There is a beautiful Omas Revelations LE on ebay - #170249299575. I don't know what the reserve is, but the pen is offered with the choice of any size nib (see description). This could be quite a deal.

mehitabel

OOppsss..........the seller is in the bad/ugly bracket!

Well, I have bought a number of higher end Viscontis and Omas pens from him without any trouble. Granted, some people do not like the way he will end auctions early but he does it within the rules of eBay.

I've never had a problem with the seller, and do not know why he is in the "bad seller" category. I've been very happy with everything I've received from him (several pens, including a Visconti Wall St, Visconti Black Storm, and a Visconti NATO). He always ships quickly, and has good prices. If someone wants to explain why he's a "bad seller", feel free, but I've been happy with him.

It's been covered elsewhere, but Ben and I have gotten along fine.

I understand though that the 'reserve' prices are realistic prices rather than the $2 or $3 the pens start out at. .....no criticsm - the man has a business to run not a charity (shame)... but it means the bargains aren't quite the bargains they appear to be. As far as the 'bad seller' category - I guess we just all expect something different. I have no experience with this seller so can't contribute to the discussion.

I also have had great experiences with this seller, and have bought over 10 pens from him...

Just sayin', Deirdre... don't really want Ben to get unfairly bashed or have people shy away from purchasing from him because of misinformation.

I too bought some nice pens from Ben and never had any problems. He did me a big favor when buying and Aurora 85th Anniversary pen for which I am very grateful, so he's on my list of good sellers.

Me too...

Just sayin', Savarez....don't really want newbies to get into a bad deal or have them buying stuff from them because a lot's of other people including me have had very ugly/bad experience with outletline/Ben.

In fairness, part of the problem was not being in the US. He has very specific policies about foreign buyers that exclude most of them, and I think you're blowing this way out of proportion for $5 in shipping difference.

One of the reasons I use auto-calculated shipping on eBay is to avoid these debacles, but they do happen.

Fair enough. I know you've had your fair share of issues with international shipping, not only from outletline. I'm certainly not trying to become an apologist for any eBay seller, or minimize or dismiss the difficulties you, or others have had. I know the shipping issue is a difficult one for international buyers, and I appreciate your sharing your experiences, to, as you say, prevent newbies from getting into a bad deal. We are a community, after all.

As has been said many times concerning eBay, "caveat emptor." We all have to take steps to protect ourselves on eBay, and evaluating feedback is an important part of making sure we're purchasing from a safe and reputable seller.

Well that's your opinion and even you are entitled to have one.

Secondly,opinions are not made over $$ but over what you commit and what you deliver..............."It's called standing up for your words."


Thirdly, I think you forget that eBay and the listing in question is not for US buyers only......so being not in the US is not part of the problem as you point out

Lastly,you are no one to decide my opinions for me...............you keep yours and please don't judge mine.

Appreciate that savarez.

Believe me, I understand about international shipping. I don't even have a store and I've shipped to more than 20 countries.

I am not deciding your opinions for you, it seemed to me like a very strong reaction for $5. Then again, I'm not the one who has to import most of my pens. That'd be very frustrating.

Thanks for understanding.

He's good right up until he isn't. I bought a lot from him at one time. Really wish he'd work on his communication skills as I wasn't thrilled getting banned from bidding by him over something that could've been resolved if he'd communicated. Pity, as I would've spent more with him. Still, it's his business model and works for him or he wouldn't keep doing it. And the eBay/Paypal protections DID work. <shrug>

I think, GP, that you probably won't be missing many good deals. I have noticed that since Ben started using the reserve method, it is very hard to get the kind of deals one used to get from him. He sets the reserve quite high, and I notice that many of his auctions go unsold for failure to meet the reserve. He must have made what he considered to be a good business decision, but I think buyers will no longer find many good deals from him.

I am relieved to hear that the Paypal protection worked for you. I always use a credit card (At Paypal) because I have been skeptical of Paypal's proteection.

mehitabel

mehitabel, do you know its size measurements? It looks very nice indeed.

I do not. I see that outletline has several of these. If you send an ebay message to him, he'll tell you the measurements. But, the reserve may be quite high. I like that it is offered wuth a choice of nibs.