Did I get ripped off?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Did I get ripped off?
I bought a Sandisk SD memory card over Ebay. It was advertised "New, Unopened".
When I received it, it doesn't have the retail packaging. It's just a card inside those little plastic protective case. I have no idea if the card is brand new or used.
I asked for a refund and got the following response:
"
No refund.
You received exactly what we advertised. The problem lye's in the fact that you are assuming all new memory cards are sold in retail packaging and they are not. We buy in bulk packaging to save on international shipping when imported. We did not advertise retail packaging and we do not deliver in retail packaging."
Is that possible?
Then again, why would they advertise it as "new, UNOPENED", when there is no way to "open" anything?
Why should I trust him? It could easily be an used product.
Should I file for a complaint over Ebay or Paypal?
When I received it, it doesn't have the retail packaging. It's just a card inside those little plastic protective case. I have no idea if the card is brand new or used.
I asked for a refund and got the following response:
"
No refund.
You received exactly what we advertised. The problem lye's in the fact that you are assuming all new memory cards are sold in retail packaging and they are not. We buy in bulk packaging to save on international shipping when imported. We did not advertise retail packaging and we do not deliver in retail packaging."
Is that possible?
Then again, why would they advertise it as "new, UNOPENED", when there is no way to "open" anything?
Why should I trust him? It could easily be an used product.
Should I file for a complaint over Ebay or Paypal?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
humm,
i have dealt with a few of these people and it always goes bad quick. was this seller from out of country like asia? this is a big thing to make knock off items and make them look real then sell them to buyers. tha bad thing is is they are fly by night and nothing you can do about it. but you did use paypal right? if so get on to your paypal account and file a case against the seller.
i have dealt with a few of these people and it always goes bad quick. was this seller from out of country like asia? this is a big thing to make knock off items and make them look real then sell them to buyers. tha bad thing is is they are fly by night and nothing you can do about it. but you did use paypal right? if so get on to your paypal account and file a case against the seller.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
i have found that letting ebay get involved makes it worse. what happens is they will give the seller 30 days to clean up there act that is all. but what happens is the seller sees that and closes up shop and is gone. with paypal the seller won't know what hit them. paypal locks their account until you get your money which means they cannot transfer money out. so it is a safe bet you can get it back. but do not get ebay involved.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by mjwhip2
Does it work? Granted they shouldn't have said "unopened" but as long as it works and you didn't pay retail...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You got what is called an OEM package. Manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturers) buy products in the same way. There is not a pile of Samsung harddrive boxes outside the Dell manufacturing plant, because they do not buy the retail package. It's much more expensive.
If the auction was advertised as a non-retail or OEM package, then you got exactly what you paid for, and you should have known what you were buying before you paid for it.
Just because there isn't a way to prove the package is unopened does not mean you are entitled to a refund.
If the auction was advertised as a non-retail or OEM package, then you got exactly what you paid for, and you should have known what you were buying before you paid for it.
Just because there isn't a way to prove the package is unopened does not mean you are entitled to a refund.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Northern Massachusetts
i've bought some computer electronic like sata disk adapters and what not, from computer parts dealers and that's exactly how they come in little plastic bubble paks no paper work or anything.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 1
From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Woooahhh, there buddy. Pull in the reins. Don't go ballistic on that Ebayer, just yet. It may be a perfectly new unused SD card. Not all products are sold in pretty little retail packaging. That is a fact. The company I work for could have the same equipment wrapped in two or three different styles. Our products also utilize the MMC/SD cards. And after working with these for the last couple of years I can tell you that they will not always come in some permanently sealed pretty retail packaging. There is the possibility that they were leftovers or excess to fill an order for an electronic device,(ie. a freebie card with a digital camera, computer mapping software, or sonar/gps product.), so the manufacturer got rid of their stock by just selling the non retail cards in lots.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
Here's my opinion.
It sounds like the seller may be foriegn "lye's".
It's more than likely OEM packaging, I buy lotsa pc parts that way to save cash.
Is it used or not, Probably no way to tell (see if there selling more on ebay, or only 1)
It sounds like the seller may be foriegn "lye's".
It's more than likely OEM packaging, I buy lotsa pc parts that way to save cash.
Is it used or not, Probably no way to tell (see if there selling more on ebay, or only 1)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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It might very possibly be "OEM". But why doesn't the seller mention it on the advertisement? Nope, not even a single word. Instead, I see "Condition: New, Unopened".
99% of people would assume it come in sealed retail packaging if they see the word "unopened" don't you think? Because if it doesn't have a packaging, it's pretty pointless to call it "unopened", since there is nothing to open. He should've said "New, but NO PACKAGING". But he did not, knowing full well that'll probably drive off a lot of bidders.
I made my bid accordingly assuming it's packaged and sealed. I was also ripped off on the shipping ($13) for something that light and small and shipped in an envelope via USPS. I mean, we are talking about a bare thin memory card with no packaging here. No insurance. Just an envelope. It probably cost $2 to ship.
Even if it works well now, I'm not so sure it'll work just as well in the future. See, because that's like going to a Ford Dealership and paying the price of a new truck but you get one without any manufacturing papers or odometer. But it moves. Would you buy?
99% of people would assume it come in sealed retail packaging if they see the word "unopened" don't you think? Because if it doesn't have a packaging, it's pretty pointless to call it "unopened", since there is nothing to open. He should've said "New, but NO PACKAGING". But he did not, knowing full well that'll probably drive off a lot of bidders.
I made my bid accordingly assuming it's packaged and sealed. I was also ripped off on the shipping ($13) for something that light and small and shipped in an envelope via USPS. I mean, we are talking about a bare thin memory card with no packaging here. No insurance. Just an envelope. It probably cost $2 to ship.
Even if it works well now, I'm not so sure it'll work just as well in the future. See, because that's like going to a Ford Dealership and paying the price of a new truck but you get one without any manufacturing papers or odometer. But it moves. Would you buy?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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By the way, the camera I hadn't ordered haven't arrived yet. So I have no way of checking if the memory card. But just out of curiosity, I was checking the seller's previous feedback. I didn't have to look far to find TWO negative feedback that said:
"This claimed NEW memory card actually had PICTURES on it! Clearly it was used."
"<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#e6e6e6><TD vAlign=top align=middle></TD><TD></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Received faulty/used card. No response to my email/messages. Help!!!"</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I didn't even bother to look further.
Hmm...
Selling an memery card with no packaging, but with pictures, yet advertising it as "NEW, UNOPENED".
I think Paypal should kick his butt even if the thing works well (for now).
"This claimed NEW memory card actually had PICTURES on it! Clearly it was used."
"<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#e6e6e6><TD vAlign=top align=middle></TD><TD></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Received faulty/used card. No response to my email/messages. Help!!!"</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I didn't even bother to look further.
Hmm...
Selling an memery card with no packaging, but with pictures, yet advertising it as "NEW, UNOPENED".
I think Paypal should kick his butt even if the thing works well (for now).
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
I frequent a bunch of forums on ebay (yes, ebay has them) Can you provide a item number?
If shipping was stated in the auction (when you bid) then its no ones fault but your own for accepting the sellers TOS. No one forced a bid, but in many cases thats how sdellers of small computer accessories make up thier profit, lower cost higher shipping.
I don't believe 99% of people would have assumed it was RETAIL. Everyone knows what happens when some one assumes.
Did you check the feedback before bidding?
Did you ask the seller any questions before bidding?
The memory stick is a cheap lesson to learn, I've read stories where people bought LCD tv;'s and other big ticket items only to learn the same lesson.....
ask questions, research feedback and check into shipping BEFORE BIDDING
If shipping was stated in the auction (when you bid) then its no ones fault but your own for accepting the sellers TOS. No one forced a bid, but in many cases thats how sdellers of small computer accessories make up thier profit, lower cost higher shipping.
I don't believe 99% of people would have assumed it was RETAIL. Everyone knows what happens when some one assumes.
Did you check the feedback before bidding?
Did you ask the seller any questions before bidding?
The memory stick is a cheap lesson to learn, I've read stories where people bought LCD tv;'s and other big ticket items only to learn the same lesson.....
ask questions, research feedback and check into shipping BEFORE BIDDING