My sealed FF7 - not quite GH, not quite original

[ADG566]

I bought a sealed FF7 for collectors value, the seller advertised it as the original black version, now that it's come in the mail I see although the front does have the black playstation label (the only picture shown in the auction) the first part of the spine says greatest hits.

Was I ripped off? Is this worth somewhere between the original black FF7 and green greatest hits? There is also a slight tear on the top right of the seal, though it's sealed with no loose disc.

Also, there is no miprint on this one... but should I send it back and start a claim? I paid $250 for it, or should I just keep it?

This sucks, last week it was Chrono Trigger now this time it's FF7, why are people so dishonest??? All I wanted was the original FF7 and even paid well for it what a bunch of BS dlasjflakjsd;lfkajsd;lkjas;dlfkl;jjklas;dfj

[smokehouse]

Post a pic of the game...if it says GH anywhere on it, I say you got screwed....then again $250 for a sealed copy of FFVII seems insane to me no matter what version it is.

[ADG566]

Yeah I spent $250 I thought it was the original and since it's my favorite game I wanted it to be the center of my FF collection... I'll try to post a pic later... now I'm wondering if it was re-sealed , it doesn't have a seam coming down the back of the case, it only has seamed on the side, although it does have a hang tab with the sides of it slightly discolored. I know the box is unopened because the white and silver thing on top is unbroken.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Yeah I spent $250 I thought it was the original and since it's my favorite game I wanted it to be the center of my FF collection... I'll try to post a pic later... now I'm wondering if it was re-sealed , it doesn't have a seam coming down the back of the case, it only has seamed on the side, although it does have a hang tab with the sides of it slightly discolored. I know the box is unopened because the white and silver thing on top is unbroken.

A sealed US multi-disc PS1 case would have double-folded seals on the top and bottom. No seam on the back that I'm aware of. (they might have added a quick pull tab later, but I have a sealed original FFVIII in front of me and it doesn't have a quick pull tab, so I can't imagine FFVII having one).

However, a clear indication of whether or not you have an original (or pre Greatest Hits) FFVII is whether or not it has the SONY CD security seal/ SLUS SKU sticker on the top ... even though the game can be opened without those being damaged ... I believe the Greatest Hits has a different SLUS number than the original run.

...but from what you've said, if it says "greatest hits" on the inserts ... mmm ... sounds pretty suspect.

[kataboom]

you paid that price for the ff7 black version which this game is obviously not. i would contact the seller to refund me my dinero. if hes a jerk then do the usual through ebay/paypal.

[ProgrammingAce]

Sounds like you were ripped off to me. You have a link to the original auction?

If the seller gives you any lip, report him to the post office for mail fraud. They're much more upset about this kind of thing then the police.

[ADG566]

Here are the pics:

http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/42737/2002529864677763008_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002529864677763008)

http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/42737/2002529864677763008_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002529864677763008)

http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/40322/2002587053512147597_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002587053512147597)

It does have the cover over the top of the case under the wrap to indicate it's new / unopened, not sure if it's a re-seal but it's definitely greatest hits, even though the front has the original black, the ebay auction is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330205082950&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

What does the "seal" look like?

Does it look like heat-shrink wrap with a heat coil press "melted" seal?

If so, send that thing back POST HASTE, regardless of it having a hang-tag...that'd be a re-seal job for sure.

Ah, you just put pictures up.

A.) the wrap shouldn't have "stressed" sections in the corner. PS1 multi disc games come in bag-type seals, and they're only heat sealed at the bottom ... what I see there LOOKS like shrink-wrap.

B.) It looks like the top seal/security sticker has been manipulated on the "pull here section" ... though the picture is kind of small ... so it's tough to tell.

Can you take a picture of the top/bottm seals?

[Vectorman0]

Reseal. You can clearly see the shrink wrap corners.

After the Chrono Trigger and now this, I suggest you do some research and in the future make sure to only buy games where you can get multiple detailed pictures up front.

[ADG566]

thanks I just put up a pay pal claim, I will put up more pics soon

[klausien]

Um, yeah. You were totally had. It is a definitely a reseal, regardless of the fact that it is half GH/half Black. Like someone said above, a sealed FFVII has the white tab across the top of the CD case inside the seal, and the seal itself is the kind that has folded seams on the top and bottom.

Get a refund, pronto.

[s1lence]

I call reseal and not a good one at that.

[kataboom]

you should have just talked to the dude first. you would need to know how to mail it back to him anyways.

[ADG566]

some more pics:

http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/40429/2003513084017430056_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003513084017430056)

http://aycu38.webshots.com/image/40237/2003500493324243328_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003500493324243328)

http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/42248/2003519961584044797_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003519961584044797)

http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/42423/2003567904414494265_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003567904414494265)

http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/40555/2003575478603115623_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003575478603115623)

[jb143]

Yeah. It's usually better to try to work it out with the seller first...Ebay policy actually. There's a chance (although probally not a good one) that the seller thought it was legit

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/42423/2003567904414494265_th.jpg

OUCH.

Yes, that's re-sealed with shrink-wrap.

Here's what it SHOULD look like.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/FrankieViturello/FILE0002.jpg

Sans the Snapple, Gum and GNC Gold Card of course.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Reseal. You can clearly see the shrink wrap corners.

After the Chrono Trigger and now this, I suggest you do some research and in the future make sure to only buy games where you can get multiple detailed pictures up front.

Bingo. Like the last one, this isn't even close to genuine.

[norkusa]

I'm confused on where the seller got the seal sticker from. Did he just happen to have an original one that he reused, or did he print it up? I always keep the ones I get from new games and stick them on the inside of the case after I open it, but this one looks strange for some reason.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm confused on where the seller got the seal sticker from. Did he just happen to have an original one that he reused, or did he print it up?

If you're talking about the security sticker, You can easily open CD cases without damaging the security seal.

All you need to do is disengage the top and bottom hinge of the CD case, and the sticker acts like a thin plastic sticker-hinge.

I would require that we do that at Funco when we "demo'd" a game. (Of course I'd still explain to the customer that they were getting a store-demo, but it helped keep everything looking as new as possible WITHOUT the original wrapping.)

[Dreamc@sting]

Thats pretty rough, but you definitely got ripped off. I had a similar thing happen although this was several years ago and only paid around $30 bucks for it. I would def. work it out with the seller to try to get a refund, but other wise...yikes. worst case scenario, If you can find a copy with the proper bottom half maybe someone would be willing to trade, someone who doesnt care about regular or GH, thats if you want to open it of course

[PingvinBlueJeans]

If you're talking about the security sticker, You can easily open CD cases without damaging the security seal.

All you need to do is disengage the top and bottom hinge of the CD case, and the sticker acts like a thin plastic sticker-hinge.

I would require that we do that at Funco when we "demo'd" a game. (Of course I'd still explain to the customer that they were getting a store-demo, but it helped keep everything looking as new as possible WITHOUT the original wrapping.)

Very possible that this was a demo copy that was resealed.

It's also possible that the game had a smashed case that was replaced by a retailer with another from a different copy (which would result in a half original/half GH).

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Pingvin could be right, the seller could be totally clueless to what he had, and anything that was done to it previously ...

However, in the event of something being damaged and replaced, the in-tact-ness of the security sticker ... which does look like it's been futz'ed with to me (not to mention the hang tag being added to the the shrink wrap post shrink-wrapping) all puts a bit of a shady stink on the whole thing.

In any case, it seems to have been misrepresented on the auction page, and terms like "brand new" and "original wrapping" seem to have been danced around by the seller.

So, with the mountain of reliable opinions and evidence here, you should have yourself a decent case with PayPal ... feel free to send that picture of what a sealed multi-disc wrapping should look like to the Claim Mediator for comparison if you need to.

[Trade-N-Games]

Where is the collectors value in paying so much for a sealed game that they printed 1 million copies of? In the near future anyone will be able to fake a sealed game.

[murdoc rose]

wow that is the worst reseal I have ever seen

[rarebucky]

Here are the pics:

http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/42737/2002529864677763008_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002529864677763008)

http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/42737/2002529864677763008_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002529864677763008)

http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/40322/2002587053512147597_th.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002587053512147597)

It does have the cover over the top of the case under the wrap to indicate it's new / unopened, not sure if it's a re-seal but it's definitely greatest hits, even though the front has the original black, the ebay auction is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330205082950&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014


Haha! I am so glad I didn't win that one! Sorry to hear about it though - that sucks for you.

[tom]

maybe you should stick to unsealed games only

[roushimsx]

Sans the Snapple, Gum and GNC Gold Card of course.

No, you should get the GNC gold card as well. Those chewable calcium supplements they have are awesome and you can never stock up too much on whey protein and multivitamin supplements!

also

maybe you should stick to unsealed games only
this

[ProgrammingAce]

If this sealed game had been graded, this never would have happened...

[Bojay1997]

thanks I just put up a pay pal claim, I will put up more pics soon

You have to be careful about trying to do a Paypal claim for the wrong and less valuable version. Unless you tell them you literally received nothing, they won't get involved. I had a similar situation with a PC game a few weeks ago and basically, their position was if the seller had a USPS confirmation for the package, regardless of what was in the package, they wouldn't deal with it.

[Cornelius]

You have to be careful about trying to do a Paypal claim for the wrong and less valuable version. Unless you tell them you literally received nothing, they won't get involved. I had a similar situation with a PC game a few weeks ago and basically, their position was if the seller had a USPS confirmation for the package, regardless of what was in the package, they wouldn't deal with it.
That is odd. Their policy specifically states that they cover "items substantially not as described". Or it used to. They may just be trying to get out of following through with you, but if you were to push it they'd give in. What kind of information did you provide?

[Bojay1997]

That is odd. Their policy specifically states that they cover "items substantially not as described". Or it used to. They may just be trying to get out of following through with you, but if you were to push it they'd give in. What kind of information did you provide?

I thought so too, until I submitted a claim on that basis and they literally rejected it without doing any investigation. In searching the web after the fact, I found out that is their policy currently. I don't get why they even bother to have all those other boxes on the dispute form since unless you claim nothing was received, they won't do anything for you. All the seller has to do is literally send you an empty box with tracking confirmation. They do say they will note it in the seller's file, but will do nothing else because it's not covered by their policy.

[smokehouse]

Scam seller...

They list in the auction "This is the original FF VII STILL SEALED with the black Playstation band and not the green "greatest hits" band as shown above" when it clearly is a 1/2 GH package hack/reseal...

I would use that approach and say the seller did not describe the item correctly and you want a refund. Skip the reseal part and go right for the details, there's no he said/she said with the detail, the reseal is up for interpretation.

[ADG566]

Yeah, I already began a claim and even sent the FF7 back with a delivery confirmation #... I sent the seller that information. Haven't heard anything from him on the manner, I'm hoping he just refunds me because I sent the game back. I didn't push the re-seal matter, just the greatest hits discrepency... if he has any ounce of integrity he will refund me my $$, since he has 100 % positive on e-bay I'm not that worried, but if he turns out to be a scum bag, I will hire someone on craigslist near his address and pay him twice as much to give the man a visit!

[ProgrammingAce]

Huh, what? You only started this thread 7 hours ago, now you've already sent the item back without hearing from the seller?

Slow down just a little bit here.

Number one bad idea, threatening physical violence against someone with whom you have a legal dispute. Cut that crap out.

What you should be doing is waiting to hear a response from the seller. If he's really a scammer, his paypal account is already empty anyway.

Now like i said before, if the seller really gives you any trouble, you call your local postmaster general and report it as mail fraud. Now that you've sent the item back (to an address the seller hasn't confirmed as correct, btw), your position is that much harder to prove.

Now you'd better hope that the address you mailed the game back to is the seller's real address. Otherwise you're libel to loose your cash and the game. All the seller has to do is have someone else sign for the package and say that's not his address and you're screwed.

[ADG566]

Yeah, you are right, I acted too fast, but I am the kind of person that if it's hanging over my head I can only think about that one thing, so once it's in the mail, it's out of sight out of mind. I hope that since he has 100 % feedback it is his real address because it was on pay pal, and matched the package, I wouldn't send people to beat him up, but so that I have a representative to speak for me so I'm not some anonymous person. The mail fraud idea is a better idea, I will definitely do that if he turns out to be a scumbag.

[rpepper9]

I really don't think that mail fraud is going to get you anywhere. I think that the post office has too many other things going on to deal with someone claiming mail fraud. How is that even mail fraud? If anything it is eBay fraud, and it sounds like you are going through the proper eBay/PayPal channels in that aspect.

One thing that hasn't been brought up, that may work for you would be to go to your credit card company. Even if it is a PayPal transaction, if it was charged to a CC that you have associated with PayPal go to your CC company. You have a tracking number that shows that the item has been sent back, they will side with you and do a charge back to PayPal. This may screw up your PayPal account, but I would rather have the 250.00 back than worry about what PayPal thinks of ya! This probably will not work if the payment was made from a PayPal balance, because then PayPal has control of the funds.

I think that your CC company if more likely to work with you than PayPal or eBay, or the thousands of secret service/FBI agents that the Post Office has on call to investigate "Mail Fraud"

[noname11]

Letting the authorities know is not such a bad idea, especially if he's done it before.

However, since you stated that he has 100% feedback, he might not know himself that the game is a reseal. I once bought a sealed game very cheaply and resold it for 5 times more. When the buyer opened it, it was used. I took the game back suspicious that I was getting a different game, but the tiny cracks in the jewel case indicated that I got the same game I shipped. Lesson learned - not everyone is out to burn you.

My advice: Try to work with the dealer to at least get some of your money back. An opened FFVII is still worth a lot right now, maybe he's willing to give you back $200. Because, as everyone else has stated above, Paypal most likely wont help you in this situation.

[smokehouse]

Man, sending the game back without having first arranged it with the seller was not a good idea...

Keep us posted on what happens...I have a feeling you might get the short end of the stick on this one...

[InsaneDavid]

Man, sending the game back without having first arranged it with the seller was not a good idea...

Keep us posted on what happens...I have a feeling you might get the short end of the stick on this one...

Same here, before mailing any eBay item back make sure you have an open PayPal claim and an agreement for full refund. Then you enter the tracking number at PayPal so you have proof the item has been sent back. The way ADG566 is doing it makes it so the seller is holding all the cards - and the game.

Also ADG566, please, please, please, please be more cautious before parting with your dollar.

[Super Sonic 5]

You sent it back with no warning or talk with the seller? You're not getting your money back if you act that quickly.

[rpepper9]

Lets not get too negative here. There is still options to get the $ back. Maybe sending the game back without contacting the seller first wasn't the best option, but 100's of members telling him he shouldn't have done that does not help. Lets wait to hear what he does next before we throw in negative thoughts!

Just a thought!

What-ev Panda!

[Rev. Link]

Man, not too long back I used to hear all these horror stories about how PayPal was set up to protect the buyer only and totally screw the seller. I mean, stories about how even with a tracking number and delivery confirmation, all a buyer had to do was tell PayPal the item never came and they could get their money back.

Now you guys are saying that even if an item arrives in totally different condition from what it was described as, the buyer can't get any help? So now has PayPal gone from screwing the seller to screwing the buyer? What gives?

[rpepper9]

Depending on who you ask, PayPal is always screwing someone. Personally I have been helped by PayPal as a seller and screwed as a seller. A buyer said a transaction was "un-authorized" and his credit card company did a charge back, which PayPal folded on without doing dispute and just took the money from me.

I have also been helped twice when people wanted to say that the item they received was not as listed. I guess PayPal actually read the auction and sided with me.

The first example is why I say that the buyer in this thread should go directly to his credit card company and let them know the situation, fill out the correct forms and dispute the transaction. He will have to prove that he sent the product back, which they can with the tracking number, and then the CC company will help him out. PayPal is not going to fight it, and he will get a refund rather the seller or PayPal likes it our not.

[Overbite]

No, you should get the GNC gold card as well. Those chewable calcium supplements they have are awesome and you can never stock up too much on whey protein and multivitamin supplements!

also

this

damn right, whey protein is some good shit.

[Jorpho]

I am the kind of person that if it's hanging over my head I can only think about that one thing

Gee, no matter how the situation ended up, I know that I'd end up staring at that box every day thinking, "Boy, I hope that sealed game really was worth two hundred and fifty dollars!"

Anyway, for future reference, this site neatly catalogs the FFVII printing variants.
http://www.game-rave.com/psx/playstation_perfect_guide/releasedgames/final_fantasy_vii/index.html

And I often find there are cheaper places to go than GNC, even if you shell out for the Gold card.

[rarebucky]

That site doesn't have this half-GH/half-BL variant. On another note, the seller of this item just sent me a 2nd chance offer to buy the game so I guess he received it back already. OP - I hope you got your funds back.

[carlcarlson]

That site doesn't have this half-GH/half-BL variant. On another note, the seller of this item just sent me a 2nd chance offer to buy the game so I guess he received it back already. OP - I hope you got your funds back.


Either that or he's got multiples and is trying to get the most out of his scam.

[koster]

That site doesn't have this half-GH/half-BL variant.
Maybe that is the variant mentioned in the last sentence of the Variations/Misprints section:
"We are currently researching to see if there was a third variant that accompanied these two."