posted on June 30, 2006 05:36:18 PM new
OK, I think after years selling on eBay, this may be the first problem I've had as a buyer. It's not a big deal, but since everyone likes to offer an opinion, I'll put this one up for debate.
I won a book last Sunday night, described as:
"Learn to Play Go by Janice Kim (1997)"
I'm a beginner at the game of Go, and this series of books was recommended to me as a good starting point. So I buy it at a good price through eBay. Usually, I'd buy this sort of thing throgh Amazon, but this time I didn't. Today it arrives, and sure enough, it's VOLUME 4 in the series.
I just double-checked the listing to see if I misread something, and no, not only does it not mention a volume number, but it looks like they used item specifics for the description.
Now I have to buy volume 1 of the series. *IF* I like volume 1, then I'll buy 2 and 3 to complete the series, but I have no way to judge by reading the more advanced book.
Clearly, this is a case of "item not as described." I might actually want this book at some point in the future, so I'm not really keen on sending it back.
Question: Positive, Neutral or Negative for the seller?
It was an inexpensive book, so the money isn't the point. What really ticks me off is that they promised it would be here today, and I had hoped to spend the weekend working through it. The book I received is just about incomprehensible to me, and the game isn't popular enough that any local bookstores carry the book at all.
Anyone here actually PLAY "Go" since I brought it up?
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
posted on June 30, 2006 05:43:47 PM new
Dr. A -- 9 months ago I sold a lot of GO game stuff--books, tiles, a big wooden board, etc., for good prices, on consignment. But I've never played the game.
When selling books, I make sure a book in a series is designated as such by volume number or however. It's too bad your seller didn't do that. I'm guessing some sellers don't look at the books closely enough to see that they're part of a set. I think I'd leave a neutral in this case.
posted on June 30, 2006 06:37:34 PM new
This particular case I think I would notify the seller that it is #4 and their listing didn't state that and would have in fact helped if they had put it in the auction, tell them you will keep book though. Then ask if they have the other books that go with it then maybe they will make a deal with you to if they think that will make you happy and to not leave neg feedback--thought you probably aren't going to neg them. Kind of a round about way to feel them out--not up. You never know they might list a listing just for you this way.??
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You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!
posted on June 30, 2006 07:00:32 PM new
Dr-it might depend if you want to keep the book or not,or if it was an honest mistake by the seller. If you didnt want the book and they refunded your money,would you give him a neutral or neg?.I dont think a neutral or neg is warranted if you decide to keep the book-although I wouldn't give them a positive either as you received the wrong book.So if it were me,and I wanted to keep the book,I wouldnt leave any feedback,and I would also email the seller and tell them why.
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If you dont want to hear the truth....dont ask the question.
posted on June 30, 2006 07:01:50 PM new
The "comittee" wants to know, would you seriously neg a seller BEFORE letting them know you had a problem with your order?
You've heard from the "comittee" before on this subject. It is not "nice" to neg a seller until you let them know they screwed up and give them a chance to rectify it. How would you as a seller feel about getting a neg or a neutral from a buyer who had not contacted you first?
Ok, said seller may be a serious screw up, but it might just be their first mistake. Play nice and give them a chance to make it right.
May be fate intervened and decided you really didn't need books 1,2,3
[ edited by LtRay on Jun 30, 2006 07:04 PM ]
posted on June 30, 2006 07:19:55 PM new
If the auction description did not specify the exact volume it was, why did you assume it was volume one? Why didn't you email him before you bid? He may not be an experienced book seller, and may not have known a volume number was important. It's not fair to automatically assume he is a scammer who intentionally misrepresents items he lists. It's also way premature to be presenting this to a "committee". At this stage of the game, you should email him and open a line of communication and try to work it out.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
posted on June 30, 2006 07:30:45 PM new
I agree with what irked said...and the seller may be inexperienced at selling books, have the rest of the set somewhere and be willing to part with it for a song...
posted on June 30, 2006 08:19:16 PM new
"Ok, said seller may be a serious screw up, but it might just be their first mistake. "
33,000 feedback. 98% feedback. Not hateful, but far from their first mistake.
What I have done so far is contact the seller as Irked described. I've explained the problem and left it open for them to suggest something. I also pointed out that they have NINETY SIX of these available in their listing, so they should probably fix their ad. I won't do anything until I either get a response or it becomes clear that I am not getting a response. I don't want to send it back, as it might be a good book anyway. I hate to say it, but this is one of those cases where a refund PLUS the book would keep me happy. Or if they came up with the correct book somehow, I'd be willing to pay for both of them.
"If the auction description did not specify the exact volume it was, why did you assume it was volume one? "
This is what really bothers me. There was no question in my mind that this was the first volume. No, he never specifically stated it was volume one in his title or description. However, the "item specific" info in the ad was all for the first book. The book itself is CLEARLY marked to be part 4 of 4, anyone even slightly paying attention while listing would have noticed this.
I don't believe this was intentional misrepresentation. It was just extremely sloppy selling, and a seller with 33,000 feedbacks should know better.
At this point, I'm leaning toward a neutral or nothing, but I'll hold off until I hear back from them.
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
[ edited by DrArcane on Jun 30, 2006 08:20 PM ]
[ edited by DrArcane on Jun 30, 2006 08:21 PM ]
posted on July 1, 2006 03:53:24 AM new
In your defense, I would be ticked too. A seller with that kind of business should know how to list books by now.
I recently order a book BIN from casacaiman. It took them a week to let me know that book was not in stock after telling me it had shipped. I was so PO'd that they got a neg from me.
Looks like I'm not the only one who lost patience with them casacaiman
10% PO'd customers a month! Of course, Im sure they see that as 90% satified customers <g>
posted on July 1, 2006 04:50:43 AM new
Dr. Arcane remember the credo of some sellers here, neutral gets you a neg. So if you leave any feedback that is not positive it should be negative.
Hopefully it will turn out good for both you and your seller.
posted on July 1, 2006 06:13:18 AM new
It was a hard to find book so I decided to take a gamble. I usually don't deal with those types of sellers. Guess I was just looking for a refresher course
posted on July 1, 2006 07:44:23 AM new
You should have asked for clarification before bidding. Caveat Emptor. Simple.
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Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on July 1, 2006 10:33:34 AM new
OOPS! Just re-read Dr. A's thread, where he says the "series" was recommended to him. So he did know it was at least part of a series.
I've deleted the rest of my thread where I rise to his defense.
