ebay question

From: Patrick Rigney <patrick_at_evocative.com>
Date: Thu Nov 6 12:07:51 2003

> > I've about had it with eBay. It seems like getting screwed by
> a seller is
> > no longer such a rare thing. What's more common is the complete lack of
[snip]

I had a recent bad experience as well, but fortunately it was more like a
warning shot than serious blood-letting. I always check seller feedback
scrupulously. If they have recent negative feedback, I just don't bid.

Unfortunately I let my judgement lapse recently, and what I ended up with
was a Heath H-89, shipped 40 days after the auction close, that arrived on
its back packed in crumpled newspaper between two loosely taped-together
tomato boxes. Rattling loudly. Upon opening, the CRT was fully two inches
pushed back into the chassis, and anyone who knows these machines will know
that's not good. The tube's mounting posts were actually snapped from the
face of the case and the neck had shattered as it impacted the CPU board.
The machine had obviously spent significant time outdoors before shipping as
well. Fortunately, I only paid $1 for it (and $40 for shipping, about
average); I guess it was seller's revenge. The PROMs alone were worth it to
me, though, and the BU500 HOT saved another machine (thanks for your help,
Tony), so it wasn't a total loss.

That said, it's not about eBay. It's the person. I know what you guys keep
saying about James Willing, but I'm pretty discouraged. Nothing in hand,
and not a whisper in reply.

Caveat emptor.

Patrick :-/
Received on Thu Nov 06 2003 - 12:07:51 GMT