A BAD EBAY DEAL FROM RUGSUCKER

[electrolux137]

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A month or so ago, "Rugsucker" [as known here] listed five 1950s upright Johnson-Wax polishers. I don't know anyone else who is as avidly nuts about these machines as I am, so I wasn't surprised when none of them got a single bid, especially since I considered his opening bids too high for the overall condition of the machines.

I sent him a message after they all expired, asking if he was planning to just throw them in the dump [which he often warns he is going to do with his stuff], would he mind sending two of them to me for the cost of shipping. (Much as I would like to have had all five, I just couldn't afford it.)

No reply.

A couple days later, "it just so happened" that the two particular machines I had asked about were re-listed. I could not afford to pay what he was asking for both of them, so I just got one.

Then the second one didn't get any bids again, so I asked once again if he could include both machines in one shipment for the extra shipping cost, and he agreed to do so.

Well, more than a week passed with no shipping info or word about the polishers. I sent a note to "leisurelady65" (the person who lists stuff for him on eBay), nicely asking when I could expect the shipment.


 


She replied that she had had a death in the family and had had to go to Indiana, that she would get the package out ASAP. I apologized for bugging her about it and she replied it was okay, that I could not have known about her family situation. It seemed all was well.

Well, today, what to wondering eyes should appear but a long, slender, flimsy carton. I knew what it was as soon as I saw it on the front porch. The carton was so flimsy that it was bent and crimped in the middle and had long creases running along its length on all sides. There were several good-sized holes torn in the ends, and I could also see that the tape had been affixed in a sloppy and haphazard manner.

I picked it up to carry it in and got a queasy "Uh-Oh" feeling in my stomach when I heard stuff like small plastic bits rattling around inside.

I got the box upstairs and opened it.

I just stared with slack-jawed astonishment at what I saw.

The two polishers were in the flimsy box end-to-end with NOT ONE SHRED of viable packing material. There were two pieces of completely deflated plastic "air pillows" stuffed inside one of the polishers and another piece floating around loose in the carton.

I pulled the first polisher out and it appeared okay overall.

However, the second one, the RAREST one of course, the one I'd never seen or even heard of in my 50 years of collecting vacuums, was demolished. The plastic motor housing was cracked clean through and a chunk of the plastic was missing -- that's what was clattering around inside the box.

I checked the listing photos again to see if the housing was cracked or broken, and it was not. It was fully intact.

The end of the handle was crimped and mashed in -- it appears that that's what poked the holes in one end of the carton.

Furthermore, the motor on that machine is frozen. When I plugged it in, all I got was the "rrrrrrrrr" sound of a locked-up motor and smoke started coming out of the housing. It would have been nice if it had been noted in the listing that the motor was no good.

Additionally, the cord was frayed at the top where it goes into the handle, and the switch is broken. I didn't realize how frayed it was until after I had plugged it in to check the motor. When I unplugged the cord from the wall outlet I was holding the metal handle in my other hand and received a mighty electric shock when the frayed cord touched the handle.

Mr. "Rugsucker" knows how crazy I am about Johnson Wax polishers, yet he did not bother to ensure that leisurelady65 packed them carefully.

Miraculously, and I mean that literally, the other machine survived the journey unharmed as far as I can tell, other than some heavy scratches that I did not recall seeing in the listing photos. This is nothing short of a miracle. I am happy for that much, at least.

To say that I am unhappy and dismayed would be the understatement of the millennium. This will be my first and last purchase from "Rugsucker."

The reason I am sending this out is because of my absolute disgust with this transaction, and to alert other potential buyers. I don't see why he would have singled me out for this crummy treatment so I can only assume it's happened to other people as well, or may happen in the future.

CAVEAT EMPTOR -- BUYER BEWARE.

Here's a bunch of photos so you can see for yourself.

The first six are from the auction listing of the rarer machine. The rest are of the condition in which I received it other than the last one which is of the other machine.




I could just cry.

 

[tolivac]

The floor machines should have been professionally packed-and in separate boxes.It would have been worth the cost.As it came to you that poor package sure didn't withstand the shippers baggage smasher gorilla!

 

[bvac6]

Oh Dear!

That's a tragedy! I had a machine come to me from her that was damaged as well but she really went out of her way to make it right, refunded the money, etc. I told her she really cannot trust FedEx or UPS to package those things for her, they have no clue of the value. She really is a nice lady I'm sure she'll try to make it right!

 

[electrolux137]

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I received this message from <a name="start_31604.349289"></a>leisurelady65:


 


<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">I am extremely upset after receiving your message.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">I DID NOT PACK YOUR POLISHERS.  I took them to UPS and paid extra for them to PACK and I will address this problem with them immediately.  </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">I have been selling for Jimmy for over 2 years without any problems as you can see on my feedbacks and would appreciate a follow-up message to Vacuumland.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">Well, I'm "extremely upset" as well. If she has had problems in the past with UPS, then why hasn't she learned not to trust them?</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">I will say, it depends on which UPS location you use. The person for whom I do graphic design ships out large orders of printed materials and uses the UPS Store in West L.A. They always do a great job of packing. I have also used them myself a couple of times and have always been well pleased with their efforts. (The manager of that branch is an asshole but that's a different story...)</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">However, I do prefer to do my own packing and always do so when I can. I know how to pack a vacuum cleaner -- canister or upright -- so that it arrives undamaged, even given the deliberately careless treatment by UPS gorillas who throw packages around like playthings. The bigger and heavier the package, the rougher they handle it</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">In all the years I've been on ebay (since 1998) I have never had a single damage complaint except from one creep way back in the beginning who, after getting the machine, decided he didn't want it and tried to make a damage claim with UPS against me. I always take photos of my packing process. When I sent those photos to UPS, they denied the man's claim. He left me negative feedback anyway, claiming I sent him "useless junk." That was the only negative I've ever received. eBay, of course, declined to remove his red mark against me even in the face of all the photographic evidence and UPS's denial of his claim.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">P.S.: I don't want a refund. I wasn't fishing for that. I want my polishers to have arrived in the same condition they left there. That's not going to happen, unfortunately.</p>
<a name="start_31604.349289"></a>

 

[delaneymeegan]

You're not the only one

 


 


 


I purchased a Hoover Spirit from them.  It arrived yesterday in a UPS store box with little tape.  I easily pulled the single piece of tape off the seam and easily removed the label.   I opened the flaps and was shocked.  Inside was the vacuum and attachments, just sitting there.  Not a single bit of packaging materials AND the box was too small for the vacuum even without packaging materials.  


 


Lucky for them, it happened to arrive undamaged.


 


I sent them a note, see the attached pic.  


 


I've done business with several UPS stores in the last couple of months.   In general, it's been a positive experience.  I did however, have a bad one in December.   A location in southern Illinois.  It was one of the young, inexperienced employees and the lack of training, that was the problem.  Did a terrible job of packaging a vacuum cleaner that got damaged as bad as the polisher above.  Sure the insurance paid out (about 6 weeks later) but my antique is still broken.  


 


You are definitely entitled to a full refund plus reimbursement for damages. And I would get some superglue to at least try and put the pieces back together.  And be patient, you will most likely find another one soon.   Maybe they will ship you the other polishers they didn't relist.


 


I don't know the relationship between Jimmy and the woman he has selling for him.  I'm interested in stuff Jimmy has at his store, but he doesn't apparently know how to operate a camera, so it's difficult to buy from a distance. 


 


Even though I didn't suffer a loss from my recent transaction, It's only out of sheer luck and chance.  If I give feedback, it will be neutral.  I'm hesitant now to buy stuff from Jimmy and have him/them ship it.

 

[gman]

You Are Not Alone!

Had the same experience with an awesome Kenmore Vacuum. Such a waste to have to throw it away as there was no hope for repair.

 

[delaneymeegan]

From Whom did you Purchase

 


 


 


from Grant ?

 

[gman]

Kenmore

I bought it from Liesurelady65 a few years ago on EBay. She took care of it and refunded my money.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I must say that I've purchased from

Leisurelady, many times, without any issues at all.


  One must point out the IMPORTANCE of "proper packing". Some people pack items as though they were going to Guam... others,  well.


  If these items were packed carefully,   alot of this would never be happening.  Some have UPS pack it.  We've seen that   it's NOT always best.  So,  some, a lot, maybe most of the complaints lie the packer. You might pack it better yourself.


  I bought a HOOVER frypan on ebay years ago.  The pics were perfect.  When I got it, "no bubblewrap/peanuts/paper, one of the plastic triangle feet were smashed.  Naturally,  I told her, and she refunded the $.. However,  IF she had packed it right,  She'd have the $, and I'd have a working pan.


 I'm not getting in the middle,  but, .


  I've bought on ebay, never sold,  yet.  Remember: a little time packing with the proper materials can save a lot of hard feelings, etc later on.


  One bad experience from any seller could result in them losing future sales.  I mean, if I hear a horror story,  then, I see another item I'd like,  I might be reluctant to bid,  wondering if MY item will come damaged.


  Just my thoughts.


 John

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Please know..

the "she" to whom I'm referring is not "Leisuerlady".  It WAS a woman, however.


 Not throwing gas on a fire.  But, just last week, we saw a similar problem with a 3rd party packer, which resulted in a lot of hard feelings, blame, etc.


 


  I shipped an Electrolux to Rick B. in California..... completely across the country.  I wrapped it as though it were going on the space shuttle.  It got there,  unharmed.


  So,  perhaps we should be 'aware' of shipping things.  You KNOW how they get bounced around in post offices, on trucks, etc.


  Remember": bubblewrap is your friend.

 

[electrolux137]

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A friend (who is of gentler disposition than me) has suggested I should not have posted this until I talked to "rugsucker" &/or "leisurelady65."


 


Well, if y'all knew how furious I was when I opened the shipping box you'd understand. I was way beyond pissed off. I was so mad and disappointed that I was shaking and I almost began crying.


 


Put yourself in my shoes "for what it's worth." Imagine looking forward to getting a rare, never-before-seen model of your favorite floor-care appliance, perhaps one that's a prototype (which the "J-W Super 8" may well have been). Imagine it arriving. Imagine excitedly opening the carton. Imagine seeing NO packing materials inside. Imagine pulling out that rare, never-before-seen model out and discovering that it was smashed to smithereens.


 


Now do you get how I felt?


 


Might you have done the same thing??

 

[delaneymeegan]

 


 


I'm glad you did.  I was right there with you, as I said.  And now you know you aren't the only one it happened to.


 


After I sent the email to Joan, the consignment rep for Jimmy, she sent me this email:  

 

[blknblu]

anybody that gets my Hoover on ebay will see that it is packed extremely well.


It doesn't take much to ensure a fragile item is packed carefully.


On the flip side is items just placed in a Tyvek envelope with no cardboard or something around the item..


I have gotten a few items like that.

 

[paul]

I'm very sorry about your experience. That would definitely be an emotional roller coaster.

I have met Jimmy in person and would think that he would do what he could to make up for it.

Unless it was a prototype, there are likely others floating around. If Johnson Wax has discarded its old records as many companies have done over the years, maybe you could get information from former employees by placing an ad in the Racine newspaper? Some may have old catalogs, sales lists, personal anecdotes, etc. that would be helpful.

 

[charleskirby66]

I am so very sorry you've had to go through this, Charles! I can imagine how you felt, and I definitely sympathize with what that experience must of been like. I hope there is a positive resolution, and that you get at least your money back.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Ditto.

And, yes, I'd be furious also. But, it certainly seems, especially from the response, that the major fault lies with this packer....who won't be working there much longer. That doesn't help you, but this lesson sure should ring out to the people who hired him. Clearly, he is damaging their business. Credibility is paramount in everything; in what we say, what we hear, what we do, what we write, etc.
John

 

[coffeecanman]

I'm sorry to hear your machine arrived damaged, that feeling of dread when opening a damaged box with rattling pieces inside is just the worst. I too have received poorly packed machines from leisurelady65. She claims that she has "never had a problem before" but I personally know at least a handful of people who what gotten machines put into a box with absolutely no packaging materials resulting in broken wheels, broken plastics, wooden handles snapped in half, etc. She said she takes them to UPS and has them pack them. I told her that she needs to stress the importance of bubble wrap and packing peanuts, especially around wheels and plastic parts. The last machine I purchased from her, I sent a message begging for her to make sure it's protected (and sent detailed instructions). When it came, it was in a box half-filled with peanuts which resulted in the old brittle rubber on the handle grip and the bumper breaking apart. It's sad to hear this is still happening. I don't think this is Jimmy's fault at all, since he entrusts the consignor to deliver the items intact. Those issues should be raised with leisurelady65. Both Jimmy and leisurelady65 are very nice people however, this is just an unfortunate case of carelessness on the part of UPS and the unwillingness to change shippers or personally package fragile items on the part of the consignor. I hope everything works out for you, though we all know some things are simply irreplaceable.

 

[electrolux137]

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I sent my photos of the box and damaged polisher to the UPS Store in West Los Angeles that my client regularly uses and asked if they would ship something out like that.

He replied, "Absolutely not. We'd just be setting ourselves up for damage claims. I find it hard to believe that a UPS Store did that packing job. That's a single-wall box. We would only use a NEW heavy-duty double-wall box for shipping something that big and heavy. And we would NEVER ship such items without using bubble-wrap and tightly packed styro peanuts."

I found the address, telephone number and email address for the UPS Store where this was shipped. I sent them an email with the photos and asked if they packed this carton or if it came into the store already packed. I'll let you know what I hear back.

P.S.: This is a prime example of why I think that buyers should always leave negative feedback against sellers who send out poorly packaged shipments. If "leisurelady65" had accumulated negative feedback because of the substandard shipping, future potential buyers could be forewarned. Some people are hesitant to leave negative feedback  and I don't understand that at all. That's why the feedback process is there.

 

[sebo_fan]

That's a great pity. What possesses people to use another service to pack an appliance?? That's nuts.

 

[electrolux137]

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n.b., several other people have told me privately that they have received poorly packed shipments from "leisurelady65" who claimed the boxes were packed by UPS and not by her -- and some have also heard  stories from her about deaths in the family when she was slow to get things shipped out. After a while, it all just sounds like a lot of excuses.

 

[electrolux137]

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I just got off the phone with the manager of the UPS Store in Bristol, Virginia. She confirmed that an employee there did indeed pack the box. I said to her, "Do you really think that was the proper way to package items that heavy -- in a flimsy single-wall box with no padding?"


 


She said, "We did use the inflatable plastic pockets. I see that they got deflated in shipment."


 


I said, "There were only a couple of pieces of that stuff, nowhere nearly enough. Besides, they are not acceptable padding materials for shipping heavy items.  You need to use rolled bubble-wrap and styro peanuts. I'm flabbergasted that you are sending out shipments packed like this. Especially when the person doing the shipping gave you extra money for packing materials."


 


She said, "I'm sorry your items were damaged. I'll go ahead and process a damage claim and will let the other party know."


 


There's no excuse for such careless and indifferent packaging. This UPS Store should be put out of business.


 

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I daresay that I once received an Electrolux G with a Sad Flaw. it was wrapped with 6 layers of Professional Grade bubble wrap, and was surrounded with newspaper wads. The Right, rear wheel came to me Shattered! UPS, USPS, and FedEx always disappoint me, as they are very rough on packages. Ive had boxes come with HOLES when the sellers always send me pictures of the box at the shipping place, and the boxes are not torn up!
Just my 2 cents

 

[rugsucker]

A BAD EBAY DEAL FROM RUGSUCKER??? NOT !!!!

Charles,
A have had a very bad week out of town dealing with the last of my parents estate sale.That is why I trust Joan(leisurelady65)who CAN be trusted as hundreds of positive feedbacks PROVE and we both trust UPS to have packing and shipping experience!I agree that the pictures,both before and after do not lie and I am extremely upset over the packing,shipping and damage.I am more upset that after I agreed to a 'buy one get one free'on the polishers you post the above without talking to us!!!I would not have packed in the above manner but I also can not fly the plane and drive the truck which is why we try to trust a company that claims to be able to do this.All packages are insured and in the rare cases of damage have been handled.(The worst up to now was a rare glass ceiling light that did not survive the trip in the big brown truck.)I,of course,want to know of any problems just as a McDonalds manager wants you to tell him(as I did just last week)of any bad experience and not dozens of your friends without a chance to correct.
I will have more later but for now I feel your "BAD DEAL" is NOT from rugsucker,NOT from leisurelady65 but IS from UPS and I will make a point of taking time to visit that office!!
Jimmy

 

[electrolux137]

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Thanks for the input Jimmy. I did think my subsequent updates clarified that the shipping mishap was due to UPS and not to you or Joan. However, if that is not clear let me apologize for mistakenly attributing the mess to you -- but again, put yourself in my shoes... How would you have reacted?


 


As to the "buy one get one free" deal, yes I did ask and did appreciate y0ur granting the request (which I noted above). However, it was more a matter of knowing that whatever polishers  I didn't get would be destroyed because no one cares about them but me.  My interest wasn't in getting a "bargain" but in saving as many of the machines as I could.


 


As I had said, i wish I could have afforded to get them all....... As it is, it was a stretch to get these two -- with shipping the total was over $80.00. That's a big splurge for my budget.


 


I do hope you'll ream your UPS Store's manager a new asshole -- when I called my friend at the office out here and told them that your store had indeed packed the machines that way he was really shocked, and said it is "inexcusable."


 


Again, my apologies...


 

 

[rugsucker]

EBay & UPS

Charles,
Thanks for the above apology,however it is somewhat like a front page headline story being corrected at the bottom of page 7.
Jimmy

"opening bids to high"-If you will look at the next 20 vacs on EBay you might think mine can be close to reality for model,age,condition & rarity.
"just so happened -were relisted"-Joan routinely relists,and often reduces,items for me and others that get the most attention.
"motor frozen-cord frayed"-I do not recall the exact description but try to make each(of hundreds)accurate without being lengthy as well as having pictures of all sides and most areas.I think I mentioned the cord.I do not know if the shipping caused additional motor problems.
"why he would have singled me out for this crummy treatment"-One recent week I took 42 items(not all vacs)and I can assure you I did not and do not know how to'single out'any potential buyer of any particular item for "crummy treatment".
delaneymegan-Very sorry to hear of the packing on the Hoover spirit.But I and Joan DO WANT TO KNOW of any problems!That was and I hope still is a great straight suction canister.I prefer it to the deluxe cordwinder models.
We had the same UPS employee packing vacs with little if any problem for a long while and I have always been available at least on the phone to answer questions on how to pack a particular vac,remove handle?how to remove hose?etc.I will take time,that I really don't have to spare,and visit this UPS office the next time I take items to Joan.It may not be a pleasant social call!!

 

[kloveland]

Situations like this should really be handled via private email, phone call, etc. Too often we let our emotions take hold of us and we fly off the proverbial handle. I can think of very few situations that warrant the need to call a person out publicly. So please stop, take a deep breath and pick up your phone and call the seller before making a public scene. If I were the seller I would really appreciate that!

I tend to get over-dramatic over small things as well and for me it’s a personal character flaw. That I’m trying to work on. Over time I’m able look back at things and ask myself “How important is it?” Most of the time for me personally the issue wasn’t important enough for me to spend all that wasted, time and energy worrying about it.

 

[electrolux137]

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Thanks for your input, kloveland -- wise words and advice to be sure.


 


However:


 


1. It is impossible to contact Jimmy. He does not have (or does not give out) a current phone number or email. He does not respond to messages sent via eBay and rarely to messages sent via Vacuumland.


 


2. My point in this, before I realized who had done the lousy shipping, was to alert other eBay users. I had no idea who was packing his stuff but assumed it was him or his eBay helper leisurelady65. Before I posted my diatribe I talked with other people who had bought from him and they had also received poorly packaged goods -- sometimes there was damage and sometimes not. And each of those people also knew others who had experienced the same thing. That's why I decided to say something publicly.


 


3. I have sincerely apologized for doing so (albeit "on the bottom of page seven"), but I do still just ask people to bear in mind just how upset I was. Again, put yourself in my shoes and think about a machine from your favorite brand that's so rare you've never even seen one before and try to imagine how I felt when it arrived ruined because of absolutely negligent and careless packing.


 


Thanks, one and all.


 


 

[this post was last edited: 4/5/2016-13:40]

 

[kloveland]

I know you can retrieve a person's contact information through eBay. In this case it's probably not the actual seller but his co-seller leisure lady. And I know Jimmy has given out his number in past threads. I've seen it. Anyway, it's not my battle. I'm sorry to see the polisher damaged in shipping.

 

[rugsucker]

"impossible to contact Jimmy"?!?!?!

I have frequently as well as very recently given my only phone number(cell)and will gladly give it now--423-268-4841.There will be a time in the evening I will turn it off and then back on the next morning.
I am so easy to contact that a collector who pushed the buttons for the above numbers and found out that I am also easy to drive to just left with 14 rare vacs he had never found after exchanging a reasonable amount of US currency.Hint-He may be known to adore Kenmore.