Wayne, so sorry to hear this. I have had a bit of luck asking people with doubts / questions to check out the BCN forum and get other opinions. It's been rare that this helps but hope springs eternal...

I have had difficult customers but never this particular issue. Yes, very sad.

It was a wound cylinder white-based Venetian "festooned" fancy bead with pink eyes adorning it.......Some of the pink glass of the "eyes" were crackled, not unusual and did show in the images.....I was accused of applying pink material to attempt to restore what the person perceived as missing eyes.

Yes Wayne, I think you are right. There are so many fakes people are starting to think everything is fake.

Just curious.....did this dissatified customer tell you where they think the beads were made?

No after my initial respond to them this is part of what was sent back to me.
What can I say.

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"Thanks for your response. I am not an expert in Venetian kings, but I do know quite a bit about African trade beads and do buy from Ruth Picard. The beads I have that are similar to these are not Venetian but glass bicones from Ghana, likely Krobo (Akoso) and quite old, though it is difficult to accurately establish the true age of any beads.

I admit that Venetian beads are different from those made in Africa (I have many other kinds of Venetian beads), but the color, texture, heft, and overall look of these does not say 1800s or even early 1900s to me

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and not taking the time to view the Picard series or their super on-line exhibits...a wealth of bead photo education.

In my response to them prior to the response from them that I posted, I sent links to the Picard exhibits and the sick collection online at the Tropenmuseum.
I don't think there is a real desire there on their behalf to learn anything. Its a shame.

I am the guilty party who purchased these beads. As I said, I am not an expert in Venetian kings, but I do check the Picard site and other sources regularly. However, a photo is not the same as holding the beads in your hands and examining them with a glass.

Prior to this experience I didn't know Wayne, and I try to be careful when buying on eBay. Wayne was exceptionally patient and helpful to me and we straightened things out almost immediately.

I am pleased with my purchase and appreciate Wayne's going above and beyond as a seller. I will buy again from him with complete confidence.

Nora

This site is all about learning and sharing and I am glad you are here.
Wayne

Thanks Wayne -- for everything.

Beads are infinite.....by this I mean we will never stop learning about them because there are so many variables with origin, composition, design, era, material......Collecting them is quite different from collecting things like coins, stamps, etc....And you are right, the tactile factor is so very important.

Thanks Joyce,

That's what makes beads so endlessly fascinating. One never stops learning about them. Not in a lifetime.

Nora

Recently was accused of misrepresentation when photos clearly showed cracks in beads, plus was griped at because Post Office did not update their tracking info with sufficient speed to the exacting standards of the buyer. As if this was my fault, when I'd mailed the package within a day of the purchase. Clearly, someone looking to blame anyone but themselves for a hasty buying decision that they later regretted.

Buyer's remorse in understandable - we've all been there - but the insistence on blaming anyone and everyone except one's own overly optimistic or hasty, unconsidered decision making is, I think, a symptom of another more disturbing personality disorder - an inability to admit error.

I've made some ridiculous buys, but have never blamed the seller for my silliness - and, if they were generous enough to cancel the sale, I've always paid the postage both ways as the penalty of my mistake.

eBay is a jungle, still, after all these years, despite the best efforts of the management to curb our pathetic tendency to be jerks.

I have no problem with buyers remorse I have been there myself my issue is being accused of misrepresenting the beads. As a seller i have always refunded no questions asked its not an issue for me, but being told I misrepresented the beads by a person that really doesn't have any knowledge of what they are buying really annoys me.
Wayne

Guess we just have to blow it off and carry on....

The person agreed to an opinion from Ruth and Ruth was kind enough to reply to an email I sent her about these beads referencing this thread.

I sent the person the response and links to this board and discussion.
I asked them to join our community and be part of the learning we all share here.
I decided to refund the person the cost of the beads and asked them to keep them as a gift and use them to learn from.
Thank you for letting me vent and I apologize if I rubbed anyone the wrong way.
Wayne

...happy ending stories...:)

What a beautiful piece that is, and an inspired display. Thanks for sharing.

Wayne, I didn't see anything that you said that could possibly have rubbed anyone the wrong way. Your beads looked beautiful & historical & exactly as you described them. For what it's worth, & I know you don't need to hear anymore on this, I certainly understand why that would be frustrating. I get upset when I search on Ebay & see so many items that are allowed to be sold under false pretenses. Anyone who knows you or sees your postings or photos of your collection is aware of your knowledge & integrity. Don't let the occasional person ever make you think otherwise! Just my 2 cents. Lynne