Are fruitcakes running rampant on eBay lately? Selling, buying, listing, feedback, etc...

[paladyr]

So I ordered spongebob 3818 off ebay on a listing that said it was new, and showed a picture of the box in what looked like perfect condition for $80 shipped.  The seller had wrapped the lego box in some bubble wrap and PAPER!  Needless to say, the box is pretty destroyed including a large tear/hole.  

 

My question is, would you pursue getting some sort of refund or just give poor feedback and be done with it?

 

My thoughts on why I should just give negative feedback:  This is a gift for my daughter, so we will be building it and will probably want to keep it until she's older, maybe beyond.  It wasn't meant to be an investment piece.  

 

The other side of me says that we keep our lego boxes in great shape, so if I ever sold it used I would get more with a good looking box.  

 

What would you do?  I can upload pics if necessary but just imagine the box squished with holes and the corners dented and you'll get the idea.

 

Thanks!

[dcdfan]

Sounds like the seller made an $80 mistake. I'd call that SNAD & get my money back. Sorry for those that disapprove but everyone has to learn one day.

[Yellowtot]

The seller should of properly packaged it, especially if it was a business seller. It does sound like a private seller though so I would contact him using the 'other' option so he doesn't get a defect, we all hate defects. Then ask for either a partial refund say like $20.00 or you would like to return it. If he gives you the run around then you eBay screw him by opening up a case stating as item not as described ( I think you can include photos can't remember) then eBay will decide in your favour and give you a full refund when you return the item. Unsure on the American rules but the seller should pay for the return postage. You could also be nice and upload photo's, because he may pursue a claim through the courier he used to get some money back so everybody wins. If you feel like being nice of course....

Edited April 11, 2015 by Yellowtot

[comicblast]

I'd get a partial refund from the seller and buy the box on BrickLink. The box is only $1.40 at Sir Timothy's, plus probably $6 shipping or so. Up to you if you want some other compensation from the seller for the hassle. I'm sure the seller would be happy to get a buyer who actually communicates with the seller before escalating the situation. 

[dcdfan]

I'd get a partial refund from the seller and buy the box on BrickLink. The box is only $1.40 at Sir Timothy's, plus probably $6 shipping or so. Up to you if you want some other compensation from the seller for the hassle. I'm sure the seller would be happy to get a buyer who actually communicates with the seller before escalating the situation.

OMG! I feel so heartless, I forgot you can replace the box. LOL. I agree with cosmicblast since the seller will rethink the packaging next time. Assuming the partial refund is like $20 or something... Edited April 11, 2015 by dcdfan

[justapilgrim]

I no longer give partial refunds, too many people blackmailing your feedback for a few bucks. I have them send it back for refund.

I also had this happen to me on a purchase, boxes got crunched, but don't care that much. I left neutral feedback, which I think is appropriate

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Brickpicker mobile app

[Kenxxx]

This type of question comes up here from time to time, and often gets some folks riled up, so be prepared for a lot of discussion.  I find it interesting that the lowest BIN listing on ebay (in US) right now is about $110 shipped.  I wonder if the box was damaged before he shipped it?  Maybe that's why you got such a "deal"?

 

This becomes the problem when you open discussion with the seller, and he says "OK... send it back".  Now what are you going to do... pay $110 and wait a week for delivery from the next guy?  But the advice given so far is right:  open a civil, friendly discussion with the seller (do not open a case... yet).  Just explain that it arrived damaged, you can send photos, it was a gift, and you are disappointed... and see what he has to say.  Many sellers will offer you on a partial refund, but if he says "send it back", you can make your decision then.  I also like comicblasts idea.

[isocleas]

I'd bluff, what do you have to lose?

 

Take a few horrific looking pics of the box, tell him that the way it was packaged was not standard for shipping lego. Ask for a partial refund or you'll return it and if he calls the bluff just keep and leave neutral/negative feeedback. 

[canonikon]

File dispute not as described. As a seller he should have known better to ship it in a box at least. Request discount or if u like return it for refund and ask buyer pay for return shipping. Depending on how the seller handled the situation and then think about the feedback.

So I ordered spongebob 3818 off ebay on a listing that said it was new, and showed a picture of the box in what looked like perfect condition for $80 shipped. The seller had wrapped the lego box in some bubble wrap and PAPER! Needless to say, the box is pretty destroyed including a large tear/hole.

My question is, would you pursue getting some sort of refund or just give poor feedback and be done with it?

My thoughts on why I should just give negative feedback: This is a gift for my daughter, so we will be building it and will probably want to keep it until she's older, maybe beyond. It wasn't meant to be an investment piece.

The other side of me says that we keep our lego boxes in great shape, so if I ever sold it used I would get more with a good looking box.

What would you do? I can upload pics if necessary but just imagine the box squished with holes and the corners dented and you'll get the idea.

Thanks!

[Christmasbricks]

Just remember: what goes around comes around.  If you are quick to give negatives without talking to the seller first, it will happen to you when you sell something. Do what you would want to be done for you - if the roles were reversed.

[paladyr]

I sent them a message and said hey so I'm sure this was an honest mistake, told them about the damage, then said I can buy a new box so how about a refund of $10. We'll see what they say!

[paladyr]

Wow they already responded and said no problem and will send $10!

[Yellowtot]

simples

[Busch97racing]

I actually returned item like that before and ebay made the seller pay for return shipping. Ebay stated it is up to the seller to package it in a way so that the item can not be damaged during shipping. After that i stopped buying items off ebay and looking else where.

[paladyr]

Sounds like the seller made an $80 mistake. I'd call that SNAD & get my money back. Sorry for those that disapprove but everyone has to learn one day.

What is a SNAD? Lol

Also thanks for all the responses!

[dcdfan]

What is a SNAD? Lol

Also thanks for all the responses!

Significantly Not As Described

[comicblast]

What is a SNAD? Lol

Also thanks for all the responses!

Significantly Not As Described, as in there was a dispute between the description the seller gave and the item you actually received.

Edited April 11, 2015 by comicblast

[Yellowtot]

eBay works like this:

                                Private seller- don't really care it's just extra pocket money, whatever.

                                Big business seller- don't really care I do large volume too justify any return blah blah blah

                                Small business seller- I cannot afford any more silly eBay defects, try's hard, provides excellent service and will always accommodate.

                                Outlet- Easy money why not.

 

If you want the best service from an eBay seller who actually cares about customer support, use an eBay seller who seems to specialise entirely in Lego, has around 99%+ feedback and isn't selling 1000's of different items. Otherwise avoid like the plague.

[Elkkthunder]

I no longer give partial refunds, too many people blackmailing your feedback for a few bucks. I have them send it back for refund.

I also had this happen to me on a purchase, boxes got crunched, but don't care that much. I left neutral feedback, which I think is appropriate

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Brickpicker mobile app

I had this happen too recently

I don't take returns but opened a not as described

Settled a partial refund, but he was a scammer

You can use toolhaus.org to check feedback they left and patterns of negatives

Then I block them, there is a website that has a blacklist of people to block

Maybe we need a brickpicker version

[Yellowtot]

You can use toolhaus.org to check feedback they left and patterns of negatives

Then I block them, there is a website that has a blacklist of people to block

 

Yeah we have similar things over here, and yes I never offer a partial refund I always ask them to open a case for a return. Granted it's only happened like 4 times in 3 years but only 2 ever actually did open a case and it was legitimately damaged in transit.

[Deadfraggle]

Quick opinion question. I purchased a Lego set on 18 MAR from eBay. Seller charged me $12 for USPS priority mail 2 to 3 day shipping. I'm generally happy with the set and the purchase price. Unfortunately it took the seller 22 days to get the item shipped to me. It was an Easter gift that arrived 5 days to late. The seller generally ignored most of my communication attempts and at one point flat out lied and told me the package had been shipped when it was obviously still with the seller. Also the box is damaged because they didn't use any packaging materials and shipped in an oversized box.

Should I request a full refund on principle? Ask for my $12 shipping charge refunded? Leave negative feedback to warn others or just smile and nod?

Edited April 11, 2015 by Deadfraggle

[justafrog]

Quick opinion question. I purchased a Lego set on 18 MAR from eBay. Seller charged me $12 for USPS priority mail 2 to 3 day shipping. I'm generally happy with the set and the purchase price. Unfortunately it took the seller 22 days to get the item shipped to me. It was an Easter gift that arrived 5 days to late. The seller generally ignored most of my communication attempts and at one point flat out lied and told me the package had been shipped when it was obviously still with the seller. Also the box is damaged because they didn't use any packaging materials and shipped in an oversized box.

Should I request a full refund on principle? Ask for my $12 shipping charge refunded? Leave negative feedback to warn others or just smile and nod?

 

If you're keeping the set, you're not entitled to a full refund - the seller might be scared into one to try to avoid a negative, but it's not something eBay or PayPal will back you on in a case.

 

This is a time for neutral or negative feedback, not trying to get money back. Presumably the Easter gift has been opened and used, so the box condition isn't really an issue. The seller's bad packaging and ridiculous shipping time is the issue.

[stephen_rockefeller]

I would leave low star ratings in the shipping and communication sections. Before I did though I would email one last time asking for an explanation of why it took 22 days.

[tonysbricks]

Get your shipping cost back too, you pay for 3 day service and it sounds like that is not what you received. If they claim USPS took that long that's their issue with USPS and they can try and go after them for a refund.

[Deadfraggle]

The set has not been used as I'm still debating sending it back under the sellers return policy. The money isn't a huge issue, to me it's the principle of paying for shipping when the seller didn't use good business practices and ensuring future customers aren't subjected to the same.

I have never left negative feedback on any of my 200 or so eBay purchases because I'm generally not a vindictive person. Often I will just send a friendly message to try and educate the seller for future transactions (although they probably could care less)

Edited April 11, 2015 by Deadfraggle