Subject:
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Re: Tired of Paying for Dirty, Discolored and Damaged LEGO
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.market.shopping
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Date:
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Thu, 18 Apr 2002 17:06:38 GMT
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Viewed:
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256 times
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> I realize now that I’m helping to contribute to these sellers staying in
> business and continuing these practices and for that I’m starting to feel
> some guilt.
>
> From now on though, I’m going to start notifying sellers of my
> dissatisfaction, returning parts for refund, and posting appropriate
> feedback whatever the consequences. After all, that’s why these systems
> were developed and put in place – so that other buyers won’t fall victim to
> the same practices by these sellers.
I agree this is the first, and very important, step that disguntled buyers
take. It's time that people got over the negative feedback fear/wars and
just leave it appropriately.
> So having laid out the basis for my consternation, I have some questions for
> online Sellers and Buyers of LEGO (both BrickLink and other sources).
>
> Questions for Sellers (I don’t really expect any answers to these questions)
>
> - Do some sellers consider “excellent” or “good” condition to be based
> solely on the fact that the piece is simply intact without any regard to
> discoloring or the fact that dirt is caked on the piece?
You bring up great points. As both a seller and buyer on bricklink, I am
very sensitive to this as well. I take the time to grade each part offered,
and put the grading scale description on my splash page. I wish more
sellers would do the same.
> - Obviously, the point of BrickLink is for sellers to relieve themselves of
> unwanted parts. Are there some sellers then who think it’s okay to slide a
> few useless parts in orders here and there in order to profit from pieces
> that otherwise they’d be unable to sell if described honestly?
I think these sellers really don't care about quality, they just want to
sell the parts for profit.
> - And as a follow-up to the previous question – is this practice of slipping
> a few cruddy parts in orders here and there based on the belief that buyers
> aren’t going to consider it worth the hassle to complain about and return
> these pieces?
This is offensive in every way to me as a buyer.
> - Do some sellers believe that “Let the Buyer Beware” is the basis of doing
> business on BrickLink? That is, if the seller provides no description of
> the item and someone buys it then they’re just out of luck because there’s
> an assumption that pieces are sold “as is” with no guarantee of condition.
I believe you are right that alot of sellers offer no guarantee of
condition. I personally offer every item sold in my store is guaranteed as
described.
> - Would these sellers consider it my fault because I didn’t ask for a
> truthful report about the condition of each and every part I’m interested in
> prior to actually purchasing it? If this is the case should I also inquire
> about the parts that are described as being in “excellent” condition since
> as I’ve learned this word doesn’t seem to have universal meaning among sellers?
> - OR are these sellers operating on “good faith” because in their opinion,
> experience and use of LEGO they honestly believe there’s nothing wrong with
> building with discolored and damaged pieces?
I think you have experienced alot of what I have as well. There is nothing
more discouraging to spend $$ on parts that you then have to turn around and
throw away, because you certainly would never feel good about reselling them
to anyone else. Still, there is value in good used parts, just not any used
part.
My dilemna often is whether to order hard to find items from sellers with
little feedback. I usually give most sellers a first chance, but I admit to
favoring sellers I know and/or those with good feedback.
> Questions for Fellow Buyers
>
> - Are there other buyers who have been purchasing what they thought would be
> “ready to use” LEGO from BrickLink sellers only to find that the parts that
> show up are filthy or discolored to the point of being useless?
Yes.
> - Are there other buyers who, like me, have been wimping out on providing
> the negative feedback that these sellers deserve?
Most definitely. Of course, you can always leave neutral feedback as well.
After all, if the seller delivered the sold goods in a timely matter, then
there was a positive side to the transaction.
> - Are there buyers who feel like they must approach BrickLink with a
> completely cynical attitude and assume that “no description” equals “poor
> condition” and just avoid these parts?
Yes and no. Depends on the seller, feedback, and if there are quality
descriptions and/or any guarantee.
> - Is there anyone out there who feels like they have to get a “Statement of
> Condition” on each and every part prior to actually purchasing it?
> (ridiculous I know but maybe someone actually does this).
I wish that all sellers who sold used parts would do this; I do it at my store.
> So there it is, my venting about dirty and damaged parts I’ve bought from
> BrickLink. I want to reiterate that I am not talking about all sellers on
> BrickLink – only a small handful (4 or 5 at most) that I’ve had bad
> experiences with in recent months. The sellers I use regularly have NEVER
> let me down (thanks Melanie, Troy & Brett!) and I WILL continue to use
> BrickLink. In fact, I’m planning to open my own shop this summer and hope
> to eventually be viewed as good seller of bricks.
>
> In the meantime, though I’ve definitely soured on a couple of BrickLink
> sellers and while I haven’t provided the negative feedback that I probably
> should have, our local LUG here in Richmond is sharing information about our
> collective experiences with sellers so at least I’ll be able to steer a few
> folks from people I’ll never buy from again.
>
> I’d be interested in the experiences and views of others on this subject.
> However, as I stated previously my primary purpose was just to provide
> myself with a little venting and make my declaration of “Not Taking It
> Anymore” when it comes to paying for LEGO that I can’t use.
>
> Greg
I totally relate to your frustration. The feedback forum is the place to
start, and also there are discussion boards on bricklink you can also post
frustrations to raise awareness. Not everyone is a conscientious seller,
and they may not even think they are doing anything wrong. Of course, there
are probably sellers who know the quality is poor and still sell without regard.
-- Scott
Limerick's Pot of Gold:
http://bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Limerick
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