Bad ebay deal -- let it slide, or....?

[paul08]

Hi folks. Some of you may have read a bit about my bad ebay deal last month on the Toyo 45A with trashed bellows that was mailed 2 1/2 weeks after I was told it was sent. The seller refunded my payment and I've sent the camera back (we still need to settle up over the $50+ return shipping). The issue is that now this seller has re-listed the camera (he couldn't even have it back yet), or at least he's using the same picture and description, with a couple of changes saying the bellows have been "patched" -- they're beyond patching if it is indeed the camera I received. I took pictures of the damage, recorded the serial number, etc, in the event I had to file a paypal claim (vs. dispute). The question is, should I out the guy, and maybe help someone else not get burned, or just let it go? The seller is a member here ('though not very active), and has decent ebay feedback. I'm not sure my information would help all that much, but 45As have been going for around the $700-800 mark, and Western Bellows quoted me $238 for the bellows replacement, which would push the total price to around $1,000, for an operable camera. I'm just considering what I can do to save someone else the frustration. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Paul

Here are the bellows, originally described like this (direct quote): "The bellows are perfectly light tight with no pinholes or light leaks."

[Sheldon N]

Did you leave appropriate feedback on Ebay for him? With Ebay's new feedback system, a seller cannot leave retaliatory negative feedback.

I'd say just state the facts on his Ebay account, and let other buyers read and make an informed decision.

[IanMazursky]

WOW! That sucks so much. I would out him. If not for you then for the next person who ends up with this mess.

Good luck!

[eric black]

Im with Ian- ebay operates on the premise that people are typically honest. This person doesnt seem to fit that description and should be removed or at least reprimanded somehow. Id fight it.

[eddie]

if nothing else tell US who he is......!

[Ivan J. Eberle]

This forum is perhaps as effective a place to warn the cogniscenti, but also, eBay has forums to root out the bad apples still, I think?

At least link the new auction here, to flag it as one to avoid. I'd maybe pepper him with Ask A Question(s), who knows, he might actually feel compelled to answer them in the auction.

[GSX4]

I'm sorry someone has stooped this low and done this to you. It plain sucks. Out him, on E'Bay and on here for the dirtbag they are. Complete misrepresentation of the goods and complete disregard for EBay policy. If you do not get anywhere with arbitration, consider going to paypal as they have up to $2000 protection for buyers for things like this. Log it as an unauthorized transaction QUICKLY. They will deal with it. Hope this helps you out?

[otzi]

I don't know, the seller will just continue on regardless. Even changing his name if needed. Trying to 'out' him is a bit like lighting a candle and watching the climate change. Like banks and their interest revenue I would find it hard to see eBay doing much to restrict a fee paying patron.

Better to list the item and # on this forum (and others) so at least some of the LF community may be advised. Having bought a few items I have found one wises up (in time) to the tricks. Like listing a lens and finding an older or inappropriate shutter has been fitted. Yes it can be returned, if realized in time, but the hassle is a bother not to mention the return cost not always recovered.

One must always ask a plethora of questions and conclude from the response the true situation. The trick is figuring the correct questions in advance. Not always easy.

As an extension I find it curious that Co's put on shutter part #'s but there seems no access to this information down the track.

[John Kasaian]

The bellows are patched---you can easily see the duct tape residue!
The trouble is that the patch obviously didn't remedy the problem. He should have clearly stated "Needs bellows"
Dishonesty demands attention. Don't let him get away with this!

[paul08]

Thanks for the feedback. The seller has emailed me to let me know that he canceled the auction. He says he had listed it for a friend and was unclear as to the condition. I've been on ebay for 10 yrs, and bought and sold camera gear before, but I guess I've been lucky because I've had few problems. One thing I've learned from this is to ask more specific questions about the condition of everything (in this case I only asked about the condition of the lens, since the small picture made the camera look OK). The seller has refunded my payment for the camera and promised to pay for return shipping, so I'll chalk this one up to experience. Given the seller's past positive feedback I've decided not to list the auction. If this deal was an anomaly, then there is probably no reason to call attention to it for years to come, archived on the LF forums. I suspect most of you have already seen this, but if not, here's a link to an experience Michael Crowell had:

http://www.waterbirch.com/photo/bell...scondition.htm

At the bottom he lists some sources of bellows repair. For what it's worth, the guy I spoke with at Western Bellows was helpful, sympathetic and said if I couldn't return the camera for a refund he could get the new bellows on it and get it back to me in two weeks. I'm not sure whether this was the normal time or a bit of a "rush," but it was nice to know I had a viable plan B.

Paul