Ron S

Well, this is the closest smiley we have to Phillies red. Unless we borrow THIS guy from another jazz BB.

huh? I didn't know they did that. On Amazon, they have to ship (and charge shipping) for each item separately. This is from Amazon: "Your shipping fees when buying items at Amazon Marketplace are fixed according to the type of product you purchase. Rates are based on shipping a single item. Purchasing multiple items results in multiple shipping charges--there are no 'per shipment' and 'per item' charges, as there are when you buy directly from Amazon.com." You can see the complete page of Amazon Marketplace shipping policies and rates here. Actually, I've had some problems with other Amazon Marketplace merchants not having something in stock that they're listed as having, and not being notified it's on backorder until I inquire. Other merchants have blamed Amazon's system for this. I think at least some of the complaints about Caiman (e.g., separate shipping of multiple items, charging credit cards immediately and not at time of shipment) are more problems with Amazon's Marketplace system, and not with individual merchants.

WHEW! That's a relief!

(notice that the smiley guy is EAGLES GREEN)

You really like to rub it in, don't you (about the Eagles, I mean)??? Actually, I was hoping you'd hang on to that gift card, so we could use it to bet on next year's Super Bowl.

For all who are interested (including that New England Patriot Lover tranemonk), Caiman's order-tracking site is now showing that my Tal Farlow European Mosaic set shipped today.

FWIW, I just ordered the Tal Farlow European Mosaic from Caiman on Friday for $50.58 including delivery, and this afternoon (Monday) their order-tracking site is showing that it shipped today. So add this one to the plus column for Caiman.

I came home today and much to my surprise found a package from Mosaic on my front steps. A surprise gift from my Dad. I will be checking this one out very shortly. Excellent! Let us know what you think--I've already posted my comments on a thread devoted to this set.

No, they're CD-jewel-box size.

#5 Paul Chambers is now selling for $36.53 with free shipping, and is listed as in stock. Paul Chambers Select at VH1

Guess what I just read!!! Miho Hatori is the supposedly the illegitimate daughter of Sun Ra(!). (Source) She was also born on Venus (or so she claims, same source as above). Another pic of Miho: Probably another case of immaculate conception. Gee, I dunno--Venus is a hell of a long way from Saturn. Think she's making it up?

And you'll probably notice that in the "used" listing it's under the subcategory of "like new," and the description says it's BRAND NEW. Fact is, my understanding is they don't sell used stuff, but they'll occasionally list a brand-new item under the "like new" subcategory of "used." There's not doubt their inventory system sucks. But they appear to be honest and won't rip you off. You just have to be prepared to deal with occasional glitches in their stock listings.

Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions, Disc 3 (Has anyone else gotten this yet?)

Well, it doesn't make up for last night. But it helps in terms of the Mosaic budget. Thanks.

Now THAT sounds like a PLAN!

Amazon charges the credit card at time of purchase and transfers funds to the Marketplace seller (probably taking its cut). So refunds are processed by the seller through Amazon. I also agree that the shoddy inventory-control system is lame, and have expressed that repeatedly in Caiman feedback on Amazon. But now knowing about it through lots of experience with Caiman, I still place orders with them (when their price is right) with the understanding that I may cancel it if they don't ship within a few days--they're always good for an immediate refund.

Maybe you should try posting something other than photos of the Invisible Man.

I've ordered a lot of things from them. I've found that their stock information isn't always accurate or up-to-date. When they have something, it is shipped very quickly and is brand-new. Occasionally, if an item doesn't ship quickly (the Amazon Marketplace sellers are supposed to ship within 2 business days), I'll get impatient and email them, and often will cancel the order. They're usually very quick about processing a refund. They're also good about returns of defective CD's. I received one and emailed them, and immediately received a response with a link to a COD return label. I had to inquire by email a couple of weeks after I sent it back, but they did then send me a new one. You can get to any Amazon Marketplace seller's listing page for an item through a rather circuitous route, and I try to check Caiman's before I order to see if they list more than 1 of something in stock (they often have more than one listing of something at different prices, I think because of their inefficient stock control system). My impression from many dealings with them, and from reading lots of feedback about them, is that they don't intentionally try to mislead about stock availability. I think their stock control system just isn't the most efficient, and leads to occasional situations where they don't have in stock something they've listed on Amazon. But I've never found them to be unresponsive to inquiries or requests for refunds. And about the "sealed" issue: everything I get from them appears to be brand-new (I'm very particular about that and inspect all CD's and cases/inserts thoroughly). Once or twice I've gotten an import from them that, although appearing to be brand new, was not "sealed" (i.e., wrapped in plastic). I inquired about it, and they stated that imports often do not come wrapped. I've seen this stated in several other places and by other merchants, and have no reason to doubt it. As I said, it's only happened once or twice with Caiman, out of tens of purchases, and as I recall the last time it happened the CD was a European Blue Note which appeared in all other ways to be brand spankin' new.

Now you guys have MY interest peaked. I didn't have this set on my Mosic radar screen, but it seems to be near the top of a lot of people's lists. The current issues I've been thinking about (but won't necessariy buy) are (in no particular order) Johnson, Eldridge, Stitt, Hodges, Herman Columbia, Roach, and Parlan. I already have Mulligan, Farmer/Golson/Jazztet, Byrd/Adams, Columbia Small Group Swing, and I have on order Mobley and Farlow (as anyone who reads the Mosaic threads knows ). Any input would be welcome. And tranemonk, I don't mean to hijack one of your threads (again ), but maybe this will be of help to you, also? Wait, what do I care what helps YOU--we were supposed to have a victory parade here tomorrow, and instead it'll be in BOSTON.

Congrats to you and your Beantown buds, tranemonk. Wow, what a year for you guys, between the Pats and the Sox. Yeah, like every other Eagles fan, I was screaming at the TV when they kept breaking for huddles towards the end. Maybe Andy Reid didn't want things moving too quickly in light of McNabb's 2 previous interceptions. It obviously didn't help, since he then threw interception number 3. The Eagles have brought us sooooooooo close for the last four years--one step closer this year--but still no Promised Land. Oh well. As they're saying around here now, NEXT YEAR IN DETROIT! [We now return you to the Gerald Wilson thread already in progress]

The Gods of Photoshop

See ya there.

On nights like that you gotta make your own good music. Well....., if you put it like that, the night was a complete success. B-)

On nights like that you gotta make your own good music.

Hopefully? I just never ordered from them before... I've done other Amazon merchants and its' always been fine... so I'm sure this will be great... thanks for the tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll take care of you--I know where the federal courthouse is in Miami and if Caiman doesn't come through, we'll sue 'em!