I'm at my wits end

[MODOK]

Ouch at that reply.

 

What is the ebay name of this seller?

 

+1

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Superman-204-CGC-9-8-/300784729220?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item46082abc84

 

Thanks for the link. BLOCK this puddpuller ASAP! I just did!

[COI]

Is it reasonable to expect 10-20% of the time you buy something in this hobby you are going to have to deal with some sort of headache?

 

No. Ebay is just one venue for this hobby. And based on your own numbers, your bad experiences have accounted for less than 10%. Also, based on the fact that most of your transactions have been in the last several months, you might not be as thorough about checking sellers out as you think you are.

 

These boards have a wealth of info about who to deal with and who not to deal with. However, transactions will go bad and you will lose some money on occasion. As long as you're dealing with any kind of e-commerce, things will occasionally go wrong. If you're diligent about learning from past experience, you can mitigate that risk to an acceptable level.

 

I would suggest slowing down and doing your homework. And as others have mentioned, it pays in the long run to put service and reputation before cost, which means you should be prepared to spend a little more per item and perhaps buy a little less, because of the potential hassles associated with rolling the dice on bargains.

[chrisco37]

Punch yourself in the nuts.

 

Then quit buying off of eBay.

[ChrisInBaltimore]

 

I would suggest slowing down and doing your homework. And as others have mentioned, it pays in the long run to put service and reputation before cost, which means you should be prepared to spend a little more per item and perhaps buy a little less, because of the potential hassles associated with rolling the dice on bargains.

 

This quote and advice like it seem to be the best part of this thread. Sometimes it pays to pay for quality customer service. It is just the reality of the situation.

[Buzzetta]

So why don't you research the person's feedback before clicking the button. If they have a history of satisfied comics buyers then you are all good. If not, then move on if you are not willing to roll the dice.

 

 

+1

 

This seems like common sense, right?

 

OP, does the seller's feedback mention anything about his packaging skills? Some buyers will state that in their feedback. Many of my satisfied eBay buyers have left comments in their feedback for me specifically stating my packaging skills are A+!

 

However, I understand the OP's angst.

 

Perhaps from now on, a buyer needs to email clear packing instructions at the time of payment. Never assume the seller knows squat about packaging.

 

Of course, there are many times I deviate from this advice and am almost always (with the exception of the two incidents) pleasantly surprised. In the end, even the two incidents worked out to my benefit.

[oakman29]

 

I would suggest slowing down and doing your homework. And as others have mentioned, it pays in the long run to put service and reputation before cost, which means you should be prepared to spend a little more per item and perhaps buy a little less, because of the potential hassles associated with rolling the dice on bargains.

 

This quote and advice like it seem to be the best part of this thread. Sometimes it pays to pay for quality customer service. It is just the reality of the situation.

Very sound advice,and something I live by as well. (thumbs u

[shrunkenhead]

I equate any ebay purchase from a seller I haven't dealt with before as including a significant element of risk. I was particularly on edge earlier this year when I bought a Tec 1 on ebay, but the seller turned out to be a very good guy.

 

The non-risky venues are comiclink, metro/cc, heritage, and reputable dealers like Bob Storms, Greg Reece, Harley Yee, etc. Also, this board is great.

 

 

[Chespirito]

Punch yourself in the nuts.

 

Then quit buying off of eBay.

 

 

If you quit buying off of Ebay, but caressed the Nuts instead...would it still work?

[mysterio]

I always contact someone that I am planning on making a decent sized purchase from on eBay (and by this I mean more than about $50). If they are responsive and good to talk to over e-mail then I have generally had no problems with the ensuing purchase. If, on the other hand, they act like you are being a general pain in their by daring to ask them a question, or they just never respond at all, then I avoid them. You can tell a lot about a seller by how good their customer service is BEFORE you even buy anything, and that will generally be a strong predictor of how good your experience will be.

[Boozad]

Why don't I email the seller, you mean before hand, like to ask them to not Fck up the shipping?

 

Reasonable request if you ask me. Plenty of people do it.

 

I have, for things that a seller might overlook, asked for specific things done on shipping. Like when I buy 20+ comics from someone I'll make sure they aren't just dumping them in a box. Oh and 2 times in the past they just ignored those requests anyway.

 

For a single slab, from someone who's feedback shows they've sold several recently, I'm sorry I just don't think it should be necessary.

 

I never meant to imply you should mail with a request for properly packed books, but when buying from someone you don't know who's sold four or so items, then it's always a good idea. I've had plenty of requests via eBay to pack books properly even though I have a link embedded in all of my listings that shows how I pack books for shipping. I've also asked people to ensure they pack properly.

 

This transaction shows that in some cases it is necessary, it doesn't matter how sorry you are that you don't think it is. But don't let it put you off the hobby, just take the advice that's been posted multiple times already; buy off reputable sellers.

[MODOK]

Punch yourself in the nuts.

 

Then quit buying off of eBay.

Yah, and then buy strictly from high profile dealers and comic shops instead.

[comicwiz]

I know I'm wasting my time, but...

 

We see dozens and dozens of these kinds of posts here, and there is a very simple solution. Stick with safe, dependable dealers. Period.

 

Go to shows and find out who grades and prices the way you like... when you're traveling check out shops you know sell on eBay or other venues. If you can't check out dealers personally, get recommendations from friends or other posters whom you trust.

 

If you choose only to buy from the top 20-30 (most dependable... not necessarily biggest) dealers in the country, and add to that the safety of the big auction houses, you will have access to hundreds of thousands of comics per year... more than you can possibly ever look through. These people will know how to pack, and will take returns if there are problems.

 

You may pay a bit more... but as is always true, you get what you pay for. And in the long run, you'll actually pay less... less in actual wasted dollars, less in time and effort returning items and arguing with sellers, and far far less in frustration.

 

If collectors care about their comics and their hobby, why treat it as a big casino just in the hopes of getting a "great deal"? Not only that, you keep in business hundreds of eBay and Craigs' List scumbags who are either outright crooks or impossibly incompetent, and who compete with legitimate dealers who are trying to treat you right.

 

Rant off.

 

Best advice post EVER

[shrunkenhead]

I know I'm wasting my time, but...

 

We see dozens and dozens of these kinds of posts here, and there is a very simple solution. Stick with safe, dependable dealers. Period.

 

Go to shows and find out who grades and prices the way you like... when you're traveling check out shops you know sell on eBay or other venues. If you can't check out dealers personally, get recommendations from friends or other posters whom you trust.

 

If you choose only to buy from the top 20-30 (most dependable... not necessarily biggest) dealers in the country, and add to that the safety of the big auction houses, you will have access to hundreds of thousands of comics per year... more than you can possibly ever look through. These people will know how to pack, and will take returns if there are problems.

 

You may pay a bit more... but as is always true, you get what you pay for. And in the long run, you'll actually pay less... less in actual wasted dollars, less in time and effort returning items and arguing with sellers, and far far less in frustration.

 

If collectors care about their comics and their hobby, why treat it as a big casino just in the hopes of getting a "great deal"? Not only that, you keep in business hundreds of eBay and Craigs' List scumbags who are either outright crooks or impossibly incompetent, and who compete with legitimate dealers who are trying to treat you right.

 

Rant off.

 

Best advice post EVER

 

 

I see a new slogan for the bay..

 

 

"Ebay...more expensive than a punch to the nuts."

[comicwiz]

Punch yourself in the nuts.

 

Then quit buying off of eBay.

 

The last few times I bought off eBay, I did alright. A few even turned into in-person deals. But the 49-point inspection I have to put each eBay transaction through means it's got to be a Dealio, otherwise it is just too hard to justify the minefield crossing.

[Sqeggs]

I know I'm wasting my time, but...

 

We see dozens and dozens of these kinds of posts here, and there is a very simple solution. Stick with safe, dependable dealers. Period.

 

Go to shows and find out who grades and prices the way you like... when you're traveling check out shops you know sell on eBay or other venues. If you can't check out dealers personally, get recommendations from friends or other posters whom you trust.

 

If you choose only to buy from the top 20-30 (most dependable... not necessarily biggest) dealers in the country, and add to that the safety of the big auction houses, you will have access to hundreds of thousands of comics per year... more than you can possibly ever look through. These people will know how to pack, and will take returns if there are problems.

 

You may pay a bit more... but as is always true, you get what you pay for. And in the long run, you'll actually pay less... less in actual wasted dollars, less in time and effort returning items and arguing with sellers, and far far less in frustration.

 

If collectors care about their comics and their hobby, why treat it as a big casino just in the hopes of getting a "great deal"? Not only that, you keep in business hundreds of eBay and Craigs' List scumbags who are either outright crooks or impossibly incompetent, and who compete with legitimate dealers who are trying to treat you right.

 

Rant off.

 

Best advice post EVER

 

 

I see a new slogan for the bay..

 

 

"Ebay...more expensive than a punch to the nuts."

 

But less fun!