I have had many, many positive experiences here but lately have had a few which have me starting to think it’s no longer worth it. This just isn’t the same board it used to be. What do you think?
I’ve had good luck. I have only had two negative experiences. One was a result of me committing to something without a return option and the seller was a graceless enough person to not consider it and had made exaggerated claims about the instrument. The other was a builder whose product was very shoddy, yet even in the end, that builder gave a full refund, after a bunch of bs.
I would imagine though, that because the Chiffboard has become much better known, that anyone who would consider fleecing somebody would come to know that this is a source of people in remote areas, hungry for a “better” whistle.
I just think you have to have your radar up and look at longevity and past endorsements. Not just one or two, but many.
I’ve never had a lick of trouble. But I almost always know who I’m dealing with. I guess that’s the key.
Doc
Read the cautionary thread re whistle buying/selling, and look for signs that the person is known and trusted in chiffland. Wouldn’t hurt to pm people who might be in the know, and give you advice.
I’ve never had anything but good transactions with people from this board, both in selling my wooden whistles and also other non-related items eg a camera, different instruments etc.
No problems at all. Every whistle has been a good value and was delivered on time. There certainly is some risk and I may get burned sometime. I like to think that I have saved enough money to still come out ahead plus I have whistles that I would never have seen in local shops or pubs.
Having said that, most of my whistles have come directly from the maker or from a reputable shop like Doc’s. Got to keep these guys in business!
I have no idea how many transactions I’ve made through the Chiffboard, and there have been just a couple of bumps in the road – nothing that couldn’t be worked out. I’ve done only a few in the last year or so, no complaints. One in progress, and I have every confidence it will go well.
As has been pointed out, it helps if you know whom you’re dealing with – I’ve dealt with some of the responders to this thread, for example, and have nothing but the best things to say about them.
In the past I’ve had nothing but good dealings here on the board. I’ve never sold anything but I’ve bought quite a few whistles and things here. I always have dealt with established Chiffers, though. I would think twice if it were someone who only had a few drive-by posts or only posted about things for sale without taking part in the general discourse.
I’ve never had any poor financial dealings here but I’ve had times where I purchased a whistle and received a filthy excuse for a whistle. I’ve received two whistles that were so bad I didn’t even feel comfortable putting my mouth on it after spending several hours cleaning and disinfecting it. One of them was tossed and I ate the cost (a cheaper one anyways) and the other went back to the understanding seller.
I’ve had the privelege to deal with quite a number of Chiffers, both buying and selling, and have had no serious problems at all.
With anyone you aren’t sure of, I do suggest that you use PayPal (offers a decent level of protection for both buyer and seller, with resources for getting any problems resolved), or hold your item till the check clears if you are the seller.
There is a core of folks here, makers and/or players, who have endured all the earthquakes of board residence, so to speak, over the years and who know each other and have had transactions with many of the members. It is a good community and more than willing to help each other.