cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Hi,

 

I bought a 1992 magazine listed in "good" condition. When it arrived, I was surprised to see that the cover is 50% detached from the spine. Futhermore, the back bottom edge has many small tears and holes, and the front cover also has some small tears along the edge. I contacted the seller about it, and he is insisting that since the rest of the magazine is fine, that the exact condition of the cover he sent is irrelevant.  According to the "good" condition for books (the category magazines fall under), "Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears." The photos of the magazine in the listing were inaccurate, and he didn't have any other further description. Am I right in saying that the magazine is in fact not in "good" condition and the item is not as described, or am I overreacting?

 

Thanks for your help!

Message 1 of 53
latest reply
52 REPLIES 52

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Lesson indeed. I'll never buy international again!
Message 31 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

To meet ebay guidelines to get a refund you'll need to spend a additional $25.00 to $45.00 out of your own pocket to recover $13.00. Some folks will tell you differently,but thats how the game is played you might get lucky and snag a dumb seller,but they are few and far between anymore...

Message 32 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Thats one of the reasons the Chinese do so well here they know folks won't pay the extra postage costs needed to meet the ebay terms for a return..

Message 33 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

If you don't mind my asking, what would the additional $25-$45 be for? I don't quite understand.
Message 34 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

You have to return it using a service ebays views as legitimate that will showing tracking all the way to destination. Seller is only responsible to provide the same amount of shipping you paid for it to arrive at your house so postage with tracking is way more expensive which is  the additional cost you'll be paying that can't be recovered. You can just send it regular mail and seller will claim it never arrived and funds will be returned to them....

Message 35 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Ohhhhhhh. I didn't know they only had to provide the original shipping amount for you to ship it back! Thanks a ton for all the info, that was incredibly helpful!
Message 36 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

If international sellers were forced to cover return shipping with tracking the Chinese sellers would be out of business overnight,but they can toss it all against the wall and it all sticks....

Message 37 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Ahh, gotcha. Thanks again.
Message 38 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

That's when you dare I say it...

Message 39 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

Gotta be wary of comics and magazine sales where no description is given when a book is listed in any particular condition (a VF/NM gets a pass from me, but that's pretty much it).  Too many variables.

 

It sounds like what he listed was in the condition promised; he simply didn't elaborate on WHY it was only in "good" condition.  I pass on these buys, or message the seller for elaboration before I buy, but folks that don't deal in comics/magazines probably look at "good condition" a LOT differently than an experienced fan would.

 

Personally, I think it's kind of a sneaky way of doing business.  There are some sellers (and one in particular that has a store and thousands of followers) who "hide" (whether on purpose or not) the details of the description by sandwiching those details in smaller writing than the rest of the listing. Again, I think this somewhat underhanded, even if the description IS there.

 

I spell out all the flaws I see in a comic when I list it, any and all, for the reason you're having issues with this seller.  It's much too big a hassle, and too big a risk for me, if a buyer doesn't get what they're expecting.  I also recommend a buyer or bidder ask questions, voice concerns, or request additional scans of a book before buying or bidding, because I'm not a professional comics grader, and I don't offer refunds (though I've gone extra lengths to satisfy a customer; part of doing business).

 

If this seller offers returns, return it.  If he doesn't, I think the best you can do is make your concerns known in the rating.  Not sure the seller deserves a negative (I'd rate a neutral, personally), but that's your call.  After all, in my opinion, he graded the book correctly.

 

I hope it all works out in your favor.

Message 40 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

I've bought several items from China (I don't expect to keep these items forever, ie earrings, cheap watches, etc), but when I HAVE had a problem (once here and once on Amazon), the sellers have been very apologetic, and offered additional items in return for a positive rating.
Message 41 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

"...folks that don't deal in comics/magazines probably look at "good condition" a LOT differently than an experienced fan would." -- That's exactly it. I was relying on the "good" book grading as specified by ebay. Since the seller didn't further elaborate, I figured the ebay definition was to be taken word-for-word. I'll definitely be MUCH more careful in the future.

Thank you so much for your help and well wishes!
Message 42 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

@dudelikewhoa

 

I collect antique magizines, and though there isn't a professional grading system for magezines, most people use the CGC comic grading point system. That mag is in the good cond range. It would have to be missing content to be below that.

 

G/VG 3.0 - Very low or no cover gloss, cover may be detached on one staple, 1 1/2 inch spine split, Interior tears and larger up to 1/2 inch chunks missing (must not effect story) - staples may have been replaced and book length creases may be present

GD+ 2.5 - same as 3.0 but may have detached (but present) centerfold or cover and rounded corners

GD 2.0 - up to 2" spine split, Significant cover ware heavily rolled spine, rust migration on to the book, Acid oder  -- BUT MUST BE FULLY READABLE

GD- 1.8 - Major writting, heavy staining and light water damage possible

 

 

 

Message 43 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought


@timemachine777 wrote:

@dudelikewhoa

 

I collect antique magazines, and though there isn't a professional grading system for magazines, most people use the CGC comic grading point system. That mag is in the good cond range. It would have to be missing content to be below that.

 

G/VG 3.0 - Very low or no cover gloss, cover may be detached on one staple, 1 1/2 inch spine split, Interior tears and larger up to 1/2 inch chunks missing (must not effect story) - staples may have been replaced and book length creases may be present

GD+ 2.5 - same as 3.0 but may have detached (but present) centerfold or cover and rounded corners

GD 2.0 - up to 2" spine split, Significant cover ware heavily rolled spine, rust migration on to the book, Acid oder  -- BUT MUST BE FULLY READABLE

GD- 1.8 - Major writting, heavy staining and light water damage possible

 

 

 


I had to fix my typos. Eating and typing don't mix.

Message 44 of 53
latest reply

Re: Question about condition of magazine that I bought

That's really helpful, thank you!

haha, They sure don't!
Message 45 of 53
latest reply