The Good the Bad and the Good- Story..

[pikabo-icu]

Still waiting on that break room board. 

So,  I have to share what happened to me yesterday.

I bought a gorgeous vase from a very casual, small seller.

It's a beauty- Alexandrite glass, Alexandrite is my birthstone.

It's from Scotland with Thistles etched on it- my family is from Scotland so I was super excited to receive it.

Yesterday I picked up several packages at the PO and spilled them into the front seat of my car.

Started to pull out and had a small bump that shouldn't be there- OMGosh!!  My vase package was now FLAT, in the parking lot.

Picked it up and you could tell it was in a bajillion pieces.. Down to powdered glass.. SIGH  

My fault! Totally 100% on ME.

I was going to leave my seller great FB as they did their job but thought I would message them the story of what happened.

One thing that really bothered me was my son suggested to say twas broken when I received it!! 

MY son!  This was a teachable moment.. I explained that not only was that LYING, it was STEALING!

I explained it is the little seller, who did NOTHING wrong that would be out the money- NOPE this was my screw up and I had to eat it..

He understood and I think he gets it now.. 

I was opening the other packages and WAIT!  My vase! It was super well packed in a different package!

I cried tears I was so happy. Turns out the glass powder was some mass produced, $10 bulb that my son ordered that can be easily replaced. I never did open it- it's way too dangerous. 

My seller did their job- their box & padding, bubble wrap, might have even survived my 4000 LB car. LOL

Any good or bad stories to share? 

[bargr6493]

awesome, thanks for the post

[bargr6493]

Perhaps they are referring to ebay's Global Shipping Program.

[evelyb30]

Alexandrite glass is properly neodymium glass.  It's a "rare earth" compound also used to make strong magnets.  There are a bunch of companies in Europe who make it. I bet the OP's piece is Caithness and if she looks at the base carefully (or has her kid whose close-up vision works better) it'll be signed. They're a Scottish company and their products are NOT cheap. I did a quick search and didn't see the OP's piece , but the company makes similar ones for sure.   The glass turns up sometimes in Israeli silver jewelry and sometimes in old German pieces.  

If you're wondering, I'm a frustrated reference librarian who's into vintage jewelry.  I've run into color-change glass a few times.  

[pikabo-icu]

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@evelyb30 wrote:

Alexandrite glass is properly neodymium glass.  It's a "rare earth" compound also used to make strong magnets.  There are a bunch of companies in Europe who make it. I bet the OP's piece is Caithness and if she looks at the base carefully (or has her kid whose close-up vision works better) it'll be signed. They're a Scottish company and their products are NOT cheap. I did a quick search and didn't see the OP's piece , but the company makes similar ones for sure.   The glass turns up sometimes in Israeli silver jewelry and sometimes in old German pieces.  

If you're wondering, I'm a frustrated reference librarian who's into vintage jewelry.  I've run into color-change glass a few times.  

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@evelyb30 

Thank you so much for that valuable info.

Yes that is how they had it listed Caithness glass; this was the exact title of the listing: CAITHNESS ALEXANDRITE NEODYMIUM GLASS BUD VASE ETCHED.

I'm grateful for your time & knowledge.. 

It's my first piece- It's beautiful.. I'm hooked.. 

[brehallw-0]

That is a Beautiful vase. I love it

[carrobi513]

thanks for the post

[brhaw2970]

All depends upon what you compare to what.

[brehallw-0]

this is awesome

[bbravo65]

...a beautiful vase (I like the color) with a beautiful story...an inspiration...thank you...

[gracieallen01]

@pikabo-icu 

"gracieallen01 

I don't believe I have ever seen a post from you that isn't kind & thoughtful.

You are a lovely person. "

Well, I try, though I don't always succeed.  Some time back I responded to a poster and the reply I got was, "Why didn't you just shoot me.  It would have been less painful".  

But, thank you for your kind words.

[downunder-61]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

@pikabo-icu 

"gracieallen01 

I don't believe I have ever seen a post from you that isn't kind & thoughtful.

You are a lovely person. "

Well, I try, though I don't always succeed.  Some time back I responded to a poster and the reply I got was, "Why didn't you just shoot me.  It would have been less painful".  

But, thank you for your kind words.

---

Oh dear LOL  Beautiful vase pikabu and some great stories

[maeday76]

Couldn't agree more. Y'all are both stars. I am so glad that I stuck around here to find the actual people who are trying to help AND learn. The first few experiences were of some sweet person asking an honest question and being shut down by the arrogant board-mavens and I noped out. 

I hope I can be as helpful and kind as y'all are, I want to share what I know, and find what I don't. I'm very frustrated with some of the folks who respond on here being so curt or blatantly rude. 

You angels make it worthwhile. 

Cheers. 

M.

[max-list]

I once bought a vintage Ronson glass egg shaped lighter from the 50's. It was in good shape but when I opened it the glass cracked away from the metal part a bit. I went to glue it and when I pulled it off there were 5 french coins in there. I got really excited and thought I'd hit a gold mine hidden in the 1950's! I googled them and they were worth about 20 cents.... Dohhh! LoL I sold the lighter for $100 though so it wasn't all that bad.

[vintagecraze50]

I Once made a bad mistake selling here. I sent an extremely expensive ring to a customer instead of the cheaper one they actually bought. It was one of those switched label issues. The buyer contacted me being very honest and told me she got the more expensive item. She had purchase one thing from us before. I went ahead and let her keep the other ring becuase she said she like it very much. She did offer to pay more, but I just let it go. That lady came back and bought a jillion things from me over the years.