Ebay problem - would like some opinions!

MadMuffin

I recently bought these coins from a seller in Israel. The lot looked promising and so did his feedback, but I wasn't too pleased about what I recieved.

First of all, the coins were sent rattling in a cardboard box. Half of them were tucked into an old envelope with a large hole in it, the rest were simply put in the box without any kind of protection. Several of the coins had recent nicks and tiny scratches from the journey - nothing serious, but enough to catch the eye. The price for registered shipping was $18.

The value of the coins is ok compared to the price and the most vulnerable coins were protected in capsules. Still it's no way to ship coins, especially not at that price.

I paid customs to get the coins into Denmark, and returning them by registered mail at Danish postage rates will be very expensive. Returning them is not an option, in other words. I would like some input as to what I could do here.

This is the first time that I'm actually considering negative feedback for a seller. But he has not left any feedback for me yet, so I risk getting one right back. I will need to contact him first. Should I demand that he returns the $18 I paid for shipping?

Marcel

coinpictures

I'm not sure I would "demand" anything, as that has the tendency to get things off on the wrong foot.

His feedback is 100%, so I would give him the benefit of the doubt; explain the problems with the way the coins were packed, as well as the quandry you are in re: the customs fees and expense of a return. If he is a stand-up guy, he will be amenable to some sort of a partial refund.

I've done this in the past, both as buyer and seller, when things were not as advertised or anticipated. I've found that most people, when approached politely and reasonably, are willing to try and work things out...

Good luck!

-Dan

wybrit

Since the coins did arrive and you believe they are worth what you paid for them, a negative is probably inappropriate.

I would send him an email politely expressing what you have said here. If he does not offer some sort of compromise (like refunding the postage or at least meeting you halfway), a neutral feedback is in order.

As far as I am concerned, I will happily risk my rating to expose poor practices when the other party does not try to make it right. Other buyers have a reasonable right to know if another ebayer is performing poorly. In most cases I have observed, including on my own feedback, the retaliatory responses consist of name calling and other emotional statements that further expose the point you are making through your complaint.

nicholasz219

I have found through experience that by contacting him first, you should be able to get some sort of compromise as has been said in this thread. On the other hand, I had an experience where I bid on some "Trade Dollars" (the term could not be used any more loosely than I am using it here) but had questions about their authenticity (coming from China). In this case, figured they were probably fake, but if they were silver, I was buying them for about their melt value so I wasn't very concerned.

What did concern me was the bill for shipping the next morning that I received which stated I owed $200 for $10 worth of coin. No where was the shipping listed as that expensive and the seller stated he combined shipping. Needless to say, I was furious and told the seller that there was no way I would pay such a ridiculous amount and immediately reported the incident to Ebay. The seller and I cancelled the transaction, and if he left ay negative information, Ebay must have removed it because it never showed up in my feedback.

I am pretty certain the coins were counterfeit and when I protested the shipping, the seller just slinked away.

MadMuffin

Thanks for your input. I do intend to approch him in a polite manner - I agree with you Dan that any other way could make matters worse. I think I'll follow your advice and leave it up to him to decide what to do about this. In the first place, that is. I will make it clear that I do expect some kind of reaction from him. I'll let you know how it goes.

Marcel

danglen

Marcel, if all else fails, I will take the lot off your hands for what you paid for them and pay for your shipping expenses as well.

goossen

<< <i>His feedback is 100%, so I would give him the benefit of the doubt; (...) >>



Yes, it's 100% but check out these comments:

VERY FAST, FRIENDLY!SOME ITEMS DAMAGED IN SHIPPING O/W OK, EXCELLENT SELLER A+++

Honest. But packaging needs improvement. Also too heavy on Israeli coins.

Money Order Was Damaged, Box Was Damaged, Bareley recieved,....

MadMuffin

Goossen, I have noticed that too. Kind of indicates a pattern, doesn't it?

The seller has now told me that he always packs the coins carefully and that "the Israeli Post will not accept the parcel unless the coins are packed with great care". Well, the cardboard box was very strong. The problem is what was (not) inside! I have suggested the seller that we take it to Ebay to let them help find a solution. He has offered me to throw in some extra coins the next time I buy from him - but as I don't want to see him make money on this (especially not my money!) I have declined that offer. I will not be dealing with him again, of course.

Danglen - thanks for your kind offer. Actually the coins were not bought for my own collection - I bought them on behalf of a guy who doesn't yet feel comfortable about buying on Ebay. I guess this won't improve is confidence

Marcel