Clarky

Martin bought some DB strings off me. Very friendly and communicative. Also very patient when Royal Mail took a week to deliver them first class. Many thanks!

Take it up with Mark/BassDirect if you feel that strongly. I thought my OP might be helpful to people who, like me, had no idea how slow things currently are with the RM. Ducking out now

I have no idea if its untrue and anecdotal nonsense. I quoted it as he was the one who posted my strings

No. The facts that, for me, 1st class mail has failed to arrive in 5 days and counting in two separate cases. No reason to be antagonistic

New bass month and new thumbrest week, obv. Recently acquired '51 CS Precision which, despite not being the short scale I have gravitated to was so appealing as its where the modern electric bass started. Also happens to play very nicely. Arrived with pale maple thumbrest which looked a bit off kilter. Then thanks to the generosity of @Rick's Fine '52, who (as the forum expert on old Fenders) I had asked about the bass, it is now wearing a black maple thumbrest. Before and after pics below.

You were lucky

Its a tad frustrating as I wanted to give my (admittedly small bit of) biz to BassDirect rather than Amazon. Had I ordered with Amazon the strings would have been here 2 days ago. First world problem, I know. Its for a newly acquired bass that really is crying out for flats as its very retro:

I think they are still going. There are some ultra cheap black nylon flatwounds on Amazon. However, they have silks so not what the OP is after https://www.amazon.co.uk/Picato-String-Tapewound-Electric-Strings/dp/B07ZBCD4K7

Just an FYI, and this may have been discussed already or be a statement of the bleedin' obvious, but RM post times are now running to weeks. I sent some DB strings (1st class) to a BCer on Monday and they haven't arrived after 5 days. Likewise, I ordered some flatwound strings from BassDirect on Monday and they haven't arrived either. When I contacted Mark at BassDirect this morning to check the strings had been posted, he replied "Hi - the post office is a mess, there are literally dozens of artic lorries full of post to be sorted at most sorting stations, 25% of Royal Mail workers are off at the moment. Shipping is taking up to 3 weeks (and longer) with Royal Mail." So bear that in mind when buying or selling stuff using RM. Or, you know, sending letters and such like! (PS, not blaming RM staff who are doing the best job they can, just presenting the facts)

Another splendid deal with Paul, this time I was selling (some strings). 10/10 cheers!

Bought a lovely fretless off Alan. Super friendly and the most bombproof packing I have seen yet from a BC deal!!!! Excellent stuff

Martyn just bought an old Fender JV bass from me and it was a top class buying/selling experience. Many thanks!

Brian bought a scratchplate from me and all was good! 🙂