"Same Listing Sold to Twice?" Topic

Hello all:

I hate going public with this, but would appreciate your thoughts – I won two bids off of ebay over a month ago – still haven't rec'd the items – the seller hasn't replied to my recent emails. I checked his previous sales and was shocked to see what appears to be the exact items (at least from the photo images) under different listings – which was won AND rec'd by another bidder.

My wins (not rec'd)

auction
auction
Another bidders wins (rec'd by the bidder)

auction

auction

Do you think the seller lost track of his sales and listed the same stuff twice – I won first so I should've rec'd the stuff first I would think. Man, I'm really concerned – so much so that I just filed a dispute via ebay & Paypal. Sorry, guess I should've posted this on Rants. Regards, Dean

HA! I just saved the images to my desktop and they had the same file name! I'm screwed!

Certainly looks suspicious…

I'm very concerned and kick myself in the *@!! for being a nice guy and being so trusting and patient. If this is what I hope it's not, the insult to injury is the other bidder won AFTER me and for LESS and still got the stuff. I think I'm going to polish off another Hefeweizen in sorrow

It's quite common to use the same photo for multiple lots of similar items.

His blurb also says he's got "Loads more units and command blisters also available."

So you can't be sure based solely on the same photo being used.

BooneC:

I'm truly hoping that is the case – and I will be more than willing to post a public apology if I was wrong. Thanks, Dean

Not receiving goods after a month and no replies to emails are pretty good grounds for a rant and filing a dispute.

If I were you I would go and file a claim with Paypal right now. Let them sort it out. This could be the first of many screw jobs that this seller is doing or it could be something else entirely. If the seller hasn't made any effort to resolve this take it up with e-bay and Paypal

If the item hasn't turned up for a month, and he has proof of postage, the seller is eligible for a refund from the UK postal service. Even if the item is uninsured, here in the UK you can claim for up to £34.00 GBP if it hasn't turned up within four weeks. Insured airmail (you're in the States, right?) covers you up to £500.00 GBP

He didn't send it surface mail instead of airmail, did he? That can take months to arrive.

The seller can claim the cost of the stuff back from Royal Mail, so refunding you isn't going to put him out of pocket. If he's still trading but not replying, then he's probably avoiding you. Either way, you're entitled to file a claim with Ebay and Paypal citing non-delivery. If the seller doesn't have proof of postage to make the insurance claim, it's his problem.

I think I know the seller is. I'll send him an email and ask him what's up. Its possible that he just simply recycled an old photo – he does have a lot of wargames stuff he's now downsizing (like a garage full). I believe he's home only at weekends.

That said, it does look pretty poor on the surface. If you don't hear anything soon (i.e. after this weekend) I'd get your money back.

Guy

Just received an email, it was my mate.

I'm just the messenger on this one, I have no affiliation with the Ebay Seller concerned apart from I know him and consider him trustworthy. This is what he said:

I have been told he sent the goods by surface mail (6 weeks) and that he has proof of postage. Should the goods not arrive he tells me that he informed you what he would do if the parcel was lost. I have asked him to send you another email.

Hopefully you'll get it sorted amicably between yourselves, I do not believe there is deliberate malice here. Good luck.

If things do get sorted and you recieve the goods, please keep us updated.

Guy

Thanks Gents; and Guy appreciate your assistance. I get a good feel for the seller (that is he is trustworthy – not only by his feedback but the emails that I have rec'd from him). I'm just hoping he either sent it surface and has yet to arrive; or mistakenly (not by design) listed the items twice – not what I want of course. BTW, I just checked my email and he did reply and promises to sort this out right now. I thank you all for your sound advice and I apologize for carrying on a bit. Again, my intent isn't to "blacklist" or otherwise badmouth anyone publically – just felt at my wits end last night with the ebay time limit running out. Aloha, Dean

The power of TMP

No problem DeanMoto, glad to be of help. It was just lucky I knew the seller.

Please let us know how it turns out when you receive the minis.

Indeed, the power of TMP!

Cheers,

Guy

He is just waiting for more tire weights and fishing sinkers to come in so he can make some more recasts. Taht's all.

He is just waiting for more tire weights and fishing sinkers to come in so he can make some more recasts. Taht's all.

:-)

Now why would he want to do that? The gentleman concerned owns his own spin casting machine and miniatures company…

Guy

I have been told he sent the goods by surface mail (6 weeks)

I didnt see anything in those auctions to say shipping was by surface not air…

I would say it is assumed that overseas shipping will be airmail unless specifically stated otherwise.

I would be prety ticked of with if it was me…

Apart from maybe a bit more effort with communication, I don't think this seller can be faulted- and if it was me I'D be pretty ticked off.
Why assume that this parcel goes Airmail? There's a big difference in price and, in my experience, US buyers have no idea how the British postal system works and just assume it's like their own- which it isn't.
I think dragging this up in public is a bit premature.
First he's accused of not sending the stuff, then he's accused of selling the same stuff to two different people.
Now we've even got an implication that he's selling counterfeit goods- although I'm sure that was meant as a jest.
I can only compare this to my own selling on eBay. I'm afraid a lot of US buyers just assume to their heart's content.
They assume that goods will arrive in a few days.
They assume that you have a US bank account.
They even assume that you're quite happy to accept US dollars as payment.
And a lot of them do this despite everything being laid out clearly and openly on the auction page.
As I said, it's not all US buyers, but it's a sizeable minority- probably about 20-30%. They seem to just see a listing that takes their fancy and just click the bid button. They then expect everything else to fall into place without ever reading the relevant info in the listing.

I hope you give this bloke an apology- he deserves one.
Sorry if this sounds like a rant- most of my US customers are good people- but this whole episode reminds me exactly of some of the clowns I've had to deal with on eBay.
It's one of the reasons I'm glad I don't have an eBay shop anymore.

Steve.

Steve:

I take your words to heart. And I hope this post will be taken by others that I am sorry to have aired my personal concerns on this public forum. I trust the seller, and have apologized to him (which he didn't ask for). This is just to let all know I now regret that I posted this topic – and truly wasn't trying to earn him or anyone a blackmark. So – whoever reads this – please accept my apology to the seller & anyone else here who may have been offended. If anything, I've been educated a bit (and I hope I get the items soon! ) Sincerely and with Regrets, Dean

Well said Dean.

>>> The gentleman concerned owns his own spin casting machine and miniatures company…

…and how well is that working out these days? He has allowed his business e-mail accounts to stop working; has a completely outdated Web site; and admits to being baffled by online fora and PMs.

SteveJ is way out of line:

"US buyers have no idea how the British postal system works and just assume it's like their own…" Wrong.

"Why assume that this parcel goes Airmail?"

Because one of the two auctions charged three pounds 75p for postage to the US, and the other was free. By simply using the Royal Mail Web site, and knowing the weight of a similar lot of figures, ut's simple enough to calculate that the seller would be making a profit (a violation of eBay rules) sending them surface, and could easily have sent them airmail small packet. UK eSellers send me similar lots nearly every week, if not more frequently.

"They assume that goods will arrive in a few days." My auctions do. I deal with reliable sellers.

"It's one of the reasons I'm glad I don't have an eBay shop anymore." Probably a damn good thing, and saves me asking for your ID in order to be sure of avoiding your auctions in future.

Dean did nothing wrong. He had every reason to be concerned, and to seek advice here. He had already done so regarding filing a dispute, and had correctly filed one, for his own protection. There was no need for him to apology, as he was the one treated shabbily and unprofessionally in this transaction.

Allen

*offer an apology*

Allen

<<<"US buyers have no idea how the British postal system works and just assume it's like their own…" Wrong.>>>

Allen: As I'm domiciled in the UK and sold a lot of items to the US then I think I'm probably in the best position to judge that. In fact Dean has demonstrated my very point has he not?
I did say that most US buyers are fine. But there are more than a few muppets across the Atlantic when it comes to eBay transactions.

This seller was getting quite a bit of unnecessary stick. I'm quite sure he's capable of defending himself but nevertheless I felt duty bound to speak in his defence, having suffered similar experiences.

And the mud-slinging continues:

"the seller would be making a profit (a violation of eBay rules) sending them surface,"
We don't know what the weight of the package was so he's being accused yet again without any evidence.
I would hazard a guess though and say that, with packaging, that amount of lead would be approaching half a kilo in weight. That's £5.72 GBP Airmail to the US, without the packing charge- a charge which IS allowed under eBay regulations as long as it's 'reasonable'. The fact that the other auction was post-free isn't relevant- although it sounds like he got a bloody good deal.
But then the postage costs wasn't the issue. You quoted my response to blackmamba, who seems to be under the impression that eBay goods are sent Airmail unless the listing states to the contrary. I asked him why he thought this- it's news to me.

And again:

"My auctions do. I deal with reliable sellers."
Clearly implying that this seller is somehow unreliable. On what grounds?

"Dean did nothing wrong. He had every reason to be concerned, and to seek advice here"
Well, he misjudged the situation and then went public, suggesting that the seller wasn't upholding his end of the bargain. He then started another thread, more or less accusing the seller of ripping him off- that isn't merely 'seeking advice' is it?

I think he was in the wrong. More importantly, so does he. And he's been man enough to come on here and post to that effect.

Steve.

And finally a word from the other side.
Well what a controversy! Blown out of all proportion? just to set the record straight:
1. I have been in contact with the buyer.
2. I have promised to replace from stock, not casting to order as has been implied here already.
3. Comunications were already in place before this thread was posted here.
4. Yes I do have lots more of the same item. I can even supply the original invoice which I placed directly with Matt at the Foundry. He knows personally that I have made several large purchases over the years and indeed as a trader bought at trade rates. So why would I bother pirating. I have my own figure ranges.
5. Default is always surface or which ever service best meets the cost of postage charged.
6. I have been a retailer for over 5 years and have never sent anything without a proof of posting.

And all because a parcel was sent surface mail to the west coast of the USA. I am amazed at the mutterings of this group, not only mutterings but open accusations of piracy and counterfeiting as well as dishonestly tading by ripping off on mail charges. Wow, I don't wonder why people exclude non UK residents from dealing with overseas customers. I am seriously consdering doing the same. It is not worth the grief.
BTW I won't hide behind a forum ID on this, my name is Glenn Foden and I live in Swindon UK. It is very easy to make accusations and hide behind a forum name. Come on John the OFM and blackmamba who are you? If we meet, tell me to my face that you think I'm pirating these items.

Steve – thanks for the stout defence, I'll have you on my side in a wargame any day. Your a gent.
Dean – no malice to you. You did right in asking for advice. Just beware there are a lot of busy bodies out there.
Your Aye
Glenn

Why assume that this parcel goes Airmail

200++ purchases on ebay only 1 was sent by surface….

When I buy online from manufacturers or bookshops, always arrives by air…… if you want surface its a special request….

As someone whos every purchases is from overseas I can fairly categorically say the default is air, surface is a special request.

@Hersants Military Books AKA Glenn Foden of Swindon UK

As all I stated was that I would be ticked of if I bought something on ebay and it got sent surface, I dont see how you come to the conclusion I accused you of pirating.

As for knowing my personal details, dont worry with an attitude like you have, yours will be the last bookstore on the planet I buy from.

and FWIW I am British, from Cheshire, currently living overseas.

"As someone whos every purchases is from overseas I can fairly categorically say the default is air, surface is a special request."
No it isn't. I sold plenty to the US and Airmail was NEVER default.
My own MO was to offer a choice- mainly because the items I sold were heavy. When they found out the costs involved most customers chose Surface.
Whenever I buy from the US I'm almost always offered a choice of shipping methods. I also take the 'long route' as I'm never that desperate for stuff.
But what you or I do isn't relevant. You've made a subjective judgement on someone else's way of doing business.
And I think the seller's 'attitude' has been remarkably restrained under the circumstances.

Glenn- you're welcome. Glad you two managed to sort things out.

@stevej

Just to let you know the US postal service doesn't offer surface overseas anymore. It all goes air (well thats what they told me everytime I go in there anyway).

Last time I bought something it took about five weeks- but that was around two years ago. Maybe it has changed.

All:

I got the figures today – in excellent shape & they look great. Sorry to bring up old news, but wanted to have "closure" on this. Again, I sincerely apologize to Glenn for my unjustified "bad-mouthing" and unseemly panic attacks earlier. Warm regards to all & I have a lot of painting to do! Dean

Geez, another Brits vs Yanks / Yanks vs Brits argument. I thought all this had been settled in 1815.

For the record, I am a Texan. This is a superior subset of American. My ID is my name (J Womack). I live in League City, TX. So feel free to flame. I'm not in the least afraid of it, as I simply ignore it.

I know John the OFM.

I buy stuff on eBay.

And this has been a big bunch of whining for the most part by everyone involved except for Dean, who did indeed 'man up' and admit he had jumped to a conclusion and panicked a bit.

My $.02 USD worth.