eBay.. scammed for a "new" Genesis 3 ??

[chaoticjelly]

Hey guys,

Don't know, you lot might be interested in this / wanted to inform everyone to avoid the seller..

20th December I won an ebay auction for a brand new, Genesis 3 core system, I thought I would treat myself, the auction said it was BRAND NEW, never been used, never unwrapped etc, so I thought okay I'll get this, seller has pretty decent feedback. Cost me $42

LINK: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3065945124

The item arrived on 21st Jan 2004 (I opted for sea mail at a cost of $28)
The total was $70, which was £41 at the time. (I am in the UK).

All looked great, the unit had been extremely well packed, I was very impressed, I looked inside and it looked brand new as promised, wrapped up and everything.

I left a positive feedback for the seller (videoman1735) aka John Barbarossa of Valparaiso, Chicago, USA.

Then, a couple of days later, I recieved an email from another ebay user, saying he noticed I bought a Genesis 3 from videoman1735, and he told me that he could not get his unit to work. He was using American games, and it was coming up that the games could not be played on a system manufactured in Japan... ? I thought hmm I'll check mine, so I looked at my Genesis 3, and found that the whole board inside was loose (the power and A/V ports were not lined up to the holes).

Was waiting for a voltage converter so I could try the Genesis 3, and see if it worked.. In the meantime, I got another email, from ANOTHER, ebay user stating practically the same thing!

This really sent alarm bells off, anyway I told the seller the board inside was loose, and first he emailed and asked me to send it back, then another email shortly after said to keep it, and he would give a part refund. How much I asked? He said $35, that's $35 out of the original $70 I paid..

Seemed fair enough (if the unit worked).

Tonight I used my Megadrive 1 power supply, and a scart lead, to try the system. I had the cover off, and found out, that the left screw, that holds the cartridge connector to the main board, and the main board to the bottom of the outside of the Genesis 3 was broken off. The screw had been broken out of the socket, with half of the plastic screw socket still around the bottom of the screw....!

I tried a European game... worked... no sound
I tried an American game... worked... no sound
I tried a Japanese game... worked... no sound

I noticed that when I was taking the cartridges out, it was extremely hard to get them out... something clicked in my brain... perhaps someone had USED!!! *GASP* this "brand new" console, maybe even just to test it, and had found taking the cart out hard, yanked it, and broken the left hand screw out of its plastic socket, thereby making the whole board inisde loose...

I have emailed the seller to see what he says, and politely asked for a refund of my money.

I'm just thinking now, could these brand new Genesis 3's be a large lot of brand new "faulty" units that the guy bought for cheap? and if so, I think there will be a lot more than two other people with faulty units besides me, as I can imagine a lot of people buying them, and never actually trying them out because they are "brand new" or even leaving a positive like I did, and then discovering their unit was faulty...

Also, if he does send me $35, I'm left with a broken unit, and the dollar has gone way down against the pound, so it will be a lot less.. and basically I think this guy is palming off faulty systems..

Does anyone have any experiences with Videoman1735 (John Barbarossa of Valparasio, Chicago, USA?

Anyone have any comments, suggestions?

I'm just extremely scared that I'm going to be left with this system that doesn't work, and be £42/$70 out of pocket....

O_O O_O O_O :(

[LazingBlazers]

First off, I would just take the $35 refund, and bite the bullet.

But you really have to email EVERYONE who bought a Genesis 3 from this guy, and see if NONE of them work. If none work, then sure, something's more than likely up. If some work, it's just bad luck. I bought a Playstation brand new from Toys'R'Us a few years ago. It didn't work at all. I returned it and got another. That one worked, but the controller ports had no function... so I could only "watch" my game. Those Genesis 3's were made by Majesco. They were only like $29.95 retail when in the store. I think it's a possibility that some could have been made bad. Like I said, though... it some people's work, it's probably just bad luck. If none do, I'd say there's a chance you got ripped. If it was my auction, I wouldn't refund you shipping. $35.00 ain't that bad. At least you're getting spare parts for $7.00 with outrageous shipping.

[chaoticjelly]

Why is everyone here so negative?
I thought you Americans hated getting ripped off??

Spare parts? yeah, for a console I don't have another of... / would have to import at the same shipping cost.

It was described as brand new, - it's faulty, it doesn't work :(

It didnt say "BRAND NEW BUT FAULTY = BROKEN AND NO SOUND" Genesis 3.......!

[LazingBlazers]

Actually, I was trying to make you look at the bright side... because what are you going to do about it if that guy doesn't give you a refund? Pretty much nada. Yeah, it sucks. I've somewhat been there. But Brand New does not mean Tested. See if the guy has another one he'll ship to you?

[chaoticjelly]

He says he has a lot more... I asked where he got them from, and he said directly from Sega...

As a last resort I can contact the police...

He won't send me another for free I don't think, I already asked that, and he just said that it's no returns because the item's brand new ( which doesnt even make any sense )

........ :(

[Darth Sensei]

He says he has a lot more... I asked where he got them from, and he said directly from Sega...

As a last resort I can contact the police...

He won't send me another for free I don't think, I already asked that, and he just said that it's no returns because the item's brand new ( which doesnt even make any sense )

........ :(

Umm... yeah, I'm sure the cops will want to traverse the ocean trying to get a refund on a $70 gaming unit. :roll:

Lazing is prolly right. You should be glad to get half the money back.

I read your post, but I don't see how you paid. Is it possible for you to do a charge back?

D

[chaoticjelly]

Umm... yeah, I'm sure the cops will want to traverse the ocean trying to get a refund on a $70 gaming unit.

The police in Valparaiso, Chigago.. not from the UK... im not that stupid :eek 2:

I paid using paypal... with my debit card

[Darth Sensei]

Umm... yeah, I'm sure the cops will want to traverse the ocean trying to get a refund on a $70 gaming unit.

The police in Valparaiso, Chigago.. not from the UK... im not that stupid :eek 2:

I paid using paypal... with my debit card

Well, the auction was over 30 days ago, but when did the payment go through? I believe you have 30 days to do a Paypal chargeback. If I were you, I'd file it tonight.

D

[chaoticjelly]

Yeah I just found that out, luckily I paid 26th December, so I've got 2 days to file a complaint..

woo hoo

I'm going to wait 24 hours before I file one... see what he says..

I'm after a full refund now though, he could say he would ship another system, and lie, and then I couldnt file chargeback..

Thanks for the advice you have helped some 8-)

[suppafly]

I`d take the 35 US too, and take it as a slight loss :S Or even better, sell it again as NEW-UNTESTED lol LOL

[punkoffgirl]

Too bad eBay doesn't do more for it's buyers in situations like this. They really need to step up to bat for their buyers SOME time. I wish I could be more positive about PayPal, but I haven't heard very good stories about PayPal refunding money for non-working items. It seems like they only care if the seller can prove that the item was delivered. If I were you, I'd be filing with PayPal, definitely, but there'll still be the possibility that you may not end up getting any refund at all. I'll cross my fingers for you, it's really a pretty shitty deal :(

[esquire]

I'm not sure if the seller is really at fault here. It is possible that the item was damaged in shipping. After all, you did choose Sea Mail, and it doesn't sound like you insured it either.

[Chunky]

Valparaiso, Indiana - USA.

If it was near Chicago i would try and help ya out. but that college town is too far for me(120+ miles) to get around.

[punkoffgirl]

I'm not sure if the seller is really at fault here. It is possible that the item was damaged in shipping. After all, you did choose Sea Mail, and it doesn't sound like you insured it either.

At least two other people who didn't necessarily have the units shipped overseas are having the same exact problem, and purchased from the same seller. It seems that shipping damage is unlikely.

[chaoticjelly]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I filed the paypal buyer complaint today, but you're right of course O_O paypal = ebay ebay = t3h sux..

Yeah I've spoke to 5 people now, they're all having problems ranging from the Gensis 3's not playing any games / few games or in my case totally broken..

One in Canada, Four in USA!

It wasn't damaged in transit, I actually commented on the excellent packaging when I left the seller a positive feedback (before I knew it was faulty) as I said... the carts are very hard to get out of it.. it looks like someone put one in, and yanked really hard, breaking the screw socket along with the screw :(

@_@

[Darth Sensei]

Too bad eBay doesn't do more for it's buyers in situations like this. They really need to step up to bat for their buyers SOME time. I wish I could be more positive about PayPal, but I haven't heard very good stories about PayPal refunding money for non-working items. It seems like they only care if the seller can prove that the item was delivered. If I were you, I'd be filing with PayPal, definitely, but there'll still be the possibility that you may not end up getting any refund at all. I'll cross my fingers for you, it's really a pretty shitty deal :(

I had a different experience with Paypal. There are 2 acceptable reasons for chargeback and when you fill out the web form you choose one. The first is something like "Item was never delivered" and the second is "Item was not as described." I had to file for the second option as what I ordered was very badly packed and crushed in shipping. I filed that it wasn't as described in the auctions because the boxes were all messed up. Paypal refunded my money in 2 days.

D

[chaoticjelly]

Yeah I chose the second option 8-)

[charitycasegreg]

All I have to say is..EW 70 bucks for the sega 3? who cares if its still in the box with all the wrappers and stuff. The sega 3 is crap and to me is only worth maybe 15 bucks new. I guess if there are morons who spend more than 50 dollars on it then maybe I should go buy the stash of them at the toys R us near here.

[chaoticjelly]

charitycase greg?
hmm

need I say more.....! LOL

Greg, if you read the thread in less than 5 seconds flat, I paid $28 for shipping as I'm in the UK (You know it's another country, across the atlantic ocean)

:eek 2:
:eek 2:

[Cmosfm]

Well, first of all the Genesis 3 does blow....I think about only half left out there still actually work. But that doesn't make up for getting a broken system.

Sad thing is, theres usually nothing you can do. You can try, you can struggle...but usually you come up empty handed. You can either take the 35.00 and suck it up, or struggle to get the rest...get the seller mad, and have him refuse you anything and be stuck.

I don't know, Im hard headed, Id probably struggle and be a huge ass hole about it. I just get mad at this type of shit :angry:

[esquire]

I'm not sure if the seller is really at fault here. It is possible that the item was damaged in shipping. After all, you did choose Sea Mail, and it doesn't sound like you insured it either.

At least two other people who didn't necessarily have the units shipped overseas are having the same exact problem, and purchased from the same seller. It seems that shipping damage is unlikely.

Regardless, we are talking about an item that was manufactured several years ago. Yes the item is brand new, but it was brand new 5-6 years ago! I do not think a seller on ebay has to warrant that the item is free from manufacturing defects, especially on something no longer made. Now, if it was a PS2 or Xbox I'd understand the buyer's grief because the item is still under warranty and the seller would have an avenue of recourse through the wholesaler and/or manufacturer. However, this is an item that is no longer made, presumably new old stock. How is this the seller's fault that it doesn't work? Maybe he just got a bad batch of systems.

When a seller does decide to open the item and test it, all I ever hear is people on this forum ripping him for false advertising, saying its no longer "New" because he used the system to test it. It seems he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. We can't have it both ways.

I feel the seller is being more than fair in this matter by offering a refund on the system only (and allowing the buyer to keep the parts!!) based only upon the buyers allegations. Seriously, what proof does the seller have that the system does indeed not work other than the buyer's word?? I do not think he should be blacklisted. That is completely not justified.

[SoulBlazer]

Esquire, good points, and I'd be inclined to agree with you, EXCEPT for the five OTHER sellers who got Gen 3's from this guy and they ALL have problems. If he was alone in having a bad system, then yes, his offer to refund half the money is very good. But it almost seems like the seller KNEW these were bad systems. After having found out about other buyers having problems I would want a full refund also or a new system and if I did'nt get it I'd file a claim with PayPal. Even if the seller did'nt know they were bad -- and hey, I agree with you, he may not have -- you now have six pissed off people at you with non working systems. I would apoligize and refund all their money minus shipping!

[GameGuru]

Ok, I was searching through videoman1735's feedbacks to check on others that might have been burned and came across this:


jaxson2433( 5 ) 29-Dec-03 09:36:18 GMT 3064999171 S
Neutral : It has been fun but already purchase one. Hope to do business later.

Did jaxson2433 bid and win something from videoman1735, decided to buy it elsewhere and let videoman know in a neutral feedback? Shitty.

Ok back on topic, yeah I agree, if lots of people are getting units that don't work he has to know by now and he is still selling them (look at his january auctions). I would see if he would give you a full refund (he probably won't give you shipping since that wasn't faulty :) ).

[esquire]

Esquire, good points, and I'd be inclined to agree with you, EXCEPT for the five OTHER sellers who got Gen 3's from this guy and they ALL have problems. If he was alone in having a bad system, then yes, his offer to refund half the money is very good. But it almost seems like the seller KNEW these were bad systems. After having found out about other buyers having problems I would want a full refund also or a new system and if I did'nt get it I'd file a claim with PayPal. Even if the seller did'nt know they were bad -- and hey, I agree with you, he may not have -- you now have six pissed off people at you with non working systems. I would apoligize and refund all their money minus shipping!

Still, no one is explaining why this is his fault that they don't work. They are NIB and NOS. How is he responsible for them?

BTW, I checked his feedback and apparently not all buyers of the Sega Genesis 3 NIB are complaining. In fact none are.

http://cgi2.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=videoman1735

on the first two pages, look at feedback left by:
tomsriverdodge
thestraightedge_de
mry1285 (x2)
starmie069
louiepuppy
nugblaze
kagesaru
dwayneed
breyfla
jaxson2433
scourgeofgod
toothpick58
malakamags
gats44
akane-ranma
caleb-jonathan-2

That's 16 satisfied buyers who bought 17 Sega Genesis 3 units. There's not one negative feedback regarding the item. And like I said, the seller is already willing to refund the cost of the item. I would not expect him to refund shipping. Besides, the buyer is being allowed to keep the alleged defective unit. So why blacklist him?

[SoulBlazer]

Maybe I misread something -- and sorry if I did -- but I thought I read from our British friend that the seller was only going to refund HALF his money. I'd ask for the unit back and give a FULL refund except for shipping. Also, he says he's heard from five people in e-mail who have problems with Gen 3's bought from this guy. I'm only going off what our English buyer said and what I would do in the sellers case. :o

[charitycasegreg]

Noo!!! I went back to Toys R us and they said they haven't had the sega 3's in a few months. They were 15 bucks though. I should have bought them all out to make big profit. DAng.

[esquire]

Maybe I misread something -- and sorry if I did -- but I thought I read from our British friend that the seller was only going to refund HALF his money. I'd ask for the unit back and give a FULL refund except for shipping. Also, he says he's heard from five people in e-mail who have problems with Gen 3's bought from this guy. I'm only going off what our English buyer said and what I would do in the sellers case. :o

He won the auction for $42. Shipping & Handling was $28. The seller is offering $35 refund and letting the buyer keep the item, sight unseen based upon the buyer's allegations only. Now the buyer wants to blacklist him.

[SoulBlazer]

Was that last double post from you REALLY needed? :angry: Did you join just to insult someone?

[Achika]

In regards to the lost posts:


Was that last double post from you REALLY needed? :angry: Did you join just to insult someone?

Don't worry, I saved him from the fished him out of the gene pool.

[esquire]

Was that last double post from you REALLY needed? :angry: Did you join just to insult someone?

Not sure to whom that was directed. I didn't think I double posted. More so, I am not how I am insulting anyone. Just voicing my opinion. I hope you were referring to someone else.

[Achika]

Was that last double post from you REALLY needed? :angry: Did you join just to insult someone?

Not sure to whom that was directed. I didn't think I double posted. More so, I am not how I am insulting anyone. Just voicing my opinion. I hope you were referring to someone else.

Rest assured, he was. I removed the offending topics into the abyss.

[Queen Of The Felines]

Jesus, what's with Valparaiso lately? First this:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=254020&highlight=valparaiso#254020

and now this guy. Orville Redenbacher must be rolling in his grave. (And I doubt anybody will know what the hell I'm talking about.)

Kristine

[MarioAllStar2600]

i think this guy should just suck it up and stop whinning. You bought a sealed item, and that means the qaulity has not been checked.

[chaoticjelly]

Yes, and I've just found out why this Genesis 3 that I have, and the others that the seller has sent out are so shitty.

Quite simply, they are counterfeit!!!

I have seen pictures of the insides of other Genesis 3's on the Net, and my Genesis 3 in particular has TWO BOARDS INSIDE, not a Sega branded chip to be found on the whole board. The second board is just a cheap brown board, and it has a ribbon like connector attached to the first board, GLUED DOWN...

I have confirmed this is the case with the other buyers...

I have seen a counterfeit extremely good copy Genesis 1 on the net... it was the same design!!! two boards....

My paypal dispute is in processing..

To answer esquire, the other people who left positives, including me, didnt actually check the item before leaving feedback (I bought it, it came looked great, didnt try it) - then tried it and had problems...

So get off your high horse!!! I'm sure you'd just love to get burned off videoman1735 this BAD BAD Ebayer! :angry:

He said he got them off Sega, and he's contacting them in the next few days.... bullshit, they're counterfeit!

[Achika]

The color of the box looked a little funny in the auctions, but I didn't say anything because I don't know everything about the Genesis 3, so maybe it did come in a greenish box.....The gen. 3 that I have has more of a sonic-blue and I'm not sure if the manual looks like the one pictured, but I could be wrong on that.

[esquire]

Jesus, what's with Valparaiso lately? First this:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=254020&highlight=valparaiso#254020

and now this guy. Orville Redenbacher must be rolling in his grave. (And I doubt anybody will know what the hell I'm talking about.)

Kristine

I almost went to college there. For those who don't know, Orville Redenbacher was from Valpo. Now, what do I win?

[esquire]

To answer esquire, the other people who left positives, including me, didnt actually check the item before leaving feedback (I bought it, it came looked great, didnt try it) - then tried it and had problems...

So get off your high horse!!! I'm sure you'd just love to get burned off videoman1735 this BAD BAD Ebayer! :angry:

First, I find it hard to believe that 16 people all left positive feedback before actually checking the item. Furthermore, since my post, 4 more people have left positive feedback. None have left negatives. No one has followed up to their positive saying they were mistaken - the item doesn't work.

Second, as for getting off my high horse sir, if you don't like my opinion, don't come into the forums asking for it. Just because you don't like what I have to say does not justify the attitude.

As I said earlier, I feel the seller is being far in giving you a 90% refund on item cost site unseen, and allowing you to keep the item. Moreover your new allegations that the item is counterfeit does not necessarily mean that the seller counterfeited the items. If someone passes you a bad $20 bill (or pound in your case) and you go to use it unwittingly, are you guilty of counterfeiting? Of course not. Remember, you bought a sealed item that was allegedly made over 6 years ago. If the guy was truly a crook, he wouldn't refund you any money at all. Considering his willingness to work with you, I simply don't feel he should be blacklisted. Have a nice day. :)

[GameGuru]

First, I find it hard to believe that 16 people all left positive feedback before actually checking the item. Furthermore, since my post, 4 more people have left positive feedback. None have left negatives. No one has followed up to their positive saying they were mistaken - the item doesn't work.

Second, as for getting off my high horse sir, if you don't like my opinion, don't come into the forums asking for it. Just because you don't like what I have to say does not justify the attitude.

As I said earlier, I feel the seller is being far in giving you a 90% refund on item cost site unseen, and allowing you to keep the item. Moreover your new allegations that the item is counterfeit does not necessarily mean that the seller counterfeited the items. If someone passes you a bad $20 bill (or pound in your case) and you go to use it unwittingly, are you guilty of counterfeiting? Of course not. Remember, you bought a sealed item that was allegedly made over 6 years ago. If the guy was truly a crook, he wouldn't refund you any money at all. Considering his willingness to work with you, I simply don't feel he should be blacklisted. Have a nice day. :)

I would have to agree with him. If the seller was out to screw you then why would he let you keep the merchandise and give you back almost the entire amount you won the auction for (sans shipping since the shipping actually worked so hence no refund).