The Yak Shack Forum

I recently won a Library book.  It was one I wanted since I saw it listed.  Here it is:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6183785320&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Well, I got it yesterday, and am a bit upset.  The front of the card is in mint condition, but the back.....well, the side of the card is a little damaged from the way it was cut, but the corner was bent back (you can not see this from the front).  I do not know if this happened when she put the card in the penney sleeve, or if it was like this when she pulled it from the pack.  Anyway, I smoothed it out with my fnger nail, but the colour of the card still chipped and it is white.  Doesn't look awful, but it still noticeable.  The problem is, I really like the swatch.  So what do I do?  Do I tell the seller?  Do I leave neutral feedback?  Any suggestions would be great.  I really wanted a library book swatch, and picked this one for the swatch. A m just dissapointed it is not mint.

First Sara this is not the right auction. The one you posted is for a Wand Incentive

and second. If you really like the swatch I'd just leave neutral feedback. My Wanted Poster has a slightly bent end and I smoothed it out and its not as bad as I though it world be. I put it in the case and now you cant even tell it had a bent corner. Hope this helps :-\

Yes please post the link so that we can see why you like the swatch.

I would certainly contact the seller before leaving neutral, it's hardly fair to do so until you know how they would deal with a complaint. They may very well offer to refund you if you send the card back, or partly refund you for it's non-mintness. I am sure it's just not been noticed.

(Ooh and by the way - great new Wand card Anna ;))

Here it is - hmm nice swatch

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6183785320

Hmm..Very nice swatch, but the seller did say in the question/answer that the card was perfect.  I would email first to see what they will offer.  It's not like it got damaged during shipment, it was packaged that way.  Maybe they will offer to refund a percentage of the total.  That would be fair.

Sorry about that.  I saw that wand for Anna and sent it to her in a PM, and then I guess I didn't copy the wand auction.  Oops.  Anyway, I have replaced it with the correct link.  What should I say to the seller?  Like I said, I want to keep it because I do like the swatch.  It seems to be creased, or raised a bit as part of a design or something...much better than a plain swatch, and if I send it to Artbox, I wouldn't get as nice a piece, and if I send it back to the seller, I would probably have to pay more for a nice piece again. So I do want to keep it, but help writing a letter to the seller would be great.  Thanks!

And BTW, the person who asked the question that they answered in the auction, was me!

Thank you for your prompt mailing of the Library Book prop I won from you on ebay. I really do love it; however, it seems there is a bit of damage {explain the damage} to the card. It doesn't appear that the package was damaged in mailing, but your description states that the item was "perfect". As I said, I really do like the card, and, unless you can replace it exactly (ie, the same swatch) then perhaps we could work out a partial credit, or refund since the item was not received as described. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter and I look forward to resolving this matter amicably with you.

Sincerely yours,
{your name here}

Well, there's my go at it :) Anyone else better with words?

I have spoke with kbmum through PM and she recommended I not mention a refund or exhange until I tell the person the damage and see what they come back with.  If they offer to refund if I send thhe card back, then I could maybe go back and say I really like the swatch and do not want to give it up, nor go through the trouble of sending it back to the UK, and see if she offers a partial refund then.  What do you think of that?

Although, sketchqueen, I like your take on this too.  Any other suggestions?  Thanks everyone!!!

How about:

Thank you for your prompt mailing of the Library Book prop I won from you on ebay. I really do love it; however, it seems there is a bit of damage {explain the damage} to the card. It doesn't appear that the package was damaged in mailing, but your description, and response to my question that was posted in the auction, states that the item was "perfect". As I said, I really do like the card, and I know you would not be able to replace it with the same exact swatch, however, I do not know if I would have bid as much as I did had I known the card was damaged. Perhaps we could work out a partial credit, or something since the item was not received as described. I can send you a picture of the damage if you wanted to see it.  Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter and I look forward to resolving this matter amicably with you.

What do you all make of this?  Do you think it a good idea to ask for the partial refund, or not mention that and see if she offers it instead?  I am especially curious to hear what you sellers out there say, as I never sold on eBay and don't know what to expect from emails of unhappy customers.  Just remember, I do not plan to give the card back now that I have it, but I do not think I would have even bid on it if I knew it was damaged.  I would have went for something else.  I am just glad it looks mint from the front of the card.

Thanks again!

That sounds like a good email.  I think asking for a partial credit is fine.  Then the ball is in thier court and they can offer the percentage back that they think is fair.  I always think that sending positive friendly emails is the way to go.  Hopfully they will be receptive.  Good sellers are always willing to help the customer. ;D

Okay, I sent it and offered her to see a scan if she wanted.  I also told her I was happy with the uniqueness of this swatch, but probably would not have bid as much if I knew about the damage.  I also told her that I understand it may have got to her this way, but she did tell me it was in mint condition, yet this damage is very visable (especially to a card collecter, but I did not say that).  I will let you know what she says.  Luckily, it did not cost much money, so if she will not give me a partial refund, that will be okay.  I mean, since I smoothed it back with my finger, it looks better, but you can definitely still notice it.  I just hope she does not think I am too demanding by asking for a partial refund, but I let her know that i do not want to send the card back, since I do like the swatch so much.  I also thanked her for the fast shipping and good packaging.

I will keep you all posted.  Thanks for your help! ;D

Thanks :)  Mike has informed me that it's from Hermione's wand (and he would know ;) ). 8)

Oh Anna, I am sure that makes you thrilled!!!!!!!  Are you?

I got a response today.  She has offered a full refund if I send it back, or, 20% if I keep it.  She apologized and told me it was straight from a pack, and that she normally sends back to Artbox any damaged cards she pulls.  I let her know that I am greatful she wants to help, and i am sorry that I needed to bring something like this to her attention, but I do like the swatch and do want to keep it nonetheless, even if it means getting another library prop at some point just to have one in mint condition.  I told her the 20% would be perfect.  What do you all think?

My husband is home today, so I might try to get him to take a picture of the damage so i can show all of you.  It isn't horrible, but definitely not mint.  I would also like to show the seller, just so she knows I am not trying to pull one over on her.  After all, she is kind enough to refund me something.  Of course, our computer at home is so slow, you might not see the picture until tomorrow.  I am not kidding.

That's great news!  I had a feeling it would work out. ;D

Here are the pictures of the damage.  It doesn't look that bad in the pictures, but you can imagine.  Anyway, she already refunded me and did not ask to see a picture.  So here are the pics I took.  Let me know if I should send any, and if so, which one.  Also, what do you think?  Was it worth writing to her about?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/rns91294/DSC00223.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/rns91294/DSC00221.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/rns91294/9c9759e1.jpg)

Its not on the side the swatch is so thats a good thing. Its your choice to go and send her a message. I dont think it looks bad. Thats how my Wanted Poster was and I'm fine with it because it didnt effect the swatch or ruin the card as much.

She already refunded me money, so that is good.  But it is not the side I am upset over, it is the corner.  Now, remember, I took my finger to smooth it down.  It was bent over much more, and was twice the white showing in the corner as there is in these photos (I wasn't about to bend it back that way just for the pictures).

That is not a mint card.  The seller did the right thing by giving you a partial refund.

I'm very glad you received a partial refund on the card Sara :)

I agree with Anna ... that's certainly not what I would describe as 'mint' ... 'good condition' maybe but nothing more favourale than that. The corner is a mess no doubt about it and if you wanted to send her a photo then I'd send her the middle one of the three ~ you've got a good clear shot of the damage. If you do decide to send one it will also show the seller that you aren't taking him/her for a ride and that you're sincere in your complaint. ;)
It does look as though it's been crammed into a holder without a soft sleeve to protect the corners or edges and the fact that she's refunded you sight unseen makes me wonder if she knew  the card wasn't in the condition she stated in the auction?
(Or maybe it's me just being suspicious!) ::)
I'm glad you got a partial refund with little fuss, so although the card wasn't quite up to the standard you expected, at least it shows the seller is good at responding to emails and putting things right ... so I wouldn't write them off to buy from in the future.
That's my take on it, for what it's worth! ;D

I wondered the same thing!

Sara, how about a picture of the front of the card?  The one in the auction isn't very good.

I say go ahead and send her a picture of the damage.  That way, if you ever want to buy from her again, she'll know that you were truthfull and not one of those "impossible to please" buyers.

I think that Kelly has the right idea... its nice to keep the air friendly in the Ebay market, especially if you are likely to deal with them in the future

I also agree. You might get a better deal next time ;)

The card wasn't in a top loader.  It was shoved in to a penney sleeve, but being a bigger card it was a very tight fit.  Then, she had taped two top loaders together on either side of the card to keep it sturdy.  It was packaged well, I will admit that.

Now, the pictrues are in photobucket.  If I wanted to send a picture to her through my yahoo email, how do I attach a photobucket image?  And ideas?

I am glad you all agree that it was not mint and deserved the partial refund.  I am still sad it is not mint and am now debating if I should buy another one or not too, but I will not get rid of this card.  I will try to get a better picture of the swatch for you all, but it will take time.  I think it took my computer 2 hours to download those images.  I know, I need to start paying for good internet, huh?

Any ideas how to send pics through photobucket?  Or should I just forget it since the seller never asked to see the damage and just took my word for it. Thanks!

Sorry I have only just got the hang of Emails - attachments are still light years away  :-[  If you really want the seller to see the damage couldn't you send them the link, like you would on the Yak Shack?

But I wouldn't worry too much.  This sounds like a great seller and they know you are telling the truth  ;D

I guess I could just send the link.  There are just three different choice in photobucket and I wanted to avoid sending all three.  The one I use to post in the forum are the ones that start with [IMG].  But if you don;t think I should even worry about it, I will just move on.