On Amazon I ordered a used CD, the Grateful Dead's One from the Vault. I don't buy new, of course, I get the ones in the used section but they usually have some there listed as "New". They're overstock or something where for legal reasons they remove the wrapper and sell it used, but it's in fact minty-fresh. I've gotten some great stuff like that.

So this two-CD set was listed as "New" and I was quite titilated to be getting it for $4.50, including shipping, because at the store this costs $20 or more. A $15 savings!

However, when it arrived it was NOT new. The discs are clean enough but do have a couple of light hairline scratches. The box, on the other hand, looks like it had been around the block for sure (fortunately I keep replacement boxes around) and the artwork inside was a little worn. Granted this doesn't affect play but if something is sold as new I expect it to be new, even if it is a bargain.

I've had this happen before with another Amazon seller (these don't come directly from Amazon but from individual sellers who sign on with Amazon) and he had me send the disc back. I got a refund but not for my cost for returning the disc. So I skipped that "contact the seller with problems" thing and just left a three-out-of-five (still generous) rating for the seller and said that while the discs are certainly playable this is NOT new as described.

The seller then sent me an e-mail saying he was sorry to hear that my item was damaged and he had given me a full refund. He did not ask me to send the discs back. So now I've got this two-CD set for free. However he did say, "I hope you can remove your feedback."

Well, this was still a huge bargain at $4.50 and it's nice of him to give a refund without my having to ask. BUT...the feedback is there to let other sellers know what they might experience, and I see I'm not the only one who's had this experience with the guy. It's not every buyer, but it's often enough. How hard is it to determine if something qualifies as New condition before you advertise it as such, and even type a little "direct from factory no seal" description?

So should I give this guy slack and remove my feedback (you can't change, only remove) or make him tow the line?

7 Comments:

 Mr. Radio said...

I'd tell him to blow it out his ass. He lied! I'd tell him he could have the discs back since he did give you a refund, but you certainly didn't get the "new" merchandise promised in his listing.

6:20 PM, July 24, 2006  

 Art said...

I concur. I suspect he figures he'll put "new" on something just to sell it, then hope either no one complains or they don't leave bad feedback. I'm leaving it. Although...he never said he wanted the discs back.

8:01 PM, July 24, 2006  

 Anonymous said...

he's probably got a habit of "waiting" for people to complain. so i would just leave it up. why help a crook.

plus, it's your name on there. unless you're buying stuff as opie anthony or mancow stern, i say keep your name clear. you know. since you're a democrat and everything.

8:53 PM, July 24, 2006  

 Arthur Willoughby said...

I dunno, this is a tough one. I realize it's the principle that matters, but I think I'd erase my feedback and never do business with the guy again. I'd hate for the guy to start "stalking" you over four bucks.

2:47 PM, July 25, 2006  

 Anonymous said...

Considering the CD you bought sir and the greatness of the music contained on said CD it might be best to think about this way..."What would Jerry do?"

11:25 AM, July 26, 2006  

 Anonymous said...

Answer: The man who gave the answer of the year.

Question: Who is Scott?

2:19 PM, July 26, 2006  

 Arthur Willoughby said...

Jerry would sell the CD, buy LSD, and distribute the remaining profit to the homeless.

4:26 PM, July 26, 2006  

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