TubeNet

I just had an experience on ebay with a seller whom I've seen praised a couple times here on Tubenet. In fact, I bought from him despite the fact that his price was at the very top of the range, *because* of a recommendation here.

Well, his description was, let's just say, quite far from the truth, and the packing was the worst I have ever seen. Literally a cobbed-together "box" (pieces of cardboard put together with tape) that must have made five or six trips through UPS previously. Filled with "peanut dust" as there were almost no intact peanuts inside. I had to open it in my car to get the case out and take into work, as I did not want ot leave it in the parking lot all day. It took a full half hour to clean the car afterwards.

Well, after I took it to two repair guys and one professional player, they all said it was essentially unplayable as is and needed extensive work. This had been advertised as terrific and ready to play, which is why I bought it: I'm not one who likes to buy junk and then pay to have it fixed up.

So...unfortunately I had given this guy my CC# because I had reached my paypal limit. He agreed to refund my money but refused to cover shipping; when I talked to ebay, and they saw the message stream, they said that ebay would have immediately refunded my purchase price and original shipping, plus supplied a label for free shipping back to the seller. But....this guy refused, saying that I was responsible for shipping despite his untruthful description. A bunch of stuff about how we had a contract that I would pay the shipping both ways no matter what.

I had to go the feedback route to get my money back. I didn't threaten to leave bad feedback; I just did it when all other avenues did not work. THEN I got my money back, along with another load of verbal crap.

My point being, that unless you personally know someone, do not trust them, period. Do not buy outside of ebay's process (Paypal.) I'm getting verified, although it is something I do not want to do, because the other option is to not buy anything on ebay, and perhaps I should seriously consider that option for the future.

MA

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the heads up!

MaryAnn wrote:My point being, that unless you personally know someone, do not trust them, period. Do not buy outside of ebay's process (Paypal.) I'm getting verified, although it is something I do not want to do, because the other option is to not buy anything on ebay, and perhaps I should seriously consider that option for the future.

Good advice. About six months ago, I bought something which, when it arrived, was radically different from what was promised. The seller said, "Sorry. Send it back" so I did, keeping all the tracking records and notice of signatures. The seller did receive the item but, after three weeks and three requests, did not refund my money, so, because I had used PayPal, I notified PayPal and they did the investigation. I got my money back.

People have their problems with aspects of PayPal but it worked and protected my interests.

I wish there was a serious alternative to ebay. I've been having a lot of problems recently. My particular issue has been non-paying bidders. That seems to be happening a lot more lately. Nothing is really lost in such situations, but it is aggravating.

When I purchased my King 1241, I saw it advertised on Ebay. I saw where it was being offered by Wichita Music. I contacted an old friend from Kansas City who grew up in Wichita and he vouched for the company. I contacted them directly and made the purchase.

Reputation in this electronic world is just as important to verify and maintain as it was in the old classified ad world.

It`s not fun to experience such trades, but I want to balance the picture a bit:
I have bought around 50 instruments on the net, both through Paypal and simply by sending money in the mail.
I have not once received an instrument that was`nt very far from the description, but of course I do ask A LOT of questions before I send/transfer the money
I can tell by a few questions if the seller is serious - and if he is, he will almost every time send you pictures/videos of the instrument.
My biggest concern is to get the seller to wrap box the instruments properly.
But of course: You can never be sure till the instrument has arrived