SUICIDE WATCH

[akabent]

If I receive one more mindlessly-packed vacuum cleaner, someone is seriously going to have to put me on an around-the-clock suicide watch! My Hoover 50 arrived this morning, the one that had the original box (note past tense) and an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM of packing, probably 8-10 sheets of newspaper, that despite my (gently) requesting that they individually wrap attachments, wands, and hose ends to prevent scratching. And of course they did NOT put the box inside another, hence that 'past tense' reference to the original box. That would have required some intelligent thinking. What F-ing morons, AGAIN! I'm convinced the last three vacuums (Oops, 3 of 4 to be sure to exclude one vacuum carefully sent from the gentleman in North Canton!) were apparently shipped by people from the same gene pool.

I would have to say, the Vacuum is probably salvageable, but with no thanks to the seller, and the box of course is toast.

From Ward # 6 !!
Rick

 

[charles~richard]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh boy-oh-boy-oh-boy Rick, do I ever feel your pain.

This has happened many times to me, but the worst was when I had bought a complete Kirby 513 in mint condition, all the original paperwork and boxes, including the large outer box.

I sent the seller specific instructions on how to pack it, making very clear not to just send it in the Kirby box because of its age, brittleness and collectibility, that it needed to be wrapped in bubble wrap and sent in a sturdy outer box.

Well, a couple weeks later I came home from work. It was pouring-down rain. As I walked up the sidewalk I spotted a large, maroon box sitting on the edge of the porch, drenched wet. Oh, nooooooo, it can't be...

It was.

[cover children's eyes and ears ... profanity to ensue]

The DUMB STUPID F@#KING CARELESS LAZY-A$$ IDIOT had just wrapped shipping tape all around the large Kirby box and sent it like that. Of course, the box was a total loss. And it would have been a total loss even if it had not been raining, because it would have been impossible to remove the tape without ruining the box.

And it got worse. When I opened it up, I saw the beautiful, original, perfect-condition gray bag lying on top, soaking wet. When I pulled it out of the box I just about had a stroke. Because it had been lying on top of the inner maroon attachment caddy, the maroon ink on the caddy, having gotten soaking wet, had bled onto the bag and permanently stained the entire back side of it. The cloth hose was also similarly affected along a wide stretch.

I was so utterly enraged, so hopelessly dejected, that I just took the whole thing out to the trash can. Then I sat down and emailed the seller, giving her a blistering piece of my mind. I doubt she ever fully recovered from receiving the full bore of my rage. But I also bet she never made that mistake again.

I do not mince words with sellers now. I give them clear, precise, succinct packing instructions, and let them know I expect them to follow my instructions to the letter; that if they do not, they surely will receive negative feedback from me. So far, being an a-hole about it has paid off. I have not had any such tragedies since.

And I would not hesitate to follow up on my threat of negative feedback, either. And I wish other eBayers would not hesitate either. The only way other potential buyers can know of such laziness and carelessness is to see it noted in a seller's feedback history. eBay has tightened up its feedback policy so it's harder now for other ebayers to retaliate with unfair negative feedback, and they have also gotten more proactive about removing a negative when it is issued against someone in retaliation.

 

[vintagehoover]

The worst I've ever had...

...was a Sebo X1, which the seller had stuck in a bin liner, held in place with a piece of parcel tape. I'm surprised the courier took it, actually - they're often quite fussy about accepting something which looks flimsily-packed, to avoid being held responsible for damage. Luckily, Sebos being as durable as they are, it hadn't suffered any damage, and is still going strong!

I quite often receive cleaners sent in cardboard boxes with no packing, but luckily, the vintage Hoovers tend also to be durable enough to survive!

As of yet, the worst damage which has occurred happened to my 960, which had not been packed with anything; a small-ish chunk of the back of the bakelite hood had broken off, but it was easy enough to super-glue back on, and is indetectable now.

It's all the more annoying that the sellers who skimp on proper packaging also tend to be the ones who gouge you on postage and "handling" fees. Just bad eBayers, generally!

 

[akabent]

Pieces of Eight

Hi again

I appreciate your comments! I just have a tough time believing these (moronic) people actually think or assume the item might have even the remotest chance of arriving intact. On one level, it's hard for me to believe they don't care if you're disappointed, even pissed when it arrives, but again, I don't see how they can think it might be OK, either. One friend received a Sunbeam Mixer where the genius simply placed the two milk-glass bowls on the mixer's turntable, the mixer set in a (loose) box, then closed up and sent. He found a bag's worth of white powder in the bottom of the box upon arrival with two bent beaters! Gee, now that had to be a surprise. And to think these people reproduce!! And again, each time, I always politely/gently request that people please take extra care in packing. MANY of my purchases, by contrast, have been lovingly, meticulously packed.
Rick

 

[electroluxxxx]

my hoover model 700 was like that but it was wrapped carefully unfortuneately the postal peoples thought it was funny to kick it around and damage the item. the back wheels were broken off the 700 and I need to have it fixed.

 

[swingette]

why not post a link to the auction, bent? that way we can be nosy and also avoid that seller.

i suggest negative feedback. its the only way some sellers will learn. try leaving feedback at the last possible hour. dont forget, ebay now severely limits negative feedback from sellers. i have no patience with sellers who peddle their stuff as collectible then pack it like garbage.

 

[nick7764]

I know how you feel...

Well, my long awaited Electrolux G that I bought last week arrived in the mail today...So all excited... I open it up, and see a G barely packed in there, just 1/4 full of cushioning stuff so the vacuum could get banged around that much more...I take it out, the cord bent completely flat on the end, and the wheel had been bashed on the side, bent, and snapped off, the back decorative cover thing bent and sooo close to falling off as well... And of course just general signs of being banged around that definitely werent there when it left the seller. Well, good news is it does run...and hose is in decent condition. But sigh some ppl need to learn how to pack old vacs... Though still, I do feel lucky compared to some of your all horror stories!

 

[akabent]

And some of these people vote (and even procreate)

Brett, I appreciate your input on the INABILITY of some sellers to think far enough ahead to actually fully protect a machine for transport after the sale. I may well print their E-Bay "handle" but right now, I am waiting to see if they do the honorable thing. However, I assure you, I am not holding my breath. Nick, I am sorry to learn you are going through the same frustration and annoyance as many of us have. It is heartbeaking to receive a much-anticipated vacuum, only to learn some mindless seller has failed to pack it properly. The G is a really wonderful machine, among the last of the really great Electroluxes in my opinion, though admittedly, my collection continues a few models beyond. (And I do know the 1205 and laer metal machines do get the job done, but let's see if they are running in 60 years!!!! (I LOVE the 30/XXX's)

Thanks, guys, for your input!
Rick

 

[arh1953]

I had my chrome Mixmaster and two glass bowls arrive from Washington state in flawless condition, very well packed with regular household padding. I recieved my "ugly GE" flawlessly packed from Pennsylvania. Two other vacuums and a few sets of tools arrived here in original condition (the way they were before packing) so I lucked out here on all counts. The ugly GE was the only eBay package from a tip top seller, and the rest from friends in Vacuumland. I hope you all get satisfactory adjustments for your messed up deals.