e-Bay exploits continued

Well, I took the honorable high road and informed him again that I would send the transformer for the cost of shipping. Guess what; no response. I guess he believes that not answering is the same as a convenient memory wipe of the seller, that would be my memory. Or what little I have left. Well I'm not playing.

So, I'll now send a nice long mail to e-Bay and let them do what ever they do to this kind of person. Sure, I could re-post, write the other bidders, but would that be fair. What happened to ethics, honesty and straight business?

The beat goes on and I'll keep you all in the loop.

Come back soon and enjoy my pain :-)

Chris

e-Bay Exploits and Surprises

I have been using e-Bay since its inception and find it one of the best inventions on the planet.

I have now reached 179 items sold and have lost count of all the things I’ve purchased. I have worked hard to maintain my %100 satisfaction rating and am surprised at the gall of some folks.

I have been selling my High-end audio kit lately (with my kids- it’s in danger) and decided to sell it one piece at a time. The whole set is five pieces with two speakers extra. Some of it is from The US and is 120 volts. I recently put a piece in e-Bay with a clear description, and of course included the fact that the piece is from the US and is 120 volt - 60 Hz. I was very happy with the progress and some of the bidders double checked about the voltage. Living in Germany the German power infrastructure is all 220 volt. I did mention to all asking bidders that I have a step-down transformer that changes the voltage to fit the German system.

Well, low and behold, the last bidder and winner of the piece drops me a note, after his very high bid, asking if the piece is 120 volt. I of course answer quickly, that as mentioned in the sales blurb, yes, the piece is from the US and is 120v. The guy answers with “Oh, then I don’t want it.” I, being friendly and careful of my incredible e-Bay status of %100 satisfied transactions, inform him that I do have a transformer, and if he pays shipping, I’ll throw it in. The turd writes back rudely, “I don’t want it.” (like I tried to cheat him)

So, what do you do?

Turn him in to e-Bay and wait forever for my money and let them beat him up
Give up and re-post the piece
Verbally abuse this guy and then let e-Bay kick his rear
Nothing

Jazz and trains, what more can you ask for

In Maintal - Bischofheim they were celebrating the 150th year of their train depot. I took the boys and we had a blast. They had lots of steam engines and modern trains and all were accessible. And best of all there was Jazz. The Barrelhouse Jazz Band was there and they were great! Jazz, blues and swing, they played it all. Good fun and good music.

Chris

Patience

I hate to wait. But I have to. It seems things take time and I should be used to it by now, but I still hate to wait.

At the moment I am waiting for many things. Waiting for my new contract with the new company I am to work with as of one October. Waiting for my sons next soccer game. Waiting for things I have ordered in the mail.

As a whole we spend just too much time waiting. Just imagine how it must have been before e-mail, internet, and such. When simple correspondence with family and friends took months.

I guess waiting isn’t that bad. I need to be more patient.


Chris

Wine tasting in the Pfalz

Susi and I just returned from Deidesheim in the Pfalz wine region of Germany. Had a great time. We went with some very good friends. We all have kids and delivered them to their respective Grandma's and Grandpa's. We took off early in two large vehicles and spent two relaxing days enjoying the pearl of the German wine road.

We had a guided tour of a small but lovely town and went to a villa for a wine tasting.. Later we ate the local specialties.

Good fun for all.

Chris

http://picasaweb.google.com/famsilva/WeekendWineTastingInThePfalz#

http://picasaweb.google.com/famsilva/WeekendWineTastingInThePfalz#

Getting Published

I have been publishing lots of work lately. I'll put a bibliography together soon. This should offer a clear overview on where my published work can be found.

Chris

Lunar eclipse

I know now how the people of the past were disturbed and awed by a lunar eclipse. Even with our modern street lamps it was dark, real dark. The depth of the darkness when the sun is not shining on the moon is incredible and frightening.

This was an exciting event for the Silva’s and we stayed up late and enjoyed every minute of it.

Chris

PS. In Germany it was a [b]full[/b] eclipse.