nicolo Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 "I think good competition is a benefit to the marketplace, and I would prefer to see other sellers offering the same terms and sales policies as I do. That would raise the average price of violins sold on eBay, and would be good for the buyers and sellers. I wonder how much more I could sell if there was no fraud, ripoffs, scams and other garbage in the eBay marketplace. Ripoffs hurt buyers, but also honest sellers by making buyers fear the marketplace." Jesse, You're very good at what you do. You find so many interesting violins to sell and your listings are straightforward, objective, and very informative. You have established a reputation for honesty, which is an essential element of success in any legitimate business. All Ebay sellers could do better by earning more trust. Meanwhile, the fact that you are so successful probably causes some resentment among your competitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaf67 Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Would'nt it be neet if you could capture, in a series of photos, it bursting into flames? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geigen Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 sure. (singing "Jesse, paint your picture...") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennYorkPA Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 For a while, there were indeed two Annys in Germany, both selling violins. There has been much confusion here in the US and MUCH damage caused by Anne Schminsky. One of my friends threatened to take her to court over an outrageous position she took and finally she was removed from eBay (or so I understood). This may help you to understand something of the damage she has caused and we have just seen how the misunderstanding has unjustifiably fallen on you. It is unfortunate for you that this public relations disaster has an impact on you, your good name and the honest work you are trying to on eBay, but that healing process will not be helped by an aggressive stand towards Jesse. That is a battle you cannot win and do not deserve to win. He has worked extremely hard to establish a good reputation for honest dealings and fair trade here in the US, and to keep snapping at him in this way make you appear small minded and grumpy. I'm sure you are trying to portray yourself as exactly the opposite so, if I were you, I would dismiss my publicist and get a new one who can build a more positive image of you and your violin business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
priya Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Anne, What you don't understand is that most people that buy violins on eBay don't play very well. They buy what looks good and if you tell them it sounds good then it sounds good. A busted tailpiece gut is more important than actual sound. And that's because they simply can not judge the sound because they can't bow. They play on the surface of the string, they can't dig in, so bright and loud carries the day on ebay. A powerful complex dark quality sound would likey be rejected, for a bright loud violin. That is the ebay market. If they understood sound and could achieve a solid tone they would not shop on ebay. They play it before buying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron1 Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Happy April Fools Joke to you, too, Jesse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geigen Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 I don't believe that you guys who I am discussing with here are Jesses or my customers anyway :-) Right? You buy better fiddles. Oh, should one of you I am discussing with here happen to buy one of my violins, please email me, and I'll include a goodie. I'm not angry at anyone :-) Thanks, Anne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pahdah_hound Posted March 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 My customers include beginning students,their parents, collectors, intermediate players, luthiers, wannabe luthiers, advanced players, professional concert violinists, their students, friends and dealers. Have I missed anyone? Anne, I am sure your customers include the same cross section. Hey, the violins I sell average less than $1000 and the buyers are happy. Are they as happy spending $3000 for something similar from a retailer-probably. You seem to think that if a violin sells for over $1000 it should be rare or by a famous maker. I am willing to cater to the low end of the market in a way no one else seems to want to do. Occasionally I get $4000-$5000 for a violin on eBay, but if I were to go into a good violin shop would I get something original and interesting that sounds as good? I doubt it. The casual eBayer might be surprised to know who some of the buyers really are. I have sold or purchased a dozen times with people whose names fill many pages of a google search. I bought two cheap but great sounding violins from an internationally famous recording artist-on eBay. I have Boston area professional violinists try out violins I am selling on eBay on a weekly basis. There might be one or two they pick out from time to time and bid themselves. Often the size of the back is a great big deal, and many of the best violins I have had are slightly larger than ideal. By the way, Anne, are you aware of the major international violin dealers who are regular buyers on eBay? Every once in a while they "win" a violin from me. I am sure the quality of violins you must sell attract them also. I am sorry you don't like the way I sell on eBay. We each have out own styles. I would like to look at your auctions but I don't know your eBay user name. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolo Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 I'd also be interested to see some of your stuff. Who are you on Ebay? If you have anything of interest to me at some point, I'll give you a bid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Darnton Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 It's not proper for him to advertise here, so I'll do it for him. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbow Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 Anne, What is your User ID on eBay if I may ask? (I may have missed it.) Now that this discussion has settled down, I would like to check out and maybe bid on your items. You sound like a responsible seller to me. Jimbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maestramusica Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 Anne, if you don't wish to tell *everybody*, I think you can send a private message. Yes- you can- click on the blue letter member ID, and when his profile comes up, there is an option at the bottom for sending a private message. - Jimbow, she might overcome her shyness easier if you try this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pahdah_hound Posted March 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 I think Anne did wish to tell everybody. She did so in this thread. http://forums.maestronet.com/forums/show...0&fpart=all I am glad to have found her auctions. The violins she sells are well photographed and appear to be honestly described. Not everyone can be happy with every purchase but from her listings it appears as though she tries to present her items in a clear factual manner, and offers a guarantee! I,for one, will be watching and bidding. I hope my money is good, Anne. I am glad there is still at least one reputable German source of violins on eBay. I am sure there are others also. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaf67 Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 I checked your auction today, it was very funny LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maestramusica Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Jesse- If you didn't save all of this in some chronological order I may have to fly to NH and shake the tar (and perhaps the brimstone?) out of you! It's been a huge fun addition to my days! Can't hardly wait for next years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geigen Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 ... my username is Ingbergers. I mostly have german, bohemian and french violins, sometimes bows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singingmaple Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 In the thread "Suspicious Seller(s)" Tyler wrote: "My experience with Annette (Ingbergers) was bittersweet. I purchased a violin from her that was BIN, but was obviously not as described. She said it was Labelled Jusek, but it was not. Fingerboard was so badly glued there was an 1/16" of overhang. At first she was a 100% BIT** about it and said "What do you think, you should always get a good deal on eBay?" I wanted to send it back and after a number of emails she finally said she would relist it and I could then mail it to the buyer. The buyer ended up from Australia, so I had a very expensive postal charge. I lost about $120 on the deal. I normally would not quibble, but it was totally misadvertised and misrepresented. So I think that honesty is on a sliding scale, especially with the German sellers. I come from German family, so I don't say that easily. Then to my shock, PKNORR purchased the violin from the Australian. So you see, what comes round, goes round. BTW, Annette said that she was a Biochemist PhD student and sold violins to afford school. Was this a way to get some sympathy?" Is there any truth to this claim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 From a by-stander's point of view, why do you complain? What? If you like the violin buy it, now is $4000. It is certainly not playable. If you put it somewhere in your house as a conversation piece, it is worth it. Your girl (boy) friend or your boss may be impressed with your taste and your generosity of supporting folk art. What is so bad about it? If you are looking for a good sounding violin and to play some classical music,then ,no need of anyone telling you, it is not that kind of instrument. /yuen/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geigen Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Of course do I remember that person. The quality of the violin was not very high and I did not _explicitly state_ that is was a simple low quality violin. This ignorant person bid high and wanted to return the violin as soon as he noticed that he did not made the bargain he expected (in fact he expected an authentic violin while I was selling a labelled violin). He wanted me to pay everything and for the return shipping, too. But I did not state at that time that I accepted returns. He was so persistens that I agreed, I had currency conversion costs etc. and paid out what I got less shipping. I did not see why I should be nice to such an uncomfortable person who is now calling me BI*** if I understood that right. I realized that is more honest not to mention faked labels too much or at least just give them a short note. because: -- people do not understand the difference between labelled and authentic. They expect and authentic Stainer when buying a labelled Stainer. Anne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pahdah_hound Posted April 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 I mention the label first and then what I really think, if I have a thought. Here are samples of what I have done: "This beautiful antique violin is labeled, Antonuius Stradiuarius Faciebat anno 17 Made in Germany and was probably made about 1920-1935 in the Markenukirchen region of Germany." or "This very good and interesting violin is labeled E Paulus Desideri fecit Rigae 1845 I doubt that the violin is Italian as the label would indicate, but I do suspect that it is about 150 years old or more." If words like that are written then no one can be confused as to whether I believe the violin is an authentic Strad or Desideri. There are still people who believe they know better and might bid thinking I don't know what I am talking about, and the item is authentic. I cannot control that and I don't want it happening. If someone bids way too much because they thought Stradivari lived in Markneukirchen in 1925, it is not unlikely that person might request and get their money back-including shipping. It is important for me to write a listing that brings a good but fair price. I am really at the mercy of the buyer. There is nothing to keep someone from buying a violin from me to use for a while and then return it when they are done. I don't think that has ever happened though. eBay buyers are much more honest and accomodating as a group than the sellers seem to be. My only real issues are bidders who bid, don't pay, and refuse to communicate. The real buyers are great! Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singingmaple Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 You gotta laugh at the cancelled bid ammounts. $1,000,000.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Hi, So the winning bid was $104. Not $4000 as I read previouly. I don't see anything wrong to buy a folk art object for that kind of money. I would not want it for free, to tell you the truth. I only said this when the bidding was over. /yuen/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maestramusica Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Yes, I agree, $104 is more like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pahdah_hound Posted April 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 The high bid, before I started cancelling bids, was over $15000. I didn't know that an eBay auction cannot be cancelled with less than 12 hours remaining. So I cancelled all the bids I could, one at a time, before the end. Then at the very end, someone new started bidding, and I couldn't cancel his bids fast enough. Everytime I cancelled his bid, he would bid again. In the end, it was another bidder who wound up on top and I suggested that there was nothing he really wanted left. So we agreed not to complete the transaction. In the meantime, the violin has somehow resurrected itself and exists again. Maybe the whole thing was just a dream. Thanks to everyone for reading it. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted April 4, 2005 Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 Hi Jesse, I don't understand the whole thing ? Was it the winning bid $104 or it was something else? Forgive my candid comment. I wish you make money on it and also the buyer will be happy. If a museum director bidded for $15,000 for the violin. Let him have it, why not? /yuen/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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