There will always be sellers whose morning prayers must begin with "Hail, caveat emptor, and let gold flow from them unto me, Amen."

It's very obvious you are not one of them, Melina!

(I'm not a smoker - never have been - and I don't collect pipes, but your listings are so enticing with the rich glow of those pipebowls and the shape and look of each lovingly photographed item, and the meticulous detail included, that I honestly found myself thinking, "I could just collect these for the look of them...")

It's true that as buyers we have a responsibility to have due care before we buy, and I suppose sellers whose only purpose is to receive payment for items can make items available without pointing out flaws or problems... but it's certainly not a way of selling that I find admirable. There are certainly businesses or people from whom I will never purchase again, or do business with again. I don't go out of my way to badmouth a business, but if I'm asked to recommend a particular business or seller, I will be candid about my experience. I mostly have good experiences, though, because I do my research before buying, and because it doesn't pay to be penny wise and pound foolish!