TOPIC: Good luck? Bad luck? Fate?

Luck, fate, dessssstiny? <br /><br />I am a modest collector of Lord of the Rings swords with a total of 3. So, I open my email last night and what do I find, but a note from a supplier that I had attempted to order some items from back in early December. In a nutshell, the sales with that company did not go so well as first they had incorrectly updated site info, then a stock issue, and then a misship after cancelling what I had placed, etc. However, they were always cordial and communicative and things worked out. (I also purchased my items from a different store.)<br /><br />So I open the email and see this...<br /><br />"Hey there Stuart! We had cancelled your order for the High Elven Sword.  But, for some reason, the shipping company still sent it out. Once it arrives, all you need to do is refuse delivery.  It was shipped via UPS. I’m very sorry for the inconvenience.  I didn’t charge anything to your account."<br /><br />Again, the order that was cancelled back in, oh, early December due to none being in stock! Needless to say, my initial reaction was to roll my eyes and wonder how this company has stayed in business if I'm any representation of their typical customer. Then I suddenly realized what they had shipped me... an item I had long since written off as to never enter my collection.<br /><br />And... and now I had a valid excuse for my wife when it shows up at the door tomorrow!<br />    "It wasn't MY fault honey, they shipped it to me by accident! I didn't order it."<br /><br />Some things you just can't mess with. Fate has played her hand and I am not one to mess with it. It was dessssstiny. <br /><br /> =D  <br /><br />

Wow. Sucks to be you, eh?

lol sounds like a fun time for you.

So, if the order was cancelled and they sent it anyway, is it your responsibility to refuse something that was mistakenly sent to you for free?  Should you have to pay for a mistake?  So many questions...<br /><br />Hmmm...<br /><br />The world may never know...

<br />So, if the order was cancelled and they sent it anyway, is it your responsibility to refuse something that was mistakenly sent to you for free?  Should you have to pay for a mistake?  So many questions...<br /><br />Hmmm...<br /><br />The world may never know...<br />

<br /><br />One, ah twooo, thrrrreeee. Three.<br /><br />Well IF I keep the sword (who am I kidding, there will be no IF) I'll offer to pay them for it. I don't want to tempt Fate too much.  :|<br />

Too bad they sent it via UPS -- if it was via USPS you could keep it:<br /><br /> www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/merch.htm <br /> <br />"A company sends you a gift in the mail--a ball point pen, a key chain, a tie. But you didn't order it. What do you do? If you are the type of person this company is looking for, you may feel guilty about accepting the item without paying for it. Don't feel guilty! It's yours, and you are under no obligation to pay anything."

The post regulation was created because, there was a problem (many years ago) of people sending unordered merchandise to people and trying to get them to pay for it.  <br /><br />I am not sure what the law says about other shipping companies.  <br /><br />I called my UPS rep and she said that if I send an item to the wrong address, UPS will request that the person return it but they cant take any legal steps about recovering it.<br /><br />From an ethical standpoint, I would accept the sword and then offer to pay.  You ordered it, they (eventually) shipped it, seems to me you got what you ordered.    <br /><br />

It arrived today.  =D<br /><br />It is big. It is beautiful. Though I have to admit, there is also just a tinge of disappointment. The craftsmanship is not quite as nice as the others in my modest collection. Most notably, the long handle is a die-cast metal with bronze plating for the relief. While it looks nice from short distance, up close you notice it. Plus it doesn't quite feel right. It is too bad they weren't able to put on a wood handle like is suppose to resemble.

What???<br />No pictures???  =D

<br />It arrived today.  =D<br /><br />It is big. It is beautiful. Though I have to admit, there is also just a tinge of disappointment. The craftsmanship is not quite as nice as the others in my modest collection. Most notably, the long handle is a die-cast metal with bronze plating for the relief. While it looks nice from short distance, up close you notice it. Plus it doesn't quite feel right. It is too bad they weren't able to put on a wood handle like is suppose to resemble.<br />

<br /><br />Have you looked at how hard it would be to replace the handle with a carved wooden one?  If you are interested, you will have to bring it to one of the Indy builds and I can size it up for a refit.  (Don't panic Jeff, it will be after I get the TD stuff done).  I can carve one for you out of some exotic wood (your choice).  That is of course unless you plan on doing the replacement yourself.  Or are even interested in replacing the handle as it might ruin it's value.<br /><br />Dave

<br /><br />Have you looked at how hard it would be to replace the handle with a carved wooden one?  If you are interested, you will have to bring it to one of the Indy builds and I can size it up for a refit.  (Don't panic Jeff, it will be after I get the TD stuff done).  I can carve one for you out of some exotic wood (your choice).  That is of course unless you plan on doing the replacement yourself.  Or are even interested in replacing the handle as it might ruin it's value.<br /><br />Dave<br />

<br /><br />Hey that's quite an idea! I know I wouldn't be able to do either the carving or replacement myself. Honestly, I hadn't thought too much about it. I wonder what it would do to its value?<br /><br />I'll ponder it. We can chat about it more during a build day.<br /><br />

<br />What??? No pictures???  =D<br />

<br /><br />I'll try to get some up soon. I haven't had a chance to hang it up yet.  =D

You know I am a collector of LOTR too.  Is is it a United Cutlery official.  If you need to hide it for a while, you can send it here to sit with my high elven helm for a while.  Where did you order it if I might ask?  Do you have the shield.  I'm looking to get that next, but I can't figure where to hide if from Mrs. Widseth until I break her into the idea gently.  <br /><br />Widseth