Guide to sellers' sword descriptions

spiral · 15th April 2015, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I feel certain that this is meant in a mostly light hearted manner, but let me assure you there are still some of us that do our best to describe and picture things in great detail to avoid any disappointment.

While I am not an arms dealer, I use Ebay to sell some of my duplicate items or when I upgrade a piece, and I don't want any of those terms with those interpretations associated with me. I'd rather have our friends here point out a flawed description than be seen as 'that sort' of seller.

Perhaps it would be better not to assume these are 'blanket' descriptions/interpretations used by everybody that sells something.

'Mehmet-Fetah'

It is/was amusing...

But in truth ,there are some really great & true collector/dealers out there. But sadly from an average word search on ebay there sometimes few & far between....Sadly many top auction houses & some dedicated arms websites are the same.

One presumes an always straight & true dealer will do ok on repeat custom though ?

Presuming the customers are informed in there targets & research of course.

If the customers are not, the dealer may still do very well of course..

Because unlearnerd consumers do not realise that they are unlearned.

So there happy with a dubious purchase on occasion...

But the cream always rises to the top...

One should probably judge a dealer by the quality of there customers.

spiral

ariel · 16th April 2015, 01:07 AM

In some way, this obviously humoristic "glossary" was very much in tune with the currently discussed topic about Tanjore katars.

Yes, there are obviously dishonest dealers who purposefully use code words and incomplete descriptions to present their wares as genuine antiques. Yes, there are scores of obviously newly-made items advertised for astronomical prices on the basis of deceitful description. We all know them .

But perhaps the paranoia went several steps too far.

The relations between the dealers and customers are based on trust. Select your dealer carefully and exercise the law of "caveat emptor" when there is a fantastic piece sold for peanuts ( or for king's ransom) by an unknown and untested seller. Then you consciously take a chance, but this is your personal choice. We all have our walls of shame.

I just think that generalizations are not only unhelpful, but also hurtful and insulting for many honest sellers who are lumped together with the crooked ones. And nothing is more fun than finding a hidden treasure offered for a price of a serving of General Tso' chicken :-)

We are here to enjoy ourselves, not to wage a holy war, aren't we?

16th April 2015, 01:07 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	In some way, this obviously humoristic "glossary" was very much in tune with the currently discussed topic about Tanjore katars. Yes, there are obviously dishonest dealers who purposefully use code words and incomplete descriptions to present their wares as genuine antiques. Yes, there are scores of obviously newly-made items advertised for astronomical prices on the basis of deceitful description. We all know them . But perhaps the paranoia went several steps too far. The relations between the dealers and customers are based on trust. Select your dealer carefully and exercise the law of "caveat emptor" when there is a fantastic piece sold for peanuts ( or for king's ransom) by an unknown and untested seller. Then you consciously take a chance, but this is your personal choice. We all have our walls of shame. I just think that generalizations are not only unhelpful, but also hurtful and insulting for many honest sellers who are lumped together with the crooked ones. And nothing is more fun than finding a hidden treasure offered for a price of a serving of General Tso' chicken :-) We are here to enjoy ourselves, not to wage a holy war, aren't we?