Hello. I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read and reply to my original post about this supposed Elliot Welz-painted GG1 shell.
I have remained quiet for so long because I had decided to send the shell back to the seller - even before making the original post - and wanted to let my peers (you all) speak to what they thought about it without any further comment from me. I saw no sense in rattling any cages in case the seller was monitoring this thread and decided to become even more combative.
The seller did refund the purchase 100% and picked up the return shipping but not without taking a few jabs at me by accusing me of "changing my mind" once I received it, and questioning my ability to assess quality. I suppose the changing my mind is true, technically, because once I could clearly see the workmanship, I decided it was not an original Welz and so did change my mind about keeping it. I believe the seller was attempting to make me believe I just had "buyer's remorse" and so was returning it for that reason. In fact, I had a client to whom I had already told I had procured a Welz repaint and would be providing as part of the restoration I was performing on his 2332. It was disappointing to both of us that the shell provided turned out to not be an actual Welz.
Again, I would like to thank everyone for their comments and for reinforcing that I actually do have a solid eye for these things.
Lesson learned: Require better, in-focus, clear pictures prior to bidding. I was lucky this time to only get a few insults. My first bad experience on "that" auction site in over 1000 transactions...
Best,
Stro
