posted on May 29, 2001 06:20:10 PM new
Bought a widget that was advertised to be in a leather case from a seller with fairly glowing feedback. Last neutral/neg was over 6 months ago. I won the auction for the opening bid of $5.00 so we are not talking a bunch of money here, put principal.
Received the WBN with the winning bid plus almost another $5 in shipping/insurance on it. Ok..I can deal with the $3.90 shipping (media mail, which is overcharging for that in itself, but thats another whole issue) but its only a $5 widget, I don't need insurance. Sooooo I write back to seller saying here's my payment less the $1.10 for insurance. Seller writes back that its in his auction that insurance is required whether I want it or not. So, I go back and read, and its not quite clear to me that insurance is REQUIRED, but I figure its not worth splitting hairs over so I send the whole $5 for shipping and INSURANCE, because as a seller myself, I believe in sticking to a sellers TOS.
The widget arrives today (6 days after mailing, (gotta love that media mail) and the widget is "ok" not in great condition, but useable. But whats this? A vinyl case?? But the auction says leather?! I wrote to the seller asking about the descepancy and his reply was "that is the original case that the XXXXXX came in from the factory" and that "You got a GREAT deal on the XXXXXX be happy"
Well, why is it ok for the seller to holler "THATS MY TOS" when its convenient for him??? Now that I have a problem, I should "be happy because I got a good deal"??
Sorry for the rant, I just hate getting taken advantage of. What do you all think?
posted on May 29, 2001 06:38:51 PM new
Speaking as a seller, myself, I think the seller smells.
okay, stinks.
Like rotten eggs.
I can't believe this seller bothered on a $5 item! Bad karma to come, I guess.
sheesh.
Why not be honest and say "leather-like, pLeather, synthetic" or whatever else? Why not just "comes with original case?"
It reminds me a manager I had in my days of regional retail. She stole a night drop deposit. She thought she was pretty clever, too. Set the whole thing up as a theft for the bank to catch it on their security camera. Her boyfriend was right behind her at the night drop and pretended to rob her. Okay, you say, how much? Less than $350 cash.
So, I ask, who in their right mind risks ruining their future for $350?
I guess it boils down to...
If you're going to be a crook, at least make it worthwhile.
*sigh*
Sorry you stumbled upon a bad egg.
posted on May 29, 2001 07:52:11 PM new"You got a GREAT deal on the XXXXXX be happy" - ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Excuse me, a "GREAT deal" is something I want at a low price.
What I wanted, and what was advertised, was a XXXXXX in a leather case.
This is not a "GREAT deal."
---> Complaint: Misrepresented item, refused to refund, told me to "be happy" with what I got.
Before posting a negative like this you might want to make a second pass at the seller to make sure he absolutely refuses a refund. I know you said it was a low priced item -- and thus you might just want to drop it and not go thru any more hassle -- but I might be inclined to press for a return and refund, as you say, on principle, just because the seller's attitude is so sucky.
As zoomin says, sorry you ran across a bad egg. I buy a lot of stuff on eBay and they are generally the exception and not the rule.
[ edited by triplesnack on May 29, 2001 07:53 PM ]
posted on May 30, 2001 09:01:28 AM new
Wrote to the seller and told them that I was not happy with the misrepresentation.
His reply was that "I'll change my description in the future" No mention of making good on the mistake/misrepresentation or possibly refunding anything at all. I didn't point blank ask for a refund because I do need the widget that came in the case leather or no leather. So I guess I'm just stuck with Mr. Vinyl Case
I'm just steamed over the lack of concern, like....Oh well lady...you got it cheap what do you you want?
Do you think a neutral is in order? Or even a neg?
posted on May 30, 2001 10:00:41 AM new
Personally, I think triplesnack's wording is good. Whether to neg or neutral is your call, though. I lean towards the neg side, but I haven't had coffee yet today.
posted on May 30, 2001 10:40:13 AM new
SShayler:
I was torn between neutral & neg so I reread your original post.
>>the widget is "ok" not in great condition<<
How was the widget described?
I was leaning towards Neutral but...
I took it down a few notches for:
attitude (be happy with what you got?)
Overpriced shipping?
Mandatory insurance?
Widget is only in "useable" condition?
Misrepresentation of case as leather?
I mighty be getting grumpy or I may be reading into things ~ not sure.
Depends on the listing, I guess.
(or my lack of coffee, like missc!)
only ZOOMIN here
(edit: candt spel wiffout caffeine, neither)
[ edited by zoomin on May 30, 2001 10:43 AM ]
posted on May 30, 2001 11:36:43 AM new
Ok..here is the exact description, minus the identifying remarks.
"COMPLETE Set of XXXX xxxx xxxxx manuals with the case.
includes :xxxxx manual,xxxxx xxx book, Warranty book,xxxxxxxx book, Practical tips booklet, Leather case. GREAT DEAL!.i have other years availible.s&h is $3.75+ins."
That is cut and pasted from the auction. I've only x'd out the things that might identify the exact auction.
posted on May 30, 2001 11:41:00 AM new
That recently happened to me: Item described as leather, but clearly NOT when I examined it.
I said that it was misrepresented and that I wanted a refund. I also mentioned that I didn't want to have to post a negative (yeah I know...).
So the next day I got a notice from paypal that I had a refund: The item and my shipping.
I still have the useless item in the closet. I only paid $12 for it plus shipping, but sheesh.
Essentially you have been defrauded.
I would insist on a complete refund including shipping. Why? You wouldn't have sent a dime had you known it was vinyl.
I would forward a copy of the auction and your complaint to safeharbor.
So what that he's going to fix it in the future.
Be prepared to get the retaliatory neg from the scumbag, but aside from that, what can you do but neg?
Oh and the seller I got the refund from? I gave her praise. She did the right thing.
posted on May 30, 2001 12:55:42 PM new
Welllllll......
I requested Parcel Post on a VERY heavy set of bowls and the seller emailed me "NO" that they find that Priority is just 'pennies' more than Parcel Post...which is NOT true in this case as the item weighed over ten pounds, AND she told me she did not mail Parcel Post because she would have to "buy a box" to ship it in...HELLO....grocery stores, book stores, you name a store that will not GIVE you a darn box! So then I send the check....hesitantly, and I hear nothing for 14 days. No email, nothing! So I send her a pleasant email (HONEST IT WAS!) asking when the bowls would be mailed and she wrote me a horribly snotty email saying I was "too anxious". She had a low feedback rating...no negs but low and I have over 1600....I love when they tell ME how to mail things. Sorry for my rant too...guess the Widget thing just ticked me off all over again!
posted on May 30, 2001 12:58:48 PM new
Guess my point was that you almost have to email each seller to get exact description info and shipping options...put it in the auction!
posted on May 30, 2001 01:08:05 PM new
It SOUNDS like it was a car owner's manual. I myself would not expect a car manual to come in a real leather case unless it were a Jag or Astin Martin or something like that.
Back on topic here:
Contact safe harbor. This guy misrepresented, changed his TOS, added a surcharge and was downright rude. His auction listing stated 3.75 with no mention of insurance, the fact that he came up with that after the fact tells me he was dinging you because the bidding didn't go high enough for him.
As far as the neg.. I don't believe in ebays feedback system, but this would certainly be a case where I would let him have one. If this is a buying ID of yours with low feedback, kick him in the knickers and start a new one.
No it wasn't a camera case and yes, it was car manuals. It is for a higher end vehicle, so it was not totally unexpected that it would be in a leather case. Hey, that IS what the description said....right?
As far as his auction not stating insurance, it does say 3.75+ins. but not that insurance is Required. Even when I got the package with $2.85 postage on it (including insurance) I almost had a non issue with it until he started getting rude with me over the whole deal.
Do you really think this is a safe harbor issue? Or just drop the neg and move on.
BTW, this is a buying id only. My FB is at 21 (all pos) at this point.
posted on May 30, 2001 01:18:58 PM new
The fact that the seller is not acknowledging your concern, tells you something about this individual. Give him a negative and tell him he got a good deal, as a double negative was deserved.
posted on May 30, 2001 01:24:28 PM new
OH yes...I forgot the $2.00 difference was for the padded envelope ($1.60) and for someone to take it to the PO (.40?) geez..you can get cheap help these days
posted on May 30, 2001 01:31:38 PM new
Neg 'em and move on.
I don't think he'll be surprised.
With his "deal with it" attitude, he would probably retaliate a neutral, anyway!
Let us know.....
posted on May 30, 2001 02:48:39 PM new
If I see $X shipping plus insurance on an auction, I would think the seller is going to make me insure the item.
If you were not sure you should have asked before you bid on the item.
posted on May 30, 2001 03:04:22 PM new
Ashlandtrader:
My real issue is not really about the insurance, its about the misrepresentation of the auction item. As my original post said, it was not clear that insurance was required but I paid it and went on about my way until the item arrived.
posted on May 30, 2001 03:13:32 PM new
What did the TOS say about refunds? You mention that you would just keep it anyway, so what I am wondering is what this seller could do to make you happy at this point?
[ edited by ashlandtrader on May 30, 2001 03:33 PM ]
posted on May 31, 2001 10:52:04 AM new
The TOS says zip about refunds. Nothing is even mentioned. I would think that a partial refund might be in order due to the misrepresentation, but I'm getting over the whole darn issue. I'll probably just not leave feedback or at best leave a neutral. I really don't want a retaliatory feedback in return.
posted on May 31, 2001 11:52:21 AM new
At most I would leave a neutral stating item not as described.
The actual postage on the item is a non-isue IMO. The seller said shipping was $3.75+ insurance ($1.10) and didn't say actual postage.
The seller said leather case (and may have thought it was). From what you have said, the fact it was a leather case was not the deciding factor in this purchase...the manuals themselves were what you wanted. You do not want to return for a refund because you want the manuals, with or without a leather case.
$5 seems a reasonable price to pay for the items you wanted...the car manuals.
From what I'm hearing you say, you did not ever ask the seller for a refund, just expressed disapointment the case wasn't leather. While I agree the seller could have been a little more diplomatic, could your emails have been worded such that the seller could see you did not want to return for a refund? If it was obvious you did not want to return the item then there was no need for the seller to offer a refund. His/her statement about you getting a good deal was poorly worded but if you had indicated you were keeping the item then obviously you were satisfied with paying $5 for the manuals...and his statement, while not well stated, did reflect the situation.
He has stated he will be changing the description in future auctions of this item.
If it was me I would think.."ok, I wanted the manuals and would have paid $5 for them in a vinyl case too. I'll just let this one go"
and leave either positive feedback or none at all.
