Just saw this thread at the bottom of another I was looking at and after reading through it.... I am compelled to add .2c
Personally I would never buy anything in an on-line auction, sight unseen. I really dislike being disappointed, and that, for me is the first step to disappointment.
But the reason I am compelled is the complaints about the repro signs and the answers / excuses given for those complaints. I see two problems initially and a third as happenstance.
One is that reproduction signs weren't marked as such. The reply being that they were marked as "decorative."
Plain and simple, this is lies of omission and mis-direction for profit. Because some people know the difference and no-one has complained is no justification and hardly an excuse.
We ALL know that if they were marked as such, they wouldn't have brought as much by the very fact that the word reproduction was used. This is offhanded and on the verge of greedy shyster. Its what you can expect at a used car lot from a greasy salesman.
2nd, Having these in an online auction makes it even more suspect.
3rd, Making an excuse that everyone is doing it, not seeing an issue that concerns you as a money collecting seller, and giving an attitude to buyers, potential buyers, and future buyers that everything is "Buyer beware" when dealing with you is... beyond the pale in my estimation of how to sell goods and services.
Im not talking out my ass. I retired early at 45yo. by running my 10 year old business with unfailing integrity. I can even boast that I've had unhappy customers recommend me. I gave away several high dollar jobs for free because of hiccups that appeared. There is NOTHING better than a spotless record and squeaky clean name.
Me seeing this post and being concerned is what proves my point.
Not being a current buyer/seller makes no difference.
I have the means and the bug, that's all seller needs.
But as a potential future buyer/seller, Im now turned off.
A sellers answer should never be an excuse for bad behavior, It is "what can I do to make it better, NOW and next time."
Although I've thought of it, and participated a few times in other auctions, such as buying and selling cars at the Barrett/Jackson Scottsdale auction for several years in the past. If this is all standard practice in the Bike biz, I guess I won't be a buyer or a seller there.