eBay issue

[fan-of-fans]

So I bought a Hoover Celebrity on eBay. First time ever buying a whole vac online. All went fine, came really fast, but when I unboxed it, I found there wasn't any separation between the power nozzle and the canister. Uh oh, not looking good. Sure enough, the graphics on the foil label on the machine where it says 3.7 Peak HP were scratched off, and then I discovered the foil label on the power nozzle has gashes in it. Not there in the eBay pics, clearly chafing caused in shipment.

I really like the machine otherwise, and don't want to have to return it, but I paid a pretty good sum of money for it and don't want to have a messed up machine when it could have been in almost perfect shape.

Is there anywhere I can get replacement green foil labels, or should I just file a damage claim?

At the moment my phone is on the fritz so now I can't take pictures of the damage right now, just great. I guess it might be easier to just keep it and take the losses and maybe parts will come up to replace the labels. But I know there's a fat chance of that happening.

 

[human]

I would definitely file a damage claim. I have no idea whether replacement decals are available but if they are, the seller should refund you at least enough to cover the cost of a new set. Regardless of what happens, eBay will be on your side. If the seller doesn't make good, they will.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Can you get a partial refund from a seller though? I'm afraid if I file a claim then they'll want me to return it anyway. At least that's been my experience when I bought a phone that arrived broken, they just sent a return label after I filed the claim, even though I contacted them before, they wouldn't respond to my messages until I filed the claim.

 

[huskyvacs]

Don't file any refund claims through eBay - you only have two options.
1. Full refund and mail item back.
2. No refund and keep item.

eMail the seller and explain to them what has happened, and attach photos to the eBay eMail and ask if they will do a partial refund or what you think it will cost to recreate the labels.

If you find a label printing shop and have someone that has the same vacuum take a clear photo of the label, you might be able to re-print them that way using the photo and label on the vacuum as a guide to make a new one on adhesive foil.

For example they have printable foil adhesive sheets like this, just as an example: https://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-M...J4TRE0NA604&psc=1&refRID=5JR5CY54ZJ4TRE0NA604

 

[fan-of-fans]

It will be a few days since I can get pics since my old phone just completely crashed so I had to order a new one.

I will try contacting them next week if I can get pics.

There are some foil labels on eBay for Celebrity PNs, but not the one I have. There is another housing for sale with an intact label for the canister though. If I could find a power nozzle cover I could just swap it out too.

Just so upsetting, a quick placement of cardboard or bubble wrap between the pieces would have prevented this!

I also need a lock ring for the hose (but the seller pointed out it was missing) so I don't fault that. I can get a new ring on eBay but it's black. Plus the wheel hubcaps are missing. I might see if a sink cap might fit or else I'll order new hubcaps too.

 

[human]

I've had sellers offer a partial refund after I filed a return claim with eBay but I usually contact the seller directly first, as a 'courtesy' before filing the claim. That often helps put the seller in a more agreeable frame of mind. Hope you can get things worked out.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Well, good news. I remembered my long forgotten digital camera. So I was able to get some photos and get them on my computer this morning. The seller replied and issued what I thought was a generous refund for the damages. I kinda feel bad because it was almost half the purchase price. Anyway, I left them very good feedback in response.

 

[huskyvacs]

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I wouldn't feel too badly, some people don't care about the money. I just had a seller ship me a Kirby for free at Priority mail price, and it wasn't even in nice shape either. Just a beat up old Legend. Likely cost him over $50 to send it at the minimum. He just wanted to be rid of it easily but see it be rescued.

 

[human]

Refunds...

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago. I bought a kind of tired looking Electrolux Silverado Deluxe on eBay for $30 plus $11.00 shipping (dirt cheap by eBay standards). It was advertised as having a power nozzle but that turned out to be incorrect and the seller refunded me the purchase price but not the shipping and told me to keep the vacuum. I stuck it in the barn for several months, presumably as a reminder to be more careful about my eBay purchases, but I eventually succumbed to the temptation to resurrect it and I eventually ended up spending maybe $20 on parts for it (power switch including rocker, new plug, wire connectors, front caster) so I came out ahead and I learned a bit about Electrolux wiring in the process.

Then there was the chrome Sunbeam Mixmaster mixer that arrived with a broken base and turntable because the seller had actually shipped the thing fully assembled. He was very apologetic, gave me a full refund, and told me to dispose of the mixer as I saw fit. What I saw fit to do was glue the turntable back together and buy a replacement base, albeit a white one. My niece now has that 'frankenmixer' and she loves it.