Ebay advice

willymotts · #1 03-07-2011, 05:59 AM

There is a guy on Ebay who has a Sansamp RBI listed as "New - Other". I emailed him and in his return email he admitted that he gigged with it twice and it is "just like new". Should I do anything about this or just let the buyer beware? I personally don't consider that "new" but maybe I'm just being too picky.

Clark Dark · #2 03-07-2011, 06:02 AM

sometimes new/other might mean it's a store demo too IME

Smurf-o-Deth · #3 03-07-2011, 06:05 AM

Opinions differ on how to handle this sort of situation, but "new - other" (which are usually factory refurbs and in-store demos) and "used in like-new condition" are not the same thing, and that's a misleading way to list something (whether it was intentional or not, who can say?). Whether or not you feel it is worth contacting eBay about is up to you.

GizmoTheOne · #4 03-07-2011, 06:07 AM

If he gigged with it, it should be listed as "Used". New - Other often means store demo, B-stock, restored item, but not used. However, probably he gigged with it and didn't like what he got so he's selling it. I would'nt do much about it. If you want it and have a decent price for it, you should get it IMO.

faceinbass · #5 03-07-2011, 06:32 AM

So you are asking whether or not to turn the listing into ebay as misleading?

Why not.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #6 03-07-2011, 06:36 AM

It drives me nuts when people do this. I see it on craigslist all the time too. Other than this broken knob or large chip in the finish, this item is like new. No, something on it is freaking broken. That is NOT new condition. At least this guy isn't try to sell something broken as "new" but once you drive the car off the lot the retail value is gone!

Bob C · #7 03-07-2011, 06:55 AM

You can report it to eBay. They may or may not make him change the auction wording.

I recently ran across an auction with contradictory wording:

Zoom Ultra Fuzz; no reserve; seller added the following info: "Reserve is set at $125". Maybe he meant "buy it now" or "starting bid" or something else. But it's wrong.

willymotts · #8 03-07-2011, 07:03 AM

OK, I think I'll email the guy and tell him that I would like him to change his listing by the end of the day or I will notify Ebay. Sound like an appropriate thing to do?

LilloEsquilo · #9 03-07-2011, 07:04 AM

Technically yes that is misleading. However, if it has not been mistreated and has no damage, then you are able to effectively get an as new unit at a discount, I would figure. If he's trying to get new price, forget it, get something with a warranty, as many manufacturers won't transfer the warranty. But if he's selling it at say 70% of new price (or less) then I could see it. 50% would be a great bargain.

If you're so inclined you could tell eBay about it. Not really much point though as he can just modify it to say used, explain he gigged it twice and it's as new and it should be good that way.

madmatt · #10 03-07-2011, 07:09 AM

This is like all of those auctions I see for a Fender bass. Open the link and it is a Squire.

leegreenman · #11 03-07-2011, 07:13 AM

While I agree this is misleading, I bet items are gigged with or taken home for short periods of time by employees at smaller shops and sold as new. What about returns at chain stores? I'm sure they are often sold as new as well.

Bob C · #12 03-07-2011, 07:15 AM

YOU already know the item's true status. If you want to inform or protect other potential buyers, then report it or contact him again about changing the wording.

willymotts · #13 03-07-2011, 07:36 AM

I just sent him an email. We'll see what he says. Depending on the tone of his reply (if he does reply), I'll know my next step. Thanks to all.

willymotts · #14 03-07-2011, 11:58 AM

So, after he gets my email, he amends his listing with a sentence stating that he used it twice. He then sends me a message saying that I should have read his listing better. That's what I get for trying to be nice. Thanks to all who chimed in.

faceinbass · #15 03-07-2011, 12:33 PM

HA what a douche.

walker rosewood · #16 03-07-2011, 12:34 PM

When you list it that way it says "New-other (see description)" Ebay doesn't have an option to label it "Used-Like New". The other option paraphrased is "used-has scratches and dings, but in working order"

The seller felt his unit was closer to "New-other" then scratched and dinged. It was probably more accurate and ebay even tells you to read the details. I don't think he was trying to scam anyone.

I think the seller did nothing wrong, and you way over reacted, which made you look bad. The seller then reacted nicely, even changing his listing, when he should have given you a big ol "screw you."

I just found the listing and he started the auction at $150, brand new this sells for $330. That's very fair. If you don't think that's a good deal then don't bid, but no reason to be the Ebay police on this one.

walker rosewood · #17 03-07-2011, 12:38 PM

oh, and there ARE plenty of music stores that actually rent the gear out for gigs, then when it's returned put it right back on the floor as brand new, with tags, box, warranty, etc. It might have been used 20 times on a gig but as long as it looks/works as new they won't even mention it to an actual buyer.

At least this ebay guy owned up.