...just another unsatisfied Ebay transaction

[sand_man]

So after years of buying and selling things online (not always with Ebay), I finally encountered my first taste of bitterness. I'm just trying to get my ducks in line and maybe get a different perspective from the Pelican Community. As such, I won't reveal too much about the seller, as I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt, and I'm still awaiting a response and possible resolution. Also, I made a mistake myself in this transaction and I'll get to that in a moment.

So here's my side:

I won a "rare" Porsche Factory Technical Manual for one of my favorite race cars [cough][cough]956[cough][cough]. Condition was listed as "used", and "sold as seen". In addition, six pictures were posted of random pages from the manual. I paid (PayPal) for it in full, including shipping, immediately following the auction. The seller was slow in communicating and I had to ask for an update, to which he finally responded, indicating that he was on vacation and would research my order when he returned. So I waited. I never did get a follow up email, but the manual did show up the following week. Here's where I'm miffed: the manual is a copy and not even the same copy that was listed in the auction photos. In fact, it's not even a good quality copy...some of the scanned images are more clear in his auction ad than are in the pages I received. It's also not "used"! Beyond a greasy mark on the cover, probably put there on purpose for effect, it's a fresh copy! No where in the ad did the seller indicate it was a "copy" or "not original" and here's where I made my biggest mistake...I NEVER ASKED!!!! SHAME ON ME!!!

So what to do? Keep the manual I have, even though it's a cheap copy? Take one on the chin and chalk it up as one of life's lessons? Or do I ask for a full refund and send it back? It clearly doesn't match the auction pictures for a "sold as seen" listing. I'm pissed because I feel that I paid over a $100.00 for 91 pages of poorly copied paper. I feel that someone is profiting off of this and possibly violating some copyright law and/or agreement with Porsche. This feels different than a group of guys getting together to share missing pages from their manual set, for a production car. I'm sure that's wrong too, but no one is profiting, beyond the knowledge gained. How can this manual be considered "rare", if someone is making copies of it?

No, I don't own a 956, and likely never will. In fact the manual is in German. I just thought I was picking up a cool piece of Porsche memorabilia. A fool and his money...

[Rot 911]

I'd ask for my money back. You thought you were buying an apple and the seller sent you an orange.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I'd ask for my money back. You thought you were buying an apple and the seller sent you an orange.

Thanks, Kurt. That's what I did. Still awaiting a response. I mean just because it's a copy, doesn't minimize that it's a cool thing to have. I would have paid more like $25.00 if that were the case. But this was not a "buy now" auction and the seller was attempting to get as much as possible! The cover in the auction ad looks much more original and used/worn than what I received. I guess based on that picture, I ASS-U-MED it was original! FOOL!

[dewolf]

open a dispute with paypall stating that it's a copy and in breach of copyright. Also notify eBay that the seller is selling counterfeit items after you raise the dispute with paypal.

[sand_man]

Thanks, Wolf!

[scottbombedout]

Your not a fool! You were just ripped off!

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

Your not a fool! You were just ripped off!

LOL...that too!

[billyboy]

The only times that I have been screwed on ebay are when I ass-ume that all people are like me. Honesty is not a variable. The truth is the truth.I want to be sure and disclose ALL the facts so my integrity is never called into question. When I think that others feel the same way, sometimes I get spanked. I have learned(the hard way) in life that situational ethics come into play with many people. Many people feel no shame in shading the truth or telling partial truth or their "version" of the truth. With that in mind, I now go over ebay ads like a detective with a fine tooth comb to make sure all of any possible issues are answered. if they are not, I email the seller to get his answer in writing before I bid. It's sad that it has to be that way. Hope it works out for you. The result should show you what type of person the seller really is.

[sand_man]

...and thanks for the one star thread rating! WTF?

[TerryH]

I would tell this moron seller that I'm keeping the scrap paper he sent me, I want the original manual that was pictured sent ASAP or my money refunded, and if he doesn't act pronto I will contact Porsche to let them know about copyright violations.

This guys sounds like half his feedback should be bad. You can't send anything other than what's pictured unless it's stated in the auction.

[Palum6o]

Isn't that illegal to sell in the first place, what's to prevent someone from copying anything and selling it...?

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by billyboy

Hope it works out for you. The result should show you what type of person the seller really is.

I have a feeling, based on the lack of communication involved with this transaction, that I already have a good gauge for what type of person this seller is. And to think I was also bidding on a Factory 934 manual, before I decided $150.00 was more than I was willing to pay and I lost that auction.

[TerryH]

... and before too much time lapses, open a dispute with Paypal first thing. Don't wait, the statute of limitations ends very fast.

[cmccuist]

Sandman, it says right in the ad that the manual was "as seen". Then, the seller proceeded to send you a different manual. That manual was clearly not what you paid for, as the pictures showed.

Make a copy of what you have and ask for a refund.