just bought a casino-type handle on ebay from blautensla. Fantastic, friendly guy. Said he overcharged for shipping and refunded the difference.

Steven