Home› A Moving Train

Bad is the new Good

brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,049
edited May 2014 in A Moving Train
Here's how it works: Occasionally I purchase items on-line that I can't find locally (I always shop locally at independents first!) - usually either a book or a record for myself or a customer. It used to be that if I wanted a decent but not necessarily a great copy I would look for an item described as "good" or better. But in recent years I haven't seen a book or record rated good that is what was once truly considered "good". Even "very good" has lost it's meaning. Examples: a jazz record guide was listed as "very good". What arrived was the correct title but it was an ex-library with library stamps, badly frayed wraps and inked underlining and notes. "Very good"? No way. Another example: a record arrives that was listed "very good+/ plays great/ no scratches". The record is covered with dust- so much so that I can feel it rub against the grooves the first time I pull it out of the dirty, frayed inner sleeve in a soiled, slit-seemed outer cover... and the record is indeed scratched. "Very good+"? I don't think so. This happens about 30% to 50% of the time (and more and more frequently) that I make on-line purchases.

There you have it- "good" is the new "bad".

Oh, and this reminds me of another phrase common today: "No kid left behind." Everybody passes and "bad" passes for "good".

Thank you for listening to my little rant. Now I'm going to forget about my latest recent bogus purchase (return shipping at my expense) and have a great rest of the weekend!

I Hope you all do too! :-)
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













Post edited by brianlux on

Comments

  • mattsl1983mattsl1983 Posts: 711
    That's why I never buy anything used online anymore. Got burned once on a record that was "NM" when in it should have been rated "T" for trash. Benefit of the doubt, I bought another used record with a high quality rating... Burned again. Now the only time I buy used records is at the store when I can take them out of the sleeve and look at them.
  • i_lov_iti_lov_it Posts: 4,007
    I agree with you there Brian...If it's Crap they're going to Say yeah it's really Great but also if it actually is Good then they're going to say it's Really Great so typical though and I agree with matts Personally if it's used then I'll only Buy it in Person and not online.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Medium is the new large, too.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    know1 said:

    Medium is the new large, too.

    Based on my last trip to Hardees, small is the new large, medium is the new extra large, and large is a 55 gallon drum of Mt Dew.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,049
    Godfather. said:

    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.

    Thank you, Godfather! That's awesome!

    i_lov_it, I agree- I would much rather shop for records locally in a real (or what they call "brick and mortar") store. Record stores are becoming more scarce. The closest on to where I live that has any kind of selection at all of both CDs and records is almost an hour away.

    I guess my biggest concern here is the falling standards of quality in our society and what we are willing to accept. Good is not really good. So many things are made cheaply and not intended to last very long- as opposed to being made to be durable and long lasting. Any kid putting out minimal effort can "earn" a "B" or "A" grade leaving "above average" or "outstanding" basically meaningless. "Slacker" has become a term almost void of any critical meaning. We (meaning the U.S.) and probably some other countries I cannot speak for are become a third-rate society willing to accept third-rate quality and effort with no thought for the consequences.

    OK- that's my rant for today. I'll still go out there and try to be considerate and kind to all those terrible drivers that make driving to work a hazard. Oh wait- now I'm ranting again-- image

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.

    Thank you, Godfather! That's awesome!

    i_lov_it, I agree- I would much rather shop for records locally in a real (or what they call "brick and mortar") store. Record stores are becoming more scarce. The closest on to where I live that has any kind of selection at all of both CDs and records is almost an hour away.

    I guess my biggest concern here is the falling standards of quality in our society and what we are willing to accept. Good is not really good. So many things are made cheaply and not intended to last very long- as opposed to being made to be durable and long lasting. Any kid putting out minimal effort can "earn" a "B" or "A" grade leaving "above average" or "outstanding" basically meaningless. "Slacker" has become a term almost void of any critical meaning. We (meaning the U.S.) and probably some other countries I cannot speak for are become a third-rate society willing to accept third-rate quality and effort with no thought for the consequences.

    OK- that's my rant for today. I'll still go out there and try to be considerate and kind to all those terrible drivers that make driving to work a hazard. Oh wait- now I'm ranting again-- image

    I have a friend who worked in the record business and told me that a standard vinal album is good for aprox 25 to 30 plays before it looses sound quality and then there is vergin vinal ..you know those albums that you could see thru and usally a color other than black well they those sounded better and lasted longer because they were not made of recycled vinal like your typical black album is, but I have to say I do miss the "snap crackle pop " on an old album.

    Godfather.

  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,049
    Godfather. said:

    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.

    Thank you, Godfather! That's awesome!

    i_lov_it, I agree- I would much rather shop for records locally in a real (or what they call "brick and mortar") store. Record stores are becoming more scarce. The closest on to where I live that has any kind of selection at all of both CDs and records is almost an hour away.

    I guess my biggest concern here is the falling standards of quality in our society and what we are willing to accept. Good is not really good. So many things are made cheaply and not intended to last very long- as opposed to being made to be durable and long lasting. Any kid putting out minimal effort can "earn" a "B" or "A" grade leaving "above average" or "outstanding" basically meaningless. "Slacker" has become a term almost void of any critical meaning. We (meaning the U.S.) and probably some other countries I cannot speak for are become a third-rate society willing to accept third-rate quality and effort with no thought for the consequences.

    OK- that's my rant for today. I'll still go out there and try to be considerate and kind to all those terrible drivers that make driving to work a hazard. Oh wait- now I'm ranting again-- image

    I have a friend who worked in the record business and told me that a standard vinal album is good for aprox 25 to 30 plays before it looses sound quality and then there is vergin vinal ..you know those albums that you could see thru and usally a color other than black well they those sounded better and lasted longer because they were not made of recycled vinal like your typical black album is, but I have to say I do miss the "snap crackle pop " on an old album.

    Godfather.

    I don't mind a little surface noise though I have to admit I prefer a cleaner sounding LP. I use a Spin Clean record cleaning system on all my vinyl and it really improves the sound. Interesting what your friend said about standard vs. virgin vinyl. All records are not created equally, that's for sure!

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,049
    Another example: today I received a horse care book a customer wanted. The description was "Used but looks like new!" It had soiled edges, bent corners and a grease stain on the back. I have to wonder, where do they make new books that look that way? Peculiar.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    Jason P said:

    know1 said:

    Medium is the new large, too.

    Based on my last trip to Hardees, small is the new large, medium is the new extra large, and large is a 55 gallon drum of Mt Dew.
    you guys are right...i used to wear a size large tee and now its a medium..and hardees isnt even as bad as some of the others..who needs a damn liter of cola anyways??
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • mattsl1983mattsl1983 Posts: 711
    rgambs said:

    Jason P said:

    know1 said:

    Medium is the new large, too.

    Based on my last trip to Hardees, small is the new large, medium is the new extra large, and large is a 55 gallon drum of Mt Dew.
    you guys are right...i used to wear a size large tee and now its a medium..and hardees isnt even as bad as some of the others..who needs a damn liter of cola anyways??
    Officer Farva?
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    rgambs said:

    Jason P said:

    know1 said:

    Medium is the new large, too.

    Based on my last trip to Hardees, small is the new large, medium is the new extra large, and large is a 55 gallon drum of Mt Dew.

    you guys are right...i used to wear a size large tee and now its a medium..and hardees isnt even as bad as some of the others..who needs a damn liter of cola anyways??
    I use to wear a L tee also ......but 30 years and good cooking messed that all up, it's my wifes fault hahhahhahhh

    Godfather.

  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    image
  • callencallen Posts: 6,388
    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.

    Thank you, Godfather! That's awesome!

    i_lov_it, I agree- I would much rather shop for records locally in a real (or what they call "brick and mortar") store. Record stores are becoming more scarce. The closest on to where I live that has any kind of selection at all of both CDs and records is almost an hour away.

    I guess my biggest concern here is the falling standards of quality in our society and what we are willing to accept. Good is not really good. So many things are made cheaply and not intended to last very long- as opposed to being made to be durable and long lasting. Any kid putting out minimal effort can "earn" a "B" or "A" grade leaving "above average" or "outstanding" basically meaningless. "Slacker" has become a term almost void of any critical meaning. We (meaning the U.S.) and probably some other countries I cannot speak for are become a third-rate society willing to accept third-rate quality and effort with no thought for the consequences.

    OK- that's my rant for today. I'll still go out there and try to be considerate and kind to all those terrible drivers that make driving to work a hazard. Oh wait- now I'm ranting again-- image

    I have a friend who worked in the record business and told me that a standard vinal album is good for aprox 25 to 30 plays before it looses sound quality and then there is vergin vinal ..you know those albums that you could see thru and usally a color other than black well they those sounded better and lasted longer because they were not made of recycled vinal like your typical black album is, but I have to say I do miss the "snap crackle pop " on an old album.

    Godfather.

    I don't mind a little surface noise though I have to admit I prefer a cleaner sounding LP. I use a Spin Clean record cleaning system on all my vinyl and it really improves the sound. Interesting what your friend said about standard vs. virgin vinyl. All records are not created equally, that's for sure!

    Have Sabbath bloody sabbath and love it due to the static crackle and pops. Think it was that way when I bought it many years ago.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    callen said:

    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    brianlux said:

    Godfather. said:

    Brian I have been collecting records and some other music items sense I was 8 or 9 years old and have about 2000+ records (lp's and a few hundred 45's as well) ranging from Buddy Holy to Pearl Jam but mostly 60's070's and 80's if you are ever again looking for a record I may have it so if you like PM me and maybe I can help you.

    Godfather.

    Thank you, Godfather! That's awesome!

    i_lov_it, I agree- I would much rather shop for records locally in a real (or what they call "brick and mortar") store. Record stores are becoming more scarce. The closest on to where I live that has any kind of selection at all of both CDs and records is almost an hour away.

    I guess my biggest concern here is the falling standards of quality in our society and what we are willing to accept. Good is not really good. So many things are made cheaply and not intended to last very long- as opposed to being made to be durable and long lasting. Any kid putting out minimal effort can "earn" a "B" or "A" grade leaving "above average" or "outstanding" basically meaningless. "Slacker" has become a term almost void of any critical meaning. We (meaning the U.S.) and probably some other countries I cannot speak for are become a third-rate society willing to accept third-rate quality and effort with no thought for the consequences.

    OK- that's my rant for today. I'll still go out there and try to be considerate and kind to all those terrible drivers that make driving to work a hazard. Oh wait- now I'm ranting again-- image

    I have a friend who worked in the record business and told me that a standard vinal album is good for aprox 25 to 30 plays before it looses sound quality and then there is vergin vinal ..you know those albums that you could see thru and usally a color other than black well they those sounded better and lasted longer because they were not made of recycled vinal like your typical black album is, but I have to say I do miss the "snap crackle pop " on an old album.

    Godfather.

    I don't mind a little surface noise though I have to admit I prefer a cleaner sounding LP. I use a Spin Clean record cleaning system on all my vinyl and it really improves the sound. Interesting what your friend said about standard vs. virgin vinyl. All records are not created equally, that's for sure!

    Have Sabbath bloody sabbath and love it due to the static crackle and pops. Think it was that way when I bought it many years ago.
    classic album! And what an album cover!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
Sign In or Register to comment.