Last week I purchased a 16 Special Megatron off ebay and it finally arrived today. The item was advertised as C8.5+ and really only had a minor tiny corner smush in the bottom right hand of the box. However, Fed Ex apparently handled it rough and it arrived with a dog eared corner, the cardboard is kind of spreading apart on the edge of where it was dog eared, and it has a bowed up/creased lid, 3 issues it did not have when I purchased it. Overall, it’s not world ending damage but it’s not the condition I paid for. I showed the seller and they’ve been understanding and are filing a claim with Fed Ex. However, there’s no guarantee of the outcome there and the results could take longer than Ebay’s 30 day return policy, leaving me with no recourse. Would you: 1) Return it for a full refund and just eat the cost to ship it back? 2) Negotiate a partial refund with the seller and then attempt to fix the box as best you can? 3) Just say “Shit happens” and live with it? (But it always annoy you every time you looked at it) If you went with the 2nd option, how do you begin to calculate the diminished value in order to consider a fair partial refund amount? This is my first experience dealing with a damaged item that I had intended to keep in a sealed box and this bot doesn’t grow on trees like a crab apple, so I’m really not sure how I want to handle this and I’m seeking input from the only other people who will really understand, you folks! If you’ve been in a similar spot, how did it work out? Would you change what you did or are you happy with the outcome?
Ooof, that's a tough one! On one hand, the seller didn't do really anything wrong so I'd have a hard time asking for a refund, but on the other hand the item did arrive in a worse state than what you purchased. The damage isn't TOO bad, but I can totally understand what you mean by "it'll bug you every time you walk by it." Honestly, if it were me I'd probably ask the seller to refund whatever you two decide is fair, and live with the purchase. Those 16-S Megatrons aren't exactly cheap or plentiful (and you can't have mine!) so if you do wind up returning for a full refund, there's still no guarantee you'll find another in better shape than that one for a price you're willing to pay. I don't know, my friend. Like I said, that's a tough one. Good luck on your decision!
How did the seller package it inside? Was there anything to help reduce damage or was it packed tightly as possible?
Hmm. I'd have to see how it was packed before I can make a decision here. If it's bare minimum packaging, then it's on the seller because they didn't provide enough protection, and I've seen worse shipping cartons with contents still pristine. If it's that FedEx truly destroyed the box (which I'm not seeing total destruction), then it's on them. The big question remains: The figure is clearly intact, complete, and unbroken. Do you still want it? (Another, are you happy with it, otherwise?) If you're happy, aside from these issues, I'd go for a partial. If it's the seller's fault, I'd consider returning and getting a full refund because he will have completely dropped the ball in that scenario and shouldn't be rewarded for it. Does it bring you joy? Aye. Does it not? Nay. Those are your only real choices.
Packing was fine, mostly. Plenty of bubble material, plenty of room end to end and top to bottom, but width-wise the figure was very snug against those walls, and that definitely contributed to the dog ear because Megs was right up against that smushed corner. If he had some space between him and the box, probably would’ve been ok. Something like this, I’d have personally probably shipped “box in box”, but that’s just a personal thing. It’s definitely more on FedEx than it is the seller though.
I suspect it's a little hard for some of us to be objective because we would just have the figure out of the box in five minutes and the box damage looks pretty minor overall compared to a lot of stuff I've seen. But I know that's not the mindset of people who are collecting for box display and want it as pristine as possible. When you are selling something presumably for more because of its very good condition, I do think you have more of a duty of care to make sure it is packed more carefully than usual so the rough handling of shipping isn't likely to cause harm. With that in mind if the figure was right up against the side of the box, then I wouldn't call it adequately packaged. In the end if you won't be happy with it, I'd say try for the full refund route and hopefully the seller will be conpensated by Fedex for the damage.
It sounds like the packing job didn’t sufficiently protect the contents. FedEx fucked up as well. My opinion is that the seller should offer a partial refund if you decide to keep it…or let you return it for a full refund.
Personally I'd go for 2, with a side of "Open the box and chase my cats with Megatron around going Pew pew pew"
Snug against the walls is a sender problem. This is on him, then. So, your choices are now: Full refund. Partial refund. FedEx isn't innocent, but it would've survived if he had packaged it better.
Yeah, I’m leaning towards 2. I set some heavy books on the dog ear and while it’s not gone, it’s better than it was. Maybe I can iron the crease out down the road. I have some small (but heavy for their size) items on the top crease, idea being to slowly and gently flatten it back out. If it works, I’ll suck it up and keep it IF the seller is willing to toss me a bone. I was thinking 10-15% refund and call it day.
If it occured via the shipping company, the seller isn’t at fault. Looking at the box, it’s not in perfect condition but it’s immaculate to most people. Personally, I wouldn’t feel right asking for any sort of refund for a problem the seller isn’t responsible for. If you feel poor packaging was to blame, maybe inquire about a small compensation for the issue. But IDK, man. The fact you own one in that condition alone is insane.
I definitely count my blessings and am aware this is a VERY first world type problem. It’s not lost on me, I assure you. I’m going to ask for a modest refund. The seller has already filed a claim with Fed Ex, so I’m going to ask them for somewhere between 10-15% (that’d be under $100) and propose that they keep the proceeds of any FedEx claim (up to $100 standard). In the end, the seller wouldn’t be out any $ if FedEx approves the claim. To be fair, they should’ve shipped this (or any item of above average value) as a box within a box, or at least left a few inches between the box and all sides of the toy package so if the box gets smushed a little then there’s a little buffer zone until the toy package begins to feel the pinch. But it’s all hindsight at this point and I’m going to just roll with it if they’re willing to meet me just a few steps in my direction.
If the seller is on board with this that 100% sounds like a perfect resolution. I am sorry your Megatron was not as it should be.
What kind of service did the seller pay for? If I'm selling something in a certain condition it's my job to ensure it gets to you in that condition.
Personally, I don't think I would have noticed it but if I had I would have tried to fix it myself. I would not try to negotiate a partial refund unless the seller brings it up. Since you made a whole thread about this my guess is this is really going to bother you so I say send it back for a full refund. You might not have to pay for the shipping back to the seller.
FedEx is all I know offhand, but I have the box and can check the label. I know that FedEx insures all packages up to $100 and, as far as I know, that probably meets or exceeds the damage and/or diminution of value here. At the end of the day, it’s intended for “keep forever” purposes, so value isn’t really my top concern. In the scheme of things, it’s really just an annoyance and a little disappointment is all. It’s not life impacting, I’m over the initial shock, and there’s a lot worse things out there that could happen to a person, so I got no real complaints.
I’d have made a half thread, if I could! You do raise a good point though, the thread probably doesn’t need to be a trending one at this point, I have a plan now and I thank all of you for your thoughts and advice. @Dachande Can you lock this one down, please?
This is why I'm an out of box collector. >.< If I were selling something like this then FedEx is the last service on the planet I would use to mail it. I have packages coming and going throughout the week for years and they give me the most problems by far. If it was also a graded box that commanded a hefty premium you better believe it would be sent box within a box if I were selling it.
