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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Well, FWIW, I have made a number of purchases rom Chessler over the years and they all went smoothly. Last purchase was a number of old Ascent magazines ('70, '73) and some very old issues of Mountain (like, #7, #8, #15). Prices were doable and the condition of the mags was as described. He did not seem like an effusively warm individual over the phone -- kind of cranky really -- but tremendously knowledgable. I do recall calling once to inquire about a magazine I needed a replacement for (Mountain #31, with Bridwell's Brave New World article) and he mumbled something about what a hassle it was to deal with magazines, but hey, he had it, I wanted it, and although pricey ($15.00? OMG!! I can buy, like, two drinks at the Monte Vista for that!!) it was well within my comfort zone. I would have paid $25.00.
When dealing in art, antiques, real estate, vintage clothing, obscure 1960's Italian bicycle parts, or rare books of ANY kind (anybody priced a copy of the Sierra Club Exhibit Format series books "Slickrock" or "Everest: The West Ridge" lately? Starlight Books in Flagstaff has a first edition copy of Hemingway's "The Old Man and The Sea". They want $6,000.00, but they'd probably accept a $5,500.00 offer)) prices get really dodgy and subjective. As has been mentioned upthread, it's worth what someone else is willing to pay for it; if nobody wants it, well, put it in the recycle bin.
He offers a product, a service. Is he the only game in town? No. Is he generally convenient? Yes. If you want to buy a particular book or periodical, shop around.
Now, if you want signed copies of books, the whole thing gets wierder. For example, Chessler has several 1st edition copies of Downward Bound. One, unsigned, is $50.00. Fair enough. Another was, like $250.00. WTF. So I check that one out and it's been signed by 6 or 7 people. I was like, hell, I know half these guys and I've seen the others at OR a gazillion times. But will I bother carting some of my books around now, and get people to sign them for me. No. Well, maybe yes. It just never occured to me to have strangers sign my books in order to increase their market value. But, I do have books that friends have signed fo me, usually at their insistance, and most of these inscriptions are not fit to print, particularly Sherman's. Another time I had a freind staying at the crib in Flagstaff. While I was not home he went through my entire book and magazine collection and signed all his stuff. Will I ever part with that stuff? Not now, too cherished. But, as a general rule, signed books are worth more. But do I want to pay an extra $200.00 for signatures? No. On the other hand, I watch auction shows on TV and get blown away for what, say, a signed baseball goes for. I guess some people get their hair blown back by that. OK.
In any event, as to the ropes, now that the history and provenance has been clarified, $250.00 sems ordinary and I'm sure they will sell to somebody.
What I really don't get is what in tarnation Chessler thought he was doing wading into our little cesspool here. Guaranteed ridicule. Is he insane?!!
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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You want insane, you should read his PMs.
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YoungGun
climber
North
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^^^^
Piton Ron, post up! Hahaha this thread is the greatest!!
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Oh God Yes Ron. You gotta share. Just a taste. Everybody knows there's no such thing as a "personal" PM, especially if they are unsolicited.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Thirded. Is that a word?
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Ron, spare us. Private messages should be kept that way.
Also, is there any climbing-related manufacturer or retailer that measures up to your personal standards? Whatever its general reputation?
It's easy to criticize him, but Chessler has been in business for decades. That doesn't mean that all customers are satisfied all the time - that only happens in the magical world of SuperTopo. But it suggests that, whatever the anecdotes and tittle tattle, he must be doing something right.
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sandstone conglomerate
climber
sharon conglomerate central
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I picture a mangled keyboard laying in a corner in a jumble of first editions...
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YoungGun
climber
North
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Hmmmmm product is no longer available. Did it sell?!!
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Caveman
climber
Cumberland Plateau
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Item #HW15.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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You are kidding? He pulled it because of this little tempest in a teapot?
Hell, I would've thought the price'd go up.
I'm getting a lot of emails telling me to post the PM. It seems that bookie is perceived as a one percenter.
I should state again, I don't care about the cost of the rope. It is a free market.
It is the other business that grates me. I've raised thousands for Layton and though he has signed some items for me I could never sell them.
(BTW my favorite piece isn't signed it is the home-made baling wire descending ring!)
Sure bookie is entitled to make a profit. He doesn't do it for his health, and if his PM is a hint then the internet has not been good for business (no surprise there).
But some people are just special and it is bad juju to exploit their naivete.
Whether or not that is the case comes down to the true "market value" of his signature. Chessler paid under $10.
I have seen plenty who pay $50, and a few substantially more.
If he is smart he won't protest those values too loudly since he is already holding the goods.
But,.......................... (wait for it),............................ I could be wrong. lol
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Hawkeye
climber
State of Mine
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would this be a good time for me to advertise some old books autgraphed by fattrad to support repuglicans?
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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I've still got that signed first-edition copy of Patey's "One Man's Mountains" if anyone wants it.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Didn't One Man's Mountains come out posthumously?
Quite a trick getting it signed,....
EDIT must have been a ghost writer
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Didn't One Man's Mountains come out posthumously?
Quite a trick getting it signed,....
Heh. Can't believe that slid by the first time.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Thats not how you say camel toe in latin.
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Jennie
Trad climber
Elk Creek, Idaho
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Mr Chessler, thank you for your service to the climbing community.
S.T forum initiates new posters with harassment, abuse, and humiliation…a sure testament of love and appreciation.
Actually, your initiation was much milder than Daria or Andree Hussar’s.
Forum hazing occurs to facilitate strong loyalty to the group. Believe me, sir, this hostility and inhumanity is done to facilitate community and group cohesiveness…and it leads to stronger group commitment and the re-enforcement of in-group biases…and limit outside relationships that you may have formed with other human beings . . .
Forum hazing is cut and abrasion free…although some complain of bruising of the soul. (One member, here, complained of nearly choking to death on her own vomit)
Thank you for your patience and Welcome to S.T. !
Incidently, can you find me an autographed copy of Thick Skin, Flame Proof Suiting and Internet Armor by Lois E. Brenneman?
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Nice one, Jennie - spot on sociology.
While Michael is at it, I was hoping for a copy of:
Thick Skin, Flame Proof Suiting and Internet Armor, Volume 2: Boneheadedness by Lois E. Brenneman The subtitle is "Real Life Experiences From the Front Line of the Internet Forum Wars".
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Incidently, can you find me an autographed copy of Thick Skin, Flame Proof Suiting and Internet Armor by Lois E. Brenneman?
BWAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!1111!
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