Last week, I bought a 1.67 GHz 15" AluBook on eBay (Buy-It-Now for $710) with pretty stock specs. It arrived today. I opened it up, and the first impression I got was of a PowerBook in fantastic shape. Hardly no blemishes, etc. Push the power button, and "BEEP!" So along with all the stock hardware (plus AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, SuperDrive, etc), it also comes with a dead RAM slot that wasn't disclosed in the auction description.
I contacted the seller and asked for either a partial refund or full exchange, but the seller indicates in the listing that he doesn't issue refunds, and exchanges/returns will only be offered for DOA items. The seller hasn't responded yet (not that I've given him much time).
What should I do at this point? I haven't heard from the seller, but based on the auction description, I'm not hugely optimistic about either possibility I offered. Interestingly, the seller also offers a SquareTrade Warranty (whatever the heck that is). Has anyone here ever bought a SquareTrade Warranty? If so, what does it cover?
Peace,
Drew
The machine seems pretty DOA to me. I'd explore that angle with the seller, and if he balks, file a complaint with eBay. You didn't mention how you paid for the item; PayPal leans heavily towards buyers, so if you paid by PayPal you can file a claim with them and there'll be a pretty good chance you'll get your money back.
Thanks for the reply. The seller offered an exchange of the PowerBook for another or of the 512 MB RAM for a 1 GB SO-DIMM. I'll take the PowerBook exchange. RAM is cheap anyway.
I did use PayPal to pay for it. You think that I have a pretty good chance w/ PayPal if the seller doesn't come through? I'm a little worried that once I let go of the PowerBook, I'm completely at his mercy.
Peace,
Drew
If you paid with PayPal, I'd immediately open a dispute there. Provide a full description and offer to provide photos. I've made two claims similar to yours in the past, and they both were settled in my favor.
Tom
It's the rare seller who'll pony up the cost of returning their faulty merchandise. You're pretty much on the stick for that cost.
I'd initiate a PayPal dispute even if the seller is acting amenable to replacement. That'll keep 'em honest - trust me, in situations like this I've done it both ways (file dispute and not) and the (not) way has never worked out well.
It doesn't hurt the seller when you file, it just forces them to follow through on their promises. Things have a way of taking lots and lots of time if they don't have the dispute hanging over their heads, pretty soon its too late to have PayPal intervene. Been there, done that, got scr3w3d.
dan k
Thanks for the friendly & wise advice, fellas.
I have opened a dispute w/ PayPal to track the issue. This is a first for me in over 6 years of using eBay... I didn't realize how easy it was to work with PayPal. I'm glad they've built this system, and it looks reasonable enough.
Does PayPal hold the funds in escrow while the transaction is in dispute? I thought I read something to that effect while skimming over their tutorial...
The return postage is only about twenty bucks. I don't mind that so much assuming a continued smooth resolution of the problem. I suppose it would frustrate me more if I didn't feel like I already got a good deal on the PowerBook or if the seller were less forthcoming or accomodating.
Peace,
Drew
Well, I did open a dispute. And boy howdy did it solicit a response. The seller doesn't seem happy. Here are the messages to date (names removed to protect the "innocent."):
So am I out of line in opening the dispute? Have I really made things more difficult for the seller, or is he blowing smoke?
The seller is suggesting that I should close the dispute immediately without waiting for him to replace the PowerBook. That he would suggest such a thing makes me somewhat nervous. Needless to say, I'm not interested in closing the dispute at this point.
Peace,
Drew
Having just gone through a Paypal dispute, they aren't really that difficult at all. He's just blowing smoke - I would definitely keep it open and just explain again that you have this open in order to protect yourself.
By the way, when I opened my dispute, it didn't "hold" any funds - the money was out of my account and not back in until after I won the dispute.
And the response:
So what do you think? I don't want to be a complete sucker, but I also don't want to get totally screwed (or screw an otherwise nice guy).
Thanks for the advice, guys!
Peace,
Drew
i would leave it open until you got it resolved. then i would close it, this is just to protect you. he should understand this. i think having a dispute files against you would make you a bit aggravated ( which i think he is ). but this wont hurt his rating or anything ( that is if you haven't already gave him a rating). if you close it i dont know if you can reopen a dispute ( if you cant and something does go wrong, you will be screwed ).
i would contact him and explain your part. and you have every right to protect yourself even tho the issue is being taken care of ( this is just a precaution in case if something does go south, even tho it might not happen). just cause you files a dispute dont mean you are telling him he isn't a nice guy or someone trying to screw you over( altho he might seem to think so). but that isn't why you opened it, you did it for your protection.
as a buyer myself, i haven't ran into any issues with ebay yet, its only time before i do. and this topic helps everyone using ebay to help protect themselves if something does go south. and paying by paypal is the best way to go and helps out allot when things do go south.
Well, the seller came through with an exchange. The replacement is in somewhat worse cosmetic condition with more scratches, a sticky clicker, and screws that stick out from the bottom and cannot be screwed in all the way...
The worst part of it is that this replacement PowerBook is suffering from an intermittently bad lower memory slot. If I leave the 512 MB SODIMM in the lower slot, the PowerBook (4 times out of 5) gives three beeps on startup. This sounds like the issue described here: Apple Support Page
Unfortunately, this PowerBook was built in June, so it doesn't technically qualify. I'm going to take it to the Genius Bar tonight to see if I can sweet talk them into fixing it under the REA, but I'm not optimistic about my chances. So if Apple can't come through, I'm stuck with another bad memory slot.
On the upside, this PowerBook has 128 MB of VRAM.
So what now? I paid $710 for this PowerBook. Do I keep it? Is $710 a fair price for a PowerBook with a dead RAM slot? Or should I ask for a refund? I don't think I'll bite on another offer for an exchange...
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Drew
... I would get my money back and move on.
The seller doesn't seem able to supply you with a nice, working Powerbook. It appears he originally sent you his best one, or that he intentionally sent you an aesthetically worse one because he's angry about the PayPal dispute.
Maybe I'm being too formal in my expectations, but personally I also wouldn't want to deal with a seller who complains about getting "screwed" because I've opened a legitimate PP dispute to protect myself. If the seller is aggravated, fine - but sellers should act in a cool, professional manner, and should express themselves accordingly.
M
Seller is not worthy of your custom, get your money back while you still can!
dan k
if the item you receive isnt what you expected, get a refund. simple as that. what sellers need to realize is there is no difference between them and a real store, you just dont seem them in person. their own feedback will show bad things eventually.....
yea return it and get your money back wile you are still able. and take your business to someone else. cause apparently he WAS out to screw someone, wile you wasn't .
if he could not provide you with what the description said, get your money back or have him refund half of it wile you get to keep it. cause what you paid isn't a good price for something that has something broken on it.
You can try to take it to get fixed, but who knows what will happen.