posted on December 5, 2007 10:20:53 AM new
While I usually am a soft touch, I just could not say yes to this request.
Here is the email she sent this morning and my answer following the request.
"I have made a devastating mistake. I purchased this Vivienne Westwood watch from you for a very close friend as a gift, to surprise her for her birthday. Only upon presenting the gift to her (I received the item a day ago), did I discover that she already owns this exact item.
I realize that this is entirely my fault, but I wanted to see if there was any chance of returning the watch to you. It is exactly as it was upon arriving to me (minus the packing) and the watch was not removed from its case. My dilemma is that neither of us have use for the item unfortunately!
I know there were other people bidding closely on the item with me, but I understand if you cannot take the item back. I will then simply try and re-sell the watch if there is nothing you can do. I am terribly sorry about all this, but my friend and I don't want to see such a great Vivienne piece go unappreciated".
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Thank you for writing and addressing your concerns in a pleasant and honest manner. This situation appears to be a dilemma for both of us.
I am sorry your friend already owns a watch like this and I understand your dismay.
I looked at completed Ebay Vivienne Westwood Orb Swatch watch auctions this morning, after receiving your note and it seems that if you resold it on Ebay it would do very well.
The cost of shipping (which I underestimated), the Ebay and PayPal fees and the inconvenience it would cause to me, is the reason I cannot comply with your request.
I will send you the link to the auction and you are welcome to copy it as your own, including the photos, whenever you decide to relist the watch.
I am sorry not to be of more help.
I don't feel guilty about it, but I feel guilty about not feeling guilty.
Talk about neurotic!!
posted on December 5, 2007 10:56:14 AM new
davidsmom, I think you handled great,good job. It's one of those things that happen now and then, as the old saying goes S++T happens !!
posted on December 5, 2007 10:59:42 AM new
Thanks for posting this. I always enjoy a beautifully-written lie.
Oh, I know, I know, how can I know for sure she's not telling the truth? It's way too elaborate a story, that's how.
Nice touch, there, thanking her for "addressing (I think you meant expressing) your concerns in a pleasant and honest manner." If she has even a shred of conscience, that ought to singe it.
Unfortunately, your reply goes downhill from there as you attempt to justify your hard-heartedness. As Wayne would say, "Never explain."
posted on December 5, 2007 11:01:05 AM new
You handled it well and also very kindly offering them the use of the auction and pictures! I would not have thought of that.
posted on December 5, 2007 11:18:21 AM new
I agree she is lying. "Devastating mistake" my booty. She offered to resell it first and you just followed her lead. Unless you violated your own return policy you have no reason to feel guilty. Uncomfortable, maybe, guilty, no.
posted on December 5, 2007 12:08:40 PM new
I guess all is well that ends well. Here is the latest email from her:
Thank you so much for your understanding of the situation. I would really appreciate a copy of the auction to repost as I don't have a lot of experience selling collectible items. That would be so helpful! Thank you very much for all your help!
posted on December 5, 2007 12:25:56 PM new
When I got these, I would offer to sell it for them on consignment, reducing my usual fees (to 20% or so). I have no absolute way of knowing, but my impression is that the honest ones (i.e., those whose mistake and email were honest) are the only ones who took me up on the offer. The other ones just slunk (is that a word ) away.
posted on December 5, 2007 12:29:08 PM new
I see that slunk is a word, but it means "The skin of an unborn or prematurely born animal. The term is applied particularly to calves, from which the very finest grade of Parchment is ..."
posted on December 5, 2007 01:25:05 PM new
Thanks for the link. I got my definition from Google, but yours is much more complete. Maybe I'll throw the archaic form (slank) into a conversation; I might get myself slapped
posted on December 5, 2007 03:48:10 PM new
Do you guys remember the flap a couple of years ago over my use of the word "grundle," as in "I have a grundle of work to do"? I still laugh over that. (Look it up if you don't know what it means.)
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posted on December 5, 2007 05:23:39 PM new
I have some slunk nailed to the barn wall drying out. It's already scraped and salted. I have calf, goat and sheep. Anybody want to buy it?
posted on December 6, 2007 01:53:29 PM new
The only problem with collectibles being returned is the opportunity for switching your good item for their poor quality one. It helps if you have placed an invisible mark (UV pen) on the item or a record of the serial number.
) away.