Hello, my name is Henry Hyde, and I'm the face behind the gladiuscreative username. I'm a publisher, designer and writer based in Brighton & Hove on the beautiful South Coast of England, and I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies. Let me tell you a little about the kind of stuff you'll see in my listings.

The world of design is heavily computer-based these days, centering especially on the Apple Mac. Since my work demands that I keep up-to-date with hardware and software, you'll find some bargains in my listings if you're looking for second-hand hardware or previous versions of software that represent great value for money. (Remember, you can always use these older versions of software as the starting point for cheap upgrades to the most recent versions.)

Naturally, I also sell a number of cracking games for the Mac that need new homes after I've finished burning the midnight oil with them!

I am a keen photographer, digital artist and illustrator, so I shall be selling some of my work online in the form of postcards, posters, greetings cards and so on. Some of these images are of the beautiful Sussex countryside, and others from my travels, especially to Venice.

I have been a keen military historian and wargamer for as long as I can remember, and now publish the highly acclaimed bi-monthly magazine Battlegames but with limited shelf space I have to clear out my collections of reference books and wargame miniatures from time to time. Some of the stuff I clear out is in mint condition because I get sent review copies. I'm also a fantasy fan, so there are novels, Warhammer miniatures and associated bits'n'pieces.

Finally, I've been a martial artist for many years and my interests span many forms of Western, as well as Oriental, fighting arts. Kendo and Tai Chi books rub shoulders on my shelves with European rapier fencing and medieval swordsmanship titles, and these interests will also be reflected in my auctions. I am a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), hold arts & sciences awards and am well-known for my illuminated scrolls.

But the bottom line is, whatever you're interested in buying from me, I aim to make the experience a pleasurable one for you at all times.

In order for this to be possible, I would ask that you kindly note the following:

• I have no objection to genuine 'newbies' bidding, and I'm happy to walk you through the process to help you have a happy eBay initiation. People who have switched identities just to avoid penalties, however, will be given short shrift, because they risk ruining eBay for all the honest people out there.
• If you have a negative feedback score, or negative feedback within the last 6 months or 10 auctions, or have previously been suspended, please don't bid on my auctions as I have no wish to offend by rejecting your bids.
• If you have no intention of paying for your purchase, please don't bid either. It's just a waste of everybody's time: yours, mine, eBay's and the other people who are bidding. So what's the point?
• If you're unsure about anything in one of my auctions, postage costs or whatever, then please get in touch before the auction finishes . It's much easier to sort out any potential problems before they happen, don't you think?
• Please pay using PayPal as soon as possible after the close of the auction. My listings and feedback show that I do everything possible to keep my customers happy, so kindly do the only thing that's asked of you - to pay for the item.
• I usually only accept PayPal (which of course also enables you to use your credit card). Sometimes I accept personal cheques in pounds sterling drawn on UK banks only: if this is the case, it will be noted on that individual auction. I don't 'mark up' my prices to cover PayPal charges: the auction bids alone determine the price. Under exceptional circumstances, I might allow cash purchase for a local buyer who wishes to collect a large item personally, but this would be stated on the listing.
• My postage and packing costs are not negotiable. eBay is a hobby, not my main business, so I'm not going to make hidden profits from my packaging! I keep the packing costs laughably small, a mere token contribution. I often use recycled materials to keep the costs down, so long as this never compromises the safety or integrity of the item in transit. I generally quote First Class postage rates: if you'd like anything different, then get in touch (see above).
• I always leave feedback once you have paid and I know that the item has arrived with you safely. I don't tend to leave feedback before this, simply because I want to know that you are completely happy and that any problems, such as with the postal service, have been sorted out to your satisfaction.
• I only leave negative feedback under exceptional circumstances. If I feel that someone isn't deliberately out to 'con' me or waste my time, but has made mistakes, then I prefer to leave a neutral rating (isn't that what it's for anyway?) Provided you have treated me fairly and honourably, I will always leave positive feedback.
• Please leave your feedback for me! eBay is based on the principal of mutual feedback, so one-sided feedback is rather depressing.
• All the items I have for sale are completely legitimate items. As a professional computer user, I take a very dim view of software piracy and hardware fakes and I'm actively involved in helping software and hardware companies and the police to track down and prosecute criminal activities.
• Almost all problems can be solved by effective communication. So, if I email you requesting information, please answer! I always try to let you know exactly what's happening with your order, as it happens, so don't be shy, I don't bite! With luck, we can become regular trading partners - who knows, maybe one day we'll actually meet.

Thanks for reading this, and happy bidding!

Henry

Favourite Links

Battlegames. My bi-monthly full colour magazine for wargamers and military history buffs.

Amazon, another addictive website!

The BBC website, an amazing treasure-trove of information

The Apple website. My favourite computer company, what can I say? Full of useful stuff too, like game reviews, updates, patches, advice and special offers.

Streetmap.co.uk, a really useful site for finding places in the UK.

The Post Office website, packed full of useful information for eBayers, of course!

Skype,the revolutionary internet telephony company. FREE calls to your Skype friends anywhere in the world, for real! (And no, I don't work for them, it's just truly amazing.)

Magnatune: listen to entire albums from their artists for FREE until you decide to buy - then YOU decide how much to pay. Yep, that's what I said. Uh-huh.

The Met Office website. Just to prove that we Brits are obsessed with the weather.

The Internet Movie Database. A gargantuan resource for movie fans and useful when checking out video/DVD listings.