Is this a bait and switch?
May 7, 2010 3:55 PM
The first edition book that I bought on Ebay matches the seller's description but not the photograph. Should I complain?
I purchased a first edition, third printing of Lonesome Dove on Ebay, and although it is the edition and condition described, it does not match the image posted by the seller (a photo- not a stock image). The difference is that this copy has a "Pulitzer prize winner" blurb on the cover. I'm a bit frustrated since I was expecting it to look like the "true" first edition that was displayed, and I think the seller should have used an actual image or at least mentioned the difference in the description.
My questions: 1) is this a reasonable concern - would it be an issue for the average collector, or should I let it go? and 2) what kind of compensation should I ask for, if any? Other factors: I bought it as a present, and would rather not give an inferior copy. On the other hand, a first edition, first printing is out of my price range, and I don't know if the dust jackets for the other printings would be similar to this one.
I purchased a first edition, third printing of Lonesome Dove on Ebay, and although it is the edition and condition described, it does not match the image posted by the seller (a photo- not a stock image). The difference is that this copy has a "Pulitzer prize winner" blurb on the cover. I'm a bit frustrated since I was expecting it to look like the "true" first edition that was displayed, and I think the seller should have used an actual image or at least mentioned the difference in the description.
My questions: 1) is this a reasonable concern - would it be an issue for the average collector, or should I let it go? and 2) what kind of compensation should I ask for, if any? Other factors: I bought it as a present, and would rather not give an inferior copy. On the other hand, a first edition, first printing is out of my price range, and I don't know if the dust jackets for the other printings would be similar to this one.
I've almost* always had very good results when I've stated, very unemotionally, that the listing included/showed X, but Y arrived in my mailbox. At the very least, this discrepancy calls for a discount (if you want to keep the book) or a refund (if you want to return it).
*--Except for the one time the seller shipped me a nineteenth-century volume with obvious active mold, complete with stench. The seller's response, basically, was that I was making things up. The poor book had to be executed forthwith.
posted by thomas j wise at 5:58 PM on May 7, 2010
*--Except for the one time the seller shipped me a nineteenth-century volume with obvious active mold, complete with stench. The seller's response, basically, was that I was making things up. The poor book had to be executed forthwith.
posted by thomas j wise at 5:58 PM on May 7, 2010
I'd be furious. You're entitled to a refund.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:02 AM on May 8, 2010
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:02 AM on May 8, 2010
I'd probably contact the seller to point out the difference, and see what they come back with. Be pretty dispassionate about it - who knows, maybe they shipped you the wrong copy or something.
Once you've sent your message, do some research on the different versions so you know where you stand - i.e., book with blurb is X, costs Y, book without blurb is A, costs B. That way, if the seller offers a partial rebate, you can point out that actually the difference between Y and B is more than they're offering.
I'd send the message before digging into research purely because it's good to be timely, strike whilst the iron is hot etc., and you show that it's an active concern of yours.
Depending on the seller's response, you can take it to eBay or not.
posted by djgh at 1:58 AM on May 8, 2010
Once you've sent your message, do some research on the different versions so you know where you stand - i.e., book with blurb is X, costs Y, book without blurb is A, costs B. That way, if the seller offers a partial rebate, you can point out that actually the difference between Y and B is more than they're offering.
I'd send the message before digging into research purely because it's good to be timely, strike whilst the iron is hot etc., and you show that it's an active concern of yours.
Depending on the seller's response, you can take it to eBay or not.
posted by djgh at 1:58 AM on May 8, 2010
What djgh said, including the 'dispassionate' (if not simply friendly) part. Does he sell a lot of books, is it possible he accidentally uploaded the wrong Lonesome Dove snapshot? If he has a lot of good feedback you can probably be confident that he'll want to fix it. A partial refund, going by market rates for that specific edition, would be totally reasonable.
posted by kmennie at 6:20 AM on May 8, 2010
posted by kmennie at 6:20 AM on May 8, 2010
My usual reply in such situations is the unemotional/dispassionate note (through ebay messages!) briefly detailing the discrepancy, followed by, "How would you like to proceed?" That way the ball is in their court to make the first offer, which might be even better than what you were planning to ask for, and if it's not, you can always reply by asking directly for what you want.
posted by jocelmeow at 4:39 PM on May 8, 2010
posted by jocelmeow at 4:39 PM on May 8, 2010
Make a formal complaint as quick as you can - the dispute window slams shut quickly. Even if you are later okay with it, and want to close the compliant, having one open now will save you some headache.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 11:19 AM on May 9, 2010
posted by Lesser Shrew at 11:19 AM on May 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
A stock photo would have been one thing. But to take a personal photo and not mention that the actual item differs - particularly in a selling category where small details have large effects on the value - will strike them as, at best, the kind of buyer-dissatisfying event that the company is making a very serious [as in: seller unhappy-making] commitment to avoiding.
So at the very least, they'll let the seller know that such a disclaimer is something they should include in the future. If they've been a persistent offender in this respect, they might have their selling privileges revoked for a while. In most cases, the company hopes to be dealing with this person long after you've moved on, so they're going to take a longer view of the situation.
In short: Complain. Just don't expect their head on a stick.
posted by Joe Beese at 4:31 PM on May 7, 2010