So here are the rest of the emails Bullet and I exchanged---the ones he's not telling you about:
On 10/17/08, Melissa wrote:
You know Bullet, I'm new to the whole Tiki Central scene. Everyone has been
really lovely and friendly, several people even telling me "Wow, you know,
you should really charge more for that, it's so rare...how long has it been
since you actively collected / traded?"
It's my preference to sell in person---I'm not comfortable mailing the
Munktikis and Shags in particular. And I was upfront about that. And while
you did say you might be in the area in a couple of weeks, I had an equally
eager buyer ready to show up immediately. And I'm in the process of moving,
so time is of the essence for me.
Someone offered me $350 for the Green Volcano Bowl---if I mailed it to Ohio.
I was not cool with that, so I declined. Instead, I sold it yesterday for
$200 to a really awesome collector, super-friendly, who was willing to drive
to my place, pick it up right away in person, and cherish it.
So ultimately it's not about the money for me---it's most important that a
true appreciator buys these mugs to display them, use them, etc. And from
what I hear, you are one of the top, if not THE, collector / appreciator on
Tiki Central. Yes, the 40+ people with whom I've been emailing, trying to
juggle all their requests quickly and fairly, all know of you and speak of
you, quite respectfully.
So when I threw $120 out there (before I had a chance to do any sort of
research at all), that probably sounded amazing. I can see why you're
flustered---getting volcano bowl basically for a steal would've been
fantastic....but not entirely fair to me. Had the difference been only $20
or so, I would have set the bowl aside and taken on total blind faith your
possibility of driving down to San Jose in a few weeks.
But I am moving and I do need think about my finances. And I stated my
apprehension about shipping. I'm honest, I'm not charging ridiculous prices
(like many others I've noticed), in fact I'm looking to Tiki Central folk to
mentor me on pricing. I've set my prices to average selling price, not the
highest. Because the spirit of the exchange is important to me.
So you have my apologies that volcano bowl didn't work out. And you have my
promise that he's found a good home. And you still have my offer of the 4
Snack Tubs, which----because they are sturdier and have no protruding or
delicate appendages---I would consider shipping.
So your previous email, instructing me as to what I SHOULD do and sounding
rather peeved, isn't really friendly.
Again, my apologies it didn't work out this time.
AND HERE IS HOW BULLET RESPONDED:
From: br%k roberts
Subject: Re: munktikis
To: [email protected]
Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 5:18 PM
not about the money? you are a real a**hole
you're right. i am highly respected, because i treat other collectors fairly. i would never pull this kind of bulls**t on anyone. i hope i never get to meet you. i told you what you should do because that was the only honorable thing to do. you agreed to sell it to me at that price. i didn't tell you what to charge. go to hell
WOW, BULLET IS SUCH A NICE GUY, SO I RESPONDED:
On 10/17/08, Melissa wrote:
Wow. You have so much class. And, apparently, time on your hands to harass people over email. If you check the trail, you'll see that I never agreed to any "deal." I stated ambivalence about shipping, asked if you ever come down here, even asked about a PayPal account. You asked me to call you in an email I did not receive until after 5 other emails and 2 phone calls directly to me. And I didn't even sell to the 2 "highest bidders" because it would've required shipping. And not that it's any of your business, but I'm moving and selling my tikis because I can't afford my rent anymore. I have cancer, last month I miscarried twins at almost 4 months because of my illness, and my medical expenses are through the roof. But you're right, I'm such an a**hole. And I deserve cancer and miscarriages because you didn't get a volcano bowl.
AND THIS IS THE KIND OF GUY BULLET IS---HERE'S WHAT HE SAID:
cancer rules!
AND THEN HE PROCEEDED TO DRAG MY NAME THROUGH THE MUD ON TIKI CENTRAL.
Sorry Tiki Central, but I think this is absolutely despicable. I am so offended and hurt, I can't even believe this. After you can read my side of the story (and I'm sure Bullet will post all kinds of other drama, but whatever), don't worry. I'm deleting my account and never visiting this site ever again. Unbelievable.
