Am I a horrible person?

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panamag8or

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
577
Location
Hogtown, Florida (Gainesville)
Of course I'm not, just needed a catchy title. However, some guy felt the need to dress me down on facebook yesterday.

I had finally turned a pen for sale from the historic Senator Tree, and had posted it on fb. Another page shared it, and I got a lot of response (no sale, though... grr).

Anyways, this guy asks me on my page how much, shipping, lead time, etc., so I tell him $185, and it can be in the mail tuesday. He then proceeds to tell me how I've priced him right out of owning one, and that I'm taking advantage of a Florida tragedy to make a buck, then goes to the page that shared, and calls me a rip-off. :mad:

I guess he'd be apoplectic if he saw the guy selling $1200 bowls from that tree.

Okay, I'm good, now... just needed to rant. If you want to see the pen, it's on my fb page.
 
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Ignore the stupid people. Some of them just don't take the time to learn. Manners are lacking on the internet. Makes a person wonder just how they were raised.
 
Take a deep breath. Breath in, breath out. Don't let someone else's ignorance bother you. He is probably priced out or a BMW too. Should BMW also lower there price for him. I would answer him with a polite attitude and just let him know that there are also pens you cannot get because they are just out of your reach. This should take the sting out of his public comments, but don't be negative you will just lower yourself to his level. Take the high road and be nice. It will definitely take the sting out of his post.
 
+1 to Mike's zen response.

Panamag8or, I do not have facebook, but would like to see your pen. If you get a chance, will you post a pic?
 
Oh, I replied very nicely, and mentioned how there are pens made from the destroyed Atlantic City boardwalk, presidential trees that were felled by storms, shipwrecks, etc., and how no one would accuse those people of taking advantage of a tragedy.
I defended the price a little, but it was the accusation that I don't care about Florida's history that got me rankled. What I feel I'm doing is preserving that history for future generations.
 
Here is a pic. Don't mind the gap where the blank meets the nib end, that was a sanding issue that has since been rectified.

Senator Tree pen for sale. Hand-turned and finished with a multi-step durable finish, I chose black and gold titanium for the hardware, the best plating available to penmakers. That dark spot under the clip is outer bark. I replaced the stock ballpoint cartridge with a Fisher Space Pen refill, and it writes like a dream. The point is opened and closed by twisting the finial.

The Senator was the biggest and oldest pond cypress tree in the world, located in Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida. At the time of its demise, it was 125 feet (38 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 17.5 feet (5.3 m). The tree was destroyed by a fire on January 16, 2012. It was estimated to be 3500 years old.
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575872_249065011885284_1527100665_n.jpg
 
Seriously, someone had the gall to think that your pen was of the quality of Wal-Mart?!!!

I had a similar experience. A lady was very enthralled with some of my work until her husband came up and said those famous words, "I can make that cheaper"
I snapped yet kept cool and then looked at him and asked if he had a lathe? He gave me a look like I was speaking latin or perhaps klingon. I then go on expounding as to all the particular necessities one needs after a hefty price tag of such items.. his wife hands him some money and tell him to get something to drink for him and her and she would be along shortly. after he walked away she turned to back to me, said thank you for calling his bluff and then purchased a pen and pencil cigar set (The parker style pencil insert from Timber bits) After the sale was completed she said thank you again then "And no he doesn't own a lathe, his Monitor layout for his computers sadly cost more than the Lathe you mentioned" (Nova DVR XP.) I told her I was sorry she said no need "I'll get half of it in the divorce."

Moral of the story, Retort in pleasant kindness with fact and figures for someone will see the quality and purchase without question.
 
Holz Mechaniker said:
panamag8or said:
... I replaced the stock ballpoint cartridge with a Fisher Space Pen refill, and it writes like a dream. ...
Click to expand...

Really?! That style of refill works instead of the parker?
Click to expand...

Yep, it's the PR4. It comes with an adapter especially for Parker style pens. It was in a box of refills left over from my Grandfather's office supply company.
 
Hmm

For what it's worth these individuals also exist in the photographic world. And after patiently "educating" them on tools, technique and experience I will either have educated a client I'd like to have or the ones that will be very difficult go "off to the drink stand"

Hang in there and don't let the uneducated get to you. It sounded like in the end the "real" client got it.
 
That's a great pen. I like how you've orientated the clip to accentuate the more prominent figure in the wood. Nice hardware, too; is that an elegant black Ti/gold Ti Wall St II? That combination is a personal favorite of mine.

The Philistines will always throw stones. You give them a chance to carry a part of Florida history in the form of tasteful, functional art, and you're "taking advantage of a tragedy."

What's kind of funny to me is that as thick-headed as some of these people are, they're awfully adept at complaining.
 
B Wo said:
That's a great pen. I like how you've orientated the clip to accentuate the more prominent figure in the wood. Nice hardware, too; is that an elegant black Ti/gold Ti Wall St II? That combination is a personal favorite of mine.

The Philistines will always throw stones. You give them a chance to carry a part of Florida history in the form of tasteful, functional art, and you're "taking advantage of a tragedy."

What's kind of funny to me is that as thick-headed as some of these people are, they're awfully adept at complaining.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
It's the Elegant Sierra from Berea. Yes, it's black/gold Ti... I really like these kits, and the price is nice.
 
panamag8or said:
Oh, I replied very nicely, and mentioned how there are pens made from the destroyed Atlantic City boardwalk, presidential trees that were felled by storms, shipwrecks, etc., and how no one would accuse those people of taking advantage of a tragedy.
I defended the price a little, but it was the accusation that I don't care about Florida's history that got me rankled. What I feel I'm doing is preserving that history for future generations.
Click to expand...

Just a piece of scrap wood, huh? :eek: just messin wiff ya! :biggrin::biggrin:
 
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