Watch out for eBay seller: ffd101

[Black Tiger]

I recently bought the first issue of Gamepro from ffd101 on eBay for $1.25.

I guess the seller didn't get what they wanted for it, because they charged me $18 to mail it by USPS in a paper envelope without any cardboard.

I waited until it arrived, in case they were going to send it heavily packaged by some kind of express service or I received a partial refund after they mailed it.

Instead, I found it bent in half in my mail box this afternoon and the postage was $1.95.

[Keranu]

Can you get some of your shipping money back from that or will the seller say something like his handling was worth the other $17 or whatever?

[Black Tiger]

Can you get some of your shipping money back from that or will the seller say something like his handling was worth the other $17 or whatever?

Although it should've been obvious to him when he "calculated" the total that it shouldn't cost $18 to mail a magazine... when buddy showed up at the P.O. and was charged $1.95 to ship it, thats when he would've sent a partial refund if he had any intention not to at least try to rip me off.

He may be one of these guys who pulls crap like this and just waits to see if he gets called on it, because even if he does pay up in these cases, he makes out like a bandit everytime noone says anything.

I used to be more concerned about just sorting out my own problems, but as its been pointed out in the past on these boards, this guy'll do it to others if they aren't warned.

So I left him a neutral feedback stating the unbiassed facts. This morning I found that he left me a retalitory neutral(my first non-positive in years/hundreds of feedbacks) saying:

"Communication was min at best. Shipping was calculated. Could have credited som"

I paid the invoice with PayPal, which provided my confirmed mailing address and contact info. He, however, never "communicated" to me that he sent it. His first communication to me other than the invoice was the neutral feedback.

He also makes himself sound even worse by saying that he "could have credited som", as if he's now going to keep my money as punishment for ratting him out, -instead of "I made a mistake, credit has now been made".

I'm at work right now, so I'll have to wait until I get home to check my e-mail. But I'll probably report him to eBay next, even though they won't do anything.

I personally don't leave negative feedback unless I never receive anything or the item is grossly mis-described(like an $80 Bonk 3 cdr). But in this case, most other people probably would've given him a deserved negative.

Never mind the fact that he advertised it like a collectible(with description of minimal wear) and then mailed it unsupported in a thin paper envelope so it could get bent and the corners crushed.

And buddy still left retalitory feedback blaming me.

[malducci]

From what I understand, sellers who sell items for cheap, but mark up the shipping costs - do so that if you request a refund, the seller does not have to refund the shipping and handling costs.

Basically it's a loop hole. I don't buy from any seller on ebay who does this.

Also I only pay with paypal. I keep the account at $0 and then pay with a credit card transfer - not a checking acount transfer. That way VISA will step in if it's a fraudulent claim. Paypal does not *recommend* this - probably because paypal will get stuck with the bill if VISA approves the claim.

[Odonadon]

I always ask for a shipping quote before bidding if one isn't provided.  If the price is too high, I simply won't bid.  I'll keep my money for now and find a reasonable offer.

Yes this guy ripped you off, but as consumers we all have due diligence to check things out carefully before we pay up.  Since it arrived in a different condition than what was promised to you, it certainly sounds like you're entitled to a complete refund (including shipping) and an apology.  Anything less and this guy is clearly a first class a$$hole, especially if he continues to do this to his customers.

Fool me once, shame on me.  Fool me twice, shame on you (or as dubya would've said, 'fool me twice and yer never gonna fool me again').  I've been burnt once with this type of nonsense, and since then I've been very cautious, maybe too cautious, when I check out an auction.

OD

[Dark Fact]

Communication was minimal? Dude, it always helps to keep communicating with the seller to let him know exactly what you want out of this deal.  Always get an estimate, thorough calculations after shipping and online fees, and also tell him straight that you won't put up with damaged merchandise.

Hell, ask him to pack it in a cardboard box surrounded by bubble wrap or styrofoam if necessary.  The whole envelope thing used for a freakin' magazine is stupid since it's too narrow and highly subject to damage.

[Black Tiger]

I always ask for a shipping quote before bidding if one isn't provided.  If the price is too high, I simply won't bid.  I'll keep my money for now and find a reasonable offer.

Yes this guy ripped you off, but as consumers we all have due diligence to check things out carefully before we pay up.  Since it arrived in a different condition than what was promised to you, it certainly sounds like you're entitled to a complete refund (including shipping) and an apology.  Anything less and this guy is clearly a first class a$$hole, especially if he continues to do this to his customers.

Fool me once, shame on me.  Fool me twice, shame on you (or as dubya would've said, 'fool me twice and yer never gonna fool me again').  I've been burnt once with this type of nonsense, and since then I've been very cautious, maybe too cautious, when I check out an auction.

OD

I'm fine with paying as much as I did, since I bid about that much anyways. I just put up the appropriate feedback as a warning to others. His retalitory feedback, along with the lack of refund after confessing just proves that he isn't completely on the up and up.

Communication was minimal? Dude, it always helps to keep communicating with the seller to let him know exactly what you want out of this deal. Always get an estimate, thorough calculations after shipping and online fees, and also tell him straight that you won't put up with damaged merchandise.

Hell, ask him to pack it in a cardboard box surrounded by bubble wrap or styrofoam if necessary. The whole envelope thing used for a freakin' magazine is stupid since it's too narrow and highly subject to damage.

He adverstised "actual shipping" in his auction and it would've been fine with me if it had arrived super-express-courier with an $18 stamp on it.

I shouldn't have to barter with someone to get them to commit to the terms of their own auction. And like I said, his communication was minimal, I didn't know if he'd even sent anything until it showed up. He was just trying to make up excuses to fill a feedback comment.

Even when the people who've left me the few negatives I've received over the years were obviously crazy or grossly misguided, not only did I not leave retalitory feedback, I actually e-mailed them to see if I could explain their misunderstanding or in one case, see if I could try to track down their missing package(simply left a negative for an item I had the packing slip for).

And I can't leave retalitory feedback anyways, because I don't do feedback blackmail. Where I'd wait for a buyer to leave me a positive before giving them one. I leave positive feedback as soon as I receive payment. Thats the whole point of the feedback system. Now people like bullseye/2many_collectibles/Game_Collectors_Heaven use it to manipulate the market.

[Dark Fact]

I shouldn't have to barter with someone to get them to commit to the terms of their own auction. And like I said, his communication was minimal, I didn't know if he'd even sent anything until it showed up. He was just trying to make up excuses to fill a feedback comment.

Even if you shouldn't, I suggest you do try to tell him anyway.  It doesn't hurt to have a few extra precautions to ensure that your product comes in one piece.

[esteban]

Black_Tiger, this sad tale is all too common: You were more than nice, but tried to warn others by posting meaningful feedback. The seller retaliates and taints your otherwise unblemished rating.

Clearly, ebay's system was broken from the beginning.

I'm just waiting for the day when ebay will allow you to "erase" your negative feedback with $$$. You know, in the same manner that I can "erase" two points from my driver's license if I pay for a "Driver Education" seminar.

Hey, anything to make a buck, right?