Purchased item from eBay, arrived missing pieces, any advice?

amcl

Hello, I recently purchased a vintage board game on eBay as a gift, which was described as “complete”. The photos were a little blurry so I messaged the seller just to confirm that there weren’t any pieces missing and they confirmed it was a complete set. I’ve now picked up my parcel and unfortunately two of the cards from the deck that comes with the game are missing. (These are special cards related to the game, not an ordinary deck of cards). I’m not entirely sure how much this will affect the playability of the game as I’m not familiar with it myself and reading the instructions hasn’t really helped, but as it’s a gift I don’t want to give an item that can’t be used.

So my question is basically what should I do in this situation? Is it worth contacting the seller first or should I just open up a claim on eBay? I’m guessing I’m able to return the item as it’s not as described, but will I receive my original postage and return postage costs back?

Apologies if I’m asking the obvious, I haven’t had this happen before and if I’m not going to get any postage back (which would be just over £10 in total) then I’m not sure it’s worth returning, as the game cost £15, but it’s a bit frustrating that it was not described correctly as I wouldn’t have purchased in the first place if I had known it was incomplete.

Thanks for any advice!

molerat

Raise a SNAD claim.

theonlywayisup

SNAD claims don't hurt the seller *unless they ignore them. But there is nothing stopping you messaging them to explain what you have received/have missing.

Ultimately though, you will need to open a case to get a return/refund.

When you open the case, open it as 'not as described' and follow the prompts. The seller will be given 8 days to resolve the problem - if it is not fully resolved to your satisfaction (refund of prepaid postage label supplied) by then you escalate and eBay will rule in your favour and either refund you without a return, or supply a prepaid returns label for you.

You will get back your full original payment and won't have to fund any return.

ElefantEd

What's the game? I may be able to tell you if the missing cards are important. Though you should still raise a SNAD claim. It may be possible to find the missing cards (to be paid for by the seller).

amcl

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses, much appreciated! The game is buccaneer, it’s a Waddington game from the 1970s I think.

fordfocus-chav-car

Spare cards sell on ebay for £2

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

theonlywayisup wrote: »

SNAD claims don't hurt the seller *unless they ignore them. .

Bar a possible additional 4% FVF if they have a very high returns rate in relation to their peers.


OP, I agree with theonlyway that it might be worth sending the seller a message, they might find the cards and send them on, they might just refund you to avoid the return.

If not you have 30 days from the last ETA to raise a return for not as described and be covered by eBay if the seller does provide the appropriate resolution.

kangoora

fordfocus-chav-car wrote: »

Spare cards sell on ebay for £2

As this comment, 136 adverts for spare bits on Ebay at the moment.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=buccaneer+board+game+spares&_sacat=0

You could always ask for a partial refund to allow you to purchase the missing cards.

Or, just open an SNAD and return the whole thing.

This reminds me, I bought an auction lot and it had a 1950's Buccaneer game (small box) but no game board in it. Put it in a corner and that weekend I was strolling around a car boot and on a stall was the game board from the 1950s version I had.

I went to buy it and the guy said "It's only the board, I don't have the game" - got it for a £1 when I said I had the game but not the board - LOL.

Weird coincidence, never seen that game version since in over 3 years.

theonlywayisup

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

Bar a possible additional 4% FVF if they have a very high returns rate in relation to their peers.

I meant with defects - buyers seem to have been brainwashed that they can't open cases.

If a seller has high returns and eBay penalise financially then they really need to address their business model or selling platform.

soolin

theonlywayisup wrote: »

I meant with defects - buyers seem to have been brainwashed that they can't open cases.

If a seller has high returns and eBay penalise financially then they really need to address their business model or selling platform.

The issue is for people who sell things like clothes- buyers often buy the size they think they are rather than the size they actually are and return items, and that affects a seller. It is also not uncommon for buyers to buy three or four things , choose the one they want and return the rest, and that affects a seller as well. There is nothing a seller can do against a buyer who can't decide whether they want the dark blue or the pale blue and buy both fully intending to return one lot.

theonlywayisup

soolin wrote: »

The issue is for people who sell things like clothes- buyers often buy the size they think they are rather than the size they actually are and return items, and that affects a seller. It is also not uncommon for buyers to buy three or four things , choose the one they want and return the rest, and that affects a seller as well. There is nothing a seller can do against a buyer who can't decide whether they want the dark blue or the pale blue and buy both fully intending to return one lot.

The point being, if your returns are high and the platform penalises, then THAT platform may not be the place to sell.

Thankfully I am out, I sold a wholesale business and do not now have the hassle.