eBay: Bait n Switch?

DangerouslySimple · 05-09-2010, 10:52 PM

I have been bidding on earbuds for my kids. They seem to crash and burn a pair at least every couple weeks... and sometimes we go thru 3-5 pair a month. Well, that was BEFORE I stopped buying them for them. I was finding them some places for $3-$5... that can get ridiculously expensive when you end up buying them about as much as you buy toilet paper. Then I remembered eBay...

Anyway, I bid on an auction for some cute earbuds that looked like legos were attached to the cover piece. A pair of red, and a pair of blue. Both looked like legos, both from the same seller. winning bid was something like $1.04 each, free shipping. From Singapore or something?

So I get them the other day, and there are 2 sets of phones, and they are red and blue... but they DEFINITELY DO NOT match the picture. They are like flat blue/red things on the back. No attempt to look like a lego at all- not even block like. They are completely flat. My kids didn't know the lego earbuds were coming (they were surprises for the prize box), so it's not like they are let down in anyway. But I'm kinda annoyed that it's not the cute novelty item I thought I was gonna get.

How would YOU leave feedback? And no, I don't feel like shipping them back- because I'd end up paying more shipping than it would cost to just buy 2 more sets of eBay.

Flint · 05-09-2010, 10:55 PM

That's what the feedback is for. If you don't leave feedback, you're breaking the system for everybody else.

DangerouslySimple · 05-09-2010, 11:10 PM

oh, I never said I wasn't leaving feedback... I'm just on the fence between negative and neutral at this moment. I DID receive 2 working pair of headphones... just not the exact ones I ordered. And they were only a buck. Worth a neutral? Or am I just being a complete bitch by saying I want to leave them a little red dot? :/

Flint · 05-09-2010, 11:30 PM

I don't understand the conflict you are having.

DangerouslySimple · 05-09-2010, 11:42 PM

well I intend on keeping the item, so should I post neutral feedback, and just leave in the description that I received a different pair than listed in the auction (twice over)? Or would you outright just give them negative feedback for falsely advertising?

Flint · 05-09-2010, 11:47 PM

Yes. I would.

Actually, I don't know how it works. Are you rated as a buyer, i.e. could they retaliate? If not, then ƒuck them. Is so, then ƒuck them anyway.

DangerouslySimple · 05-10-2010, 12:00 AM

they already left me positive feedback, so I doubt they could retaliate-- unless I purchased from them again, which I won't be doing. I just wanted to get an opinion before I left negative feedback- because I thought maybe I was overreacting.

Bullitt · 05-10-2010, 12:51 AM

The seller can respond to negative feedback you leave them, and I'm sure this one will since they have 100% feedback rating and this one negative will "tarnish" that reputation. It wouldn't hurt to shoot an email and ask WTF, then if they can't fix it by sending you the right stuff immediately and for free then by all means leave the negative feedback. Other buyers should know this seller is misleading.

DangerouslySimple · 05-10-2010, 02:48 AM

I need to clarify something- the link I made to the Lego earbuds are not the actual auction I bid on- the seller I bid on I think had around 99%.

And thanks for helping- I will prob leave negative feedback. That's annoying. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought it was stupid they'd do something like that.

glatt · 05-10-2010, 08:00 AM

Go back and re-read the description of the item you bid on. If it clearly describes and pictures something other than what you got, then I'd contact the seller to give them a chance to make it right. If they make it right, I'd leave a neutral feedback and explain that they screwed up but fixed their mistake after you had to go through a hassle. If they refuse to fix their mistake, or expect you to fix their mistake by sending the crap back, then I'd leave negative feedback.

Sundae · 05-10-2010, 10:02 AM

I'm with Glatt.

Don't leave negative feedback without giving them an opportunity to redress the issue.
If they want to keep a high feedback rating they will send the correct ones FOC.

I'd take a photo and email them - this could be a genuine mistake made in packing the items.

If they will not forward the correct ones on, leave negative feedback.
If they apologise and admit error but ask you to send the wrong ones back, leave neutral feedback.
If they send new ones with no charge, leave positive with a few words to say, "Mistake made originally but..."

IMO.

monster · 05-10-2010, 10:52 AM

Thirded

lumberjim · 05-10-2010, 11:51 AM

**Shipping Detail**
* The delivering times will be arrived around17-20 working days in depend, it means it may arrive around 1 month later after completed the payment.

**Return Policy**

You satisfaction is important to us!

* The item is Brand new and is pictured above.

* Seven Days return policy.

* Full refund for the items actual price, but not included the shipping fee.

* Item must be returned in original condition within 7 days.

Buyer is responsible to take the shipping fee of return items.

That doesn't quite seem fair.

glatt · 05-10-2010, 11:57 AM

What's not fair, that they ship the stuff in Depends adult diapers?

Sundae · 05-10-2010, 12:00 PM

That's pretty standard policy for internet shopping.
It stops people changing their minds and stiffing the company for the return postage.

Note that it states "and is pictured above".
The policy is not intended for situations where the seller is in error.

05-09-2010, 10:52 PM	#1
DangerouslySimple Resident Denizen Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	eBay: Bait n Switch? I have been bidding on earbuds for my kids. They seem to crash and burn a pair at least every couple weeks... and sometimes we go thru 3-5 pair a month. Well, that was BEFORE I stopped buying them for them. I was finding them some places for $3-$5... that can get ridiculously expensive when you end up buying them about as much as you buy toilet paper. Then I remembered eBay... Anyway, I bid on an auction for some cute earbuds that looked like legos were attached to the cover piece. A pair of red, and a pair of blue. Both looked like legos, both from the same seller. winning bid was something like $1.04 each, free shipping. From Singapore or something? So I get them the other day, and there are 2 sets of phones, and they are red and blue... but they DEFINITELY DO NOT match the picture. They are like flat blue/red things on the back. No attempt to look like a lego at all- not even block like. They are completely flat. My kids didn't know the lego earbuds were coming (they were surprises for the prize box), so it's not like they are let down in anyway. But I'm kinda annoyed that it's not the cute novelty item I thought I was gonna get. How would YOU leave feedback? And no, I don't feel like shipping them back- because I'd end up paying more shipping than it would cost to just buy 2 more sets of eBay.

05-09-2010, 10:55 PM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	That's what the feedback is for. If you don't leave feedback, you're breaking the system for everybody else. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

05-09-2010, 11:30 PM	#4
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I don't understand the conflict you are having. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

05-09-2010, 11:47 PM	#6
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Yes. I would. Actually, I don't know how it works. Are you rated as a buyer, i.e. could they retaliate? If not, then ƒuck them. Is so, then ƒuck them anyway. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

05-10-2010, 12:51 AM	#8
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	The seller can respond to negative feedback you leave them, and I'm sure this one will since they have 100% feedback rating and this one negative will "tarnish" that reputation. It wouldn't hurt to shoot an email and ask WTF, then if they can't fix it by sending you the right stuff immediately and for free then by all means leave the negative feedback. Other buyers should know this seller is misleading. __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

05-09-2010, 11:10 PM	#3
DangerouslySimple Resident Denizen Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	oh, I never said I wasn't leaving feedback... I'm just on the fence between negative and neutral at this moment. I DID receive 2 working pair of headphones... just not the exact ones I ordered. And they were only a buck. Worth a neutral? Or am I just being a complete bitch by saying I want to leave them a little red dot? :/

05-09-2010, 11:42 PM	#5
DangerouslySimple Resident Denizen Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	well I intend on keeping the item, so should I post neutral feedback, and just leave in the description that I received a different pair than listed in the auction (twice over)? Or would you outright just give them negative feedback for falsely advertising?

05-10-2010, 12:00 AM	#7
DangerouslySimple Resident Denizen Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	they already left me positive feedback, so I doubt they could retaliate-- unless I purchased from them again, which I won't be doing. I just wanted to get an opinion before I left negative feedback- because I thought maybe I was overreacting.

05-10-2010, 02:48 AM	#9
DangerouslySimple Resident Denizen Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	I need to clarify something- the link I made to the Lego earbuds are not the actual auction I bid on- the seller I bid on I think had around 99%. And thanks for helping- I will prob leave negative feedback. That's annoying. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought it was stupid they'd do something like that.

05-10-2010, 08:00 AM	#10
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Go back and re-read the description of the item you bid on. If it clearly describes and pictures something other than what you got, then I'd contact the seller to give them a chance to make it right. If they make it right, I'd leave a neutral feedback and explain that they screwed up but fixed their mistake after you had to go through a hassle. If they refuse to fix their mistake, or expect you to fix their mistake by sending the crap back, then I'd leave negative feedback.

05-10-2010, 10:02 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I'm with Glatt. Don't leave negative feedback without giving them an opportunity to redress the issue. If they want to keep a high feedback rating they will send the correct ones FOC. I'd take a photo and email them - this could be a genuine mistake made in packing the items. If they will not forward the correct ones on, leave negative feedback. If they apologise and admit error but ask you to send the wrong ones back, leave neutral feedback. If they send new ones with no charge, leave positive with a few words to say, "Mistake made originally but..." IMO.

05-10-2010, 10:52 AM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Thirded __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

05-10-2010, 11:51 AM	#13
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	Shipping Detail * The delivering times will be arrived around17-20 working days in depend, it means it may arrive around 1 month later after completed the payment. Return Policy You satisfaction is important to us! * The item is Brand new and is pictured above. * Seven Days return policy. * Full refund for the items actual price, but not included the shipping fee. * Item must be returned in original condition within 7 days. Buyer is responsible to take the shipping fee of return items. That doesn't quite seem fair. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

05-10-2010, 11:57 AM	#14
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	What's not fair, that they ship the stuff in Depends adult diapers?

05-10-2010, 12:00 PM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	That's pretty standard policy for internet shopping. It stops people changing their minds and stiffing the company for the return postage. Note that it states "and is pictured above". The policy is not intended for situations where the seller is in error.

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