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Hi
there, This months article will be a bit of a hodge podge and
miscellaneous ramblings on a number of different topics.
One thing I would like to
discuss, is what to do if the item you receive is not exactly what
you thought it was. This is actually a common problem and occurs
more than you would think. Generally these type of problems are
quite minor but annoying. A classic example is that the item you get
is a slightly different color than what the photo was. This can
occur for a number of reasons and no one is really to blame. Color
is a very subjective thing and even though one person describes a
particular color, another person would describe it totally
differently. Also a digital camera will record colors slightly
differently than any other digital camera.
Also monitors may display colors slightly differently. So
there is no real way to accurately depict the true color of an item.
This is a case where close actually does count. If color is really
important then you should ask some questions before bidding on the
item and confirm exactly what the true color is compared to
something of a known color. Also make it clear to the seller that
color is an important point, and ask if the item may be returned if
it is not the color you thought it was. The seller may or may not
allow you to return the item. Don’t get to upset if the seller
does not want the hassle and asks you to purchase elsewhere.
If you do get an item that’s
different, the first step is to go back to the listing and compare
it to what was listed. Then politely ask the seller if a return
would be a possibility. Remember that politeness really does count
in a situation like this. Being forceful and obnoxious will only
result in bad feedback and not being able to return the item. I
suggest complimenting the seller on the item you received and say
that you are sure that he described the item as best he could, but
you have a problem with it, and you would like to return it. If
possible always allow the other person a way to save face.
I recently purchased an item
that turned out to be a fake. Rather than getting all upset with it,
I decided to do some research and play the game. I found out that
the seller had a previous reputation for selling fakes (yes I should
have done that before I bid!), and also refused to take returns. I
contacted the seller and thanked him for the prompt shipping of the
item. I then mentioned that there was a slight problem with the item
and if I could discuss it with him. When he indicated we could
discuss the situation, I again thanked him for responding, and then
gave him detailed reasons why I think the item he shipped me was a
fake. I then told him, I was sure that he did not know it was a fake
(when in fact I was sure he knew it was a fake). I told him that the
person who consigned the item to him may not have even known it was
a fake (I was sure it was his item and not consigned). I then
indicated that I really could not use the item since it was for
professional use and we could not risk the consequences of using
unauthorized materials. I then indicated that I would like to
resolve the situation in some manner that would be acceptable to
BOTH of us. I indicated
that shipping the item back to him would just be a waste of money
since he could not resell the item knowing now that it was a fake.
So I then asked him to just refund a significant portion of the
purchase price of the item not including the shipping, and that he
should then contact his consignor and get a refund from him. I
indicated that that refund would make me completely happy and that I
would then leave him a very favorable feedback. After all was said
and done I got most of my money refunded and got to keep the fake
item. The whole reason this worked out fine, was because I allowed
the seller a way to save face by blaming the whole situation on a
fictitious consignor.
If you have any things that you
would like me to talk about, Please contact me by email. Thanks.
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