Another eBay buyer vent

[ncbyrne]

I won a bid on a Fisher Price scanning register. The description was acurate per se, and the toy works. BUT...the battery holder is missing. The batteries go into the bottom and they fall out when it's turned upright. I bought this for my grandson for Christmas and it's useless as is. The seller insists that the cover was there and suggested that, (a) the box was tampered with after shipping, or (b) I threw the piece out with the packing. Neither happened - the box was still taped shut when it arrived and the plastic battery cover was NOT in the newspapers surrounding it. The buyer still insists it was not his fault. Do I just chalk this up to buyer beware and take for granted that I got screwed?

 

[iluvdisnee]

was this a NEW in BOX Item or used? If it was Used I'd definitely hold the seller to something, maybe a partial refund. I am a seller and if a buyer is totally unhappy I at least offer to partially refund if not totally refund. If the item was new in Box you might want to contact the manufacturer!

 

[ntink]

Although you should not have to go this route (the seller should make good on this) try contacting Fisher-Price. I have had great experience with their customer service department in the past.

 

[DianeV]

If it wasnt new in the box (not allowing you to get the piece from the manufacturer) you can file a not as described complaint with ebay and if you used paypal with them too.

 

[DMRick]

I'd call Fisher Price first. What you want right now, is a working toy. Deal with the seller after you find out if you can get it or not.

 

[ncbyrne]

This is a used toy that is no longer available thru Fisher Price.

 

[kilee]

The most you can do is file a complaint since there is clearly a part missing. It's not just a matter of taste in this issue. Then go from there. You may or may not win. Obviously if you do win you'll be required to send back the item and foot the bill for shipping it back. Those are just some things to think about to make sure it's worth it.
I know you wanted something that worked. However, sometimes the refund doesn't substantiate the return shipping costs.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I would still call Fisher-Price to see if they have the replacement part available. You would be surprised at what they might be able to do for you.

As far as the seller is concerned, my own inclination would be to no pursue it any further. They obviously are not going to budge on their position. You could take it up with eBay or PayPal if you feel strongly about it and there is the possibility that you will win the dispute. If that happens, you would get a refund and not have to sent the item back either.

You got a less-than-conscientious seller. You can give them negative feedback if you wish but be prepared for retaliation if they haven't left you feedback yet. A neutral feedback with the comment "item received with parts missing, seller refused to make good" might be better.

 

[DianeV]

I would try Fisher PRice and then the seller one more time..if no luck then file a not as described with Paypal and ebay. If no luck there and you used a credit card with paypal then file a chargeback with your credit card. These sellers need to know they cant just do this

 

[TnTWalter]

I had an older model Discover Workshop and wanted to donate to my kids' preschool. I was missing one piece so I called to see if I could buy a replacement part. They had it and sent it to me FREE. I was floored. Great service.
Trish

 

[C.Ann]

As far as the seller is concerned, my own inclination would be to no pursue it any further. They obviously are not going to budge on their position. You could take it up with eBay or PayPal if you feel strongly about it and there is the possibility that you will win the dispute. If that happens, you would get a refund and not have to sent the item back either.

You got a less-than-conscientious seller. You can give them negative feedback if you wish but be prepared for retaliation if they haven't left you feedback yet. A neutral feedback with the comment "item received with parts missing, seller refused to make good" might be better.

-------------------------

Why not pursue it? The buyer basically got a useless item.. I would want some sort of compensation..

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I would not pursue it any further with the seller. They are obviously not interested in making good on the transaction. If the OP is inclined to go the eBay/PayPal route, then I feel that's the way to go about it. In the end, she still has a useless toy unless she can get a battery cover from FP.

 

[swilshire]

While following the good suggestions above, duct tape works wonders. We've lost many battery covers through the years and purchased some items at yard sales with them already missing. Duct tape will almost always hold the batteries in tightly enough for the toy to work.

Sheila

 

[Dznypal]

I had some older samosnite luggage that I wanted to put in a rummage sale but I lost the keys I wrote samosite giving as many details of the luggage as I could find (the luggage was 20 years old!!!)

they sent replacement keys free!!

I was quite impressed!!!

 

[C.Ann]

I sure hope the OP can get the part from FP before the holidays because I can tell you that I would not be terribly happy (and I'm sure the OP wouldn't be either) with the prospect of having to give my grandchild a Christmas present that was being held together with duct tape!

Great idea for later on, but it's a shame that the transaction had to go this way..

 

[DMRick]

Now that duct tape comes in purple, my grand wouldn't mind LOL. They may have to give the item for another occasion, if FP doesn't work that fast. I think the Duct Tape idea was for a stop gap measure, until they could get the part. Or maybe they can make the Duct Tape decorative.

http://www.ducktapeclub.com/ducktivities/projects/rose.asp

I sure hope the OP can get the part from FP before the holidays because I can tell you that I would not be terribly happy (and I'm sure the OP wouldn't be either) with the prospect of having to give my grandchild a Christmas present that was being held together with duct tape!

 

[MyGoofy26]

You got a less-than-conscientious seller. You can give them negative feedback if you wish but be prepared for retaliation if they haven't left you feedback yet. A neutral feedback with the comment "item received with parts missing, seller refused to make good" might be better.

You know, I keep reading this warning on the board and the more I think about it, the more I think ebay needs to do something with such abuse of the feedback system. People are afraid to give negative feedback to poor sellers and therefore when the next person goes to buy something they don't have that "warning" that the whole system is intended to be.

Why couldn't ebay change the system up a little bit so that you leave feedback but it doesn't publish right away. It's not until BOTH parties leave feedback (without the advantage of seeing what the other wrote) or, if only one person has left feedback, post it after a certain time frame (maybe 30 or 60 days) at which point the 2nd person forfeits their right to leave feedback for the other.

I know this doesn't help the OP at all . . . sorry for hijacking the thread!

 

[kilee]

I think sometimes people just suggest leaving the feedback and letting it go to avoid tons of undue hassle. A lot of times in the end if the item was only a few dollars- it just might not be worth the extra effort and stress to fight w/ a seller. For me it would come down to the purchase price and then how much it's going to cost me to return too.

 

[C.Ann]

Now that duct tape comes in purple, my grand wouldn't mind LOL. They may have to give the item for another occasion, if FP doesn't work that fast. I think the Duct Tape idea was for a stop gap measure, until they could get the part. Or maybe they can make the Duct Tape decorative.

http://www.ducktapeclub.com/ducktivities/projects/rose.asp

-------------------------

Personally, I LOVE duct tape!! (They don't call me "The Duct Tape Queen" for nothin'.. LOL) But I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable giving someone a gift that was held together with the stuff.. Of course if it were my DH's great-granddaughter and it was being held together with scotch tape, she'd be in 7th heaven.. The kid has had a thing for scotch tape since she was born - even has to have a roll of it in order to go to sleep.. So easy to shop for - a case of scotch tape and she's on cloud nine..