Disappointing eBay Purchase

[NugeConstruction]

Any advice as to others might address the eBay purchase described here* would be appreciated.

(*) Original listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220376475535

(*) Original listing facsimile:

These are my issues with the purchase:

* Item was poorly packaged: all the wrenches were placed unsecured into a ~10" x 13" bubble wrap envelope placed in a flat rate box with far less than enough packing to prevent the wrenches from bumping and grinding against each other all the way from Illinois to Alaska.

* Item was not as described, with it having included three SOEX wrenches when described as '4 SnapOn OEXM Metric Wrenches 8-24 Incomplete Set'.

* Item eBay posting states that wrenches are in "great condition" when "good condition" would have been a whole lot more honest of a description.

* When I e-mailed the seller asking...

"am I correct in assuming that since your post made no mention of any markings/initials or areas that have been grinded, that there indeed are none"

...the seller replied:

"Hi, there are no engravings on any of the wrenches."

* I got chiseled on shipping: the USPS postage calculator shows they charged me $6 more than what they paid (though granted they were kind enough to ship USPS rather than UPS).

-

And so, while the item's eBay posting says...

"Please contact us PRIOR TO leaving any neutral or negative feedback...we strive for high quality service and want you to be satisfied with your purchase from MONSTER-DEALS"

...what *would* be appropriate to say in contacting the seller?

Requesting a full refund puts me out for round trip postage, and a big question mark as to if or when I would ever receive a refund should I indeed bite the bullet and ship the set back.

I moreover wonder whether leaving negative feedback would do little more than spitting in the wind, what with the seller having 27,522 reviews at 99.8% positive.

 

[Merkava_4]

Are there any engravings or grind marks?

Did you pay more than 50% of list price?

 

[eschoendorff]

In my opinion, I think you might be a little overly sensitive here. These are wrenches, not jewelry. A good portion of you complaints seem to be rather trite. There are no engravings in you pics - maybe a few scratches, but again, these are wrenches.

Caveat Emptor

edit...

I just re-read the original listing. You got a hell of a deal on a fairly complete set of flank drive plus wrenches. You need to stop worrying/whining and enjoy your new tools.

 

[LoneStarSA]

Are you referring to the symbols stamped into the wrenches as engravings? Those are Snap On date codes! They tell you the year the wrench was manufactured.

I still think you got a heck of a deal....even if you have to replace the 3 flank drive plus wrenches with 3 standard flank drives to 'complete the set'.

 

[Danglerb]

Aren't those little symbols the Snapon date codes?

In ebay lingo I would not call the "significantly not as described".

I don't know if I would call them great, but they do appear better than average for a used wrench, with no serious defects that I noticed.

Ding them on the packing if you want, but if you decide to give less than a positive and 5 stars you should communicate with the seller first and wait for a response.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Ok, here's my take.

#1. Maybe they could have been packaged better, but nothing was truly hurt.

#2. Yes, he should have mentioned the soexm's being in there, but you got a BETTER wrench than advertised, so I don't see why it matters. Unless you're just that ****, matched sets on used wrenches don't mean jack. It's not a Duesenberg.

#3. Yes, I would agree they're in good, not great condition. However, you got a damn good deal even for good condition wrenches. If you plan on actually using them, the ends would look like that soon even on a new set.

#4. The ebay shipping price is shipping AND HANDLING. Handling does NOT show up on the shipping price on the package. Sorry, you agreed to that price. If it said buyer pays ACTUAL shipping only, you would have a point, but it doesn't.

#5. Those aren't engravings, those are factory date codes. You'll have a hard time getting Snap-On to agree to removing them.

Finally, it says right in there to ask about them PRIOR to bidding. A simple phone call or email would have fixed lots of this.

Bad wording? Yes. Screwed? Not even close.

If they're just not what you wanted, offer to ship them on your dime for a full refund of selling price, you eat return shipping, he eats the shipping to you.

If you're just worried that you got the shaft, not even close.

 

[Merkava_4]

They seem to be shiny enough to reflect the image of the camera taking their picture.

That bur on the open end will clean up real nicely with a half round jeweler's file.

 

[Rickster]

I don't know, the seller did not mention there were two different part number wrenches making up the set. And using the USPS shipping calculator and then knowing damn well he could ship them flat rate for less and pocket the difference is poor. Not to mention the poor packaging practices! Somebody needs to send these guys some zip-ties! I don't know if I'd persue it through ebay feedback. Maybe first try an email to the seller about your concerns and ask for a 10% refund if that would make you happy.

 

[fatfillup]

This is why I prefer to sell tools locally. Sellers exagerating condition and / or not being knowledgable and buyers expectations being higher than reasonable. The limited experience I have with ebay and any auction for that matter is not to have high expectations and bid accordingly. Unless you can see it and touch it, be a little wary.

 

[dxdexter]

From the photos I don't see any problem with the condition. They are used wrenches and thus will have scratches. I agree that the set is not all the same in the fact they are not all OEXM, but you actually got more expensive flank drive plus wrenches included (serrated open end photo) and the ad photo clearly shows that they are not a matching set even if the description is not entirely accurate. As mentioned the strange little marks are date codes.

Since photos show up scratches more so than the eye, I would think they look much better in person.

The price seems reasonable for what you received.

 

[Fedwrench]

One man's great condition is another man's fair condition. You have to really look closely at photos and skip those auctions without photos. I think it was obivious from the auction's photo that it was a well used mismatched set. Tools are meant to be used despite what Merkava says. I think your expectations maybe a little high for this auction. If you're trully unhappy and experiencing buyer's remorse, send the wrenches back. However, there's alot of life left in those wrenches, and I would just keep them and use them. You could always clean them up with a little Flitz semichrome polish to remove some of the light scratching. As for the packaging, I've gotten envelopes where the tool was hanging out of the envelope. It was a minor miracle that I even got the tool. Buying stuff on Ebay is always a gamble.

 

[-olllllllo-]

ok people, how much does gas cost?

how about packing materials?

or how much do YOU get paid per hour of work?

so, take the time, gas, and cost to get the packing materials. take the time to pack it up(even shoddy packing does take YOUR TIME so why not his too?). then take some more time and gas to deliver to the post office.

oh yeah pay for the freakin postage too!!!

geezus, why does everyone have to be so gawdawful cheap when it comes to paying for something they want? and on the flipside charge top dollar for their own **** and their own time to pack it up???

try to think about this if the table was turned is what i am saying. that stuff does not "magically appear" in it's packaging and show up at the post office.

i don't know how many people i have personally heard complain about the price of gas, but this seller is supposed to give you his gas and his time for free?????

think about it people.

as for quality of the wrenches, don't know, don't care. you hit a nerve. 6 bux??? yer gonna quibble over 6 bux???

 

[jerk_chicken]

The picture on the ebay ad actually does show the damage that you pictured here. The terms are also "as-is", so that's something that always turns me off.

 

[Mike83]

I can tell from the listing which wrenches are SOEX not only from the open end but also the USA next to SNAP-ON. I would consider that a bonus! Anyway, always look at photos carefully, and if you really don't like them don't return them - send them to me! I will give them a good home.

That was a really bad packing job. I would mention that to the seller.

 

[ricleh]

Do you buy tools to use them or to put them on display in a case? These are used wrenches. If you want perfect then buy new ones. No wonder ebay sellers complain about buyers.

 

[back2class]

You are being silly. Who cares if they rubbed a little in shipping. They are TOOLS.

 

[64merc]

I think you got a very fair deal on some nice wrenches. Sure, they look used, but that' what you bought. They don't look abused and have a lot of life left in them.

I don't agree on that style of packing, but I doubt much harm was done, if any. If it bothered me I would politely mention it to the seller.

 

[T56 Impala]

Looks like you got a decent deal to me. No, they aren't perfect, but hey, they are used.

I can clearly see the "damage" in the auction photos. Not a big deal to me.

Packaging sucked I agree. I also have a problem with what some people charge for shipping and "handling". If the terms are not with in you acceptable limits, don't buy them.

**** side note on this****

I just got a COMPLETE Wright 1954 vintage 1/2" drive set from Maine. Shipped to Georgia for under $10 via UPS. Took 3 days. The items were packed as follows:

Speeder, wrapped in brown paper, taped closed.

Ratchet and breaker bar, each wrapped in paper then wrapped together in paper and tapped closed.

5" extension and four sockets, each individually wrapped and taped, then all wrapped and taped together.

Remaining 7 sockets, taped together and double wrapped and tapped.

All items were in a properly sized box, padded by and all space filled by paper towels. This stuff was properly packed IMO. Now, if you sell large quantities such as this or the OP's auction, you should pack like this! I will be following suit with any tools I sell from now on. It means a lot to the buyer. I know it did to me.

****end****

If you insist on contacting the seller, simply tell him that the item(s) did not meet your expectations and ask for a refund. Ship them back and try again. ONLY IF HE /SHE REFUSES would I leave any negative feedback. The ball is in your court, how are you going to play it?

 

[walrus]

I've 10-19 flank drives go for that much money on EBay. I use my tools so a few scratches or whatever don't mean much to me as long as tools are in good useable shape. The packaging was awful, no doubt.

 

[alkemyst]

I always question on how an item will ship/be packed prior to auction end. Esp with tools, most don't care appearance as long as they work.

That said, I don't know how much additional damage would have occured, but being that you were already questioning the extra $6 on shipping has me having the answer.

Bubble wrap and packing materials are pretty expensive. Most would think a roll of the stuff is $3-4...a roll is 10x that and doesn't go far. Peanuts are also expensive and really only good at filling volume, not shielding from damage.

Good boxes aren't cheap, many will complain to me and ask that I just run to the grocery for some boxes. 1) They only have boxes when they are stocking...once that is done they are compacted. 2) It would cost me more to drive around hoping to find the right size box and then insurance would more than likely not be honored if there was damage.

The tools look like the pictures to me. It's still a good deal unless you wanted show quality tools.

 

[bowanna03]

try seller protection on paypal and tell them that the item was not as described and a good chunk of the time they will cover it within 45 days I think.

 

[jerk_chicken]

I don't really think the seller deserves to be ripped off now by the OP. Some of these suggestions are pretty ridiculous and amount to now ripping the seller off.

 

[Bull]

Slamming the seller with Paypal claims would be shameful. Don't do it. Looks like there was no intent to deceive. I see some scratches and some light nicks around the open end, probably from, you know, being a used tool. Seller should have mentioned not all the wrenches were of the same type, but from what others are saying that was to your advantage anyway. Packaging was sub-standard, but do SO wrenches become damaged from jostling against each other in the mail? If they were NOS polish queens, ok, they would have been scratched a bit and I could see you being upset. But, how much padding do used wrenches need? Unless SO tools are for fairies, I imagine you could even drop one from chest height and it would suffer no marring effects or damage deleterious to its performance as a tool.

 

[Stuey]

Don't worry, I'd be pissed too.

BUT, there are more important things to worry about. That said, email the seller and see what your options are.

 

[Danglerb]

Isn't UPS one rate for the 48 states and surcharge for AK and HI? I assume USPS wasn't the choice of the seller, but done to reduce the final cost to buyer, and $6 is lousy pay for a trip to the post office.

OP needs to decide which will make them happy, paying for the return and a refund, or something else. The item is generally as pictured and as described, below average, but not really bad packing is the only legitimate gripe. Tell the seller what you want to be happy, and give them a chance to do it.

 

[NugeConstruction]

Thanks, guys: this is my first combo set, and I never knew about the Snap-on date codes: I wondered if those were some factory detail or whether some shop/mechanic had stamped them.

I just stocked up on 4-way angle head Flank Drive Plus, so I really was not looking to get more Flank Drive Plus, but it can't hurt to have a bit of a mix, even if just for experience sake.

Good point on the wrenches being tough: the first time (just last week) I dropped one of my Snap-ons on the shop floor, I picked it up hoping I didn't destroy it, and it just kind of looked at me and said, uh, was that supposed to hurt or something?

These are certainly meant to be used, and I am looking forward to sharing with you guys about the projects I am gearing up to tackle.

Much obliged for your thoughts, especially those that advising me to cool my jets on this deal,

NC

 

[Merkava_4]

Tools are meant to be used despite what Merkava says.

What the heck? Hey, I use some of my tools once in awhile; the ones that aren't designated prom queens.

 

[krusty the clown]

the ones that aren't designated prom queens.

those are the ones you shower with......right

 

[mkdive]

nice new signature krusty!

 

[Skyline]

Most sellers try to accomadate buyers when they are not satisfied. In a situation like this, where there is a little blame to go around, I would not necessarily expect the seller to pay return postage. But I would expect 100% refund, including the original shipping cost. Believe me, no seller wants negative feedback.

The reason I would say there is enough blame to go around, is that the seller's ad is definitely misleading claiming this is a "set". It is not, it is wrenches from several different eras. And that they are OEXM wrenches (some are, some are not.) On the other hand, you CAN clearly see this from the pictures in the listing, so if you didn't look close enough to see this, it's at least partially your fault. Given this, I would not be too agressive with the seller, but ask nicely for a return.

Another alternative is to decide which style wrench you like the best, and little by little acquire the missing ones of that style on ebay. This mismatched set gives you the chance to compare side by side. Once you find the ones you like on eBay, sell the non-matching ones. Or sell them all in individual auctions on eBay, and but a proper matching set. But again, I would use them a bit to decide which style suits your fancy. As for me, I'm no fan of any of the flank drive stuff....so I prefer the S-O wrenches from just before this era.

 

[NAYLOR]

Dude, it's a set of wrenches. If you wanted brand new condition buy brand new wrenches.

Don't be that guy that is overly critical and ask the seller for a refund/rebate.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Ok, here's my take.

#2. Yes, he should have mentioned the soexm's being in there, but you got a BETTER wrench than advertised, so I don't see why it matters. Unless you're just that ****, matched sets on used wrenches don't mean jack. It's not a Duesenberg.

If you're just worried that you got the shaft, not even close.

Not the shaft, but if one has serrated wrenches, one also looks for smooth end wrenches. Just not what he was hoping he was getting, not the shaft.

What the heck? Hey, I use some of my tools once in awhile; the ones that aren't designated prom queens.

Prom queens want to be thrown on the floor (more room then the bed) and ravished while you disrobe them with your teeth. I don't see teeth marks on any of Merks picks (didn't look close at the horsefaced gals).

My only suggestion, is to first sleep on it. Then search for the ones that are smooth end instead (average sale price) and try to negotiate a partial discount, to help you get them. (sell the S series here if you don't want them).

 

[Mr_fixit]

Dude, it's a set of wrenches. If you wanted brand new condition buy brand new wrenches.

Don't be that guy that is overly critical and ask the seller for a refund/rebate.

here here.!

 

[autoace]

What the heck? Hey, I use some of my tools once in awhile; the ones that aren't designated prom queens.

I'm selling all of my "prom queens", why would someone buy "better" tools, not to use them I have been quilty of this at times, when I didn't have a way to warranty Snap-on tools, I would grab Craftsman for the tough, risk of breaking moves. Surprisingly, they held up great! Which makes me think why I spend extra money on the designer tools???

Merk. why don't you buy a Craftsman set on sale, and then you don't have to USE your nice Snap-on,etc...tools. Right! keep the tools nice and clean/snug in their box, and open the gates of hell on your Craftsman tools. The biggest problem with Craftsman, is whether or not you get a "good one" to begin with, if you do, they will work fine!

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm selling all of my "prom queens", why would someone buy "better" tools, not to use them I have been quilty of this at times, when I didn't have a way to warranty Snap-on tools, I would grab Craftsman for the tough, risk of breaking moves. Surprisingly, they held up great! Which makes me think why I spend extra money on the designer tools???

Merk. why don't you buy a Craftsman set on sale, and then you don't have to USE your nice Snap-on,etc...tools. Right! keep the tools nice and clean/snug in their box, and open the gates of hell on your Craftsman tools. The biggest problem with Craftsman, is whether or not you get a "good one" to begin with, if you do, they will work fine!

I got a used metric SOEXM set that I got off craigslist for using as work horses. The brand new OEXM set is zip tied together at the moment.

 

[autoace]

I got a used metric SOEXM set that I got off craigslist for using as work horses. The brand new OEXM set is zip tied together at the moment.

You really kill me! They are tools! to each his own! Do you untie them for a monthly polish job? or do they just stay zip tied together? At least you can sell them as new, if the day comes, if they have never been used. In all fairness, I had tools I didn't really use, that were nice, so I won't miss them that much as I sell them, since I didn't really use them!

 

[Fedwrench]

The brand new OEXM set is zip tied together at the moment.

Is that some kind of tool *******?
I can't believe someone would buy Snap on (or any other brand) and not use them.

 

[Vinko]

Dude, it's a set of wrenches.

Somehow this reasoning doesn't seem entirely appropriate on this board. Especially given the enthusiasms of many of the members here

 

[Merkava_4]

Do you untie them for a monthly polish job? or do they just stay zip tied together?

The zip ties are just temporary until the new wrench racks come in. Then they'll be placed at the very back of the drawer so I don't accidentally use one.

 

[Mike83]

For some people value is placed on something just by the mere fact that they have it, not that they get "use" out of it. I wouldn't play catch with a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle or use my collectors edition John Wayne commemorative plates for dinner time. Maybe its the same for some and their Snappy or whatever tools!

ps I don't really have collectors edition John Wayne commemorative plates or a Mickey Mantle baseball. And I use my Snap-On tools to the fullest. The first scratch is the hardest, after that all bets are off!