Thank goodness I am not on a ship right now as my next meal might just may be a load of barnacles and seaweed.
Seriously though, how does a proven honest seller with no record of misconduct or misdealings as evidenced by previous feedback end up being told he must walk the plank? Does all the blame of a bad transaction rest on one party's shoulders? Should an honest seller's reputation be cast out because one buyer decided to label him or her as a "scammer" or "swindler" and then take action to prove such? I would sure hope Bladeforums doesn't have a zero-tolerance policy regarding buying and selling practices. I would hope an honest person who has been proven to be trustworthy to be able to have some leeway should he make an UNINTENTIONAL honest mistake.
To all those who would like to my username on Ebay, why is that? So you can then also proceed to do what the original OP had in mind when he started this thread and tarnish an honest seller's reputation and good name just because you have nothing better to do? Right.
If it wasn't for this man's post below, I doubt I would be commenting again on the issue. Not because he somewhat agrees with me or defends me (as infact I imagine the case to be the opposite) but because he acknowledges there is two sides to every story, two sides to every case.
I dont think this warrants a ban imho, a heavy infraction however is good to go. Now I don't know how the rules go as far as banishment but here's my two cents.
I will act as the devil's advocate.
Reasons for infractions against Spy:
#1 It was purposefully misleading and not disclosed that it was a modified CRK, NOT a NEW knife who's warranty is voided. This it self is bad, however a knife of substantial value was still given to the OP, it isn't a fake or counterfeit just modded and NOT as described. He could stand on grounds on the semantics on what is New but not original, however that is a dishonest however NOT illegal activity.
#2 The BF policy is both parties should be happy. If not, reverse the transaction or trade or find a suitable solution. This too was broken by Spyman.
Issues I have with the transaction:
The entire sale thread was puzzling to me as a witness. The OP was careless in purchasing a $550 knife without much questioning or research which would have revealed the incorrect framelock, and some hardware. The OP knew exactly what he was getting, he just didnt care to research enough to see if the pictures shown are actually showing what he was getting was indeed New as per his own definition. I mean really OP? You buy a knife that you didn't do research on only to later find out it isn't original.
When I buy a knife, or anything I take the seller's description with a grain of salt, and I do my OWN research to find out exactly the condition of the knife (sometimes scoring a great find on a seller's bad description, only to find it's something more valuable with my own research). Spyman is NOT an authorized dealer, you CANNOT take his word as fact, period. Ask questions, get it in writting (pm/email).
To Jilljackson, you might want to re-read the original sales thread before you make an argument. You would then noticed I never used the terms NIB or FRESH FROM FACTORY ( as newly quoted in my most recent sales thread) but rather "This one is new and and has never been used." What the gentlemen above so eloquently stated was simply ...aw heck, I can't even put it any better (hats off to you). To provide some sort of reference, here are direct quotes from the EXCHANGE POLICY:
Buyers - Be 100% sure that you can financially afford to purchase the item before offering to do so
1.Ask every question you can BEFORE the deal is agreed upon.
Sellers - Be 100% sure that you want to sell the item and are satisfied with the selling price
1.Provide an honest and detailed description.
It doesn't matter if one has been a member for a year or 10 years, that member, based on the above, should look at each and every transaction individually. The phrase "caveot emptor" comes to mind. (Again, please I am not using this term in defense of my past misgivings). Every single question the buyer contacted me with after the deal was done and item received was answered on my part respectfully, honestly, and in a timely-manner. I never lied about anything, not in the pictures, not in the description, and not in any private messages to which are now made publicly available thanks to the OP. There was never any intent to deceive, in any way, shape, or form any potentional buyers with my listing. I stand behind that 100 percent. Now, we can go on and re-debate the terms used in the original listing until the sun goes down but nothing will be said that hasn't been already.
Nonetheless, and this is a big one, NONETHELESS, I already CLEARLY admitted my mistakes with regards to the listing in previous posts. Why should I insist on repeating them because some members lack the comprehension necessary to acknowledge them. (Please, no offense intended) I also mentioned what I would change with regards to future listings, not because I want to "save what is left of a diminishing reputation" or because I was "caught in lies" (to which I thoroughly object and gave reasons above). Why then? Well, because believe it or not I do find it a privledge and not a right to buy and sell here on Bladeforums. If I didn't think it so, I would not have stressed the importance of respect and flexibility with regards to buyer-seller interactions. Since all my private messages have been made public, thanks to the OP, anyone can see for themselves and be the judge. I have nothing to hide and never have with regard to this transaction or any other previous ones.
Now, everyone seems to feel I am in the wrong because I am not issuing the buyer a refund. Any hand I could have in it is gone now at this point as the claim is in progress and the money already taken out and withheld on my side. I said it is in Paypal's hands because it literally IS. Back to the mentioning of BOTH parties involved, the reason it is there is because that is where the buyer preferred to take it. He preferred that route when he headed straight to a 3rd party before contacting me and giving me a chance to hear and reply to his concerns (I am sure he will object to it now though all the evidence has already been submitted). It is there because he trashed my original sales thread, chose to communicate disrespectfuly (which is a violation of Bladeforum's Policy I am sure), and abused the use of private messaging for his own gain to do nothing other than tarnish one's previously unblemished reputation. I am not, not issuing a refund because the ability is no longer within my power at this point to do so, but also because I am merely letting nature take its course. The course the original OP preferred. If someone comes at you with allegations and say they are going to take you to court and then later claim that because you didn't take mediation and then in agreeing makes you guilty, does that makes sense? What is an honest seller supposed to do other state his side inteligently and respectfully? Is he to remain quiet? Oh no, because then silence means one is guilty.
I think the issues are much bigger than this one transaction gone awry. One can only hope members will see this and learn something as buyers and sellers. A great reason to re-read the Policy Rules with regards to both conduct and listing specifics.
Buyers - be more honest and knowledgeable with yourselves as to what qualities and characteristic you are looking for when thinking about the purchase. Contact the seller before the transaction with any and ALL questions that might pertain that item if in doubt. If you receive an item and it isn't up to your satisfaction for any reason (even as illogical at it may seem to the seller), address your concern first with him or her, respectfully and see what can be done about it. Adhere to the forum rules with respect to conduct in doing so. Perhaps the seller believed he or she had listed the item honestly to the best of his or her knowledge.
Sellers- do your best to list the honest condition of item (both in photos and in descriptions) "to the best of your knowledge". Include any and all history if it pertains to that item. Communicate respectfully with the buyer as well and should problems arise, be more flexible in trying to reach an agreement best suited so that both parties walk away unscathed. The buyer isn't always right but in keeping with Bladeforums Policy rules, do your best to make them happy DESPITE how they may treat you.
