Snakes amoung us. (A minor cautionary tale.)

[MountainRoads]

I recently purchased a 911 body part from a fellow member that I specifically stipulated OEM and not repro. Guess what I got? Although the pics posted in the FS thread were accurate and the seller was very careful not to outright lie, detail clues when it arrived revealed it was not what I was led to believe. I did my due dilligance, the member is not a complete newb, and I was as explicit as I could be in asking if it was genuine OEM and not a repop. Although possible, it is very hard for me to believe this was an honest mistake. Especially, since the sales thread was deleted shortly after the sale was completed.

I have filed a dispute with PayPal and I've given the seller a chance to make good. We'll see what happens. I realize this is the Internet. I am realistic about a little fudging. I guess I was lulled into a little too much trust in our little community, since I've had multiple good transactions here. The real irony is I posted a follow-up in the FS thread about how smoothly the transaction had gone in comparison to a sh1tstorm that was simultaneously raging over a totally different sale gone bad. I couldn't figure out why this posting was deleted and assumed the mod didn't want any comments related to the ongoing storm, even though I had only drawn a complimentary comparison. I now realize it almost certainly was my seller friend who deleted his own post and not the mod.

Anyone who wants the particulars around this transaction can PM me.

- MR

[jaudette3]

It's is possible to make mistakes as a seller. But if it happens the proper course of action is for the seller to accept a return and refund your money including return shipping.

BTW, I had a similar dispute on Pelican with a very obnoxious seller and filed a dispute with Paypal. I was surprised and delighted when I prevailed and received a refund. Paypal actually deducted the amount of the refund from the seller's bank account as they didn't have a sufficient PP balance.

JohnA

[MountainRoads]

It's is possible to make mistakes as a seller.

I agree and that is why I'm not outing the seller at this point, even though I've already been asked who it is. First I'd like to give him a chance to explain. The deleted FS thread is a little bit of a red flag in the "honesty" department, however.

- MR

[Bill Simmeth]

Two thoughts come to mind...
1. It's not clear from your posts as to whether you've received a response from the seller or you have given them a reasonable time to respond and make it right. If not, this really shouldn't be posted yet, IMHO.

2. It might be time for the forum administrators to reconsider the board policy setting that allows members to delete threads they start.

[Frank Beck]

1. It's not clear from your posts as to whether you've received a response from the seller or you have given them a reasonable time to respond and make it right. If not, this really shouldn't be posted yet, IMHO.

I agree with Bill.
Honest question: Why are you airing this right now if you're trying to work things out with the seller? What's with people being so quick to cry when their milk spills? Just clean it up.

Here's a freebie: You will be treated the way you treat others. Give the guy a chance to fix it before you whine online.

[gsjohnson]

I agree with Bill.
Honest question: Why are you airing this right now if you're trying to work things out with the seller? What's with people being so quick to cry when their milk spills? Just clean it up.

Here's a freebie: You will be treated the way you treat others. Give the guy a chance to fix it before you whine online.

+2... I agree

[denson]

It is fair to ask opinions of others, even though you and the seller are trying to work it out. You did not expose his name or company, so it seems you want ideas or suggestions, as opposeed to a thread which bad mouths the vendor. There are many snakes in this market and you tend not to know who they are until you get slammed. The same goes for repair shops who bill ten hours for a 5 hour job and bs there way through the questions. I have tried to get smarter in my dealings, but 100% protection is virtually impossible.

In most cases, I have found these errors to typically not to be an honest mistake. That may or may not be the case here.

Caveat emptor!

[jaudette3]

In most cases, I have found these errors to typically not to be an honest mistake. That may or may not be the case here. Caveat emptor!

There are undoubtedly sellers out there who intend to deceive. But, as I mentioned earlier, there's always the potential to make a mistake. As many here know, I have a special interest in tool kits. They're a good example of just how esoteric (like the use of that word when discussing early tool kits? ) things can get. When you have to examine the screwdriver shaft inside the plastic handle to determine if it's a reproduction or an original - you're getting pretty esoteric.

I've been immersed in these old cars for a long time and, while I'm admittedly a slow learner, I learn something new *every* day.

The solution is simple and what I stated earlier: if the buyer is not satisfied refund the money plus the shipping cost. At least here where we have a community. It's a bit more difficult in other markets such as eBay, where the buyers are, ummm, somewhat less trust-worthy. I did a refund there one time and the buyer sent me a completely different, far lower quality, part. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on.

JohnA

[MountainRoads]

I agree with Bill.
Honest question: Why are you airing this right now if you're trying to work things out with the seller? What's with people being so quick to cry when their milk spills? Just clean it up.

Here's a freebie: You will be treated the way you treat others. Give the guy a chance to fix it before you whine online.

Fair enough and that is why I didn't name the seller. I considered holding off with the post, but this sale happened several weeks ago and he hadn't contacted me even though it was obvious from other posts that by then he was aware that he had sold me a repro. That, plus the quickly deleted post made a mistake seem highly unlikely. Mostly, I was trying to warn the community to remain vigilant to the potential for fraud.

The seller has contacted me. He claims it was an honest mistake, apologized for the error and for not contacting me sooner, and although I haven't verified yet, claims to have refunded my money. I'll take him at his word that he was unaware it was a repro until after the sale. Thanks for the supportive comments and the feedback. Constructive criticism accepted.

- MR

[70tangerine]

I agree w/ Denson

"...It is fair to ask opinions of others, even though you and the seller are trying to work it out. You did not expose his name or company, so it seems you want ideas or suggestions, as opposeed to a thread which bad mouths the vendor.."

sometimes such opinions can help expand one's mind and thus be able to deal better.

I hope it works out.