Hi Jeff,

To answer a few of your points,

Yes I concede that my tongue may have been slightly in my cheek with this argument but I do feel that to use the funds to improve a vintage Heuer is a benefit - though perhaps an intangible one. I could have argued, as you suggested, that I am "...a Heuer collector, and that if we delete your message, you will be upset, and might not be as excited about future postings here, to our detriment, as a community" but this looks a bit like blackmail and - not being devious by nature - it hadn't occurred to me, so well done you! As for your suggestions regarding offering free shipping, other discounts, and ending the auction early I feel they have some merit. However, having started my auction already and having had several bids I feel it would be unethical to change the nature of the auction and grossly unfair of me to end the auction early (despite being within ebay rules).

The 2 pound bag of M&M's suggestion is a poor one as American friends assure me that the M&M's available in the U.K. are not a patch on the U.S. ones.

I'm sure it is great when Heuer collectors are flush with cash - as the owner of a Victorian house with a passion for old timepieces I can only look upon them with envy!

I was unaware when I posted the contentious link that I was in contravention of forum rules. I fully appreciate the time and fair-mindedness that both you and Chuck have given to this posting. As someone who enjoys the work that you both do on this forum and in the wider watch collecting world I, of course, will acquiesce to your wishes and remove the offending post. I appreciate that it would - as Chuck suggests - be to the detriment of the forum if it were deluged with unmoderated "shilling" for ebay auctions. This site, the wealth of information contained within it, and the vibrancy of the forum are among the reasons that my watch collection has veered toward vintage Heuers. I sincerely hope that I haven't offended any of the site users and that I will be welcome to enjoy the site and to post in the future,

Marc.