Author: Joseph

Be cautious when anyone tells you what you need or have to do...

Dunhill Rollalite Petrol Lighter: An Elegant, Reliable Classic

The Dunhill Rollalite petrol lighter has some advantages over your typical vintage cigarette lighter.

Historical Background

The iconic Dunhill name has a reputation for quality, well-made cigarette lighters and other smoking implements. The company’s origin can be traced to Alfred Dunhill opening his first tobacco shop in London in 1907. Over time, Dunhill was responsible for some of the finest petrol, as well as butane lighters in vogue with discerning smokers the world over. Continue reading “Dunhill Rollalite Petrol Lighter: An Elegant, Reliable Classic”

Key Principles to Ebay Success: Quality, Simplicity, Reliability

Good products, a pleasant customer experience and reliable service are foundational to Ebay success.

Common Sense Goes A Long Way

I used to spend a lot of time on Facebook group pages dedicated to selling on Ebay. While I enjoy what I do immensely, this whole thing developed out of necessity and I didn’t have any choice but to adapt quickly and try to find any advantage I could to ensure success.

There were a good number of people in those groups dispensing sage advice or helpful information on Ebay policy updates. Some folks found themselves in predicaments hitherto unknown and were asking sincere questions of more experienced sellers, who were often there to point them in the right direction and make their day a little easier. Continue reading “Key Principles to Ebay Success: Quality, Simplicity, Reliability”

The Great Ebay Feedback Debate: Should Ebay Sellers Leave Feedback for Buyers?

Some sellers withhold feedback until they’ve received feedback from their buyer. This is horrible business policy.

This Is Not the Playground

Spend much time in FaceBook groups or message boards where Ebay sellers congregate these days and you’re bound to find a post where someone is complaining Continue reading “The Great Ebay Feedback Debate: Should Ebay Sellers Leave Feedback for Buyers?”

Beattie Jet Lighter Instructions: How to Choose and Operate

An elementary understanding of selection, function and maintenance of the Beattie Jet Lighter.

What Makes the Beattie Jet Different from Other Lighters?

Beattie Jet Leather Desk Lighter

If you use disposable lighters, first you should be ashamed of yourself(I explain why here.) Second, the butane/valve design of your typical disposable will generally push the flame sufficient to allow it to be sucked down the pipe. But if you use a petrol lighter to light your cigarettes then chances are you have a separate(probably butane) lighter handy to light your pipes. Continue reading “Beattie Jet Lighter Instructions: How to Choose and Operate”

Opioid Addiction and Alcoholism Vs the Pothead Problem

Everyone seems to agree, we have a problem in American society
with opioids. Statistics should warrant the same concern over alcoholism. Yet, the government continues to treat cannabis with the same lies and tired fairy-tale arguments that have kept so many in the dark on this issue for so long. Marijuana was never the problem but it might very well be the answer for many. Continue reading “Opioid Addiction and Alcoholism Vs the Pothead Problem”

Vintage Lighter Repair and Service: Wick/Flint Basics

A basic understanding of flint/wick lighters.

This article was prompted by an EBay customer who wanted a refund on the 1930s era brass/glass lighter they purchased because they didn’t believe it was in “working order” when they unwrapped it and it would not light. They hadn’t considered you had to put fuel in it.)

Flip-Top Petrol “Zippo” Type Lighters19502 General Electric Zippo

I’m writing this article from the standpoint of service on and repair of your basic flip-top Zippo/Ronsonol fuel(naphtha) petrol type lighters. I don’t have any complaint with Zippo, I love them. I am however, currently infatuated with Champ Austria, mainly because of the flip-up wind cage design. The same elementary mechanics are employed in most vintage lighter repair and service projects. If you can manage to work a screwdriver and Continue reading “Vintage Lighter Repair and Service: Wick/Flint Basics”

Selling Vintage Lighters on Ebay: The Coolest I’ve Ever Seen

My first Beattie Jet Lighter will not be my last.

Back in the Day

Beattie Jet Lighter

I remember when I was a kid my dad telling me stories about the things he did during his time in the U.S. Army. These stories always had elements of difficulty: drinking ones own piss out of a boot, cross-country skiing , field stripping your service weapon blindfolded.

Now, he didn’t do all those things himself but if he didn’t do it he saw someone do it and while these things are all challenging, he told the stories with so much fondness and detail that I knew these Continue reading “Selling Vintage Lighters on Ebay: The Coolest I’ve Ever Seen”