Need your thoughts.

[saxmanglen]

Having made several trades or purchases from fellow SOTW members over the years, I've finally had one that hasn't gone as planned. I'd like some comments or proposed solutions for the following.

A fellow member and myself agreed to do a mouthpiece swap. In our correspondence I was asked asked how I'd ship my piece to him. I told him I usually ship priority mail with delivery confirmation. He said that's fine and I assumed he'd do the same.

Anyway, 3 days after I ship him the piece I've got confirmation he has it. He's also acknowledged receiving it in emails. He then tells me he didn't ship it priority but sent it the same day I mailed mine at a cheaper rate.

It's now over 5 weeks and no piece! I'm assuming (there's that word again) it's lost in the holiday rush and I may never see it at all.

Was it fair for me to expect him to send it priority with confirmation? I know that's not totally trackable but it's better than parcel post with no confirmation.

Should I just consider it learning from experience and eat the loss? Should he return the piece I sent him? Should he pay me a fair value for the piece he received if he wants to keep it?

Please share some thoughts as a fair resolution.

Thanks,

Glen

[fballatore]

IMO, if he specifically asked you how you'd ship your piece, I'd say you weren't unwarranted in expecting him to ship the same way (or at least tell you that he wasn't planning on shipping in a similar way), although you probably should have asked the same question. My belief is that when purchasing (or in a trade situation) the onus is on the seller to make sure that the item arrives safe and sound (some will disagree with me). I don't think it would be unfair of you to expect him to return your piece (make sure he uses a trackable shipping method!) or to pay you fair value for the piece he got from you.

Frank

[Daktion]

Should he return the piece I sent him? Should he pay me a fair value for the piece he received if he wants to keep it?

either one of these will work. In a one for one trade like this (especially when both parties are trading similar products), imo the delivery method should be the same. The other SOTW knew about your shipping method as you said you told him/her.... if this person wanted to use a cheaper method he should've told you beforehand and see if you were willing going the cheaper route as well.

*edit I just saw Frank's post. for me, that would be the case if you're trading a sax for a mpc. the sax will definately warrant a higher shipping cost so unless the mpc is valued more and can cover the difference in shipping, the person can either throw in some $$ or expect to wait a little. in this case, where both sides are shipping mpcs..... the delivery method should be the same (just imo ...)

[bubblegirlsax]

I always send insured, tracked parcels. And I always tell stores I buy from to do the same. Sometimes you have to state the obvious to people you don't know.

Hope it turns up

S

[Razzy]

I don't deal with anybody unless they have a stellar reputation on this forum or I know them personally. Also, you should always make sure people ship to you priority and insured, especially during the holidays. Right now you don't even have a way to verify that he actually shipped it. I hope it works out!

[saxmanglen]

Thanks for all the input.

He's offered to pay me a fair price at the end of the week by PayPal. I'll post the outcome or status when it happens.

[Sigmund451]

Good to hear its resolving. I only had one unsuccessful deal on SOTW. I got my item but we obvously shared differing views on what constituted the condition of the instrument. It didnt result in a battle. I had a friend who restored instruments. He bought it at the price I paid AFTER seeing it. Most people here are on the level. I shy away from those who join simply to sell...for obvious reasons.

[saxmanglen]

Things seem on the up and up. Stuff happens sometimes. That's life.

Interestingly he offered more than I expected and out of consideration I've agreed take $25 less. I guess that's just me........I only want a fair resolution.

[saxmanglen]

Update:

He's not followed through on his promise to pay. Be careful in your dealers with SOTW member "Selmerfudd" (not the eBay one) who registered here last fall.

His email account has been cancelled and he won't answer PM's. PM me if you want more detail.

[thehighend]

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

We all need to remember that merely having a SOTW account and posting messages is not the same as a track-record of trustworthiness (e.g., as with SELLER feedback on eBay).

Incidentally, I always tell friends who are new to buying on eBay the following:
1) completely disregard + feedback someone has obtained as a BUYER.
2) considering only the SELLER feedback, assume that for every negative you see, there are 10 more you aren't seeing.

I realize that this advice is very precautionary (even "dire"), but such advice may help keep people safe, rather than sorry.

[saxmanglen]

It's the first trade or purchase that's gone bad for me on SOTW. I know his sale of an SBA went wrong on eBay also. I don't know what's up there. His account may have been hijacked for all I know. His eBay name is:

jazzsax1713

[saxmanglen]

Check this out! He sold the piece I sent him December 12th on eBay.
I hope they broke the mold he came out of.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38112&item=7372790708

[CMelodyMan]

Sorry things didn't work out.:( I hope you don't stop buying from all other SOTWers just because of one bad deal, because there really are a lot of nice people on here who can set you up with some really good deals. DAVID

[saxmanglen]

Sorry things didn't work out.:( I hope you don't stop buying from all other SOTWers just because of one bad deal, because there really are a lot of nice people on here who can set you up with some really good deals. DAVID

CMel,

I've been here long before he came and I'll be here much longer (God willing) now that he's gone.

I've done several trades with good people here and I'll still do it. I'll just be less trusting of ones without some time here and references.

Glen

[tbone]

Gee Glen, That really Bites! Sorry you got hosed man!

I think you should post the name and address that you shipped your piece to so that everyone will know who this guy is. Who knows, he may come back with a new handle and try to rip someone else off here. JMO

[saxmanglen]

Gee Glen, That really Bites! Sorry you got hosed man!

I think you should post the name and address that you shipped your piece to so that everyone will know who this guy is. Who knows, he may come back with a new handle and try to rip someone else off here. JMO

Tbone,

It's not a big deal for me! I bought the piece many months ago on eBay for about $30 and just wasn't my cup of tea anyway. I just thought I could make a trade and have a different piece to try.

If someone named Jayson N. form Plainsboro NJ wants to deal with you be careful!

[tbone]

Maybe Kharma will take care of it for you. Sickem Kharma! :D

[saxmanglen]

Maybe Kharma will take care of it for you. Sickem Kharma! :D

His recent feedback on eBay shows some negatives hitting. I'm glad I haven't been taken for $2800 like someone appears to be out for an SBA alto.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=jazzsax1713

[thehighend]

That guy is a case in point. Until 2 days ago, he might conceivably look pretty good to a naaive eBay buyer... "Oh look, over 90% positive feedback, and only one negative."

Applying the precautionary math above, one would instead say: "Hmmmm, ignoring feedback accrued as a Buyer, this guy had only 5 sales, one of which earned him a Negative. Mutiplying that negative by 10 gets him 4+ versus 10-. He's not looking so good now...."

I hope someone will benefit from this cautionary advice.

[Grumps]

Even if it was only a $30 mouthpiece, I'd report this fellow to federal authorities. Mail fraud is mail fraud.

You can report it here:

https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

[saxmanglen]

Good point Grumps! I'll follow up on that.
Thanks!