Ian Dewhirst

Hiya Dranny, Well obviously I dislike playing his game which is outrage for the sake of it IMO, but he really had zero reason for trying to bury me. I was actually trying to help the twat 'cos I knew he wanted certain records. But then his blood pressure rose or something and he played straight to form and ended up pissing off people. That's his modus operandi. The clue is in the name. At least he does what it says on the tin. And let's face it, James 'Mildly Annoying' just doesn't have the same ring to it......... Plus he shot himself in the foot if he actually wanted those records. It doesn't really make sense to piss-off the seller if you can avoid it. What could the possible upside be? Ian D

Well, that was my thinking too Dave. I had to tread a very thin line here 'cos I actively encouraged Tim along this route because I thought he could potentially sell to some different customers outside of his normal channels. Plus there's a BIG difference between Anglo American stock and Tim's personal collection so he couldn't go the normal route on his own stuff as he'd feel there was no difference between his personal collection and his regular auction stuff. BIG difference. It had to be worth his while for him to even consider selling something from his own collection 'cos that's 'sacred' in his world. But even a top price won't alter his view if he'd rather keep a record or if has a Deep Soul 'B' side. They're off limits immediately. But that's what Tim's into so fair enough. It's what he's not particularly into that excites me. He has tons of great titles in there that he'll never willingly play by his own choice. So they're wasted on his shelves IMO. So my argument was along the lines of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' and that's happily turned out to be correct. Some very rare records have changed ownership over the last week and that would seriously never have happened without a load of titles being zinged at Tim from left-field including many that were 100% wasted on his shelves! Maybe now they'll be played for a start. Many people kinda guessed anyway. As you say, it's not been a classified secret that Tim whittles down occasionally and I've worked with him for years so it was fairly predictable that it could be him. However he asked that he be kept anonymous and I agreed, painful though it was at times. I'd have been perfectly happy to say I was selling on his behalf but he didn't want that and I respected his wishes. But these things lead to other things and hey presto, someone else comes out of the woodwork and says 'well I have this and this and this' etc and then records get liberated and put to fresh parties. I'm completely up-to-date on all orders to date, all records have been mailed Special Delivery to arrive on Monday morning, so let's get some more requests in before the facility is closed....... Hopefully, when people receive their records we'll start seeing some positivity on what I think is a pretty good service if you really want a record! As I said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Off to bed now. It's been a stressful bloody week! Ian D

Jamesmmmmlet'sseenowmaybemyrealnamemaynotbehipenoughsoI'llchangemynametojamestroubleshakethesceneupabitandliveuptomynamebybeinganarroganttwatwithanoverartedopinionofhimself....... Naturally your figures are completely wrong as the situation is very fluid and changes day by day and even hour by hour. Some deals have been done and the records sent, some deals are pending, some are ongoing and some won't happen at all. Like yours for instance. I don't know what's spawned such hatred. You came to me, requested some wants and I went hell to leather to try and secure 'em for you. I wanted you to get those records believe it or not. You'd already sabataged yourself once with the seller and lo and behold you've just managed to do it again. I'd say you have issues which you need to iron out. For a start, what's with the 'Trouble' thing? Is it a sort of Austin "Danger" Powers gimmick or something? Or is it a mission statement maybe? You play the angry young dickhead role pretty well but you're trying waaaay too hard to be outrageous. Go back to Lesson # 4 and refine it a bit. Ian D

Hi Mike, Yep. Will do. Will be happy to close the thread off in the next week anyway. I guess everyone who I'm dealing with can PM me in future but I've decided that this isn't the main thrust of my life and I need to get on with other stuff anyway. There's currently quite a few pending deals and I'd like to close these before next Friday latest, so I'll nudge everyone for a yes or no in the few days if that's OK. I'm still responding to other PM's so I should be done at my end by close of play today touch wood. Many thanks to everyone who has responded and I hope your enjoy your records! Tim sends his regards to all and says it a shame that his cover was blown as he was looking at things in a whole new light and it gave him the opportunity to re-think about what he wanted to keep and what he didn't mind letting go, so he could deal with things in a more impersonal way and in an objective fashion. A shame as it was throwing up some great discussions. Any last minute requests should be sent a.s.a.p. Will post in Sales for anything else along these lines. And Steve - what's the story on that Lee Charles? Ian D

Well you've got a point there Ken but as I said before, it's not technically straight sales and the wants require an offer with 'em, so it doesn't necessarily fit in Sales & Wants that easily either. I'm perfectly happy if Mike wants to shift it. The question was actually designed so that hopefully someone would happily come on and say I'd pay ? for a copy of ? and that would then result in a zillion replies questioning the worth of something. If anything came from any of the requests then that would be a bonus in a way. Anyway, it'll only be on for another week and then I think I'll kill it and go private anyway. There's plenty of people want records so no harm in asking IMO......... Ian D

I wouldn't if I were you Gareth. His arse is in big demand apparently! Ian D

Tim didn't want that. That's why I said, right at the beginning, that the seller wanted to remain anonymous. This is my very first paragraph:- " I've recently bumped into the mother of all collections from someone who's been quietly beavering away collecting for the last 30 odd years and before anyone asks, no he's not on here or any other forums LOL. This was a guy who would never, ever sell anything previously so once he got something it always stayed in his collection period. When I say he has virtually everything I'm really not kidding. It's the best collection I've ever seen and I've seen quite a few. However, he's now changed his outlook somewhat and has said he'll let certain titles go 'for the right price'. He wants to remain anonymous but has invited me to come to him with specific offers on titles, so I'm throwing it open to anyone on S.S. who may be after a gem that's eluded 'em forever. Now is the chance". I tried to disguise his identity as discreetely as possible. I just don't see how anyone could misinterpret the above. I couldn't say much else without giving an indication of who it was could I? Plenty of people guessed anyway and my answer was the same to all of them, namely, "Tim's perfectly capable of selling his own records". Which he is. It seems that on this scene everybody wants to know everyone else's business but some people prefer to be more discreet and this is the case here. No one else seemed to mind apart from a couple of people that were no doubt cheesed-off that some rare records were being sold without their permission. Ian D

I stated that the seller wanted to remain anonymous Dave. Which part of that is so difficult for people to understand? It's actually nobody else's business if the seller wants to remain anonymous is it? Besides, I consider that anyone who has collected records for 30 + years and spends time listening to them whilst comfortably sitting down in a chair is an armchair collector. Many of us are aren't we? I guess it depends how you define 'armchair collector'. I know thousands of 'em. Sure, I was being oblique but as I explained to people who rang me pumping me for information all the time, THE SELLER WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS! How much clearer could I make it? That was his prerogative and I stuck to my end of the deal. I've just had to give the same guarantee to another guy so this is par for the course for a lot of people at the moment. People have their own reasons for remaining anonymous and this thread is the living proof. I personally don't mind either way. Anyone out there, anonymous or otherwise who fancies moving some records can contact me and if I can help I will. I'd LOVE to get back to someone and say, "Hey, I've found someone who wants to sell the record you're after". It's just happened in fact. It's a handy 'lil service with maybe a 5-10% hit rate but that's better than no hit rate at all. I'd be happy to get a record this way...... Ian D

Well, not my doing Ken. All anyone wanted to do here was try and see if we could fill people's wants in a discreet fashion at the sellers request , which has now been done with plenty of people who are pretty happy that they're now getting stuff they've been after for years. No arms have been twisted. I've sorted about 5 records for people this morning alone, so people are very appreciative. Of course, you always get some prats - something which both Tim and the other seller would prefer to avoid! None of the guys who have actually bought records or requested them are prats (apart from one ) but serious collectors who want to fill gaps in their collections. Strangely enough they're not moaning........... Ian D

In this situation when it's his own collection he didn't want the limelight Steve. He's trying to finish a book and has his hands full with other stuff as well, so this was simply a kind of experiment to sell some records without a big song and dance. Failed miserably on the limelight front but surprisingly successful on the sales front. Ian D

Depends how you look at it Dave. Tim wanted anonymity for his own reasons, not least the fact that he didn't want a zillion calls and a stampede of people bothering him for records he didn't ever intend to sell. But that's out the bag now so I guess it's a moot point. However, he did use to be around when I was a lad (I sold him Duke Browner for £12) and I'd say he's the definitive armchair collector as he likes nothing more than sitting in his armchair listening to Deep Soul. I couldn't reveal who it was because I'd been requested not to and I respected that. Besides, does it particularly matter who the seller is? A rare record is still a rare record whoever owns it surely? But the strange thing is I'm actually also brokering deals for someone else as well, so the bespoke wants list thing is kind of working out for a few people. I just fulfilled another 3 wants this morning from an entirely different collector, who, guess what:- wants to remain anonymous LOL. So now two collections to go at. People still want the records and this is helping 'em find 'em. Normally it'd take an auction to turn up some of these and have tons of people bidding against each other. This way someone offers a price and it's either a yes, no or counter-offer. Simples. Ian D

That's the spirit. What use are the records you don't play much which are sat on a shelf among 1000's of others? They may as well go to a good home and prefeably someone who can use the record more! I spent bloody years trying to prise records out of collections and it could be a frustrating process at times...... It'd be perfect for Discogs really but Disgogs doesn't really do rare Northern. Whereas S.S. is pretty much ideal . Can't think of a better audience really. Ian D

I don't mind Ken. It can go there. It is a different type of thing from a standard sales thing though - it's a kind of bespoke wants list and then possible sales typa thing so it's not an easy fit......... But I am listening to ya mate! Ian D

These are not Anglo American stock, they're his personal collection, so not for sale per se. He's not in a hurry to sell anything from his collection but would consider offers on some titles that he's not too precious about. But he doesn't come on here, so I pitched it to see if anything would come out of it. From his point of view it's not so bad if it comes through a third-party and it saves him spending all his time on the phone arguing about prices LOL. It keeps it impersonal to a degree (or at least it did LOL) and I suspect that's been an attraction. Plus it's not like I have carte-blanche on this! I have to persuade him and cajole him. The amount of stuff he's turned down because he likes the 'B' side is unbelievable! As it happens it's freed up a load of records which otherwise wouldn't have gone anywhere fast! Ian D

Yep, he does have his own list and he does have hundreds of regular buyers. But he doesn't necessarily reach everyone or other different markets. Because I have a lot of discussions with him (I've been wholesaling lots of Anglo-American stock titles for the last few years to mainstream accounts) I always argue that sometimes it's worth going different routes on things to test new avenues. If a sort of 'bespoke wants lists at top prices' option was available in the 70's I'd have leapt on it. It's another opportunity to get someone you might really desperately need and not want to wait 20 years to find. Perfectly reasonable IMO. Most records end up staying on his shelves anyway. But, hey, if someone really wants a record, is prepared to pay the right price and he's not that precious about it then he'll certainly think about it won't he? And he has! Plus don't forget he's getting collections and stuff from Martin all the time so anything could potentially pop up. It's handy if you know who wants what under those circumstances surely? I suspect you'd already know if those had surfaced anywhere Steve but there's plenty of guys who may not be as well plugged-in as your good self and those are the guys who might want a shot at some goodies. This way they have...... I'm happy when people get records they're after! Ian D

Boy he loves this doesn't he? Of course Tim knew. That was the whole point. Tim doesn't come on here precisely for many of the reasons highlighted by this very thread. He probably knows he'll come in for serial abuse so would no doubt prefer to avoid it. Don't blame him. It's not a nice place at times. And no heist, that's not my style. Plenty of people can make their own decisions based on the prices quoted and they have an option to say yes or no. If it was a heist there wouldn't be any options would there? Ian D

Well, if you've had dealings with Tim Brown for over a year now, how come you didn't nail the records in question? You could have had one of the damn records a year ago for a lot less than the record will cost now. How come you didn't snap it up then? You being the master negotiator and all that........ You're not bidding against yourself either. You're bidding against everyone LOL. If anyone else wants those records right now they're for sale to anyone who wants to pay the prices. It's NOT a negotiation. If you wanted the records you should have rung Tim anytime over the last year and BOUGHT 'em. Nothing was stopping you was it? So if anyone out there wants to the two records that James has been dicking around on for the last year, then drop me a PM. The prices are straightforward and very easy to understand. Right now James is a ways off........ And I have a pretty decent job James but I do however always require cash-flow and if I can flog a few records for someone to people who want 'em, then that's fine by me. I've been doing it for the last 40 years so it's not exactly a new thing. There's quite a few people on here that are more than happy with this scenario. They'll have their records in a day or two and then we can ask 'em! Ian D

No Steve. All for real mate, as many people on here will testify. Now I'm beginning to understand why my guy wants to remain anonymous! It's quite a bit of hassle with some people and easy as pie with others, a bit like life really. I think my guy knows this and really doesn't want the 'dicking around' factors and he's not really into negotiating as these are his personal collection and he'd obviously prefer not to sell anything if he had the option, so therefore if he does decide to sell something it'll be on his terms at his price, which is fair enough isn't it? Also there can many diverse reasons why he would want to do it this way which I can't go into. I suspect he has his reasons. And believe me, the sooner I get all this wrapped up the better really. I'm going to be tied up with a new job from September, so I'm really looking to close this off within the next week or so anyway...... So I reckon another week - 10 days and then everything will be closed off for now. He's well on the way to his target figure so hopefully another half dozen deals will do it. So let me know if there's anything you simply HAVE to have Steve and don't mind paying a premium for! Ian D

Thanks Phil. 36 hours out of the country and look what happens! I'm not surprised my seller wants to remain anonymous! Don't blame him one iota. I just spoke to him and he laughed out loud and said 'rather you than me'. There speaks a wise old soul! Ian D

Patience is a virtue young man. I sent you this PM on Monday:- "OK, James. Great offer and he's considering it. Should know tomorrow touch wood". My guy has been deliberating over ONE of the two records you wanted as he has a competing offer for it (with some other good titless) and your offer, great though it was, was still £400 less then the price he wanted. I've been singing your praises and trying to nail the two records for you, you ungrateful clod! If it's any consolation, one out of the two is virtually guaranteed but I was trying to get you both of 'em. So bear with me OK. Should know tomorrow (Friday). I went away in the early hours of Wednesday morning and just got back now (9.00 Thursday night), so will catch up with everything else by tomorrow! As I've said before, it's not easy this lark. Northern Dealers earn their weight in gold if you ask me....... Ian D

More records have gone out today and the next burst will be sent out on Friday. I'm away for a couple of days, so anyone still waiting for me to come back to them on some of their offers it'll most likely be Friday. Sold some absolute killers! Please keep the lists coming and remember it doesn't just have to be Northern - there's plenty of other goodies in there as well - tons of Modern, Rare Funk and General Rare Oddball stuff so keep those wants coming folks. The hit rate is not bad at all...... Ian D

Well, the 2nd to last solo show for me before Alan and I split the show from September onwards. Next week's ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS show will be me playing all my faves from the last 12 months and then Al & I will be presenting the show LIVE from the Swansong All-Dayer in Chertsey on the 30th August. This week's show is a belter and we've managed to get the download thing back on track again, so for those of you who missed it by wanting to watch Man U trounce the opposition, then here it is! Something for everyone with the usual odyssey through the different eras........ Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst Sunday 16th August 2009 on everyone's favourite Soul station https://www.sixmillio...6-Starpoint.mp3 Try and join me for next week's best of the last 12 months. Pure self indulgence but it should round things off nicely! See you @ 2.00pm LIVE next Sunday Afternoon! Ian D

Also, whilst we're on the subject of names, how does one pronounce Paul S's surname? Sadot. Is it the French way with a silent 't' I wonder...............? Ian D

I'm not sure anymore mate...... I'll have to go back to the beginning..... Methinks James is a sheep in wolf's clothing anyway............ Ian D

Mmmm. Obviously it takes one to know one! I mean what parents would baptize their offspring with a name like In-Town anyway? Ian D