eBay Issue: Any Recourse Here?

Hello--

On our favorite auction site, I recently spotted a jazz LP on the so-called "bullseye" Atlantic label that appeared to be an original from 1959/1960. It was listed as a "used" LP with "USA" stated as the country of manufacture and not much in the way of description. There was just one accompanying photo that showed the front cover with the record 3/4 of the way exposed/out of the cover. The font on the new "bullseye" reissues is obviously different from the originals and thus can be spotted easily, but this one looked correct to me. As I was trying to confirm this was an original pressing, I went to Discogs and found that the only US reissue of the "bullseye" label had the larger, obviously different-than-original font. The seller was from Japan and checking his other auctions, I noted that he dealt in rock records, so as unlikely as it seemed, maybe he didn't know much about this original mono Atlantic. I figured that by the time he responded to my "confirm-this-is-original" question, it would be gone. Based on my internet research, I deemed that this one had to be original based on the fact that I found no mono US reissues with the correct label font. I made the buy-it-now purchase for $27USD plus $15USD shipping.

The record arrived, and I immediately saw the car code on the back cover...uh oh. This record proved to be a Rhino/UK reissue.

I'm guessing the record can be returned once I point to the fact that the seller incorrectly represented it as a US-issue, but the $15 (minimum) it will cost me to ship it back to Japan will outweigh the value of the record and put me further under water, much less the original $15 I paid to have it mailed to me in the first place and the $27 purchase price. Any advice?

Is this one of those situations where I have to tell myself "sometimes you eat the bear; sometimes it eats you," and write off the $42?

 

I'd contact the seller. Explain that they listed it as a US pressing when in fact it was a UK reissue. I'd avoid being too detailed about it and try and keep it concise and simple. See what they say. You might be able to work out a partial refund.

However, Paypal does offer a return shipping coverage service so you can get your return postage recouped (I think up to $30). Check the paypal transaction page and there should be a link on the details for the this transaction that links to a claim for return postage. If it isn't there it could be that you need to register for the service. Google should help with a link or you can call Paypal directly.

 

What @eddiel said.

 

ebay does have their satisfaction guarantee which favors the buyer. see what the initial response from the seller is like.

 

Hello, and thanks for weighing in. I did send the seller a friendly email nearly 24 hours ago, but no response forthcoming. I am definitely curious about this "return shipping coverage service," and I will look into it this weekend. I'd never heard of it...

 

this is what I was referring to:

eBay Money Back Guarantee | eBay

 

Hello again:

I did receive a very nice response from the friendly Japanese seller (as the Japanese are wont to be, in my experience) where he apologized for the error in having listed this as a US record when it is actually a European pressing and he offered a $10 refund. I don't have much interest in reissue records, and in terms of just re-selling it myself on eBay, it looks like the two of these that have sold recently only fetched around $15 with free shipping, while I paid $42 with shipping factored in under the presumption that I was buying an original US pressing.

Anyway, I wrote back to thank him for the offer, but I said that I would really prefer to return it. He said that a return is fine, though as shipping back to Japan can be pricey, he requested that I use the cheapest shipping option. I'm disinclined to look like a jerk and insist upon a prepaid label through eBay, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this.

I guess the easiest would be to accept the $10, flip it on eBay for $15/free shipping, and write off the @$25 I will lose on this. Such is life.

 

If you just put in an eBay claim saying the item was "Significantly Not as Described" the chances are good you will not have to pay for return postage. Either they will force him to pay for it if he wants it back, or more likely they will tell you to keep it and give all your money back anyway. It's certainly worth a try.

 

Whatever you do if you do return post (at whom evers cost) ensure it is expertly packed so there can be no damage claim thrown back at you.

Don't worry as it is not a large money transaction and these things happen to Ebay users.

 

And be certain to use tracked shipment to avoid any tomfoolery. The sellers advisory to use the cheapest shipping available has a slight Tuna odor to it.

 

Thank you. So the advice is that I go through eBay...? Sorry for the stupid questions, but I have little experience with returns.

 

Yes, file the claim through eBay and say the record was not as described.

 

By your own OP it sounds like you decided to take a chance & snag it -- rather than wait for confirmation of its originality. While I understand the desire to recoup your 'roll of the dice' there, you have to figure in the value of your time. I know a lot of people for whom getting $20 back (barely above the minimum hourly wage these days) turns into a lot of of communicating back & forth, driving or travelling, waiting in line, and so on. Also, while taking a slight loss on one item is pretty typical in this hobby, you might want to square this with how many times you win; how many good deals you get that are below market value. Like you I sometimes move on things to avoid potentially losing them. Sometimes the bell rings - sometimes it thunks. Just as I anticipated.

 

Take the $10. Go to a neighborhood bar. Buy two drinks with that $10. Forget the rest.

 

Original poster here.

Nearly two weeks ago now, I did request a return with the seller (it was all monitored through eBay's system) and he said yes; if I would do an economical shipping option, he would reimburse me for the shipping. I found that return shipping to Japan through USPS would be $23, and I told him that I would be amenable to paying half. He replied to say he appreciated my offer to pay half, and that he accepted it.

Partly taking Ggergm's poignant advice above, I figured life is too short to worry about trivial stuff. Thus, I just never dealt with pushing for the $11 or $12 up front for his portion of the return shipping, and I put it on the back burner, so to speak.

I basically forgot about it until I got an email from eBay today saying that they closed the case in my favor, and returned my full purchase price and original charge as well. They advised that I am under no obligation to send the record back, as the seller had ample time to furnish me with half the funds for return shipping that I didn't have to offer in the first place.

What's the ethical thing to do? The honest truth is that I am not a "reissue" guy and I have no use for the record. Do I still say, "Hey...send me half the money for return shipping and I will honor my original offer from 2 weeks ago," or do I get rid of it? I have a box of low interest/low value LPs in the garage that I would add this one to for future donation.

 

I believe you've already done the ethical thing and your seller chose not to send the funds so it's over. Time for the donation pile I would say.