Rattle-canned Ebay ratchet; keep or return?

[hammergodthor]

So I bought a New Britain NB-57 ratchet off fleabay last week, described as "nicely used". The seller was fine, shipping time was fine, the final price was within $0.30 of my max, so to me, I paid top dollar. When I took it out of the package, the first thing I noticed was the strange finish, the second thing I noticed was the silver paint sticking to my hands!

The head has 0.020" play (measured with a feeler gauge), the indexing ball is either gone or not working, and the pivot looks to me like somebody replaced it with a rivet. This is NB flex head #4 for me, and this pivot looks nothing like my other ratchets.

I bought it to use, not collect, but this ratchet (specifically the pivoting part) is mostly used up and nearly dead. I can take it apart and fix it, but what I find disturbing, is the silver paint given the ratchet very recently. I would describe it as, "significantly not as described." So should I keep it, return it, or complain to Evilbay/Paypal? I'm really not interested in getting in a ******* match with this guy, so bargaining for a partial refund is not my first choice, nor is leaving negative feedback immediately.

Might take me a while to respond, but I'm still interested in your opinions. Thanks all!
Seller's Ebay pic first, mine next.

 

[balane]

Certainly doesn't seem right to me that it wasn't mentioned. The first thing I would do is contact the seller and explain my concerns to him. I always try to give the seller a chance to set things right before pursuing any other course of action. Hopefully he will work with you and you two can find an amicable resolution. Good luck.

 

[sikopal]

Dishonest sellers who blaantly misrepresent their listings on eBay are one of my pet-peeves! He deserves negative feedback unless a full refund is issued, otherwise he gets away with cheating honest folks out of hard earned $$$.
accountability is essential to how eBay works, if he doesn't hold up his end of the deal by providing what he listed , as listed I say go after him and demand $$$ back. Let others know his user name so that he doesnt cheat others!

 

[lametec]

Whenever I have an issue with an eBay item, I contact the seller and explain (nicely) what the problem is. I do not suggest and kind of resolution, I leave that up to the seller.

This has (almost) always worked out well for me.

 

[hammergodthor]

Whenever I have an issue with an eBay item, I contact the seller and explain (nicely) what the problem is. I do not suggest and kind of resolution, I leave that up to the seller.

This has (almost) always worked out well for me.

I like your approach! Thanks!

 

[toolmaker1]

Re read the ad carefully. There is a seller on there now with a huge lot of old usa sockets,rats,etc that states in small letters that they have been painted because of chrome peel. I almost got suckered into buying one lot untill i re read the listing. The pictures looked great so im glad i caught it. Post a link to the auction so we can avoid that seller.

 

[Davefr]

I would contact the seller, describe the problems and ask for a full refund including return shipping.

He'll likely tell you to return on your nickel it but it should be inexpensive to ship back. Make sure you get delivery confirmation.

If he's reluctant or claims he doesn't take returns then just do a SNAD and you'll win.

If he handles the issue professionally and to your satisfaction then don't neg him. If he's a ******** to deal with then leave a negative and 1's for his DSR's. No serious Ebay dealer is going to set themselves up for a negative feedback over something this minor.

Look at his past and current auctions. If he's a tool seller then I'd be much more inclined to neg. him then if it's someone that has no tool selling history and knowledge of condition.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

The thing that always concerns me when something like this happens is you give the seller a negative review and then he turns around and does the same to you as a buyer.

The guy should be contacted first and hope it gets worked out. I have bought a few items from EBay that the seller changed the way it was going to be shipped which added a few extra days to to the shipping time to improve there bottom line and have been reluctant to show that on there review knowing that they could turn around and do the same to me as a buyer....

 

[Davefr]

The thing that always concerns me when something like this happens is you give the seller a negative review and then he turns around and does the same to you as a buyer.

Seller's can't retaliate by leaving negative feedback for their buyers. Ebay changed that years ago.

 

[iroc409]

I would contact the seller, describe the problems and ask for a full refund including return shipping.

He'll likely tell you to return on your nickel it but it should be inexpensive to ship back. Make sure you get delivery confirmation.

If he's reluctant or claims he doesn't take returns then just do a SNAD and you'll win.

If he handles the issue professionally and to your satisfaction then don't neg him. If he's a ******** to deal with then leave a negative and 1's for his DSR's. No serious Ebay dealer is going to set themselves up for a negative feedback over something this minor.

Look at his past and current auctions. If he's a tool seller then I'd be much more inclined to neg. him then if it's someone that has no tool selling history and knowledge of condition.

I wouldn't be interested in paying to ship back something I bought on good faith, and was not as described. At this point, you've already put in time on it, and shipping it back is going to be more time & effort.

If it was an obvious honest mistake, I'd give them leeway and maybe consider it. However, it doesn't look like it in this case. Being blatant will get no sympathy. If of course it was stated in the ad and the buyer missed it, well caveat emptor and all that.

 

[SMKS]

I wouldn't be interested in paying to ship back something I bought on good faith, and was not as described. At this point, you've already put in time on it, and shipping it back is going to be more time & effort.

Even if the OP files a dispute, he'll only get a refund for the original purchase cost and shipping. Paying return shipping is just part of the deal.

 

[iroc409]

Even if the OP files a dispute, he'll only get a refund for the original purchase cost and shipping. Paying return shipping is just part of the deal.

I suppose. I haven't had to deal with it fortunately. It's just... frustrating. Why should someone else's BS cost me, ya know?

Oh well. It is what it is.

 

[balane]

Can we get a link to the auction?

 

[gatewaysysop]

Whenever I have an issue with an eBay item, I contact the seller and explain (nicely) what the problem is. I do not suggest and kind of resolution, I leave that up to the seller.

This has (almost) always worked out well for me.

I agree with this approach as well, it usually works.

To be honest, though, I did just try this approach with a seller who, despite my pleas, very poorly packed an item (small vise) which subsequently had the flawless, unbent handle tweaked badly in transit. He basically told me to pound sand, so now I don't feel bad at all about leaving him negative feedback.

FWIW he already left me positive feedback, days ago, so everybody wins. This won't be his first negative either, and it turns out he damaged someone else's vise due to poor packing so I probably should have known better in the first place.

 

[hammergodthor]

Linky:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360392318802?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp4712.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D360392318802%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_500wt_1204

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[balane]

Wow, Vintage New he says in the title. The ratchet looks like it's aluminum in the photo but that doesn't mean anything, it should have been mentioned for sure. I really never understood what "Nicely Used" meant as far as condition goes, it seems vague to me.

The good thing is that guy has a lot of feedback with no negatives ever. I bet he will certainly work with you.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Wow, Vintage New he says in the title. The ratchet looks like it's aluminum in the photo but that doesn't mean anything, it should have been mentioned for sure. I really never understood what "Nicely Used" meant as far as condition goes, it seems vague to me.

The good thing is that guy has a lot of feedback with no negatives ever. I bet he will certainly work with you.

It's actually Vintage New Britain....still low and misrepresented!

 

[balane]

It's actually Vintage New Britain....still low and misrepresented!

Ah, ha-ha, my bad. I agree though that it's definitely not as expected.

 

[hammergodthor]

I don't mind "fixing" the ratchet, the overall condition isn't super bad, I'm just miffed it was recently spray-painted with no mention. Also there is so much play, its super obvious. All these things obviously affect the value. In a pawn shop I would have left it there for $24.

In his defense, (slightly) he included a hand-written note: "I don't know if you know this I didn't1 (sic) when you want to tighten you turn the knob opposite direction and clockwise to loosen thank fr (sic) Bid"

 

[SMKS]

If I had bought that and paid $10 shipped, I'd probably still be happy with it.

But, for the $23 you paid, I wouldn't accept that. Worst case scenario you'll have to ship it back (if properly packaged, a USPS flat rate envelope will be the cheapest at $5). In the end you'd only be out the $5. That still *****, though.

Also, you could propose the seller give you a partial refund. Just for an example, let's say you request half the money back. Would you be happy with that?

 

[NastyNate]

Do you have the pictures from the ebay posting. I try to keep them till the item is in my hands just for comparison.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Seller's can't retaliate by leaving negative feedback for their buyers. Ebay changed that years ago.

So what prevents them from doing that? I always have a review posted back to me when I buy something from an Ebay seller?

 

[balane]

Sellers are only offered two choices with feedback now; Positive or none at all.

If a seller has a non-paying bidder then he can file a claim with eBay but no feedback is involved at all.

 

[treasureseeker]

Just email the seller they have a five in their stars for the item as described and that only comes from taking care of customer’s issues.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Sellers are only offered two choices with feedback now; Positive or none at all.

If a seller has a non-paying bidder then he can file a claim with eBay but no feedback is involved at all.

Thanks for the information, I don't sell on ebay so I was not sure what the seller can or cannot do. I just notice what feedback I was seeing as a buyer.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Looking over the Ebay listing for that ratchet, The only thing I can see that the sell is wrong for is he did not disclose that it was refinished or painted. the listing "VINTAGE NEW BRITIAN FLEX HEAD RATCHET" is correct along with the "NICELY USED NEW BRITIAN FLEX HEAD RATCHET" is correct and not a factor in this case.

I looked very carefully at the picture, and I can tell it was painted but he should have mentioned it anyways.....

 

[Davefr]

Looking over the Ebay listing for that ratchet, The only thing I can see that the sell is wrong for is he did not disclose that it was refinished or painted. the listing "VINTAGE NEW BRITIAN FLEX HEAD RATCHET" is correct along with the "NICELY USED NEW BRITIAN FLEX HEAD RATCHET" is correct and not a factor in this case.

The slop in the flex head and the poor repair is not "Nicely Used" IMHO.

He should have represented it as such.

Looking at past feedback from this seller, he deals in tools quite often. As such he should have disclosed this deficiency based on his knowledge of tools.

I predict this seller will take care of the buyer if given a chance. He's not going to risk his 100% FB over a mere $30 transaction. He's been selling on Ebay for nearly a decade and looks to have very positive comments. This could have been something he didn't even notice when listing the item.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

The slop in the flex head and the poor repair is not "Nicely Used" IMHO.

He should have represented it as such.

Looking at past feedback from this seller, he deals in tools quite often. As such he should have disclosed this deficiency based on his knowledge of tools.

I predict this seller will take care of the buyer if given a chance. He's not going to risk his 100% FB over a mere $30 transaction. He's been selling on Ebay for nearly a decade and looks to have very positive comments. This could have been something he didn't even notice when listing the item.

I did not take into account the slop in it......

 

[NastyNate]

Bah just re read your post about the pictures.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Bah just re read your post about the pictures.

Would you like to elaborate?

 

[NastyNate]

Would you like to elaborate?

I asked if there were ebay pictures in my earlier post. I re read the original post noticing the first picture was the ebay picture...

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I asked if there were ebay pictures in my earlier post. I re read the original post noticing the first picture was the ebay picture...

I prefer multiple pictures on a item up for sale. I have in the past decided not to place bids on items because of the lack of pictures as well as only one poor quality shot of the Item. In this sellers case. It was only one shot and poor photo quality. I probably would have not bidded on this item because of this and because of the lack of information the seller supplied.....

 

[Wakefield]

If that is a rivet in place of the steel pin through the fork wouldn't it be a lot weaker than the authentic pin? (shear)

 

[Danglerb]

Its the sellers responsibility to reveal defects, not spray paint over them to hide details that would be obvious in a hands on inspection. Photos should not be exclusively "good" sides, which IMHO misrepresents the item.

Its not "nicely used" it is below average to rough condition with paint.

I would not want to keep it, or use it if I had it.

 

[Skyline]

Sometimes, a price adjustment makes sense, but If I don't want an item at all because of an undisclosed defect or otherwise "not-as-described", I expect to be made 100% whole, including return shipping cost, if an item is not as described or defective. It's the same thing my buyers will get from me if I screw up and make a mistake in a listing or miss some defect. If I don't get satisfaction, they will get negative feedback. If they are apologetic, and make me whole, they get positive feedback.

That ratchet looks like garbage to me....I would not want it with a floppy, loose head.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Its the sellers responsibility to reveal defects, not spray paint over them to hide details that would be obvious in a hands on inspection. Photos should not be exclusively "good" sides, which IMHO misrepresents the item.

Its not "nicely used" it is below average to rough condition with paint.

I would not want to keep it, or use it if I had it.

I agree 100% with your statement....

 

[TheGrooveking]

What is in the seller's warranty info, do they list warrantied to be in working order only? I've had sellers do that were they state that they only accept returns if the items does not work/function. If the item you received complies with that, they could have Ebay remove your negative feedback.

TheGrooveking

 

[socalbodydude]

If you can easily fix it then just throw it in a can of laquer thinner and fix it up. That turns me off to ebay tools. Theres alot of people doing alot of ******** on there.