Do you buy from eBay and save?
This page, entitled 'my 69 quid' is a triumph of tolerance, patience, and persistence - well sort of! It tells the story of how I finally recovered £67.06 from an eBay deal despite the odds...
On eBay you can usually do a good deal but... watch out when it's from 'abroad'! This can, with the vagaries of their local postal service, take you past feedback time...
This is how it started...
My buddy Ken Rockwell decided on his american photo site that buying a Nikon N75 film camera was a good idea, a cheap but good 'full-frame' camera. I thought yes, and then scan the slides and wow! (This particular camera was only sold as an F75 in the UK) So I traced one complete with lens in Tel Aviv, Israel ... - yes, I know!
Purchase made: 'Joy!' or so I thought...
Date: 19 September 2007 07:58:08 BST
To: duncan@cherryshots.co.uk
eBay sent this message to Duncan Brown (cherryshots).
Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more.
Congratulations, the item is yours!
Hi cherryshots,
Congratulations You purchased the following item:
NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Sale price: £49.99
Quantity: 1
Subtotal: £49.99
Postage
Other Courier: £15.00
Sellers Standard International Rate: £15.00
Insurance: £5.00 (required)
View item | Go to My eBay
Your purchase is complete
Click to leave feedback for the seller of this item
The seller got the money:
On 19 Sep 2007, at 09:07, info wrote:
Hi Duncan.
Thanks.
Item will be shipped this morning.
Cheers.
Alex.
----- Original Message -----
From: mySecret.Email
To: TRADERSNAME
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 8:58 AM
Subject: Item #150*******69 - Notification of an Instant Payment Received from cherryshots (mySecret.Email)
The camera arrived but:
Date: 26 September 2007 14:24:03 BST
Hi Alex
Just received the camera... but we have a problem.
The shutter curtain on the camera is buckled so I won't operate it because the blades will become detached if I do.
I would like to return the item because it will not function.
I will leave positive feedback if you refund my money. What are the return instructions please?
Regards
Duncan
The conversation that followed went..
after several emails... and then over nearly five months!
(I should point out that I did have a life during this period and simply 'banged an email off' when the mood took me...! I kind of took this as a lesson and my first loss on eBay...)
29 September 2007 07:55:03 BST
To: duncan@cherryshots.co.uk
Reply-To: info@TRADER.com
Dear cherryshots,
Hi Duncan,
This is the first message I get.I do answer all E Mails promptly.
Plerase return for a refund to:
TRADERSNAME.
Tel-Aviv
Israel.
Regards.
Alex.
- TRADER
==========
Has it arrived yets?
==========
14 November 2007 11:05:45 GMT
To: duncan@cherryshots.co.uk
Reply-To: info@TRADER.com
Dear cherryshots,
Hi Duncan,
Not yet.I am going tomorow to the Post Office main Depo-and I shall search for it.Dont worry-I shall find it.And if not I shall refund you in any case.
Cheers.
Alex.
- TRADER
17 November 2007 06:05:01 GMT
To: duncan@cherryshots.co.uk
Reply-To: info@TRADER.com
Dear cherryshots,
Hi Duncan,
I received a card from the Post Office.Will collect it Monday.Hope its your parcel.
Cheers.
Alex.
- TRADER
27 November 2007 02:57:02 GMT
To: duncan@cherryshots.co.uk
Reply-To: info@TRADER.com
Dear cherryshots,
Hi D,
I think so.
On Thursday I have to inspect nearly 59 unclaimed parcels from the UK.I hope yours will be there.Will advice Friday morning.I am sure sure I will find this baby.
Cheers.
Alex.
- TRADER
On 2 Dec 2007, at 21:25, eBay Member: TRADER wrote:
Dear cherryshots,
Hi Duncan,
Please allow me a few more days to locate your return parcel.Once its in my hands I shall refund you right away.
Cheers.
Alex.
- TRADER
To: info@TRADER.com
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:28 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to your question about item NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Hi Alex
I think I have been patient here.
I anticipate a resolution within five working days.
Many thanks
Duncan
On 2 Dec 2007, at 21:32, TRADER wrote:
Hi Duncan,
To resolve this issue right away please provide tracking number and I shall take it up to our Post Office investigation team they will trace the parcel right away..
Thanks.
Alex
PS
I am really trying my very best to help you here.
From: Duncan Brown
To: TRADER
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 11:38 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to your question about item NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Alex
The tracking number is:
RI690422465GB
Regards
Duncan
On 2 Dec 2007, at 21:43, TRADER wrote:
Your item, posted on 01/10/07 with reference RI690422465GB has been passed to the overseas postal service for delivery in ISRAEL
+++ It still says this!!!!+++++ as of 2 March 2008
From: Duncan Brown
To: TRADER
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to your question about item NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Hi Alex
It's been 'saying' this for weeks.... I checked with the Royal Mail and they say that after it leaves the UK this is all you get until it is signed for, hence my patience with the process is wearing thin.
I have now got a claims form and will claim if nothing happens within the 5 days I mentioned, unfortunately this is limited to £32, but it's better than nothing. Have you had a chance to examine the unclaimed parcels yet?
Thanks for all your help and swift replies!
Regards
Duncan
'Breakthrough'!!!
On 4 Dec 2007, at 13:22, TRADER.com wrote:
Hi Duncan,
Great news.The Post Office just rung me and they found your parcel in some small Post Office branch north of the country.I am pleased for you.
Now they will send it over to me(3-4 days) and hopefully by the weekend I shall refund your money.I promised you will not lose a penny.
Take care.
Alex.
From: Duncan Brown
To: TRADER.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to your question about item NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Alex
Great news!
Thanks
Duncan
On 4 Dec 2007, at 16:26, TRADER wrote:
You are most welcome my friend
Touched? ......I was!
From: Duncan Brown
To: TRADER
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: Reply to your question about item NIKON N75 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-80mm
Alex
?
D!
On 14 Dec 2007, at 10:10, TRADER wrote:
Hi D,
Your refund is due later today or first thing.My partner is coming back tonight and he is the one who does them.
Cheers
18 December 2007 15:30:12 GMT
Hi Alex
??
D!
CHRISTMAS! .....Joy!
Date: 28 December 2007 09:58:33 GMT
To: info@TRADER.com
Hi Alex
Happy Christmas!
Still no refund?
Cheers
Duncan
To: <info@TRADER.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: REFUND
Hi Alex
Nothing received?
Duncan
On 28 Dec 2007, at 15:27, info@TRADER.com wrote:
Hi Duncan,
Sorry-I am off till Sunday night.
Will do it during Monday without fail.
Happy Christmas and New Year.
Alex.
On 2 Jan 2008, at 10:21, TRADER.com wrote:
Hi Duncan,
Have a llok at your Paypal transaction date.
My partner informed me a few days ago that your refund was done.
Cheers.
Alex.
To: "TRADER.com" <info@TRADER.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: REFUND
Hi Alex
Nothing... my Paypal is 'mySecret.Email' are you sure your partner got it right?
Cheers
Duncan
On 2 Jan 2008, at 10:39, TRADER.com wrote:
Hi Duncan,
I meeting him tonight.Will double check.If error was made I shall personally rectify it.
Cheers.
Alex
Dear TRADER,
Hi Alex
Last time we 'spoke' I was getting a refund on 3 Jan - you were
personally making sure it happened - it hasn't? Please could
you?!
Duncan
Dear cherryshots,
Hi Duncan,
Hell.David hasnt done it as yet?
I shall look into it now.Dont worry.
Alex.
- TRADER
Date: 8 January 2008 14:47:05 GMT
To: info@TRADER.com
Hi Alex
?
Duncan
18 January 2008 11:27:25 GMT
Hi Alex
Still nothing! Please sort it!
It will be four months tomorrow that I paid £69.99 - that's a long time to wait?!
Kind regards
Duncan
31 January 2008 14:59:53 GMT
Hi Alex
Still waiting... it's now over four months since I sent you the money. You agreed a refund. You promised to sort it out.
But still I am waiting...
Please refund without delay to:
'mySecret.Email'
Many thanks in anticipation
Duncan
'cherryshots'
5 Feb:
Finally I try to involve PayPal...
Dear Duncan Brown,
Thank you for contacting PayPal, Mr Brown. My name is Ardith and I
appreciate the opportunity to assist further with your concern.
I understand that you are enquiring about the refund that is not yet
reflected on your account.
Upon reviewing your records, I can see that the amount of £69.99 GBP is not
reflected on your PayPal account. The seller was not able to issue it yet.
What I can suggest is that you try to coordinate again this matter to your
seller so that the seller could issue a refund. If not, you may try to file
a claim or dispute against the seller.
A dispute occurs when a buyer posts a message to a seller in the Resolution
Centre if an item was not received or the item received didn't match the
item description. By opening a dispute, you are asking the seller to help
resolve a problem you have with the transaction. You can communicate with
the seller by posting messages in the Resolution Centre until the issue is
resolved.
To open a dispute, please follow these steps:
Ho, ho, ho.... Arrrrrrrrgh!
From: Duncan Brown
To: TRADER.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:05 PM
Subject: Losing patience now...
Hi Alex
Still waiting... it's now over four months since I sent you the money. You agreed a refund. You promised to sort it out.
But still I am waiting...
Please refund without delay to:
mySecret.Email
Many thanks in anticipation
Duncan
'cherryshots'
Enter 'David'
On 12 Feb 2008, at 11:11, TRADER.com wrote:
Hello Duncan,
We have just rceived your E Mail.
Alex is away till Friday night.
I will make sure your issue will be dealt before the weekend is over.
Rest assure it will be resolved asap/
Thank you.
David.
Date: 12 February 2008 11:29:41 GMT
To: info@TRADER.com
Hi David
Alex has been emailing me now for months...
I have returned the defective camera at great cost and am looking for a refund of the payment made over four months ago. I think I have been very patient waiting so long and am loath to involve ebay/paypal as we both have very good feedback.
If you check your emails you will find there is no issue, a refund has been promised for a very long time!
This was from January 2!!!!
Of course, at this point, PayPal and eBay
don't want to know...
On 12 Feb 2008, at 11:37, TRADER.com wrote:
Hello Duncan,
No fear.Will sort it out.
David.
Date: 21 February 2008 09:15:01 GMT
To: info@TRADER.com
Alex/David
It's still not sorted! Come on guys!
Duncan
Creativity or '?' step in... Will this work?!
Subject: TRADER?....189,000 decide
From: mySecret.Email
Date: 2 March 2008 07:26:48 GMT
To: info@TRADER.com
Hi Alex/David
Whilst I appreciate you're no doubt busy and have forgotten my refund of £69.99 (just go to PayPal and 'Send money to mySecret.Email ) I thought this might give you a call to action...
Overheard last night after dinner, the guy on the next table is Features Editor for the local wrag (newspaper) doing a story on 'The Heros and Zeros of eBay' the rest you can guess. I even could remember the (a number... part of the traders name) bit as that was when I was born!
He has asked me for permission to use my experience and despite my wife thinking I am stupid to give you one more chance ... I at least believe in fair play!
I have until Tuesday morning to say no, so what is it guys? My money back or your names in lights?
The choice as they say, is yours!
Duncan
P.S. This will be sent the 'other' route too (meaning eBay 'Contact Seller')
Attached: email conversation unformatted
16 minutes later on a Sunday morning...
From: info@TRADER.com
Subject: Re: TRADER?....189,000 decide
Date: 2 March 2008 07:42:20 GMT
To: mySecret.Email
Hi Duncan,
No need for that.
I shall use my rights to refund you although Alex is away in the States.
Please send Paypal Money request to:
trade@theirSecret.email
And you get paid right away.
Please advice on the request what the refund for.
Regards.
David.
Let's see....
From: info@TRADER.com
Subject: Re: TRADER?....189,000 decide
Date: 2 March 2008 08:01:18 GMT
To: mySecret.Email
Hi Duncan,
All sorted.
Take care.
David.
Success!....
Persistence and stupidity pays off.. Money received... less PayPal's fee of £2.93 naturally.
A lesson learnt? A lot of pain for no gain and now an experience shared...
I've even anonymised it ...how nice!
Thanks for reading!