Hi folks, Dzubak here.  I've been lurking for several months now and I introduced myself in the appropriate thread about a week ago.  I've been buying way too many things on eBay lately, in some cases as an Newbayer, but I'm learning the ropes quickly.  One thing I've wanted to ask some of the veteran eBayers is this  "How do you handle the auctions where you get an item and it isn't quite up to par?"  Nothing blaring, mind you but minor.  I'll give two examples.

1)  I won the bid on some 1st edition character sheets that were listed as 'Never Used, Mint Condition'.  I get the item and sure enough NU,MC however there are only 8 of the things!  

2)  Bought T1 in SW condition.  When it arrives, I open it up and see that the booklet has severely rusted staples.  Some stains on the inside cover and the middle of the booklet.

With the first example, I'll probably leave + feedback as I blame this one on myself.  Nowhere did the state how many sheets it had and I failed to ask (reading too much into the Never Used description).  Oh well   On the second, I guess I cannot blame the seller for knowing about the rust but it sure is annoying   .

Maybe these are not good examples (I have others), but I am interested in hearing from other people.  
- Do you contact the seller and attempt to work things out?  
- Do you just grin in bear it?  
- Not leave feedback at all?  
- What about Neutral feedback, what is that all about?

BTW, this site has great advice and information.  Some things I've learned:  

- Ask a lot of questions about the item if the description is vague.
- Check out the seller's feedback (and who left it).
- Determine your max bid and stick to it.
- Patience.  Having patience while looking for an item will pay off in time.

Thanks folks.  

For #1- If the auction stated unused, then it was misrepresented. I would kindly point this out to the seller and get a partial or full refund.

For #2- Same thing.

Unfortunately, everyone and their grandmother views eBay as a way to make money selling anything they can. People put things up for sale having no clue as to what the item really is and is SUPPOSED to be. My 2 negatives were from MERP modules wherein I specifically asked if the maps were included and they were not. I wanted to return them, and was refused. Both times the seller was a MERP idiot and did not even bother to check when I asked. They were just out to make a buck on a yard sale pickup.
I view eBay as being no different than a store. If I buy something and it isn't as advertised, I get my money back.
Naturally, given my quiet, sensitive, unobtrusive personality type, I am certainly not above waiting until 1 hour before the 90 day feedback deadline is up and hammering the seller with a negative if he is a snapperhead.

As has been mentioned. . . you really need to politely contact the seller first.  More often than not, a seller will work with you and send a refund (partial refund) or have you return the item (few will cover return postage though).

Anyway, go into with the attitude that an honest mistake was made and anticipate the seller is an honest person as well.  Of course, this doesn't always work. . . but, it is the best way to handle things.

Glad to help.
Collecting is like....... a wife. It slowly, insidiously latches on to you, lulling your senses with pleasure and simultaneously draining the very lifeblood from you, until you are a wretched, withered husk.

Okay folks.  I need some advice once again.  Won a copy of Rahasia for $2.25 and paid $2.10 in S&H.  Got it yesterday and the cover has a stained and the staples are severly rusted, which in turn has stained many of the pages.  Now before bidding on the item I asked "Are there any tears or stains on the item? What about pencil or pen marks? Does it smell like smoke or mildew?"  (see I'm getting smarter    )  The reply was "The only thing that is not just as it was when I purchased the module is that the "letter" (pages 31 & 32) was separated from the rest when the module was first run.  The letter is still there, it is just not attached.  There are no tears, stains or markings of any kind.  There is no odor attached, either.  It has spent the last 15 (+) years in a plastic magazine bag in a box in storage, along with the rest of my gaming supplies."

After receiving the item and discovering its condition, I told the seller that I was disappointed, and they offered me a partial refund ($3.30) if I send back the item.  Now I say that this is unfair as the item is not as described.

If I am unable to get a full refund and I choose to leave neutral (likely) or negative (unlikely) feedback is there any repercussion toward me?  Can they ding me with retaliatory feedback if they have already given me Positive feedback?

Thanks for the help.  Dzubak

For those interested the item in question is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT

Ralf,
Actually from a standing of principle I do.  I feel I was mislead and shouldn't have to pay or stand for something like that.  
Dzubak

I want to add on to this. When looking at an item with small pictures, or any item,  make sure to read the description. Look fo details. things that wouldnt show up in the pictures. Did the seller state there is a pen mark on page 7 about 3 inches long? Detailed descriptions are vital, Ive seen things out there with minty covers that are just scribbled up to hell and back on the inside. Also when dealing with a person with low feedback, take the time to read the feedback, not all sellers are power sellers, or do they sell often. But make sure to read that feedback. Look for phrases like just as described, timely shipping, better than described, very well packaged, etc. If people are impressed with a sellers items on Ebay, they most often leave feedback with these details. Then, if you can go back and look at those items. See how they were described.  Buying from a seller with little feedback may land you a great deal, just make sure to do your homework.