Sam Murray/Ben Shaffer update

Ben Shaffer · Post by **Ben Shaffer** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:56 am

I did want to get back with the members of the list to let you all know I spoke at length with Sam and apologized to him.
I also asked the moderators of the two lists to remove the original thread.
What Sam and I had was a misunderstanding based on a lack of communication.
As you may recall from the previous thread Sam and I had a lot of false starts in regards to the Flute I ordered. When he said he sent the Flute and I hadn't received it at his best guess date, I lost my cool and posted the original thread. Well, I should have been more patient.
Had I received a tracking number from Sam, I never would have posted the thread. None of us are perfect however.
I don't blame Sam for overlooking the tracking number as well as for me losing my cool.
I did want the list to know I wanted to make it right with Sam which I believe I did.
Also I wanted to apologize to the list members for losing my cool in one of my worse public moments.
The two of us have no hard feelings towards the other and in fact when Sam comes to the States again he's going to give me a call and I'll show him around North Carolina.
I'll of course copy Sam on this Posting.
Ben Shaffer
Greensboro,NC

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:58 am

Thanks for the update.

I had a chance to try a Murray flute once; it was a lovely thing.

I know you'll enjoy your new flute.

--James

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:05 am

Fair play to you for eating a slice of humble pie. It doesn't help when people on forums like this keep suggesting 'you can expect not to get your flute' when you're nervous or uncertain about the date of arrival.

flutefry · Post by **flutefry** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:07 am

Good for you Ben, and for Sam too.

Hugh

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:09 am

Another positive outcome: maybe we've agreed to speak openly and not gloss things over so much. This misunderstanding resulted from lack of communication. Awkward as it was, the resolution happened by way of this board. Both parties emerged with reinforced integrity.

banjoman · Post by **banjoman** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:29 am

Fair dues Ben. To be honest, when we have parted with our hard earned money and ordered something and can't get mails replied to or calls returned, it is perfectly understandable that we might become less than patient, it is a scary time. I for one don't think that you are eating humble pie or indeed deserve to- your lack of patience as you describe it, was very understandable and perhaps if the shoe was on the other foot, and a maker regardless of who, was owed money, then you might see a different tune being played- as it were. When we know the instrument/and or our money is safe, twenty twenty vision can be easy. I hope you get many years enjoyment from the flute.

michael c · Post by **michael c** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:36 am

crookedtune wrote:Another positive outcome: maybe we've agreed to speak openly and not gloss things over so much. This misunderstanding resulted from lack of communication. Awkward as it was, the resolution happened by way of this board. Both parties emerged with reinforced integrity.

All's well that ends well but resolution came after someone phoned Sam and told him what was on this board. Otherwise he would almost certainly not have see the thread until more judgements had been passed on him without his knowledge. That's not quite the same as "by was of this board".

That said, as Crookedtune has written, both parties may have emerged with reinforced integrity. Hopefully some of the rest of the jury in this short saga can follow them in this. That may be too much to ask in the case of some who made contributions to thesession.org's thread.

claudine · Post by **claudine** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:54 pm

So Ben will get his flute because he published his story on the internet. Is that the way to go? Just wondering ....

CranberryDog · Post by **CranberryDog** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:07 pm

Thank you for your follow through. I'm glad there is a positive outcome. I certainly don't agree with the "humble pie" statement. I believe you simply did the honourable thing. Everyone has moments they rue; and that would apply to all parties concerned.
All the best, Cyril.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:08 pm

Claudine,

No, because the flute was en route before the story was posted.

Please be aware that Sam does not pay a lot of attention to the net... good call if you ask me.

Regards,

Harry.

banjoman · Post by **banjoman** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:05 pm

Nor to his telephone or tracking numbers by all accounts ! However if my memory serves me right he was able to pay attention to the net when he wanted final payment !

SteveB · Post by **SteveB** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:25 pm

The is thread is slowly degenerating into a resurrection of the original one. I humbly suggest that the Moderator put the boots to this one as well.

regards,

SteveB