George
March 11th, 2015, 02:41 PM
A few months ago, I was on a different internet discussion forum about one of my hobbies. It wasn't about guitars, but let's say it was, just so I can tell the tale.
I saw a thread about a type of effects pedal that I'm generally interested in, and I was unaware of the particular model being discussed. It's a thing that makes an electric guitar sound differently than it usually does when you step on a foot pedal plugged in betwen the guitar and the amplifier. I read the thread with everyone saying, "Hey, dig this cool thing. It's great!" and "I've had mine for years and couldn't imagine life without it" and all the usual internet superlatives.
I followed a link to the manufacturer's website and immediately could see this was something that I would love to own and would definitely get some use out of. Yet, it is far from being a necessity in my life. It would just be a nice luxury item to own and use whenever I wanted to.
I also really liked the website. In the "about us" section of the site, the guy explained he has been in the guitar effects pedal industry for years before starting his one-man company and that he personally builds every effects pedal himself. He went on to say he and his wife live in a very cool place - a place I've visited and really enjoyed - and I thought, "wow, this guy has it made!"
So I posted something like, "Hey, that thing looks great. That's the one for me, if I ever were to buy something like that. And it's nice to see a guy start his own business that looks to be successful and live where he wants to live. Good for him!"
Those are not the words I used, so don't bother googling. The reason I don't want to identify this individual will be come obvious as I continue.
That was a few months ago and long forgotten, until today, when I signed into that forum again and saw I had a Private Message from yesterday. It was from the guy who builds the effects pedal I had admired. He said quoted my reply about his effects pedal and said something like this:
"I just saw your message. Thank you for your kind words. Do you own one of my effects pedals already? If not, I'm happy to send you one for free. Either way, thanks again!"
Wow.
The italics in that quote are mine, to point out that he said he would be happy! I did something nice for someone a while back that I'm still grinning about and maybe this guy would feel just as good as I do by doing a kindness for someone. I can't deny this man happiness, can I? Can I? :lol:
My first thought was, "YES! I WILL TAKE ONE! HERE'S MY ADDRESS! CAN YOU SEND IT OUT TODAY?!!!1!"
But then I got to thinking. This guy is a one-man business. He builds these things to sell and make a profit. Why would he give one to me? He knows NOTHING about me. It's not a forum like this where many of us know each other pretty well. I'm just one of thousands at this site and don't post very often. He's probably the same way. He's not a paid advertiser, just a forum member with a low post count, like me.
I could see it if I were a guitar shop owner and a potential dealer for his effects pedal. But I'm not. Of course I don't think the guy is trying to scam me or anything. He's just being a super-nice guy, apparently. But I don't think I'd feel right accepting this gift. And, he'd have to pay to ship it to me. I live a few states away.
Maybe this goes back to one of my first real jobs and a very important mentor in my life once explaining, "You never give away what you're in business to sell."
I think I'd almost not enjoy the product knowing how I obtained it.
Am I nuts to refuse this incredibly kind offer?
I saw a thread about a type of effects pedal that I'm generally interested in, and I was unaware of the particular model being discussed. It's a thing that makes an electric guitar sound differently than it usually does when you step on a foot pedal plugged in betwen the guitar and the amplifier. I read the thread with everyone saying, "Hey, dig this cool thing. It's great!" and "I've had mine for years and couldn't imagine life without it" and all the usual internet superlatives.
I followed a link to the manufacturer's website and immediately could see this was something that I would love to own and would definitely get some use out of. Yet, it is far from being a necessity in my life. It would just be a nice luxury item to own and use whenever I wanted to.
I also really liked the website. In the "about us" section of the site, the guy explained he has been in the guitar effects pedal industry for years before starting his one-man company and that he personally builds every effects pedal himself. He went on to say he and his wife live in a very cool place - a place I've visited and really enjoyed - and I thought, "wow, this guy has it made!"
So I posted something like, "Hey, that thing looks great. That's the one for me, if I ever were to buy something like that. And it's nice to see a guy start his own business that looks to be successful and live where he wants to live. Good for him!"
Those are not the words I used, so don't bother googling. The reason I don't want to identify this individual will be come obvious as I continue.
That was a few months ago and long forgotten, until today, when I signed into that forum again and saw I had a Private Message from yesterday. It was from the guy who builds the effects pedal I had admired. He said quoted my reply about his effects pedal and said something like this:
"I just saw your message. Thank you for your kind words. Do you own one of my effects pedals already? If not, I'm happy to send you one for free. Either way, thanks again!"
Wow.
The italics in that quote are mine, to point out that he said he would be happy! I did something nice for someone a while back that I'm still grinning about and maybe this guy would feel just as good as I do by doing a kindness for someone. I can't deny this man happiness, can I? Can I? :lol:
My first thought was, "YES! I WILL TAKE ONE! HERE'S MY ADDRESS! CAN YOU SEND IT OUT TODAY?!!!1!"
But then I got to thinking. This guy is a one-man business. He builds these things to sell and make a profit. Why would he give one to me? He knows NOTHING about me. It's not a forum like this where many of us know each other pretty well. I'm just one of thousands at this site and don't post very often. He's probably the same way. He's not a paid advertiser, just a forum member with a low post count, like me.
I could see it if I were a guitar shop owner and a potential dealer for his effects pedal. But I'm not. Of course I don't think the guy is trying to scam me or anything. He's just being a super-nice guy, apparently. But I don't think I'd feel right accepting this gift. And, he'd have to pay to ship it to me. I live a few states away.
Maybe this goes back to one of my first real jobs and a very important mentor in my life once explaining, "You never give away what you're in business to sell."
I think I'd almost not enjoy the product knowing how I obtained it.
Am I nuts to refuse this incredibly kind offer?