more eBay thinking

At this point I'm nearly convinced that the "inaccuracy" the buyer was speaking of was actually something else entirely. Upon investigating, I realized that the description for the product in question contained an industry term which is not incredibly common, but still should set off red flags. I didn't define said term--I don't think I ever have. The photo for the product clearly shows what the term means.

I think what happened is that the buyer had no idea what it meant, and didn't realize what it was, exactly, until they received it, and now has no use for it. So I'm being penalized for their failure to get a term defined.

I've tried to think of an analogy. Here's one that pops into my head:

Say you're looking to buy some silver JFK half-dollars. The only year silver JFKs were made was in 1964, so you bid on a JFK from that year. The description says "clad coinage," and you don't know what that means.

You get it home and realize it looks coppery on the edge. A little research and you realize that it's not silver at all, but a modern mix of copper and zinc and worthless materials called "clad coinage." Useless for your purposes, as it's not a silver JFK at all.

You realize that other sellers have explained "clad coinage" in their descriptions, but not this one, so clearly it's the seller's fault for not defining the term.

FAIL.

*grumbles, and goes to edit listings*

State of the valis union

No reply from eBay customer yet.

Had a wonderful sequence of moments today when all of the assorted bits of daydreaming about my SnuSa fic suddenly came together with a near-audible *snap*. I'm so excited--I wrote it all down when I had moments. It fit together so well that it will be easy to write (I think, at least), and the atmosphere I've been creating in my head is a perfect fit. I love moments like that. I'll flesh out the details tomorrow. I mean, I already started it, but still, this is a great moment that makes me sigh in relief.

Did a bit o' shopping tonight--my very dear friend's birthday is coming up, and I found her a couple gifts which I hope she will rilly rilly like.

So apparently the waaaah from yesterday has been pretty thoroughly banished. hooray!

Cable vs. DSL

One other thing.

My apartment building has always provided free cable. I pay for the cable modem, but I get Comcast basic cable for free.

No longer. They're switching to Broadstar. And they've decided not to offer basic cable for free any longer.

I know nothing about this company. I have to turn in my modem on Thursday, which is the same day that the Broadstar rep will be talking to the people in my building. My worry is that I won't be able to get a cable modem for a week--and I have lots of eBay stuff to do, so this is baaaaaad.

My choices:

*cable modem and basic cable from Broadstar (probably the most expensive solution)

*cable modem, no basic cable

*DSL from AT&T, basic cable from Broadstar

*DSL, no basic cable (cheapest)

I only have a year to go here, but I do enjoy me some basic cable, especially when I'm working. I'm trying to decide what to do. Anyone have any thoughts on Broadstar as a company? I'd be most appreciative to hear them.