Post #723851 by Loki-Tiki on Sat, Jul 26, 2014 10:15 AM

On 2014-07-26 07:39, Sunny&Rummy wrote:
I have only recently started collecting mugs and have yet to make any serious investments in the rarer older items, but this thread has opened my eyes to a reality I never really thought about. Beyond just being a little corner of TC where collectors can co-miserate over mug tragedies, the thread highlights how easy it really is for some of these already very rare pieces to become even more scarce due to incompetent and lazy packing and shipping by sellers who usually care very little about the item being exchanged beyond the quick cash they may make.

I've been an eBay member for 15 years (January 1999 geez has it been that long?). I've seen everything you could possibly imagine in packing, from the gold standard double-boxed with peanuts and bubble-wrap in between, to a single sheet of newspaper inside the box. S&R you are absolutely right, it is heartbreaking to receive a vintage piece that has been damaged or destroyed, they're not making them anymore!

To be fair, I have to say, some people honestly think they've done a good job with the packing. It's not always about indifference, that they got their money and so what happens after that. As with anything, the quality of the job is subjective. When I've pointed out the sub-quality packing, they honestly think they did a good job. I've learned for precious pieces, to tell them how I would like it packed, most people will take some extra effort, if you emphasize how valuable the piece is to you, and I offer to pay any extra shipping cost.