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Verbosity
It Hurts last modified: Sunday, December 30, 2007 (12:51:48 PM) When I first started cel collecting, I discovered Rubberslug before my first purchase was even made. For the lowly new cel collector like I was at the time (and maybe still am) it contained a wealth of information and a dazzling display of artwork I could only hope to own.
The one thing that was very off-putting about the entire experience was the number of rather nasty, "None of these cels are for sale, so don't even think about asking, oh ye scum of the earth!!!!" warnings that were up in galleries. Okay, so maybe they weren't quite that bad, but for a newbie entranced by gorgeous artwork from some of her favorite shows, they were very scary, and it made me feel like I would never want to talk to the curators of those galleries. So, when I opened my own, I had a different message. It said something along the lines of "Technically, my cels are always for offers, but don't be upset if I refuse to sell. I will be less likely to sell if I only have one cel of that character." Of course, once the new No Sales Policy rolled out about a year ago, this message came down--with a little friendly reminder from one of the RS mods, as I had forgotten it was even up there. Honestly, though, before taking the message down, I think it did more to drive away offers than any nasty one could have. *chuckle* That, or the title of my gallery. I've gotten a grand total of four unsolicited offers in my collecting career, none of which stated a specific price. Here's a hint, guys: if it's not on Ebay or a sales page, I don't have a price in mind, so you're going to have to get the ball rolling on it. But, recently, I've been considering putting a message up to "ye scum of the earth!!!" The requests about whether I'm taking offers is not the annoying part--it's when I answer in the affirmative, and never get an answer back, that bugs me. The latest one has really gotten me angry. Basically, I had moved some of my collection into a new section as an organizational tool for myself. That way, I could keep track of the cels/sketches that I was getting ready to put up on Ebay or on an off-site sales page. A month or so ago, I got some gallery feedback from a member here on RS, asking about one of the pieces I had in that section. I told him/her how much I wanted, since it would cut out the work I'd have to do in adding it to my sales page (which is a lot of work and time since my computer is so frickin' old and slow). This person agreed to the price, and told me that I would be paid the next day, since he/she was getting paid the next day. I mentioned my paypal address twice. A week goes by. Knowing that sometimes replies end up in spam boxes, I send a message directly to her email rather than replying to the feedback. All I ask is if she's still interested in purchasing the artwork. I get no reply. I hold off on putting this piece on Ebay with my latest auctions, since I know he/she's in school and it's finals times. This person just might be busy. I send him/her a pm on Beta with the same general message. Nothing. This collector doesn't log in for at least a week. When he/she does, he/she posts in a birthday thread, but my pm goes unread. I think it still is. What irritates me the most about this whole thing is that I've been watching this collector update his/her gallery with coming soon's and new cels while I've not received a bit of contact. The gallery has been updated five to seven times in the past month. This person obviously has access to the internet, and money to spend--but not the courtesy to answer a simple question. It hurts. Not just because I could use the money, but because it feels like the cel community in general has taken a downturn. Most of the nice people are disappearing, moving on, or just getting fed up. What's left are the flakes and the jerks. That's what hurts.
Yeah, that is REALLY annoying. Even if the person decided that they no longer wanted the cel, they should at least have the courtesy of telling you.
I can understand your frustration, but try to remember there are some decent folks still out and about. I could name a good 10 people who are still active and great to work with... I do have to say that this hobby does have its fair share of bad apples but try not to get the minority to get you down. Next time if anyone gives you an offer place a time period in your email. For example stating if the person doesn''t respond within 48 hours of the agreed time the cel would not be placed on hold for them anymore. Some type of setup like this may help you in the future.
*hugs* I''m so sorry, Klet. I hope it works out, in the end. *hugs more*
Thanks, Rei and Tex. *hugs* EoP, yeah, I know there are some good people still out there. ^_^ The problem is that the bad ones seem . . . a lot more vocal. Plain and simple, the community itself isn''t as active as it was . . . say, a year ago. People are still active in collecting, but not in sharing ideas with eachother. At least, not in the main stream places. So, it just makes the bad apples stick out that much more. Also, in this case, the collector told me I''d be paid the next day, so I didn''t feel a need to place a time limit (in any case, I''d be a little more lienient than 48 hours). When I tried to make contact later through email and beta, though, I did say I''d take it off hold within 48 hours if I didn''t hear back. Thanks for the comment, though. ^_^
I''m sorry you''re having so many troubles Klet. I know the feelings all too well. With my current sales page up I''ve had at lest 2-3 people send in an "order" then just flake out when I sent the confirmation email asking for payment. When I''ve seen them update their galleries, and post on boards. Something else that also got to me is people sending me offers, and TOTALLY ignoring counter offers. Blah... enough of my babbering. I am truly sorry you''ve had to go through stuff like this. But like EoP said there are still good people around. I''m sorry about my rant. *hugs*
:( Maybe this entry will encourage this person to do what''s right. I almost never send offers, but if I''ve entered into a deal with a person I do pay on time. Though I''m sure I''ve upset someone down the road along the way for one reason or another, probably because I didn''t counter offer. On the plus side, I loved your One Piece update!! :) Hope you feel better!
*hugs* HotIce. No prob--I think we''re all entitled to rant every once in a while. Honestly, though, you''re exactly right. It''s the lack of communication that''s the most annoying. I know what it feels like to write emails back, admitting that what another collector wants is too much for my budget, but I''d rather do that than not send anything at all. It''s embarressing, but it''s better for all parties in the end. *hugs Bulleta* Heh, heh, I feel a little guilty about not getting back to you right away. *blushes* I''m kind of hoping that the collector will see this and contact me. I''d even still be willing to sell. Thanks for checking out the update! You know, the fancel has more hits than the rest of the artwork . . . *chuckle* He''s just that pretty, I guess. ^_^ I''m working on getting the rest up. Not too much left, though.
At the risk of sounding like ''a broken mp3,'' if common courtesy (like common sense) was all that common more people would have it. The internet has removed a layer of accountability and far too many take advantage of it and behave in a way they never would in person. Or maybe not, I''ve seen people behaving as self-centeredly as they probably do online. You''re a lot more forgiving than I would be, I''d blacklist them. Heck, they end up on my blacklist if they cheat, string along, or are just mean or rude to my friends. :P In real life most people have to deal with far too many flakes and jerks to have the energy to want to deal with them online as well (which probably explains some of the exodus).
It''s "record"! Record! *looks around at all the blank stares* *sigh* Oh okay. mp3. XD AWw!!!! That''s just downright rude! *hugs* Bad news: just as Crystal said, it''s not just this hobby either. I''ve found the doll one is just as fraught with jerks like this. A friend just had someone say they''d buy their doll, then didn''t hear back, didn''t hear back, then saw the person bump their "want to buy" thread for the same type of doll, then finally got back to my friend when they''d found a better deal, and said "I''m sorry, I can''t buy your doll." O_o Rude. Just plain rude. Like in the movie P.S. I love you, I wish there was a pill you could give folks for that. XD (Great movie, btw) Hey, so is school at least going well? Aren''t you close to done yet? Maybe? *HUGS* Hang in there. There do seem to be a lot more rude people out and about these days.
Heh. You know Crystal, a week or so ago, I wouldn''t believe you that .mp3s can even *get* broken. :P But, I recently copied my little sister''s CD onto my Ipod and it keeps skipping. >.< I wonder if something was wrong with the CD to begin with . . . I totally agree with you about the way people act online. Of course, recently, I''ve seen people blowing others off in real life. It''s a little easier to do with caller ID (though, I did help my mom trick my cousin into answering the phone by letting her use my cell :P). Maybe I''m a bit too forgiving, but it''s in my nature. *chuckle* Leaaaaahhh!!!! *tackle-gloms-o-DOOM* Thanks for the kind words. You know, it doesn''t really surprise me that people are pinheads in other hobbies, too. Anything that involves money . . . and usually things that don''t, too. Oh, and I''d *so* buy that pill. But to quote Chopper (One Piece), "Unfortunately, there''s no cure for complete morons." Yes, I did just quote a talking reindeer. He seems to have a better handle on humanity than some humans I''ve met. :P School''s almost over. I''ve only got one semester left. Waiting to hear back about an internship. *hopes and prays* |
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