Question about condition of magazine that I bought

[dudelikewhoa]

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!

[dudelikewhoa]

Oh wow. That's what I was wondering about, since magazines have to be listed under books, and don't have their own grading system. Thanks!

[ittybitnot]

he didn't have any other further description.

Interesting how something can be NOT AS DESCRIBED when there is no description??? Though the paper publication is 25 years old, "good condition" does not cut it.  I would have 'passed' on that listing.  Unfortunately, ebay no longer allows us to see what you bought.   

[dudelikewhoa]

Definitely not purchased for your suspected reasons. The cover, and the article that goes along with the cover, are actually quite important to me, and I intend on collecting it.

[dudelikewhoa]

The seller's description did not elaborate at all on the condition of the magazine.

I totally hear that. It would be really useful for buyers, too!

The magazine was mailed in a thick paper make-shift envelope. From what I can tell, the damage looks pretty old.

[iart]

I would say it's a judgement call. It's 25 years old. It's a staple bound magazine. It's probably acceptable but I wouldn't be too angry if someone called it good. But even more, was the condition described in the listing?

For those of us who list a lot of items at a time the repetitive actions can be tiring. I'm sure we sometimes forget to change the condition tab (usually though, we grade items less than what we think they are). We feel we cover for it by actually offering a condition description in the box that ebay provides.

I hope this works out for you!

[pingpong517]

so you open a return or not as described case and follow through...or you keep it as it is....

good to one person is acceptible to another, but you have to decide...you bought it.

[do.you.read.me]

Magazine grades should be like comic book grading.  They go on a number scale.  Booksellers are so tuned to traditional book grading that we can forget there is a difference.  It is not the same at all, and also differs from this new, like new acceptable crappola. Or bleep-ola.  Basically....good ain't good when it comes to traditonal book grading.

[dudelikewhoa]

No, the condition wasn't described in the listing. Just the standard "good" as stated by ebay.

Thank you so much!

[dudelikewhoa]

Totally understand. I was just hoping to get some insight from sellers. Thanks!

[dudelikewhoa]

Yeah, it would be really helpful if ebay had a different grading system for magazines.

[do.you.read.me]

Magazines should not be included under books, but they are.  Here's a good guide aboutmbook grading:     http://www.ebay.com/gds/GRADING-THE-CONDITION-OF-VINTAGE-PAPERBACKS-PULPS-/10000000000868612/g.html

[dudelikewhoa]

Oh cool, thanks!

[iart]

This seller didn't bother to spend the time to even try to describe the item. This is unfair to you but it's also unfair to other sellers who try hard to give info the buyer needs to make a good decision. They can probably list 3 items to every one of ours, but ebay  and other sites force us to compete directly with them.

Put another way, by you buying from this seller another, better seller, missed out on a sale.

Still, I think you should connect with the seller and explain your issue. Their reply SHOULD satisfy you - enough to leave a smile on your face. 

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@dudelikewhoa wrote:
No, the condition wasn't described in the listing. Just the standard "good" as stated by ebay.

Thank you so much!

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[bubbleman2010]

Since your seller is in Germany you can file a dispute and go through the process,but will end up being a lesson as to why you avoid buying international...

[dudelikewhoa]

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, the seller thinks my message was "absurd" and "stupid nonsense," so I'll probably have to open a case, or just count it as a semi-loss.