They're out there. You might walk right by one and never know it...until they contact you through the internet, where everybody thinks they can say anything they like about anyone they want. And craiglist is rife with the little Napoleon complex jack-holes. If you've spent any time selling there you already know this. And this is why Mr. Modtomic asks for a tiny bit of your time.
Somebody named Gazza Vorn was kind enough to send me an e-mail warning about their anti
Mr. Modtomic craigslist antics this evening. Check it out:
"Just so you know, I made a listing letting craigslist perusers aware of how you are overcharging people for those chairs and gave them links to Overstock where those exact and other Eames style chairs are for cheaper than you are trying to rip people off for. I know this is a business to you, but price accordingly and don't try to screw unknowing people over. (I put in the bold)
Cheers mate" - Gazza Vorn whirlinspur@hotmail.com (feel free to send them a note)
I'm not sure how I could possibly be "trying to rip people off" if I'm not holding their family
member hostage to get them to agree to pay my asking price. And as far as trying "to screw
unknowing people over"...well, I didn't even know. AND I'M INTO THIS STUFF!!!
Whatever. I provide a value added. People can Hold My Chairs In Their Hands. They Can
Try Them Out. Take Them For A Spin. Look The ACTUAL Chairs They Are Gonna Take
Home Over. Plus, I don't think that $112.50 each is an outrageous asking price per chair for
a set of Eames Shell Replicas. Don't like the price...ask for a better one or take your chances
with a cheaper set on line!
So anyway, I'm asking you - my loyal and lovely readership - to flex your mighty craigslist
flagging musculature and come to Mr. Modtomic's aid. Please click through (and then again)
to this egregiously inappropriate craigslist ad and then click "prohibited" in the upper right
corner. You can only be counted once (at any particular ISP) so re-clicking isn't necessary.
Thanks so much in advance.
Mr. M.
It certainly is "inappropriate" so I was happy to click!
ReplyDeleteHi Kailani. Thanks so much! The "inappropriate" above should have read "prohibited". I fixed it. There should be an "inappropriate" button though!
DeleteIsn't your blog post ironic in that you are anonymous too? $127.50 would be a good deal, if the exact same ones weren't half that price new.
ReplyDeleteJared Schulte
The quoted price above is $112.50. And if you really think Mr. Mod is anonymous, then you aren't paying attention. Actually, given your misquote, that seems to be the case. As a consumer, bargain hunting and due diligence are your responsibility--not the seller's.
DeleteOh yeah, and in case you hadn't noticed, this is a blog devoted to cool old stuff. "New" is kinda irrelevant. . .condition is what matters.
Hi Jared. What's "ironic" about that? The e-mail sent to me wasn't anonymous. Because there are Crazy people out there as well as Jack-holes, I prefer to keep a level of anonymity here on the inter-webs. You also won't find my real name on any of my e-mails. I'm far too paranoid for even that! And the "Mystique" makes me feel all cool and stuff.
DeleteIt's gus and alex from Vandeventer vintage. Just so you know.
ReplyDeleteI would not waste my time flagging someones ad on Craigslist, especially Mr. Modtomic who has never been anything but nice and helpful to me. I appreciate the accusation Anonymous.
DeleteThanks,
Gus
Hi Anonymous. It's definitely not Gus from Vandeventer Vintage. Gus and I are good acquaintances. He is, so far as I can tell from the interactions I've had with him, a good guy. I highly recommend checking out his shop and upcoming auction on Sunday August 5. And no...I don't ask for any payment for my recommendation of his shop or sales.
DeleteI've bought from Gus once at Vandeventer Vintage. I had seen Modtomic's blog post here, seen their ads on craigslist and photos on flickr. Called ahead and spoke to them about an item in question--every aspect in dealing with Gus and the people who work for him could not have been more pleasant and professional. I also loved that they didn't make me feel like a criminal like ONE retro resale shop in St. Louis does, probably due to my very young looking age and clothing (I hate store associates who stalk you). Plus, Gus helped us to move the furniture out of the shop and to my truck. His price was also, if I may say, flippin' amazin' cheap (especially in comparison to the above mentioned shop). So please people, buy from Gus.
DeleteMr Mod,
ReplyDeleteWhat a jerk! Oh, well...flagged! Waving at you from Texas!
Hi Chrystal. Thank you! Mission accomplished.
DeleteDone.
ReplyDeleteYou provide a great service--through your blog and by selling some great items through C List. Please continue!
Um.....and if he/she doesn't like your prices they can always shop elsewhere.
Hi Anony. Thanks so much. You folks rock...and my thought exactly!
DeleteAll good bloggers eventually get paid one way or another because they have great and original content. You get paid not by selling ad space, but by selling real products. You provide a whole customer experience, through the blog, in person, and through your booth. You are creating a Modtomic brand. This is business, and this person is not recognizing that. People pay high prices for Starbucks because they are buying a brand. When they buy from you, they are buying your knowledge, your extensive attention to detail, and your general know-how. They are not just taking a chance on Overstock, a company which I refuse to do business with because of their terrible customer service (I've had bad experiences with them in the past.)
ReplyDeleteOk, this is rambling, but I just find it distasteful that this person would say that to you. Like you said, if somebody doesn't like the price, haggle! This is a haggling business through and through!
Susie,
DeleteIt's distasteful to inform craigslist shoppers that the EXACT(manufacturer, color, material) chairs are half of what he is trying to charge? How is it a bad thing to let consumers know they can pay much less for the same thing? I'm all for being a shopping resource for vintage items, but these chairs aren't vintage and are readily available new and more affordable. I guess I don't want to live in a world where we try to squeeze every last nickel out of someone. And isn't it also distasteful to call someone a napoleonic jack hole?
If you find it distasteful, don't read the blog. You are no more obligated to read a blog than to buy particular items. Who doesn't have something better to do than leave poorly written, insulting messages in the wrong place on craigslist? Sounds jack holey to me.
DeleteAre they the same exact model, though, or are you just pointing to a general replica available online? And even so, is it pertinent to "call out" on Craigslist? If an Etsy seller is selling hand-made crafts, does he/she sell them for the cost of the material, or does he/she sell them for what the item is worth, including time to design, craft, and ship the item? Target sells shirts that cost $0.03 to manufacture for $20 because they are acting as the means of conveyance from manufacturer to consumer. You are paying for the convenience of being able to try it out in person. And as we stated, one could easily haggle the price down if they feel it's not worth the asking price. You definitely couldn't do that with Overstock. In fact, you could not drive over to Overstock's booth and look at the chairs in person, and take them home the very same day. You'd have to pay to get the items shipped to you overnight at best, which would be quite a substantial cost added to that of the chairs. It's a convenience cost to be able to have the chairs in your home tonight if one wishes to do such.
DeleteYou say you don't want to live in a world where people squeeze every last nickle and dime from each other, which is a nice thought, but i also wish to not live in a world where we attack each other or "call out" each other when we disagree. Perhaps this could have been solved more cordially and rationally?
Susie,
DeleteAfter re-evaluating my original email, I agree it was unnecessarily harsh. For that, I apologize...a rough friday at work and I should have just let the blogger know that he's severly overcharging if he wasn't aware of the background and retail price of those chairs. Those chairs on O.co are the exact chairs, not a general replica. I have those chairs, bought them a couple years ago from O.co for 129.99 for a pair as they come shipped in two plus $2.95 for shipping. I can post pics. I just wanted people to know they could save almost $200 buying the same ones online. With things like vintage furniture,say Broyhill Brasilia or Saga or Heywood Wakefield, I'm totally all for asking top dollar as there's limited quantities out there.
J.S.
Hi Suzie. I love when a good give and take erupts! Thanks for all the support.
DeleteHi J.S. Everybody's opinions are welcome here as long as it stays civil and relatively clean. Like I said though, I will take exception to being accused of "trying to rip people off". You know, I could almost see your point if I were the ONLY place to buy these chairs - if I had a monopoly on these chairs...or I was somehow blocking everybody else from looking elsewhere for these chairs. I'm not though. ::shrugg::
Mr. M, your points are valid. My words were harsh and unnecesary. My apologies. My original intent was to let consumers know that brand and style of chair can be had a much better price. As I mentioned to Susie, a rough friday workday(not to mention being purposely run off the road on my bike by some truck on the way home from work), and had a Michael Douglas "Falling Down" moment perusing MCM craigslist ads. As a consumer, don't you like to know when a bargain can be had? That way they have an extra 200 bucks to use and buy some of your vintage goodies. Fair point?
DeleteJS
Last time I checked,we lived in a free market society where retailers could ask as much as the want for a given product...
ReplyDeleteWhat an idiot.
FYI- I tried to click and it appears that his "add" has been taken down.
Also,If I needed them,I would buy yours as they DO come to a less price for the set of 4 than other places and I wouldn't need to pay the shipping AND most important to me,I would be supporting private small business instead of a huge retail/internet giant!
Just keep doing your thing my friend and don't concern yourself too much with the riffraff's comments :)
Hi MCHNCL. Thank you so much for your support. We were able to flag the ad off craigslist. Great Job everybody! You know...there are two grocery stores down the street from me. Both are big name national stores. One is more expensive than the other. People shop at both even though they KNOW they can get a lot of the items cheaper at the less expensive store. Why do they do this? Dunno. Maybe the more expensive store is just easier to get to from the direction they are driving. Same with gas stations. I see it all the time. Lot's of people just aren't that concerned about a few extra dollars for the convenience.
DeleteThat's right, and charging excessive prices for commonplace goods makes the economy look like it's growing more, so it's really a win for everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Anony. Win / Win. I'm down with that.
DeleteYou obviously have an ax to grind with Mr.Mod and I hate that you feel that way and you certainly have a right to your opinions BUT I would be careful,I didn't read your Craigslist post but that is not a very smart way to solve your issue with him. I have a background in law and as I said,I never read your original post but to me it sounds very much as if he (Mr.MOD) may have a valid defamation of character suit against you if he wanted to pursue one. This is not the wild west "Anonymous" and even if you think there are no laws governing the internet,there most certainly are! And for the record,you not anonymous at all Gazza Vorn whirlinspur@hotmail.com and from his post,he knows that. It's on thin ice you seem to be treading here. Especially considering you seem to relish continually harassing Mr.Mod's blog posters. This blogs host site may find you quite exhausting as well.
ReplyDeleteHi MCHNCL. Now that's what I call having someones back!
DeleteWell,I do. I can understand his "falling down moment" though. Read he was run off the road by a truck while riding and kinda took it out on you. Not at all right. But I've been there. Being a cyclist is dangerous anyway,then add drivers that don't know or care what the law is pertaining to you the cyclist. It's a shame and I do feel bad for him but it was still out of line and you cannot walk into a small privately owned mom & pop shop and tell everyone they are ripping you of and go to (add any place here)... It's illegal. I'll his a hole truck that ran him off the road,either he didn't know that or didn't care. I'm expecting that he just didn't know in which case,I'm good. Now we do :)
ReplyDelete-I'll his a hole truck- SHOULD HAVE READ "Like his a-hole truck who ran him off the road"
DeleteSorry,typing way to fast and not proof reading. Never should you do that.LOL!
I do find it ridiculous (and mean) that someone felt the need to call you out on CL about something like this. Most things can be found for cheaper elsewhere all the time - I wonder where the person expects us to draw the line? A simple but respectful email informing you of this lower price would have been the mature thing to do. There are also no excuses for poor behavior (virtual or IRL), but everyone makes mistakes and apologies are nice.
ReplyDeleteI do have to say that while I have your back and would flag the post if still up, I do feel a little unsettled about this whole conversation. Though the other person was in the wrong, I wonder if speaking about them like this (particularly - using their actual name and giving out their email) makes for another wrong? I mean no offense at all by this (much love to you, Mr. Modtomic!), just an observation. I understand your upset over this and wanting to vent to your friends/peers/community (as a fellow CL MCM seller I can relate), but do you get what I'm saying? I don't mean to say that you shouldn't be able to share things like this on your blog (it actually started a good dialogue), but calling them out by name....see where I'm going? Maybe I'm sounding a little too "can't we all just get along". I hope this comes off as constructive and not like I'm scolding you. I do really enjoy reading your blog, and thank you for bring up this issue.