Received items that stink of mold with several that have mold on them...

[clifterri-0]

I recently purchased 5 items (for a whopping $30.00) and upon opening the package, I was hit with the distinctive smell of mold.  Like a fool, I actually removed the items and examined them, discovering that 3 of the items were indeed mold covered and the remaining 2 plus the styrofoam chips also smelt of mold.

I closed up the box and placed the entire contents in a garbage bag and left it outside, removed my clothing (washed it) and washed myself.

I contacted both eBay and PayPal and the idiots, er, people I spoke with, both said that I would have to return the items to get a refund.  The word mold seemed to be lost on them.  I am already mad enough with the seller for doing this but to have ebay and PayPal tell me to handle these items further and to return them... seriously?

Obviously, they don't understand just how serious this can be, much less to someone with respiratory problems.

I was asked if I took pictures, which I hadn't (it was not exactly top of my thoughts), I was more concerned with bagging up the items and containing any mold spores.  In doing some further "investigation", it was apparent in the seller's own auction pictures that 3 of the 5 items were mold covered (mind you, 2 of the pictures were rather dark, so you had to really look at them to notice it).

I've spoken with the USPS and to return these items is pretty much a no go - IF I honestly answer the postal clerk's questions when I hand over the package (... anything potentially hazardous...).  I would feel pretty lousy if something happened to someone because of this and would be responsible.  Certainly not worth the risk.

This all being said, anyone else here have a similar experience? how did you handle it?

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@clifterri-0 wrote:

Seriously?  I placed and sealed those items in a garbage bag.  I have zero intention of exposing myself any further to them.  They are garbage as far as I am concerned and judging by the sound of the garbage truck yesterday are now in a landfill hopefully buried deep.

The money I paid is secondary to the main issue, which is the mold.  Yes, I am mad that the seller would be so irresponsible as to sell those items.  I was the unfortunate "winner" of his auctions.  It could have been you or anyone else and it could have been your problem.  But it is mine.  The reason that I am choosing the credit card route, is that they get it, mold presents a serious health hazard and they are not so irresponsible as to insist that I have to return the items.  There's no expectation that I (or anyone else) need to handle this package anymore than it already has.

The money (a whopping $30) is on principle, why should that seller benefit for his actions?  He should be held accountable - which eBay is not prepared to do as he is still selling.  There really does not seem to be any accountability these days.  People deny, make excuses and generally do not stand up and take responsibility for their actions.  This is yet another example.

Who knows, if this hits his wallet, maybe he will think twice before repeating this behaviour?  Yeah right, who am I kiddin'...

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So, put the sealed garbage bag in a box and return them.

A CC chargeback may not relieve you of having to return the items.  In some cases, The seller can require you to return the items and send a FedEx or UPS label with a Call Tag for pick up before they refund you.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@clifterri-0 wrote:

Seriously?  I placed and sealed those items in a garbage bag.  I have zero intention of exposing myself any further to them.  They are garbage as far as I am concerned and judging by the sound of the garbage truck yesterday are now in a landfill hopefully buried deep.

The money I paid is secondary to the main issue, which is the mold.  Yes, I am mad that the seller would be so irresponsible as to sell those items.  I was the unfortunate "winner" of his auctions.  It could have been you or anyone else and it could have been your problem.  But it is mine.  The reason that I am choosing the credit card route, is that they get it, mold presents a serious health hazard and they are not so irresponsible as to insist that I have to return the items.  There's no expectation that I (or anyone else) need to handle this package anymore than it already has.

The money (a whopping $30) is on principle, why should that seller benefit for his actions?  He should be held accountable - which eBay is not prepared to do as he is still selling.  There really does not seem to be any accountability these days.  People deny, make excuses and generally do not stand up and take responsibility for their actions.  This is yet another example.

Who knows, if this hits his wallet, maybe he will think twice before repeating this behaviour?  Yeah right, who am I kiddin'...

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So, put the sealed garbage bag in a box and return them.

A CC chargeback may not relieve you of having to return the items.  In some cases, The seller can require you to return the items and send a FedEx or UPS label with a Call Tag for pick up before they refund you.

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Yes most at the very least require you to make the item available to the seller 

[krys888]

You’re welcome. After thousands of buys and sales in a single category, that I only had 2 like that is pretty good, I think. I don’t know what, if anything, ebay can do about it though. Most sellers (in my category, at least) will usually put in the description, “been in storage, so might have retained a slight musty scent” and priced accordingly. “Slight musty” is easily cleanable, but toxic mold is not!

Quick funny story though: When I first started buying dolls here I didn’t know about deteriorating rubber bands (no big deal) and I had gotten a lovely Audrey hepburn barbie, opened it up, saw a bunch of little tiny white things all over her hair, screeched, ripped her head off with a paper towel only to discover later that it was just the deteriorated rubberband lol! I ruined that doll! (Someday, I’m going to write a blog called, “gooey legs & rubberband dandruff,” lol.)