D&D book bought on eBay. No map, need advice.

[blargney the second]

I recently bought a setting book on eBay. The product was advertised as mint condition, but when I received it I was disappointed to discover that the poster map wasn't included. I emailed him about the problem, and he replied that he didn't realize there was supposed to be a map with the book. That's why he didn't specifically say "No map" on the description.

He just emailed me again, and said that he couldn't find the map, despite turning his room upside down. Here's where I need advice: what do I give him as feedback - Positive, Neutral, or Negative?

Caveat emptor obviously applies in this case. My mistake was in assuming that mint condition meant "exactly like new, including all bits and pieces", without asking first. I'll know better for next time, but what should I do with this one?

-blarg

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Negative. And it sounds like you bought a Mystara Gaz. If that's the case, check out the official/fan site -- they have maps of everything.

 

[blargney the second]

Bluffside, actually. Unfortunately I haven't turned up any maps on the internet, either.

 

[Crothian]

negative feedback, the book was not as advertised. It doesn't matter if it was a mistake on his part or deciet.

What setting was it?

 

[Crothian]

MEg had the maps on line, I thought I had copies of them somewhere

 

[scourger]

See if he'll give you a full (if you don't want the book) or partial refund (if you do still) before leaving negative feedback.

 

[IronWolf]

I guess I would give the guy the benefit of the doubt and not go any less than a neutral feedback. I know when I was looking for a reasonably priced copy of Volo's Guide to Waterdeep I quickly learned to ask whether it included the map or not. Most of the auctions I saw at the time made no mention of their not being a map and when asked many didn't know it was supposed to come with one. Never be afraid to ask questions of the seller, *especially* if you think you know more about the product than them (i.e. what it should or shouldn't come with).

 

[Mark]

See if he'll give you a full (if you don't want the book) or partial refund (if you do still) before leaving negative feedback.

Yup. Give him a chance to make it right by you. You should even consider giving him a Positive feedback response if he does satisfy you, and Neutral is he does his best but it's still not enough for you personally. Giving someone Negative feedback when they are trying to make it right only discourages other people from even trying. Sounds like it was an honest mistake. If he was purposefully trying to screw you, and due Negative feedback, you'd probably not even be getting a response to your emails.

Heck, he might even give you full refund and write the book off as a loss (considering shipping costs), then find the map later in some other box and send it to you for being so understanding. Don't mess up that scenario!

 

[dead]

You should get a full refund. His ignorance is not an excuse. Mint does mean complete in anyone's language.

So get your money back.

In the future -- even if the product says "mint" -- email the seller and confirm that the product is complete. Do some research and give them an itemized account of what the product should contain. Includings number of pages, fold-out maps, tri-fold covers, etc.

When you receive email confirmation that the item is complete and all the bits you have listed are there, then keep the email in your records just in case.

If it's D&D/AD&D your buying, then I always check these sites to see exactly what the product should contain:

http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/

AND

http://rpggateway.com/tsrlist/docfiles.html

 

[blargney the second]

Crothian, thanks for the suggestion of looking at the MEG site. I didn't find the city map, but I did find a whole pile of other useful stuff there!

I hadn't even considered the refund possibility, that's a very good idea. I bought two other items on the same order, so it won't be a total loss for him.

Mark, I think you're right about giving Neutral, or Positive if he refunds me. I'm not getting any bad vibes from him, and he has been replying to my emails promptly, so I think Negative is a bit harsh.