I've been selling a lot of video games lately on eBay and it's gone pretty well for the most part. I thought I'd share some of my experiences as they happen.
Some background... I used to be a serious game collector. Now I'm not. I've got WAY too much stuff. A bought a house with a credit card a couple of years ago and now I've decided to pay off that credit card AND get rid of all this stuff I've collected over the years.
Check here if you are interested...
http://digitpress.com/forum/showthre...light=sickness
Anyway, I've listed and sold a lot of stuff recently. Some things have sold for more than I expected, some things have sold for less than I've hoped. I've been selling the "rare" or "pricey" items separately and getting rid of the more common stuff in bulk. THIS IS A LOT OF DAMN WORK.
Some of my more recent experiences...
1. BUYER BACKTRACKS
I sold a popular NES game for a little over $20. The guy has 3 feedbacks total so he's very new to eBay. I get this message a week after the auction ends...
"i am having an issue with my credit card. it was stolen at a bar and i wont have a new one for 7 to 10 business days. is it possible to cancel this order. thank you"
Ah yes, the old stolen credit card bit. I told him I'd be happy to wait until he gets his new card. No reply.
2. PITY PARTY
I listed a rare Megadrive game in "Buy It Now" and I get this message...
"hi! my name is patti and I have a little boy who is very sick. he has be wanting this game forever!!!! i dont have a lot of money because of the doctor and stuff but he really wants this game. would you donate it to him? you can write it off on taxes. or maybe you could sell it to me really cheap. please let me know!! i look forwrd to hearing from you!!!! BLESS YOU"
This is a favorite of mine. *Let's beg for a really obscure game using an imaginary sick child! Let's say "i look forward to hearing from you" so the seller will feel he has to reply! Let's drag in religion!* I have yet to reply. I did block "Patti" from bidding on anything of mine, though.
3. DUBIOUS DISCOUNT
I listed an uncommon game for auction. It was factory sealed but there was a tear in the wrapper on the front of the game. The tear did not extend to any corner. I disclosed all of this in the auction and took pictures. It sold for over $100, the buyer paid, and I sent him his game. I get this message a few days later...
"I received the game, but the wrapper on the front is way more flawed than expected. It is missing the wrapper on nearly half the case. I don't think we can accept this."
Great. Fine. Whatever. I'm pretty much screwed if this guy decides to file a claim. I respond with...
"The auction clearly and accurately stated that the game's wrapper was ripped on the front and that the rip did not extend to any corner. However, I do accept returns and I want you to be happy with your purchase. Do you want my address to send the game back?"
I never hear from the buyer again. A week later, I check my feedback and he has left the positive comment "great". That's all. I think the guy was trying for a discount. This clown likes to leave stupid feedback like "it's REAL NASTY copy of mario RPG, A+, awesome" or "kimbo slice" or "dubstep goes like WOOBLE WOOBLE WOMP WOMP, WOMP WOMP WOBBLE WOMP WOBBLE WOMP WOM" so I think I got off lucky with "great".
RAINY RETURNS
This is my latest adventure and it has yet to be resolved. I list a Megadrive game and it ends up selling for several hundred dollars. The buyer pays promptly. I box up the game and send it out with about 10 other games going to various buyers around the country. I decide to insure the game (at my own expense) since it sold for so much. I get this message yesterday...
"Hey. Got the package today. I am a little beside myself thou. The box was wet and i figured maybe it was becuase of the storm that went through the area. Go to open the box and everything inside was wet. Not dripping wet but damp. Took the wet wrapping off the game and the whole game is just water damaged. The cartridge looks ok, haven;t tested it thou but the cover and manual are damp. I put them out on my table in hopes they dry out, but i think they are ruined. I don;t know what the heck happened but i am not really happy. I will be leaving for a business trip tomorrow and will be back in a week or so. I will have access to the internet. Do you have any insight on this?"
I've NEVER had a package arrive WET. I think the Post Office does a fine job overall. This game went out with 10 other games that were delivered with no damage. What are the odds that the ONE game that I happened to insure ends up damaged in transit? I smell a fraudulent insurance claim. Yet it's at least POSSIBLE that the guy is telling the truth. I've emailed him back and asked him to take the game to the Post Office. We shall see.
More to come...
!