Thread: raped on ebay today -- twice

Originally Posted by FUD

Use something generic like "fast ship, excellent packing, willing to work it out when issues arose"

Yeah, I was thinking of something along those lines.

I'm a proponent of giving someone the benefit of the doubt. IT's been said on here time again that not everyone understands str8 razors and what someone who's uninformed thinks is "fair" or "good" condition may infact be poor or worthless.

Well that particular seller has been selling quite a few razors. He claims he didn't notice the gigantic nicks in the edge, I dunno what to think of that.
As he already sent me a 50% refund, I will give him the benefit of the tiniest doubt. It still leaves me with a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.

Redwoood

My 2 cents

Coordinate refund through ebay messages with this guy first to have record that ebay customer service can view without asking you to send it to them.

If something bad happens, then let ebay drop the ball (and from my experiences they most definitely will distance themselves from it), Then through Paypal, they're more likely to work with you than Ebay. Ebay is just there to collect money. Their "consumer protection" consists pretty much of covering their own butts. But that's the american business mentality in general any more.

ONLY If you're worried, clarify the exact amount he's planning on refunding (through ebay message) before you send the item. I bought a set of exerbags for juggling and found that they were lead filled (danger to children). The seller gave full refund, including shipping, without being asked. Sometimes they do that, sometimes they choose not to do that if you ask, it's a gamble so play wisely.

Send it priority with delivery confirmation in a small box with bubble wrap or some other padding, a small box that's 5"X6"X1" is more than sufficient and will be less expensive. Mark the outside of the container fragile on all sides. Print a "ship to" label so there's no chance of confusion on the address. Take good pictures of the item as you place it in the box (with dates if you have a digital camera), and take clear pictures of the packaged box before you ship it. Don't expect to be refunded for the postage it costs you to return the item.

Chances are you won't have to worry but if something happens this will help you during the process of filing with ebay and paypal. Go through the ebay process first just so you can tell paypal you did. IF hell freezes over and ebay actually does something to help you, be thankful but don't expect it to happen again.

Hope this helps.

Glen F

p.s. above all else, if he refunds you with out a hassle, even if it's only the cost of the razor, leave positive feedback that shows he's willing to work with buyers when something like this comes up. It's a bitter experience, especially when they charge huge "shipping and handling", but it's realistically fair.

FUD,

I'm not sure how to handle this. I have the feeling this guy is a crook. When you look at the ebay picture of the Tula, you have the impression it was blurred just enough so the crack is not visible.
The only possibility where the seller comes out honest is if the razor was ok to begin with but got damaged through shipping. I don't believe that for two reasons:
1. The packaging was in excellent condition, thick cardboard, bubblewrap etc.
2. When I wrote him that the item had a crack, he just replied: oh, I'm sorry, send the item back for refund. He wasn't even outraged, or insisted that the item was in order and tried to blame it on the shipping.

The shipping charges on this thing were 5.50. The actual postage paid was 1.70. So this dude is making some microprofit at my cost, while I have to pay even more shipping (more than 5$, I checked) to send it back. Me angry.

Redwoood

Sounds like it.

1.70 postage and I'm guessing no insurance. If you feel he may not refund shipping then ask him. Hopefully he'll refund shipping.

They do have some padded envelopes you can get that you can ship back for about the same amount in, some post offices will allow you to add a delivery confirmation to odd sized first class packages. my post office is a stickler though They don't allow it even when the package clearly fits the guidelines listed on usps.com for allowing delivery confirmation on first class packages.

depending on how much you paid for the razor it may not be worth it to send it back.

If it is, and even if he doesn't refund your shipping charge a positive feedback is warranted for his willingness to work with you. Though you can try make it brief and mention how he profited on shipping.

Something like "refunded item cost when !ARRIVED BROKEN! BUTT PROFITED $3.80 ON SHIP/HANDLING!!!".

That way it doesn't affect his score. Which it shouldn't since he offered to refund without a fight, and hopefully you get your money back. Besides, you get to call him a butt and it seems like a typo and the all caps calls attention to the critical parts even though the feedback score is positive People will see it. Trust me .

If you're going to send it back I'd definitely document through ebay and do the picture things. Check with the local PO and ask what's the cheapest you can spend on first class that qualifies for delivery confirmation.

I hope it works out for you.

Glen F

Originally Posted by Redwoood

Alrighty.
With the Hegener (chips), I can now see them in the original picture but given the carpety background and the item description it didn't look like that at that time.

The Tula (crack) really doesn't show.

Redwoood

Man, I'm glad I didn't win the Tula. I bid on it, too.

Originally Posted by FUD

depending on how much you paid for the razor it may not be worth it to send it back.

I paid $16 for it, so $21.50 in total. Not a whole lot, but it's painful nonetheless.

[...]
Something like "refunded item cost when !ARRIVED BROKEN! BUTT PROFITED $3.80 ON SHIP/HANDLING!!!".

Something like that would get me instant negative feedback. That's what I need right now
Thanks for your suggestions Glen, everybody. Keep them coming

Redwoood

Originally Posted by Popeye

You guys are scaring me. I have one coming from ebay and another off yahoo auction. I'm afraid to check the mail. Didn't pay that much for them though and they are destined to be project razors.

Don't worry I have gotten a number of razors off ebay. I only had problem with one and Ishould have realized it from the pic. Two razors one open one closed. The closed one was rusted beyond repair. I now never bid ona fuzzy pic and I am not shy about asking for a better pix.

Originally Posted by Redwoood

Sorry, I should've explained.
From the right:
pic 1 was on ebay, pic 2 was taken by me of the same razor (chips), a real shame btw, because apart from some rust/potential pitting it's a lovely razor.

pic 3 was on ebay, pic 4 was taken by me of the same razor (crack)

Redwoood

On pic 3 it looks like there is a black line where you found the crack. Wouldn't be surprised if vendor used sth. to camouflage the crack or aimed the light source in a specific way onto the object that it looked like a black line instead of a crack. Or, worse still, manipulated the pic electronically...

Originally Posted by Kees

On pic 3 it looks like there is a black line where you found the crack. Wouldn't be surprised if vendor used sth. to camouflage the crack or aimed the light source in a specific way onto the object that it looked like a black line instead of a crack. Or, worse still, manipulated the pic electronically...

Yeah, that thought had crossed my mind... more than once.
That razor is going back today. This dude took a whole week just to send me his mailing address.
wish me luck, guys!

BTW, I'm glad that you didn't get confused by my inability to distinguish left from right

Redwoood

Time for a Straight Razor Place blacklist of vendors of ill repute? Or a whitelist of vendors who sell value for money?