posted on September 1, 2000 09:00:26 AM new
Rencently a person was selling a set of 7 widgets, each seperatly and each represented as being MINT condition like it was never used.
Well when the bidding war was over and smoke had settled, I found I was the high bidder on one of these beautifully represented widgets. I was sad that I did not get any of the others I wanted but sent away my money to get my hands on the one I was about to own.
10 days later I got my widget in the mail,it looked just like the widget in the picture except this widget had no gloss on it, the shine was completely gone making it a completly worthless widget to me and anyone else who collects widgets. Another collector of widgets was at my home when I did get it and could not beleived I had paid anything for this one.
I notified the seller promptly and explained this, told them I would not have bid on this widget at all except the condition said it was MINT condition like it was never used. This widget she sent me clearly has not only been used but used so much and washed so much the gloss was now completely gone.
She replied to send the item back and she would refund my money, she requested that insurance be placed on this item. I did as asked and sent the widget back. While waiting for my money, I kept a eye on her feedback. My close competitors had now got their widgets so I was wondering what they had to say. All of them to my amazement left outstanding feedback for this seller. I called my other friendly bidders and inquired about the widgets they got and they said there widgets came with full gloss so they were indeed happy.
Now me and my friends all know the difference between a good widget and a bad one so I knew I could trust them. Well another 10 days later and I get my money back, well at least part of it. Lacking was the postage and insurance on both sides.
I inquired about this and the seller said, since everyone else was happy with their widgets and left positive feedback that I clearly just wanted to return mine so only cost of item was returned.
Well this was clearly not the case and my widget collector friend who was at my home wrote a email to this person as well. She even admitted that when you had all the widgets together that the one I had did not look like the others but that was because my widget was black and every other one had color to it.
To me, I still want my shipping money back, even if it is only half. This person clearly recognized that this one was different from the others and admitted not knowing anything about widgets, just that their should be no chips or cracks in a widget. Clearly this was a misleading description of a widget and my widget friends said had they known of the true condition they would never have bid on it either as it would be practically worthless.
Now I know I did not ask about the widget prior to bidding and had I got it in any condition close to the description I would have been happy. This person clearly knew it was different and admitted it.
To me, I should be getting at least half my shipping back as the widget was clearly misrepresented and person selling acknowledged it was different than the others. This person refuses to refund any other money.
Oh since this all began, this person relisted the widget with new description as I described. It now sold for 1/20th of price I paid reaffirming the argument I made. To me this was a clear case of FRAUD as seller really didnt know about widgets, listed as mint, knew it was different and then as proof when listed properly brought what it was actually worth, I should not have to pay for shipping charges of a item clearly misrepresented.
The person never left feedback for me and I never left it for her. I am in no means afraid of getting a neg as my rating virtually speaks for itself and would have no impact. A neg on this person would have virtually no impact as well although is considerably less than mine.
posted on September 1, 2000 12:55:28 PM new
I would think that shipping would be refunded, but that's largely discretionary.
Return shipping is part of a refund--I don't expect a seller to "eat" everything although some will depending upon their judgement.
Many defects are of a hidden nature. I doubt deliberate misrepresentation is true here. Maybe he thought all the items were alike and didn't inspect them all to be certain.
Careless, yes, deliberate probably not.
Not all auctions work out and not all sellers are professional and ethical in their conduct. This is part of the risk of doing business--eBay largely mirrors what happens in all sale trasactions.
posted on September 1, 2000 01:52:26 PM new
I think you should have received the FULL AMOUNT YOU PUT OUT for this widget. Including the return shipping.
I once had an auction and labeled it a certain way, (because my friend gave me some info in this item). When the winning bidder received it, she sent me a good e-mail explaining why it wasn't exactly what I said it was. She kindly asked for a refund, stating she would pay for ebay fees and shipping charges.
I sent her an e-mail, APOLOGIZING all over the place, and sent her a FULL REFUND for shipping costs both ways.
I feel it was the right thing to do. I have to live with myself, don't I?
Anyway, I ended up selling it to the next highest bidder for just a bit less, and they were thrilled with it.
I truly believe that WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!
