Above and beyond the call

[MikeB]

Awhile back, I sold a very nice Brian Dean mandolin to friend and fellow Cafe Member, Steve Johnson (Sliabstv). Our deal was simple and felt fair and friendly to me.

Steve actually sold that instrument to someone else, then bought it back (or something like that), then finally sold it again, here at the Cafe, I believe. All normal, everyday stuff at Mando Cafe, eh?

Well, what's not so normal and every day was what happened next. I got a letter from Steve, saying he'd sold the instrument for more than he'd paid me for it. I thought this was good news for him, and also for Brian Dean, since apparently his secondary market prices are on the rise (very justifiably, I might add).

Well, here's the remarkable part (and Steve will groan when he reads this...). Steve offered--no, INSISTED--on cutting me in on his luck! He actually sent me a check for a significant portion of what he gained in his final sale!

This deal took place a few weeks ago. I've been marveling at it ever since, and finally decided to post it here. I think such remarkable generosity of spirit (and wallet) should not go uncelebrated. So, first of all, THANKS AGAIN, STEVE!!! You are truly one-of-a-kind!

I also doubt if such a thing would be likely to happen at eBay, or Craigslist...or about anywhere else. And that is due, in large part, to the caliber and quality of this website and the people it attracts. So, thanks also, to Scott T, and to all who contribute to this great, great resource!

[steve V. johnson]

Umm... Thanks, Mike, very kind words.

Some addenda...

Brian Dean's work is just simply brilliant. There's no one out there doing what he is, in sound (my main priority); in design in all aspects- sound, durability, build quality and innovation, including his historic and romantic instruments.

Now, since MikeB has outted me on this, I have to provide the background. Mike tried for -months- to persuade me to let him send me the BD OM.
Just to send it to me, no transaction, just 'Here, I want you to experience this and tell me about it. Play it as long as you like and then tell me what it's about.' To some that may seem ignorant, but Mike is an experienced and articulate player and this was a gesture that is as fine as any in our world of music and instruments. And at that time we had only met by email, via the Cafe, and only a couple months before his offer. I finally relented, and while the BD OM was here, a local friend fell hard for it and asked to buy it. Shortly thereafter, this friend's life took a turn toward the electric, as a rock band he plays with came into a welcome rash of good gigs, and to respond with more electric gear, he began to sell off his acoustic stuff, so I begged him to
let me buy back the BD OM. (I really wasn't done with it and my struggles to get right with it or let it go have been documented here.)

So, eventually I decided to let it go, and I believe that the buyer, who was the first to ask for it during my indecision, is satisfied, and even inspired by the splendid BD OM.

I think what I gave Mike was rent for all that time that I had that wonderful instrument, which he "INSISTED" on sending to me, pretty much out of the blue. Perhaps "rent" is too dry, but ... the return is far more than monetary, tho the money became an expression of it. I think y'all will understand.
It was just right that I send some back

So there, that's the symmetry of it.

As I told Mike, my desire is that folks who were previously strangers meet share music and common interests well and part satisfied, and with two fewer strangers on the planet.

Truly, the Mandolin Cafe plays an essential part in all this, Scott T, his clarity and ethics, and all the folks who share in that. Many, many thanks!

And my deepest and ongoing gratitude to Brian Dean, for sharing his prodigious talents, and to MikeB for being the very definition of a good friend.

stv

[Bob_Blackman]

Great story! You're two exemplary gentlemen.

[woodwizard]

Everything about that is COOL

[mandolooter]

good deal guys!

[Jim Garber]

This is the beauty of this community of interest started back by Scott and a way of feeding his interest and bringing like-minded people together. I think that in addition to wonderful stories like above, there is a genuine interest of the members of this community to display their generosity in other ways as well: sharing information and expertise; helping those of us in need, financial or otherwise; and encouraging each other in whatever endeavors we pursue. That is why I participate. Thanks, again, Scott for making this possible and for everyone else for contributing.

[Dan Eaton]

Sometimes I get pretty burned out by the bickering that can go on in this little community, but this is the sort of thing that keeps me coming back.

This made my day.

Thanks, guys !!

Dan

[Joe F]

Another "Above and Beyond" story:

When the Michael Kelly mandolins first hit the scene a few years back, and were not available from dealers yet (on-line ordering only), a lot of people were wondering what they were like. Dale, a MC regular and dealer who lived in Texas, purchased a MK Elegante and offered to ship it around to anybody who had an interest in trying it. #The only obligation was to pay for shipping it to the next person on the list. #I believe there were 25 or 30 people who had a chance to try it out this way, including me.

Dale hasn't been around here for quite a while, but I felt it was a very generous and trusting thing for him to do.

[cooper4205]

Sometimes I get pretty burned out by the bickering that can go on in this little community
you must not get on many message boards or blogs http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif, this is quite possibly the most civil message board on the 'net; the mods (and most members) seem to be pretty good at nipping stuff in the bud before it gets to out of hand.

[mandopete]

Lotta love in this room!

[Aran]

Here's another one http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

My brother Jacques bought an Eastman 915 from Trevor in the TAMCO shop in Brighton UK a couple of years ago. Anyway Trevor calls me in Ireland a couple of weeks later to find out my brothers address in France as the price of the mandolin had dropped for some reason like exchange rates or something and Trevor wanted to send my brother a cheque for the difference.

I thought that was jolly decent of him.

[Santiago]

Speaks well for cafe classifieds.

[mandopluker]

...this is truly the meaning of priceless. I would hope to achieve what you 2 guys have (and sure others would also).

Thank you so much for sharing that story and I might add in a totally honest and sincere fashion.

[West]

This has scam written all over it.

[Daniel Wheeler]

Lol

[neal]

This has scam written all over it.
Yeah... whaddayou two guys up to anyway... hmmm? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Mark Walker]

Great stories.

I sincerely believe 95% or more of those of us in this little mandolin community fall into a similar moral, ethical, generous, and downright friendly group. #

I've had equally satisfying 'at arm's length' relationships with the likes of Doug Edwards, Ken Ratcliff, Brian Walker (no relation) and others. #

When you consider the 'up and up' folks like Hans Brentrup, Andy Mowry, Skip Kelly, Dan Biemborn, all the moderators, and others too numerous to include, it's easy to see why Scott's site is so successful and why we all suround ourselves with like-minded friends. #

Sure, there's the occasionaly flamer and rude individual, but by and large, they don't last long among us!

Thanks for sharing! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[JeffD]

Several years ago, when I decided to explore the possibilities of online resources for mandolin and music, I joined several forums. This site is the only one I still attend.

[Lee]

I recently sold a Dobro mandolin. I asked around here as to it's vintage. I had the Buyer take a look at the thread with y'all's comments. Sold it as possibly a 1930's. After receiving it the Buyer did his own research, including calling Elderly. They placed it without doubt as a reissue, worth a couple hundred dollars less than what he paid. He gave me a call and I had a rebate check to him in the mail promptly. His 13 year old son loves it.

[steve V. johnson]

The ClosetMandolinPlayer sez, "I sincerely believe 95% or more of those of us in this little mandolin community fall into a similar moral, ethical, generous, and downright friendly group. "

Yep.

Well done, Lee. It's just the right thing. Y'll know.

Thanks to you all.

stv

[mandolirius]

<I recently sold a Dobro mandolin. I asked around here as to it's vintage. I had the Buyer take a look at the thread with y'all's comments. Sold it as possibly a 1930's. After receiving it the Buyer did his own research, including calling Elderly. They placed it without doubt as a reissue, worth a couple hundred dollars less than what he paid. He gave me a call and I had a rebate check to him in the mail promptly. His 13 year old son loves it.>

Nice!