Caviat Emptor!

[Dieter]

Argh, what's with these buyers on eBay?

I sold this guy a AD&D 1e Oriental Adventures sourcebook via eBay...and at a steal for USD20 (plus shipping)! It was in great condition (some wear on the corners) but otherwise as good as the day I bought it.

I shipped it USPS Priority Mail and it arrived "with the binding on the pages in the first section is loose and the pages are dropping out." Now I know the USPS isn't the greatest, but a hardbound book placed into a thick cardboard container is a pretty tough substance for even the USPS to mangle. Oh, the kicker...he mentioned no where in the deal about getting it insurance for a measly $1.10 extra. I have the sneaking suspicion he wasn't happy with what the book offered so he brewed up this story just to get his money back and screw me over in the process. My word against his.

Methinks there is treachery afoot.

Also, I just started selling stuff on eBay (fcbayern0198)...why would I purposely risk getting a negative rating in my first 2 weeks of selling?

 

[Holy Bovine]

I would insist that the guy send you the book back before issuing him any refund whatsoever. This is pretty standard practice on eBay and is entirely within eBay rules & guidelines.

He may actually have a legitimate gripe...but then he may not. If he refuses to send the book back then you know what the real problem is (if he leaves negative feedback make sure to post a reply stating what he did/didn't want to do - one negative will hardly be the end of the world)

Good luck

 

[gubaru]

If he is lying, the book will probably come back in exactly the condition he describes, even if he has to do it himself.

 

[Zenon]

Heh, he probably thought he was getting the 3E version and didn't realize it 'till it got there it was 1e.

Seriously, about the only thing you can do if you want to be a stand up guy is offer him his money back (unless you stated in you auction that it was "all sales final" or "not responsible for damage incured in shipping"). As others have said though, get you book back first.

You always have the choice of saying "too bad", but negative feedback or buyer complaints to eBay can be a pain if he wants to get nasty about it.

Such is the auction way, sorry to hear you're having trouble.