I don't say they're "snookering" anyone on purpose...they just don't KNOW if something's missing or not working right. I enjoy working on 'em too...BUT I want to know in advance if I'll have to look for a part that could very easily be hard to find! And, I'm absolutely anal about things being packed properly. Most of the workers in the brick & mortar Goodwills can't put books on the shelves without messing up the bindings...can you tell you're talking to a long-time bookseller?