Stupid eBay sellers/cost of case/manual :P

[Battlesmurf]

Hey guys. Just bought a 'Shining the Holy Ark'- US Sega Saturn. Said to be in excellant condition, one owner, etc. It came with a ragged case, a manual with writing all inside (and holes poked through pages with a pen/pencil it looks like). I contacted the seller and in different words told me something along the lines of "I didn't get what I expected for the game- you should live with the damage". Doesn't sound willing to give a refund.

I'm not an unresonable guy- but this is lame. How much do you guys think that case/manual is worth (I paid 45 shipped for that game) in this case? I'm thinking of doing a paypal dispute for a couple of bucks.


Anybody have similar dealings on ePay?

[Battlesmurf]

to clarify things a bit- this is a game I've been after for a LONG time. I expected it to come in the condition it was described in. This is just one of those games that means a little something to me

[Ed Oscuro]

Tell him you'll give up a nice big ol' neg if he doesn't move to compensate you for the misrepresentation (lie).

No seller should call something good condition if it's not.

[Battlesmurf]

Yeah- it's times like this I remember why I stopped using eBay for a bit. A similar situation came from all the RARE MINT COMPLETE Battletoads for Genesis I bought years ago. I bought 3 different sets from 3 different sellers and they were all trashed (and while I'm picky- they were seriously ALL trashed).

[Ed Oscuro]

I haven't ever run into a situation like this, actually. Nobody's ever scammed me on eBay - either I'm lucky or my precautions work.

Hard break though, but file a claim with PayPal immediately.

[neorichieb1971]

The only time I had a dispute was funnily enough on another Saturn game. JP Panzer Dragoon Saga. The game had funnily enough only 3 spindles and the 4th disc was just laid on top. I thought WTF is this?

Obviously demanded a refund and got it.


I find it hard to believe all that damage was done to the game and you never noticed it in a picture. Where is the auction?

[Ganelon]

I haven't ever run into a situation like this, actually. Nobody's ever scammed me on eBay - either I'm lucky or my precautions work.

Hard break though, but file a claim with PayPal immediately.

More likely that you haven't bought enough on eBay. Eventually, after hundreds of items, you'll eventually encounter this issue. I didn't really come across this issue until I made over 200 purchases.

One thing to realize though is that unless the seller makes clear and specific statements as to the game's condition (and not just "mint and complete") and unless the seller is Japanese, you can only assume that the game is in fair condition, regardless of what the price is. In my case, I paid $11 open auction for my Shining the Holy Ark simply described as "mint and complete" and it came to me in with a spotless disc and manual (the insert was only great though but that's alright with me).

Honestly, if the guy is being an ass, you should just dispute the charge as receiving items significantly not as described. On rare occasions, I've received items really beat up from shipping (always due to poor packaging) or careless sellers who listed the game as complete when it was missing a manual. Generally, they respond very kindly and these games are only like $5 so I just let it go even though I always go buy a complete version afterward.

I'm surprised you encountered a bad SS game though. For the US games I've bought, the manuals were in far better condition than for any other system out there. Now, the boxes are often cracked but wow, those manuals are practically untouched with registration cards still uncut.

[Jon]

In a little over two hundred transactions on ebay I have only been ripped off once. Some shmuck in the U.K. sells me a "mint copy" of Cannon Spike for the DC. The game arrives in nowhere near the described condition and I send it back for a refund. This asshole then proceeds to tell me the game I mailed back was NOT the one he originally sent. He got to keep my money AND get his game back. Hooray!!!

[Koa Zo]

In a little over two hundred transactions on ebay I have only been ripped off once. Some shmuck in the U.K. sells me a(...)

Out of a dozen bad transactions I've had on eBay, I think 8+ were from UK sellers.

[kozo]

In a little over two hundred transactions on ebay I have only been ripped off once. Some shmuck in the U.K. sells me a(...)

Out of a dozen bad transactions I've had on eBay, I think 8+ were from UK sellers.

Me too. I know there are some great UK sellers, but EVERY. SINGLE. PACKAGE. that has ever not shown up to my place was shipped from the U.K. or Netherlands. Still in a dispute with a package of MSX stuff that was supposed to show up A MONTH ago, and still, nothing.

I actually bought a huge order from Shou on these forums, shipped from Japan via EMS, and that hasn't shown up either - also has been a month. He's not even checking his PMs or responding to email or the PayPal claim. UGH. I have no clue what the heck is going on, because EMS takes 2-3 days 100% of the time in my experience, and I've bought and shipped hundreds of items to and from Japan (who generally have great service.)

[rolins]

Me too. I know there are some great UK sellers, but EVERY. SINGLE. PACKAGE. that has ever not shown up to my place was shipped from the U.K. or Netherlands. Still in a dispute with a package of MSX stuff that was supposed to show up A MONTH ago, and still, nothing.

I bought lots of MSX games from Netherlands too. Completely understandable if your package hasn't arrived. If you paid for standard shipping it will take about 2 months from Netherlands to US. It takes a long time and I have little patience for that so I always pay for express if its coming from Netherlands. It's only a few more dollars extra.

[MR_Soren]

That's why I don't buy used games without detailed pictures.

[kozo]

@ Rolins: Interesting. Good to know, I guess he still has some time left...the tracking page says it's Global Packet Plus, though, and that supposedly takes 4-7 days. I ordered an MSX item from a different seller in the Netherlands after this first guy, and it was also sent Global Packet, and it showed up less a week later...so I'm still concerned. Thanks for the info though, that makes me feel a little better.

Sorry for the semi-derail.

[Lordstar]

this is a simple case of not getting what you were buying as it was not described as. Take it to paypal, it will likely scare the shit out of him and you will get some if not a half of your cash back. worst case senario you will have to send it back to him and you will loose the P&P on that but get the rest back. Just make sure its signed for otherwise it might just go "missing" in the post and you will have nothing

[Battlesmurf]

I appreciate your guys input. I was almost starting to think I was over reacting or something. But yeah- filing PP now

[Lordstar]

Dont skimp on the details and pictures will prove your case to the best of there ablity.

[Observer]

uh, sorry to hear about this man, but don't worry regarding obnoxiously long waiting times for some packages: it's Murphy's Law at times.

I sometimes got stuff sent through regular airmail in 6 days and stuff sent with EMS that took one month and two weeks to arrive (it was a heavy package from Australia) and even then I had less than 3 working days to go and personally pick it up at the customs, which takes roughly between 1 to 3 hours of waiting.

Hell, I almost gave up on a package and was about to complain to the seller till a couple of weeks ago they woke me up with a registered letter indicating I had to go to the customs... AGAIN.

[SAM]

In a little over two hundred transactions on ebay I have only been ripped off once. Some shmuck in the U.K. sells me a "mint copy" of Cannon Spike for the DC. The game arrives in nowhere near the described condition and I send it back for a refund. This asshole then proceeds to tell me the game I mailed back was NOT the one he originally sent. He got to keep my money AND get his game back. Hooray!!!

Buyer got ripped off every 200 transactions on eBay? Have you check the seller's feedbacks rating before you commit to buy? I think you should restrict yourself for buying only from eBay sellers with 100% +ve feedbacks and a score of 800+.
This kind of sellers might ask for a little more for shipping, but that usually goes to better packing and the willingless to refund if anything goes wrong. The kind of sellers that you could rest assured that they won't cheat on you.

Or Japanese sellers, yes I also have a feeling that Japanese sellers play more fair then sellers from else where. But I think the reasons is most eBay Japanese sellers are Pro, average joes in Japan just sold their stuffs at yahoo.auction.co.jp.

Well, seller got ripped off even more offen, for every 50 or so transactions, claiming item not received.

When I send all my goods via registered mail, it improve to every 100 transactions, claiming items not as described, treatening -ve feedback for a refund of a few bugs.

The seller refused to refund after you send the item back?!!? What kind of seller is that! I finally know why when ever I offer return for refund, the buyer just shut up and keep the good half of the time.

[Matsunaga]

I had a problem once, I bought Rise of the Dragon on sega cd, and I got a blank cd. The case and booklet looked good, until I opened the booklet and saw that all the pages were blank. So, I reported him to ebay, and left negative feedback. Then he emails me saying he would have given me a refund, but not after what I did. Then he left me negative feedback.. I never had any other issues, but when you have one they never seem to work out good.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I bought a brand new GBA game from KMart once and when I got home. I realized that the cartridge was missing. A fucking crafty person stole the GBA cart and convincly made the box seem like it was still sealed with shrink wrap intact.

Had to call the customer service desk and get this situation straighten out. Went back about 30 minutes later and got another copy. So much trouble for just buying a "so-called" brand new factory sealed GBA cartridge. ^_~

After this incident, I carefully inspect the GBA box and shrinkwrap to see if it's been tampered with and if so, get another one. Shrinkage as the retail business likes to call merchadise theft is a big problem for retailers these days. The usage of such plain-clothes loss prevention agents to apprend such shoplifters in such retail establishments is the norm these days. I've heard of such fistfights/brawls breaking out over shoplifters trying to flee with stolen merch. Doing crazy shit calls for crazy tactics to bring 'em down quick and fast.

Sorry to hear that you got ripped off, Battlesmurf. Some folks on eBay are out to make a quick buck, even if their merchandise isn't as stated. It's buyer beware these days.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[xenepp]

I just bought a "sealed" SNES Zelda and it turned out to be a preowned game in a shop seal.

Paypal had no idea what that meant and I'm still waiting to see if I get my refund.

Slowly but surely I'm losing interest in using ebay at all.

-Joel

[I'm Alec]

I just bought a "sealed" SNES Zelda and it turned out to be a preowned game in a shop seal.

Paypal had no idea what that meant and I'm still waiting to see if I get my refund.

Slowly but surely I'm losing interest in using ebay at all.

-Joel

Oh man, that must be a real bummer as I'm guessing you probably paid a pretty penny for that plastic seal. especially if it was bought on ebay.

[gavin19]

Me too. I know there are some great UK sellers, but EVERY. SINGLE. PACKAGE. that has ever not shown up to my place was shipped from the U.K. or Netherlands.

This is almost always down to the country it is going to, not where it came from. Usually due to unfamiliar postage stamps/markings, methods of addressing etc.

[Ed Oscuro]

I haven't ever run into a situation like this, actually. Nobody's ever scammed me on eBay - either I'm lucky or my precautions work.

Hard break though, but file a claim with PayPal immediately.

More likely that you haven't bought enough on eBay. Eventually, after hundreds of items, you'll eventually encounter this issue. I didn't really come across this issue until I made over 200 purchases.

I've made near 200 purchases over the years, haven't had a scammer yet. Part of the reason is that I watch out for suspicious sellers and don't buy from them. But hey if it makes you feel better I'm just too much of a n00b

[benstylus]

That's why I don't buy used games without detailed pictures.

Agreed.

I just assume that anyone who won't bother to take a picture or two obviously won't have bothered to keeping their games in good shape, either.

[SAM]

I had a problem once, I bought Rise of the Dragon on sega cd, and I got a blank cd. The case and booklet looked good, until I opened the booklet and saw that all the pages were blank. So, I reported him to ebay, and left negative feedback. Then he emails me saying he would have given me a refund, but not after what I did. Then he left me negative feedback.. I never had any other issues, but when you have one they never seem to work out good.

eBay sellers would only issue refund BEFORE the buyer left any feedback. Keep that in mind next time.

If you want your money back you can't -ve him, at least until AFTER he refunds you.

[Lordstar]

That's why I don't buy used games without detailed pictures.

Agreed.

I just assume that anyone who won't bother to take a picture or two obviously won't have bothered to keeping their games in good shape, either.

in this day and age digital cameras are so easy to use you take a pic and put it in the dock or plug in the usb wire and it will download the pics automaticaly. Digital cams are pretty cheap these days too.

[Ed Oscuro]

I had a problem once, I bought Rise of the Dragon on sega cd, and I got a blank cd. The case and booklet looked good, until I opened the booklet and saw that all the pages were blank. So, I reported him to ebay, and left negative feedback. Then he emails me saying he would have given me a refund, but not after what I did. Then he left me negative feedback.. I never had any other issues, but when you have one they never seem to work out good.

eBay sellers would only issue refund BEFORE the buyer left any feedback. Keep that in mind next time.

If you want your money back you can't -ve him, at least until AFTER he refunds you.

In this case the buyer also made a mistake by letting the buyer's newbie mistake get under their skin. They could have contacted the buyer and offered to give a refund under the condition that the buyer retract the negative and also retract their eBay report.

In this case the seller may have made an honest mistake (they're selling as a business after all, many are pressed for time). Reporting them to eBay, instead of contacting them directly and attempting to work it out, was not the right thing to do.

Communication, communication...even with it, you rarely know if a seller they intended to scam you or not, but one shouldn't take the attitude that they are going to unilaterally remove somebody from eBay for being merely sloppy or whatever. Sending you a box full of phone books is another thing; not noticing some small detail in the case is another.

People who don't try to work problems out and immediately report to eBay (whether it's justified or not, and in this case I can't see how it was) and put in a negative are the cancer killing eBay, and also fucking n00bz.

p.s. it would be hilarious if that Rise of the Dragon was an ultra l337 OMG R@R3! misprint copy. Would serve you right for being a tard about it.

[benstylus]

Hey guys. Just bought a 'Shining the Holy Ark'- US Sega Saturn. Said to be in excellant condition, one owner, etc. It came with a ragged case, a manual with writing all inside (and holes poked through pages with a pen/pencil it looks like). I contacted the seller and in different words told me something along the lines of "I didn't get what I expected for the game- you should live with the damage". Doesn't sound willing to give a refund.

let me talk to my fiancee - she got a busted StHA game a while back with a nice case and manual, i'll see if she still has it