Mistakes happen. It is how one handles that mistake that makes the difference between good sellers and bad sellers. Sometimes a mistake is a good thing. I collect, buy and sell glass. Sometimes other things, but primarily glass. Unless it is new in the original box, there is likely to be some wear, scratches, stains, rough spots, tiny chips, etc. I expect older glass to have a few flaws, but I also expect those flaws to be disclosed.

A few months ago I bought a couple of items from another online seller, inquiring beforehand if there was any damage. She didn't notice any. When I got the items, there were chips on the lip of one piece and a flake on the bottom of another. Some sellers will describe these as 'flea bites' and consider them normal wear and tear. Still, it is damage. The buyer should be the one to decide if it is acceptable age-related wear. We agreed that sending the item back would only result in a profit for the shipping company. Since the chips were minor and there were several other items I was interested in, I accepted her offer of a small discount on another item. It was then I noticed something else they had that I wanted. In the past few months I have been a repeat customer and purchased about 10 different items from them. I don't expect people to be perfect, but I do expect them to take responsibility. I know that this particular seller is honest and fair in their dealings.

Recently I sold a glass bowl. When washing and inspecting it prior to shipping, I noticed a very small flat flake on the base ring. I could have shipped it anyway, hoping the buyer wouldn't notice. But I contacted the buyer. It would have been easy to blame it on something else on the shelf bumping into it, an employee, spouse, or my aging eyes. But the plain and simple truth is, I missed it. I sent new photos and let the buyer decide if she still wanted the item. She appreciated my honesty and accepted my resolution. I believe she will be a return customer. Not because I was accurat, but because I was honest.

Both buyers and sellers are humans. Humans make mistakes. Have an open attitude when dealing with errors, and maybe those mistakes will turn into a positive experience for everyone.

Donnah Brnger
Mainely Glass
http://mainelyglass.rubylane.com