Greetings fellow E-Bayer,

I am more of a purchaser then a seller.   Although, I do sell items at times.   I like to look for sports items, thermos' and pretty much anything of interest that comes to mind.  When I purchase an item, I always pay quickly.   My ratings more than back this up.  When I sell an item, I try to get it shipped the following day or within 2 days.

Communication is very important to me.  If a person does not answer my questions, then I will not buy from them.  I will also not buy from someone who has an unusually high number of negative feedbacks.   My big suggestion is read a person's feedback before purchasing from them. 

I also believe that if there is a dispute on an item, it is just childish to leave a negative for someone without at least contacting them to try and resolve the issue.   I have had a few issues with some sellers and simple contact got the problem fixed and I felt much better about leaving them a positive rating after that.  Try working with each other, it goes a long way.

As far as feedback goes, I find it extremely rude not to leave feedback for someone who has left feedback for you.

My policy is this, if you do not leave me feedback, I will withdraw the feedback I left for you.  I do not believe in leaving someone feedback who will not do so for me.  

As far as outside E-Bay, I really like Wine.  Here are some outstanding wines I have had:

1. Ladera Vineyards.   A still relatively unknown hillside vineyard that is Estate Owned.  They produce very cellar worthy wines that are huge wines.   They own their own vineyards, and they do a superb job with their wines.   Their production is small, and I truly believe they are a  Robert Parker 95 point rating away from being a Cult Wine.   They own vineyards in Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder and they are truly one of Napa Valleys biggest hidden gems.  The wines are reasonably priced and drink as good or better then many wines over twice the price they charge.  Winery owners Anne and Pat Stotesbury are two gems of people.  I have met them both several times, and it has been a great pleasure every time.   I believe their wines have 15 to 20+ year cellaring potential, depending on the vintage. They do a great job of combining both new world and old world style of wine.   Get on their mailing list now, before it is too late.    www.laderavineyards.com

2. Trefethen Vineyards.  One of Napa's older wineries, and it is real easy to see why they have lasted so long and will continue to do so.  They make reasonably priced wines that are very cellar worthy.  Trefethen is one winery that is proven to make a wine that can last over 20 years.  They have several events a year for their wine club members.  If you like huge Cabernets that are usually lower in alcohol content, you will like what they make.   The membership and popularity of Trefethen seems to be growing.   Their Res. Cabernets are usually massive and have 20+ year cellaring potential.  The grapes for their Res. Cabs comes from their hillside vineyard.  One thing for sure, one does not need Robert Parker or Wine Spectator to tell you this is great wine.   www.trefethen.com

3. Reverie Vineyards.  Reverie On Diamond Mountain.  They are another small vineyard that is producing great stuff.   They are very reasonably priced and their Cabernet and Special Reserve Cab drink as good as wines twice their cost.  Owner Norman Kiken and son Andrew Kiken are truly great people. I have met both of them several times.  They are estate owned, and own all their vineyards.   They are about to form a waiting list to get on their mailing list.   Word is getting out about them!  Their top end Cabernets have 10 to 15 year cellaring potential.   www.reveriewine.com

4. Silverado Vineyards.   This is a large production winery, but their quality is very good.  Their wines have proven aging capability.   Depending on the vintage their Cabernets can go 10 to 15+ years.  Very reasonably priced and they have many events for club members throughout the year.  Some years, when the believe they have exceptional fruit for their Cabernet, they have a Limited Reserve Cabernet.   It is superb, and one that will hold up at least 15 years if not more.   They own the majority of the vineyards which is real nice! www.silveradovineyards.com

5. Quilceda Creek.  This is a Washington State winery.  Their wines are unreal, and it is made old world style.   Very cellar worthy.  20+ year capability depending on the vintage.   They routinely get mid to high 90 point ratings.  In the April Wine Advocate by Robert Parker,  Quilceda Creek will become the FIRST Washington winery to get a perfect 100 point rating with one of their vintages.  Production is small.    They could easily charge 3 times what they do and people would still buy it.   Right now there is a 3 year waiting list to be able to order their wines.   www.quilcedacreek.com

I am a member of the above 5 wineries, and have no intention of dropping my memberships with any of them.   Give them a try if they are available to you.  All 5 produce what I believe to be truly great and unique wines that seperate themselves from the other wineries.  They craft them in a way that will make you say, wow; now that is different.  And they are soooo good!