Sick about this.... ebay rant

[drquest]

So I bought a vintage Captain Action Phantom costume, in the original box original stringing etc... Box had wear. It was missing most of the original clear window, the mask had fallen off at some point as well. Neither of those were deal breakers for me, new plastic for the window and pop a mask on it that I had in a box, done right?

Well the mailman dropped a package at my door and I knew the almost 50 year old Captain Action set was supposed to arrive that day. I was expecting a box, but what I found was a large padded mailing envelope.

My shoulders dropped.....

Upon opening it, this is what I found:



Obviously this box is now in three pieces, 4 if you count the part that came off on the back as well.

This wasn't a Post Office issue, this should never have been stuffed into a padded envelope.

The seller is being good about it, and it's leaving my house today going back so I have no feeling I won't be getting my money back, but I would rather have the boxed Phantom. I can't believe this thing lasted almost 50 years and it's been destroyed. The inner card and contents are fine, so it will probably live again in someone else's collection.

[palitoy]

This is how I looked when i saw this.



Been there but it never fails to bug me when I see it.

[Mr.Marion]

You would think that the seller would pack with care an item someone paid a few hundred dollar for, but you can't teach common sense.

I've bought comics multiple times that weren't bagged and boarded. Sleeping with my wife would make less upset than doing that.

[enyawd72]

You can't fix stupid. I've had sellers shove mint carded and boxed items into a box that's SMALLER than the item they're shipping!
Sometimes, if I could b*tchslap somebody over the phone I would.

So sorry this happened.

[palitoy]

The worst feeling in the world is knowing what's inside when you first see "it".

[Gorn Captain]

I once received a figure in a cereal box. My address written on the outside of the box. The figure rattling around inside the box, no padding or anything.
There are some insane people on the internet...

[Earth 2 Chris]

I've had a few instances like this, but this takes the cake. Wow...it is sad to think it survived in decent shape all those years to end up like this.

Chris

[Hedji]

The Cap'n deserves better.

[drquest]

Sorry for be downer with it, and bringing it here to show but I've been ill since it arrived, and my wife and kids understand, but don't "understand". It just irritates me that someone would think this was ok.

It wasn't a $20 item, obviously it's was several hundred dollars, please treat it as such.....

[Mikey]

If it's any consolation the seller will get bit on the behind the next time he try's to sell it.

His "boxed" Phantom is now loose (thanks to him)

[sprytel]

Oh, gosh... I am so sorry. That is terrible.

It is a supply and demand thing with me. While you can put a price tag on the item, the fact is... there are only so many left in the world, and now there is one less.

And it is not like the seller can claim ignorance... like the mom that unknowingly throws out the priceless baseball card collection. The seller knew enough to list it on eBay. He knew it was valuable based on how much it sold for. So for him to be so thoughtless when shipping the item is really inexcusable.

[GlobalObserver]

I once received a figure in a cereal box. My address written on the outside of the box. The figure rattling around inside the box, no padding or anything.
There are some insane people on the internet...

I remember you posting about that years ago.

[Neutron X]

Oh Dude! Been there..... so sorry but it can be fixed. I have had the same thing happen to me several times. I always ask if it will be shipped in a box and offer extra postage to seller. If you need some hints on repairs let me know.

[ZMOQ]

Ouch, sorry to see that. Actually, based on a recent bad experience, here's a few things I'd learned as both a buyer and a seller.

As a seller: If you intend to use a padded (or non-padded) envelope to save the buyer on mailing cost, be sure to state that in the auction. Offer the buyer the opportunity to receive the item in a box at additional cost. That way, there's no nasty surprises.

In anything that can be broken or damaged if folded, write "DO NOT BEND" on the mailer. Even if it's a record album and it should be a no-brainer for the USPS not to fold it, you'll never know how dumb they can be.

If the auction ends and you got an unexpectedly high price for it, insure the item at your own cost, just for your peace of mind. The extra 3 or 4 dollars can make a difference between you keeping a tidy profit, or an upset buyer who demands a refund.

As a buyer: If the seller does not state how the item will be mailed, ask! Especially if it's rare or fragile.

[drquest]

Oh Dude! Been there..... so sorry but it can be fixed. I have had the same thing happen to me several times. I always ask if it will be shipped in a box and offer extra postage to seller. If you need some hints on repairs let me know.

It's been shipped back already and my refund has been received. It just bothers me mostly that this boxed set died....