mobius981
Member
Well helpful peoples, I thought I would update you on my outcome, thereby honoring the good and kind advice I have received here.
It is a pretty good story.
I did decide on an M3. In fact, i purchased an M3, 1,1xx,xxx serial number, from Ebay. Paid a decent price too. It looked pretty good etc. Recent CLA etc. Ah well.
I get the thing (after that nominal wait, ya know) and opened the box and there was a HORRIBLE ding just on the side below the rewind knob. Not in any of the pics of course, or description. I was just devastated.
i contacted the seller (thinking I had been taken advantage of ...and maybe I had) and took pics of the open box, as it was NOT damaged in shipping, and we worked it out, I sent it back and was refunded.
Now, I do buy quite a few things off Ebay but this here was a high-dollar item, sir. Left a mighty bad taste in my mouth. Not had this level of problem before. Seller: Oh, I never saw anything like that... Me: How could you miss it, you xxxxxx.
Anyway, money refunded ( at least there is some protection between Ebay and Paypal). Now don't give me a hard time about this, it was not my error, and I was doing my level best.
So I had some time to think. And think, cause I still wanted that dang M3. Here is where the story gets good.
So more research, with a lot less trust. I thought, who would be trustworthy? I was also aware that whatever I bought would need a CLA regardless. So I was researching CLA folks, you know, the usual suspects. Thinking, dang it, it will be ANOTHER two months before I can get my lily-white paws on the camera even after I BUY it from SOMEONE. So this has been going on since early January.
Well, this CLA research led me to Sherry Krauter's site. Are you kidding me? She has M3s for sale for in fact less than what I paid on Ebay. OMG. Alright, I was able to get ahold of her through email and we completed the deal right there. Then I sent her an email mentioning this prized M3 (I mean they are not making them anymore) was on my bucket list, cause they aren't making any more of ME either. So you know what this very kind-hearted woman did? She had just received a sudden infusion of M3s and picked out the prettiest nicest, highest number SS undented cosmetically gorgeous baby for me, AND CLA'd it for me on top of everything else. 1962, thank you VERY much!
Did it take a little longer? Yep. Mid-March-ish. Did she charge me more for what was likely a nicer M3 than she originally was selling? Nope. Was it worth the wait? Are you kidding me? And the bonus factor: Ms. Krauter and I had the opportunity to speak on the phone a coupla times and got to know each other.
So not only do I have an M3 now, beautiful, CLA'd OMG OMG, but I have also made a new friend and mentor. I mean, we just got along.
So many thanks to all of you for your guidance, and in thanks I submit this (to me) pretty incredible story for your viewing pleasure.
Next Stop: Paris, end of April. 17 days. With my best friend who has never been to Europe, so I get to show her Paris. Doesn't get too much better....
It is a pretty good story.
I did decide on an M3. In fact, i purchased an M3, 1,1xx,xxx serial number, from Ebay. Paid a decent price too. It looked pretty good etc. Recent CLA etc. Ah well.
I get the thing (after that nominal wait, ya know) and opened the box and there was a HORRIBLE ding just on the side below the rewind knob. Not in any of the pics of course, or description. I was just devastated.
i contacted the seller (thinking I had been taken advantage of ...and maybe I had) and took pics of the open box, as it was NOT damaged in shipping, and we worked it out, I sent it back and was refunded.
Now, I do buy quite a few things off Ebay but this here was a high-dollar item, sir. Left a mighty bad taste in my mouth. Not had this level of problem before. Seller: Oh, I never saw anything like that... Me: How could you miss it, you xxxxxx.
Anyway, money refunded ( at least there is some protection between Ebay and Paypal). Now don't give me a hard time about this, it was not my error, and I was doing my level best.
So I had some time to think. And think, cause I still wanted that dang M3. Here is where the story gets good.
So more research, with a lot less trust. I thought, who would be trustworthy? I was also aware that whatever I bought would need a CLA regardless. So I was researching CLA folks, you know, the usual suspects. Thinking, dang it, it will be ANOTHER two months before I can get my lily-white paws on the camera even after I BUY it from SOMEONE. So this has been going on since early January.
Well, this CLA research led me to Sherry Krauter's site. Are you kidding me? She has M3s for sale for in fact less than what I paid on Ebay. OMG. Alright, I was able to get ahold of her through email and we completed the deal right there. Then I sent her an email mentioning this prized M3 (I mean they are not making them anymore) was on my bucket list, cause they aren't making any more of ME either. So you know what this very kind-hearted woman did? She had just received a sudden infusion of M3s and picked out the prettiest nicest, highest number SS undented cosmetically gorgeous baby for me, AND CLA'd it for me on top of everything else. 1962, thank you VERY much!
Did it take a little longer? Yep. Mid-March-ish. Did she charge me more for what was likely a nicer M3 than she originally was selling? Nope. Was it worth the wait? Are you kidding me? And the bonus factor: Ms. Krauter and I had the opportunity to speak on the phone a coupla times and got to know each other.
So not only do I have an M3 now, beautiful, CLA'd OMG OMG, but I have also made a new friend and mentor. I mean, we just got along.
So many thanks to all of you for your guidance, and in thanks I submit this (to me) pretty incredible story for your viewing pleasure.
Next Stop: Paris, end of April. 17 days. With my best friend who has never been to Europe, so I get to show her Paris. Doesn't get too much better....
BillBingham2
Registered User
Congrats on the great ending. Please keep us in the loop as how you like your new best friend.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
zauhar
Veteran
Wonderful story!
Sherry is clearly one of the very best, but she gets mixed reviews here - I think it's because she doesn't like some people.
But she likes YOU, which is all that matters. Won't surprise me if the M3 is the best purchase you ever made.
Hope you have a great time in Paris..
Randy
Sherry is clearly one of the very best, but she gets mixed reviews here - I think it's because she doesn't like some people.
But she likes YOU, which is all that matters. Won't surprise me if the M3 is the best purchase you ever made.
Hope you have a great time in Paris..
Randy