Deceptive Picture??

[bargora]

I recently picked up a light gun on the bay. Auction title is "SATURN LIGHT GUN-New never used!" Auction page is here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3654&item=1940362661&rd=1

So it arrives the other day, and it's just the gun. No box, no manual. Now, I used to throw boxes away, but that was before I moved into a house and got an attic. So now I feel slightly cheated, as that's one less box I can throw on the attic boxpile. I also noticed in the seller's feedback that at least one other buyer was cheesed about getting the bare item.

Should I be pissed off? Should I leave neutral feedback? :| Negative feedback? :bad-words: I fired off a message to the seller, courteously asking why the pictured box wasn't sent. I guess we'll see what they've got to say...

[Captain Wrong]

I think you are legit in your beef. Though the auction didn't state that it came with a box and everything, the fact that it says in big type SATURN LIGHTGUN - NEW! baove a picture of a light gun box, not showing the gun sans box, kind of implies to me this is what you are getting.

At the very least I'd go neutral and state something to the effect of "Item was not same as picture and no indication that item pictured may not be item sent."

[slapdash]

Yeah, this isn't one to get OVERLY pissed at, but I'd make the seller either swap a boxed and new one for the one he sent, or allow you to send it back for a refund. Leave neutral or even negative feedback if he doesn't.

Of course, if you like the gun anyway, you might just leave neutral feedback saying he didn't send what was pictured, but that the gun was okay. Don't punish him too much if you're not too dissatisfied, and give him the option of working it out...

[bargora]

...And the reply:

WE DON'T EVER SHIP WITH THE BOX FOR THE PRICE BEING SOLD . WE ARE SELLING
THE GUN AT HALF OUR COST. WE MANUFACTURE IT. THE BOX COSTS $3.00 EXTRA
+$2.00 SHIPPING IF YOU WANT THEM. WE HAVE HUNDREDS. WE ARE THE FACTORY.
OF COURSE THE GUN WORKS , WE ALSO HAVE HUNDREDS. EXCHANGE IT IF IT IS
DEFECTIVE.
WE DON'T CLAIM IN OUR AUCTION TO SUPPLY THE BOX.

Well, I suppose that I should plug it in and see if it works (I had said "assuming that it works" somewhere in my letter). But man! The attitude! And selling the gun at half their cost?

I think that if they don't actually send the box, they ought to have to put "serving suggestion" or something in the picture.

Yes, I'm feeling rather neutral right now.

[Captain Wrong]

After that, and the fact that they sent a reply in all caps, I'd certaintly give a neutral. I agree with slappy, it's not such a big deal, but it does seem to me a box was implied by the picture they used and calling in a "New" gun.

Let me get one thing straight though. Are we supposed to believe that someone is still manufacturing accessories for a system that was put to pasture, what, 5 years ago and wasn't that popular to begin with? I find that a little hard to believe.

[Raedon]

I baught a saturn gun from the game guy, Cheapgamestuff.. I had to request the box to get the box for it.. Otherwise, he throws away the box and ships the gun without it (or so I was told by the guy after I won the auction), seriously! After getting burned on a picture of a boxed Genesis 3 pictured auction and getting a system that looked like a hockey puck I always ask about the pictured item (is it the actual item? is the box included?) before bidding. These sellers know a picture of a box can add $10 to the end price and so you have to watch your ass.. Hell, I saw a ps2 box go fo $200.00

As for the Saturn, yes there are still places that produce guns, controlers, video cables, mod chips, and memory carts.

XGA Industries of China is one of these companies that still produce these guns and controllers.. They cost $3.50.. and these 3 in 1 Saturn carts that are under $10..
http://www.lan-kwei.com/saturnE/43596750.jpghttp://www.lan-kwei.com/saturnE/436785d0.gif

[slapdash]

...And the reply:

WE DON'T EVER SHIP WITH THE BOX FOR THE PRICE BEING SOLD . WE ARE SELLING
THE GUN AT HALF OUR COST. WE MANUFACTURE IT. THE BOX COSTS $3.00 EXTRA
+$2.00 SHIPPING IF YOU WANT THEM.

Now at this point it sounds too similar to that other auction posted... I'd demand a refund and point out that since the box was pictured, you should get it, otherwise he's violating eBay rules. Now he's jacking up the price you see. I'd leave neutral feedback if he complies, and negative if he doesn't.

[y-bot]

Luckily I have never had this happen to me but I know it happens all too often. I would be very pissed if I won something on ebay and didn't recieve exactly what was pictured. I have even seen some members of the DP board talk about stealing someone elses picture because they are too lazy to take their own. I think that is crap. The least you should do is mention in the description that the picture is of a similar item and not the item you are bidding on.

Thanks, Y-bot

[Captain Wrong]

As for the Saturn, yes there are still places that produce guns, controlers, video cables, mod chips, and memory carts.



huh, learn something new every day. :D I always assumed those were NOS. Of course I also forgot that the Saturn was much more popular in Japan, so there probably is still a market for such things.

[Sothy]

Fuk that seller. thats total bullshit he showed a picture of the box and nothing in the description to indicate there is no box.

Flat out false advertising.

[nesman85]

Hell, I saw a ps2 box go fo $200.00
are you sure about this?

[Raedon]

Hell, I saw a ps2 box go fo $200.00
are you sure about this?

yep.. Was posted in the Ebay Insanity forum sometime last Spring.

[Achika]

Hell, I saw a ps2 box go fo $200.00
are you sure about this?

Oh yea, I think I saw that right when I got here. Didn't the person also write in the auction (small small print?) that it was only the box, no system too?

[NESCollector75]

yeah he did but it was in REALLY small font that you could barely read.

[nesman85]

ahh, that explains it. thats gotta suck to think you're winning a system complete, and get just a box.

[punkoffgirl]

I'm wary enough that, if I don't see ANYTHING saying that the box either is, or is not (same goes for instructions) included in the auction, I'll email the seller BEFORE I bid and ask. I prefer to buy things complete myself, and if there's doubt in my mind, and they don't email me back before their auction ends, then I consider it saving my money.