HA! I got a bit of a kick outta this today.

There's a gray transitional for sale that a couple prospective bidders had asked
questions about. Now, the seller had already said the blatter (sic) was pliable and
that they hadn't tried to fill the pen so at least that much was already a "given".

Then came this second question;

"Hello, thanks for responding to my questions, I know there are a few but I am very interested in your auction. If you run a fingernail around the edge of the cap, do you find any catches (places that seem rough or stop your finger). If you wiggle the black section (where the nib attaches) where it slides into the barrel, does it seem loose. Either of these conditions might demonstrate the presence of cracks that would otherwise escape notice. What do the jewels (the black caps on the end of the pens) look like? Are they smooth, ribbed, chipped, loose or missing? Is the clip tight to the barrel or is it bent upward or loose. Are there any stains, deep scratches, dings, personal engravings, mis-formed or warped parts or other types of damage to the pen. What is engraved into the nib? Is it bent or chipped. The more of these questions you answer the more sure I can be of the pen I'm bidding on and the more I'll be willing to pay for it. Thanks again!"

Wow.

I may be a newbie here, but short of inquiring about the fill lever/sac, (already alluded to) I'd guess this pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

Sounded like a pretty all encompassing, well put question to me.


Ok, who was it? Anyone here? 'Fessup...

Bruce In Ocala, FL

Hey, do you think that I type all that every time that I ask about a new listing? Love the copy and paste function....

LOL

Adam,

I thought it was well enough composed to save it myself for possible later use.
I hope you won't mind. (Don't guess who asked the question there is important
as long as it gets answered...)

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Please do! And if you find adjustments that need to be made post them for everyone's use going forward. It's not like it's even close to bullet proof yet.

That is a pretty nice boilerplate set of questions.

Just be sure to look at the pen first and see if the questions need to be tailored. I remember David I posting a link to an Ebay auction for a Wahl. One of the questioners had a similar set of questions about cracks on the cap lip, etc - but somehow failing to note that the cap and barrel were horribly crystalized. (When the top half of the cap is about the shatter, a hidden crack is really not too important).

John

Awesome, Adam. Well done, and thank you for sharing them!

Thank you for saying so.. Hey are you ever coming back down this direction, or are you guys still recovering from the flood? (I've got 3 feet of water in the basement even now...)

Adam

Actually, we may be coming down there sometime soon with a car club. Depends on when Pammel Park clears up. I'd guess that the conditions out there are horrible right now?

When we do, I'll make sure to let you know, as I've got a black J that I need to have re-sac'd.

Well, let's just say that no one will be using the low water crossing for awhile, unless you came in a monster truck.... I would be happy to pick up your J in the mean time and get it resaced for you. I'll be in Des Moines on saturday.

Adam