Did my ebay seller lie to me?

[rockin_rick]

I just bought this from ebay and the seller told me that it is in "very good condition" and "everything works 100 percent" and that it was used for about 5 years.  When it arrived I expected it to be nicer.  I am relatively new with arcade stuff, am I expecting too much?  Is this considered to be in very good condition?  Do I have a valid complaint to the seller?  Perhaps I just had it built up in my head as I was waiting for it...

Specifics -

There is soda gumming up a lot of it.  Almost every button sticks, and a few of the microswitches stay stuck down.  One button is stuck down.  Two or three of the joysticks are gummed up so the sliders don't slide well and they kinda crunch.  Soda is between the plexi and cpo.  Cigarette burns above the two start buttons.


I expect that I could clean it up, clean the buttons, put on new microswitches, and put on a new piece of plexi and it would be nice.  But that is not how it was advertised to me.  The button that is stuck down itself makes it not "everything works 100 percent" along with the microswitches that stay down when pushed.

What do ya think?

Thanks,
Rick

[rockin_rick]

Here's the joystick slides gummed up, the pop on the PCB, and the microswitches that stay stuck down.

[Bleagh]

Ha, I bid on that, stopped at like 80.

I'd just clean the sticks, replace the buttons, and clean the cpo the best I could.  I doubt you'll get anywhere complaining to the seller even though it is a little less than "very good."

As long as the sticks work decently when cleaned I would be happy.  I'd prolly trash everything but the sticks and clamps and build a new panel.

As a general rule, always assume something you haven't seen in person is a fixer upper.

[fjl]

Did the seller mention the soda damage? If not, then I'd leave him a negative and complain.

[FrizzleFried]

I'd rate that CP as "Decent Condition" or "Average Condition" or maybe even "OK Condition".   "Good condition" is a stretch much less "Very Good Condition".  The fact the guy didn't clean it up before shipping it to you indicates what kind of an asshat he is.  The very least he could have done after advertising it as "very good condition" was clean the damn thing up.

Your outrage is warranted in my humble opinion.

[Chris G]

Weren't there any pictures on the eBay listing?

That's a bummer - I'd be pretty pissed/disappointed.

[johnm160]

I would be pretty unhappy with that myself if it was listed as very good. In the end I guess it would depend on how much I paid for it.

[am_monkee]

YES! (not meant in an excited way, just an emphatic way). cigarette burns and stickiness? nothing is in good condition if it has that. post a complaint on ebay so he's aware he will be called out on his bs if he chooses to sell like this.

[rockin_rick]

Ha, I bid on that, stopped at like 80.

This must have been a different auction, I didn't pay that much.  When was that, BTW?  I remember an auction for another one about 1-2 months ago.  Funny thing was the auction pictures (as I remembered) were the same.  I hunted for the completed auction, but couldn't find it, and I had already deleted it from my watch list.  Do you have the item number still?  Perhaps in an bid confirmation email?  I wonder if this was the same CP, and whoever bought it then, was also not happy and returned it.   

Did the seller mention the soda damage?

Nope

Weren't there any pictures on the eBay listing?

There were, but they were small and low quality.  I realize why now...

I did send him a question before bidding and it was then he described it as "very good condition" and "works 100 percent".  I also requested pictures, but he replied "You want me to send additional pictures which I don't have that much extra time to do for an item for 38 bucks. Sorry but there is nothing to be afraid of because you can read my feedbacks."  That did rub me the wrong way, and I wasn't going to bid on it, but after pondering it for a while and checking his feedback (335 pos./1 neg), I thought I would, but not bid high.

I paid $41.00 for it (+38.00 S&H).  So, for what I paid, it isn't a bad deal, but that's not the point.  I was still lied to and had I known the true condition I wouldn't have bid on it.  It wouldn't be worth it for me to send it back (assuming that he would accept the return), unless he'd give me a full refund, along with paying for the return shipping.  Doubtful...

Thanks for the comments - I welcome anyone else's opinions, too.

Rick

[FrizzleFried]

For $41 it's not worth the trouble to send it back...clean it up and consider it a lesson learned.   I'd still give em a crappy feedback though.

[deadkenndys1105]

Give him some bad feedback because its not how it was described but at lest its still in one peace.

[SavannahLion]

People like him are precisely why I rarely bid on auctions anymore. I got burned more than once buying console games that were listed as "near mint" or "good" condition only to find they're Blockbuster titles with those ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- up anti-theft stickers. Makes it worse when they don't have a solid reference image to discover this. After about three or four titles like this, I pretty much stopped buying from auctions with ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- photos.

Chasing after the guy for $40 bucks isn't really worth it in my book. Just strip it for parts, chalk it up to experience and don't leave positive feedback (leave neutral if you want to avoid negative feedback).

[tetsu96]

If you take the plexi off, how does the CP look then?  Cleaning the joysticks and buttons (pop the buttons out of the casing to clean both parts) may not be as bad as you think, and if it's only the plexi that's damaged, then that can be redone though it defeats the point of getting an item in "very good condition".

Yeah - and definately ding him on the feedback.  Heck, he can even go on the "bad traders" list here if that includes ebay sellers.

[shardian]

Never just leave bad feedback on ebay. Contact the guy first and tell him the item is not as described and you are not happy. Odds are he will offer you $10 or $20 to make you happy. If he doesn't do something to make you happy, then you can leave him negative feedback.
As to the sticky buttons, take them all apart and throw them in the dishwasher. They'll come back like new. Much cheaper than buying new ones.
Still, rest assured that you got a good deal with this sale even if the seller is an ass. Do you realize what 4 49-ways and wiring harnesses are worth?

[steveh]

Never just leave bad feedback on ebay. Contact the guy first and tell him the item is not as described and you are not happy. Odds are he will offer you $10 or $20 to make you happy. If he doesn't do something to make you happy, then you can leave him negative feedback.
As to the sticky buttons, take them all apart and throw them in the dishwasher. They'll come back like new. Much cheaper than buying new ones.
Still, rest assured that you got a good deal with this sale even if the seller is an ass. Do you realize what 4 49-ways and wiring harnesses are worth?

I would follow his advice see if you can get some money back from him, and go from there.

[BobA]

Yes it is not as described but try to negotiate nicely first.   Neg feedback only gets you neg feedback and nothing is accomplished.  Try to get something back maybe the shipping or whatever you can negotiate first.

[Kaytrim]

I wouldn't bother contacting the guy before leaving the neg feedback.  You have a steel there with 4 49-way sticks and encoder.  Just clean them up and you will be golden.  Same with the buttons.  You might want to replace the switches though.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[shardian]

I wouldn't bother contacting the guy before leaving the neg feedback.  You have a steel there with 4 49-way sticks and encoder.  Just clean them up and you will be golden.  Same with the buttons.  You might want to replace the switches though.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

That is stupid advice. You are saying he got a great deal, and then telling him to report the seller as though he screwed him. What a great way to earn your own negative feedback!

[Kaytrim]

I wouldn't bother contacting the guy before leaving the neg feedback.  You have a steel there with 4 49-way sticks and encoder.  Just clean them up and you will be golden.  Same with the buttons.  You might want to replace the switches though.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

That is stupid advice. You are saying he got a great deal, and then telling him to report the seller as though he screwed him. What a great way to earn your own negative feedback!

shardian, 

There needs to be a neg feedback due to the fact that the condition did not match what was stated.  However I don't think rick should do much else.  Asking for money back based on what he paid for it is useless because he got it so cheep anyway.  With the way the seller answered rick's question for more pics tells me that the seller didn't care and won't give any money back.  So any more communication with the seller would be a waste of time.  If rick gets a neg feedback from the seller he can add a reply to the neg stating the condition of the item in the auction didn't match what was stated.

Kaytrim

[FrizzleFried]

Hmmm...on second thought I also think it would be a good idea to contact the seller first.   Don't ask for anything...just contact him and see what he offers up.   Then base your feedback on how the seller responds to your issue.

[(+_+)]

I hate buying anything without being able to apply the "flick test". It's a stupid long running joke I have with a friend of mine that works on multiple levels. What it means is you are close enough to visual inspect the item as well as be able to touch (or flick it) to see if it is built well.

I hate the old internet naked buy. It always leaves me feeling uneasy. For 80 bucks I wouldn't complain. It would probably be more hassle than it's worth. I'd pop everything out and give it a good cleaning. Perhaps change the artwork and put in a new sheet of plexi. Even if it costs you another $50 to get it all cleaned up that really isn't bad. I just spent about $800 cnd on my new cp. Always remember the golden rule. You get what you paid for.

[SavannahLion]

I hate buying anything without being able to apply the "flick test". It's a stupid long running joke I have with a friend of mine that works on multiple levels. What it means is you are close enough to visual inspect the item as well as be able to touch (or flick it) to see if it is built well.

I take it you've never purchased cards then.  Some of those guys are so protective of their "investment" that they won't even let you take it out of the 3" acrylic they clamp them in. Nevermind that most of them are crushing (ie damaging) a $500+ card by clamping it in too tight. I had one guy try to pawn off a $2,500 card on me, even had it in one of those aluminum cases with foam inserts, but wouldn't let me inspect the card for authenticity. 

[ChadTower]

They have been making acrylic screw cases with a card sized routed space for 25 years.

[SavannahLion]

They have been making acrylic screw cases with a card sized routed space for 25 years.

They also still make screw cases that don't have the routed space. Tell that to the guy trying to sell me his crap.

[ChadTower]

I do believe you but I haven't seen a new one in at least 15 years.  They must be hard to come by now.

[somunny]

[ChadTower]

So?  How many people does this guy need to tell him that the condition wasn't accurately described, but he got a really good deal on the parts anyway, so contact the seller and see if you can get a few bucks back but if not just get over it?

[somunny]

Can't take a little ribbing?  Do I need to put a smiley or a little winky face in there to make it okay?

Lighten up, Francis.   

[ChadTower]

Oh I'm light, baby.  Been light for so long you can say I've been lit for years.

[(+_+)]

I hate buying anything without being able to apply the "flick test". It's a stupid long running joke I have with a friend of mine that works on multiple levels. What it means is you are close enough to visual inspect the item as well as be able to touch (or flick it) to see if it is built well.

I take it you've never purchased cards then.  Some of those guys are so protective of their "investment" that they won't even let you take it out of the 3" acrylic they clamp them in. Nevermind that most of them are crushing (ie damaging) a $500+ card by clamping it in too tight. I had one guy try to pawn off a $2,500 card on me, even had it in one of those aluminum cases with foam inserts, but wouldn't let me inspect the card for authenticity. 

$2,500 for a card (craaaazy) and to say my flick test is silly. 

[ChadTower]

There certainly aren't many worth that much.

[davidc21a]

Let me know if you no longer want the controp top, i have a blitz arcade but the graphics on the control top are shot, i just want the control top, no joysticks or buttons.  Let me know, i was going to bid on this auction for one but missed it..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270091611568&rd=1&rd=1

[Tailgunner]

I would agree that the seller stretched the truth a little, but I wouldn't go so far as to say they lied. Real arcade machines have a hard life, and and for something that's been on location to be sticky with coke syrup, covered in grafitti/cig burns is considered normal. Had they spent the time to clean and test it to make sure it's 100%, the price would've reflected it. At worse you'll need a new piece of plexi and maybe a microswitch or two.

I vote chalk it up as experience and move on, for $41 you got a deal as the parts alone are worth more than that. With a little TLC you'll be ahead of the game. Mind you I wouldn't exactly be singing praises about the seller in your feedback, but I wouldn't trash them either.

[hypernova]

Assuming nothing comes from the negotiations, you could always leave a neutral feedback, explaining that the item was quite dirty from leftover soda on the buttons and PCBs, but was still a good deal considering the 49-ways.
Were those regular joys, well, that'd be a different story.

Always remember the golden rule. You get what you paid for.

That's different from the American "golden rule."  You crazy Canadiens

[ChadTower]

The American Golden Rule:  He who has the gold makes the rules.

[RayB]

I would leave a neutral.

[btp2k2]

I would leave a bag of flaming poo

[ChadTower]

What, did this thread lie to you too?

[btp2k2]

Yes

and it made me cry too

[tommyinajar]

Did I miss it, how about a link to the ended Auction