Dear Gepetto

As always, you have made my day

!!!
It is 00.45 and I just came back from work, poured myself a glass of wine and I am just about to open a few parcels from my latest Ebay shopping spree delivered today...
During my lunchbreak, I just could not resist ordering the Oldtimer 4083 Karstadt on Ebay.de ( Germany ) where I purchase most of my Victorian stuff as it is not only much cheaper than anywhere else and one can also find rarities at time.
I know the Oldtimer 4083 is not one of them and its price never exceeds 45.00 pounds, but it is a nice addition to my collection and it was on offer at 29.90 Euros with 8.50 shipping to the UK

!!! How could I possibly resist

?
By the way Gepetto, this item is still very affordable there and although I know this is not the original Oldtimer Truck, it is still a nice one and I would be delighted to purchase one and have it sent to you as I know that Ebay.com ( USA ) is so overpriced when it comes to the Victorian Theme.
Here is my new baby which will proudly give the change to the other Oldtimer Truck in my busy Victorian Christmas Street scene...

This item was released to celebrate Germany's oldest and most famous Department Store "Rudolph Karstadt in Berlin"



It all began in the Mecklenburg city of Wismar. On 14 May 1881, the trained retail dealer Rudolph Karstadt opened his first shop. The "Clothing manufacture and retail shop Karstadt" consisted only of a truck load of products and the entrepreneurial courage of its founder. At that time Rudolph Karstadt had no idea that he was laying the foundation for the probably most successful career in German retail.
The young entrepreneur pursued a business model which was revolutionary for its time. Instead of the then common act of bargaining, Rudolph Karstadt introduced fixed but low prices and cash payment. This enabled him to make precise calculations. With the help of these guaranteed steady revenues the shrewd businessman from a Hanseatic town managed to get attractive purchasing terms from his suppliers. Only three years later Karstadt could open its first branch in Lübeck.