Damaged Pins, please help!

[TikiGoddess07]

My husband recently bought this framed set on eBay, as a Christmas present to me. It is a LE700 Celebrate the Future set from 2000.
The first picture is from the eBay listing. The 2nd picture is from PinPics.

When we received the pins, we noticed that the dark marks on the pins were definitely not a part of the original design. Researching the pins on PinPics confirmed our suspicions. Cleaning the pins gently with a damp cloth did nothing. The brown looks like it is 'in' the enamel. It shows up most on the white enamel but can also be seen in Pluto's green collar. **Has anyone seen this condition on older pins? What could it be caused by? **

Here's the problem. The seller claims that this set is in perfect condition. They say that they have never opened up the frame and touched the pins, that it has been hanging on a wall for 13 years since they bought it. They are fighting me tooth and nail about getting a refund... My husband is not a pin collector and went on the seller's assurance that these pins were in perfect, brand new condition.

At this point the seller and I are waiting to move on to eBay resolution. They will not admit that there is anything wrong with the pins. I would like to have some evidence that this type of staining could happen because of age, moisture, etc. -- whatever did the damage. If you've seen this before, please let me know.

Thank you for your help!
Kathy

 

[Vala]

Pins discolor over years. White will turn yellowish etc. 13 years on a wall can do a lot to a pin.

For a 13 year old pin displayed all the time it's possible that this condition is "perfect" like the seller said. I've never had mine on display that long.

Normally I'd say just go through ebay resolutions, they'd refund as this is a significant not as described case. However, I hope your attempts to clean the pins won't be an issue there. If something is damaged they normally don't want you to try and fix it.

 

[SaveTonight]

Ya it looks like an age stain just it's odd that it's more on one side then the rest. I'd say contact for not as described

 

[figment_jii]

I agree with that some discoloration of pins are not uncommon. Is the enamel like a coating on top of a flat image? I have a few like that and over time the enamel starts to take on a yellowish color and can show some fine cracking lines. Still the brownish marks on the pins should have been noted in the descriptions. As noted by the PP, I would not do anything else to try and "clean" the pins. In the meantime, I too would go through the eBay dispute resolution process and let that process solve this for you.

 

[disneylover1980]

what e Bay would probably conclude is that you will get a refund once you return the item...even though the seller is insisting that they will not do that. If you have a case opened, which I suspect you do with your verbiage....a hold has been placed on their account for the transaction price.

If you do get this type of resolution granted to you, GET DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. GET DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, and I will say it one more time...GET DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. So, when it is confirmed received you will get your money back.

I also suggest contacting eBay directly. Ask SPECIFICALLY for their "trust and safety" department and hopefully they can come to a decision on the phone with you, after you explain that all you are asking for is a refund after a return. You are not asking to KEEP the item, AND get refund.

The main part of the issue here is that the seller sold an item that has signs of wear and they marketed it as it was brand brand new. You probably would not have paid the premium that you paid had you known of the TRUE condition of the item.

Sorry your seller has been a difficult one to work with.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'm looking over this particular eBay listing. Unfortunately because your husband (bless his heart) is not a pin pro he didn't know what to look for. The pictures very clearly show the flaws. Yes the person did state it was in perfect condition but consider that maybe this person is selling it for someone (say grandma) who insists that she never opened the frame...the pins were never damaged. So on and so on. I'm guessing since they have only had 5 eBay transactions that they aren't pros at selling on eBay either. It also states no refunds so I can see why they would say no.

Fortunately eBay is always on the buyers side so you'll probably get some money back.

It's still a cute framed piece flaws and all. It's a shame you'll be giving it back. Somebody seemed to have treasured it for 14 years.

 

[TikiGoddess07]

Despite my best efforts and arguments, eBay denied me a refund. I think it had to do with the fact that I received what was pictured in the listing. I argued that this listing said "un damaged" and "brand new", and the stains on the pins should have been mentioned in the listing description. To no avail.

Not so happy about this.

Kathy

 

[pixiewings71]

Did you call eBay? Sorry they weren't exactly as you thought. I have some pins in sealed framed, never opened but I expect over the years there will be some discoloration. I've seen it in other pins I have as well.