posted on April 24, 2003 03:52:39 AM new
I have been looking for a new electronic widget that I need to start getting my old business restarted. Since they retail for about at least $300 more than I had put away for it so far I decided to start scoping out pricing on ebay. I was a little hesitant since all you ever hear about electronics buy on ebay are the horror stories but figured looking around couldn't hurt.
The ones I found were generally about $100 less than retail stores but about two weeks ago one showed up that was almost in my range. It was a used machine being sold by someone with feedback under 75 that was more of a buyer than a seller and so despite the price, I didn't bid
Apparently I wasn't the only one, it didn't sell. Next week it was back and exactly in my range. I decided to email the seller, found out they were selling it because they had just bought a whole new midget system that happened to include the capababilty of the widget. Every question I asked was anwered promptly in a friendly manner and so... I bit. Got it on a BIN. I emailed the seller to ask if insurance was included in the shipping price since I definately wannted to insure it, they said they would take care of it so on Friday I sent them PayPal, even dumped. Just in case, I transfered my balance out so that I could fund the purchase entirely from my credit card. All weekend, not a word. no confirmation of payment recieved.... nothing. I started being very thankfu l for hearing the horror stories and so using the credit card so that I didn't have to depend soley on PayPal.
Monday morning I got an email that payment had been recieved and shipment had gone out . Of course you people have made hideously paranoid and I convinced myself I was going to get a box of rocks.
Today I got the package, wrapped in brown paper. As I tore it off I got this sick feeling in my stomach... It was a widget box, just not the widget I had purchased, not even the same manufacturer.
Then..... I noticed "This Side Up' hand written on the bottom of the box. Open it up and not only is the widget I ordered there, but the seller included extra cables tht the manufacturer does not include but the seller told me I would need for for my specific purpose (the high end $30 to $40 versions at that), all original documentation and even the manufacturers warrenty card they had not gotten around to sending in themselves. When I was tossing the wrapping I noticed that the actual shipping with insurance was 50% over what I had paid. (Oh yeah, and it made an east coast to west coast trip in two days).
Basically, since all I ever hear are the horror stories I wanted to share the story of an amazing, honest, friendly, helpful (they were actually more helpful about applying the machine to my need than the manufacturers hotline people were when I called to find out about then inititally) seller. I got exactly what I wanted and extras and for almost half of retail. What an experience!
::: Doing happy dance::::
If I am not around for a few days you'll know I am entranced with my new toy.
posted on April 25, 2003 02:59:37 AM new
I agree with shop4shoes.
since they are new at selling, wouldn't it be nice to them a great buyer experience? we all know what kind of jerks they are going to deal with down the road.
posted on April 25, 2003 09:43:32 AM new
I was trying to find something other than just money to send but it probably would just be less of a hassle and just as good to send them a paypal payment.
posted on April 25, 2003 01:50:48 PM new
Well, you could send them the extra postage, give them a good feedback
and you most likely have their postal address so send them a picture
postcard from your area thanking them again.
Postcards are so very inexpensive, very nice and nobody sends them
anymore just for the fun of it. Last couple we got was dentists or doctor
appointments. Blah!
