ebay purchase gone wrong

CDweller · #1 12-27-2009, 01:03 AM

Mods- please place this in the appropriate section, thanks.

I purchased a 12-string Taylor on ebay last week, to supplement my basses. The guitar was advertised by the seller as "in excellent cosmetic condition". The seller also indicated on the listing that returns are not accepted by him. When the guitar arrived, it had numerous cracks in the finish of the top. Careful perusal of the top with a luthier exposed evidence of a hot spray on top of the original finish. Regardless, the top was not as advertised. I contacted the seller via ebay, and informed him that the guitar's finish had numerous cracks. He responded that the guitar was shipped without cracks, and it must have happened in transit.

He has asked me to allow FedEx to come to my residence on the 29th to examine the guitar and the packaging. I think it's a hell of an imposition to be asked to stay at home and wait around for FedEx to show up, with no specific appointment other than sometime that day.

He also has called my residence, but I haven't returned his calls because I was away on business when he called. I subsequently contacted him again through ebay, and requested that he not call me, and use ebay for any communication he needed to relay to me- I want it all on record.

So the question. I used PayPal to pay this guy, and thus have purchase protection. He claims it was shipped in excellent cosmetic condition, with no cracks in the finish. He wants FedEx to come to my house to examine the guitar and the packaging so he can file a claim with FedEx. I just want a refund, because either the guitar was not as advertised, or it was damaged in transit- both conditions are covered by PayPal's buyer protection plan. Am I responsible for waiting around all day on the 29th for FedEx?

bongomania · #2 12-27-2009, 01:06 AM

Yes, I'd think so. Just because you were wronged doesn't mean you get a pass from following the procedures for verifying that you were wronged.

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 12-27-2009, 01:10 AM

A lot of other people will have much more valuable information to give you, but I will say you should be okay. Just follow paypal policy EXACTLY as it`s laid out and be sure to pay close attention to their deadlines.

CDweller · #4 12-27-2009, 01:16 AM

I am sure I'll be ok, too. The PayPal buyer protection plan covers the two possible conditions in this case- the guitar was not as advertised, or it was damaged in transit. I'm just irked because it costs me a serious amount of money to not be at work on the 29th, waiting around for FedEx to show up at their convenience.

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 12-27-2009, 02:09 AM

If you are going to lose a bunch of money by missisng work, I would just file the paypal claim.

Mrdak · #6 12-27-2009, 02:50 AM

I would try to bring it to the fedex office myself, rather than waiting for some driver to come . I've had 2 bad incidents with fedex home delivery. They're sub contractors, and don't do the job quite as well as the regular fedex ground people.
I wouldn't worry much, because fedex is pretty straight up. You'll probably get your $$$ back.

Good luck

yybass · #7 12-27-2009, 04:27 AM

I have had a few issues with some purchases also. The best way forward is to open a case with PayPal. I got a refund for £1400.00 and also £694.00.They will guide you through 'what happens next'.

CDweller · #8 12-27-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrdak

I would try to bring it to the fedex office myself, rather than waiting for some driver to come . I've had 2 bad incidents with fedex home delivery. They're sub contractors, and don't do the job quite as well as the regular fedex ground people.
I wouldn't worry much, because fedex is pretty straight up. You'll probably get your $$$ back.

Good luck

I don't really believe that FedEx messed up. The guitar was well-packed, there's no indication of damage to the case, and the packing would have protected the guitar from any sudden temperature shifts.

My thought is that the seller was trying to con me with a guitar that was messed up. In fact, the pictures on the ebay listing were in soft focus. I relied on his ad copy which stated "in excellent cosmetic condition." Since I've indicated to the seller that the guitar is unacceptable, he's trying to bilk FedEx into paying for a guitar that was not right prior to shipping. I will advise FedEx of my belief, as well. I am protected by PayPal's buyer protection plan, ultimately.

gregwatts2008 · #9 12-27-2009, 09:22 AM

Have your luthier provide a written statement. Paypal will accept that as indication that the item was misrepresented. FedEx wil figure out real quick if it was their fault.

CDweller · #10 12-27-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDweller

I don't really believe that FedEx messed up. The guitar was well-packed, there's no indication of damage to the case, and the packing would have protected the guitar from any sudden temperature shifts.

My thought is that the seller was trying to con me with a guitar that was messed up. In fact, the pictures on the ebay listing were in soft focus. I relied on his ad copy which stated "in excellent cosmetic condition." Since I've indicated to the seller that the guitar is unacceptable, he's trying to bilk FedEx into paying for a guitar that was not right prior to shipping. I will advise FedEx of my belief, as well. I am protected by PayPal's buyer protection plan, ultimately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yybass

I have had a few issues with some purchases also. The best way forward is to open a case with PayPal. I got a refund for £1400.00 and also £694.00.They will guide you through 'what happens next'.

I'll give him a day to consider refunding the purchase, and then I will submit a claim with PayPal. Perceptions are a funny thing, and sometimes one can swear that they're seeing something that simply isn't so. I still think something's rotten here. The guitar has an eggshell texture on the top, as well as the cracks. It has a faint whitish residue on the back of the bridge, and a slight wicking of the lacquer around the bridge. These all indicate a hot shot on top of the original finish, which was not followed by a good buffing. Regardless, these were not noted in the description. These issues lead me to believe the seller is not selling in good faith.

**jmattbassplaya** · #11 12-27-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDweller

I'll give him a day to consider refunding the purchase, and then I will submit a claim with PayPal. Perceptions are a funny thing, and sometimes one can swear that they're seeing something that simply isn't so. I still think something's rotten here. The guitar has an eggshell texture on the top, as well as the cracks. It has a faint whitish residue on the back of the bridge, and a slight wicking of the lacquer around the bridge. These all indicate a hot shot on top of the original finish, which was not followed by a good buffing. Regardless, these were not noted in the description. These issues lead me to believe the seller is not selling in good faith.

I think you are right. Best of luck to ya.

tribus · #12 12-27-2009, 03:42 PM

pay pal ALWAYS side with the buyer so if you are not happy simply open a dispute with pay pal and you WILL get you money back.

hermanmunster · #13 12-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Dont wait to start a claim with Paypal! The sellers that are not honest try to stall untill its to late to set up a claim. Just make sure you do it within the deadline(10 days I think).I bought a Dr Z guitar amp and thank God for Paypal or I would have been out over a grand.

CDweller · #14 12-27-2009, 04:19 PM

It's 45 days, actually.

CDweller · #15 12-29-2009, 03:59 PM

I took a day off from work today, which cost me a lot in lost overtime (I'm a captain at a major airline). I was waiting all day for FedEx to come to my residence to inspect the damaged guitar. They never came. Apparently the seller messed up the paperwork, and gave me the wrong info.

I sent him an email letting him know that I wasted my day, lost money that I could have earned, and have filed a dispute with Paypal.

I am not responsible for any damage that transpires through shipping. I also don't believe that any damage occurred during shipping- I think the seller is f.o.s., and is trying to swindle FedEx for the price of the guitar. I collect from FedEx, and he keeps the money I sent him. Nice con.

Fortunately, the Paypal buyer protection plan is clear on this situation- he has to refund my money for the guitar, and it's his responsibility to deal with FedEX. I'd be livid, except that this old boy doesn't get mad. Just even.