Selling Toys - Horror Stories & "Happy" Customers

Generally I've found that if someone has to send you an email about an item, then you probably don't want the sale. The best transactions involve no communication.
That's actually a good philosophy to live by here. I have found that the most problematic ones are the ones who asked a million questions before buying.
 
That's it.

The counter story to today is I had somebody yesterday ask if a figure was available.

What time.

We did have a little dance because I don't like people interrupting my dinner but that was the only time he was available.

He showed up as early as possible understanding that.

Sent the money before even telling me he even arrived. With the password.

Deposited it. Ran down. Handed it off. He said thanks.

Later on he sent me another thank you with a picture of the figure on his desk.

And yes this figure was on $50 man's list.
 
I get this more with something like Heroclix... but seriously who cares about the McFarlane DCM cards??

A few of these posts make me thing I was potentially dealing with the same guy lol

I had the McFarlane crowdfund BvS Batmobile for sale. I get like 4 messages asking me if the card is included (mind you, the listing said the item had never been opened and the pictures backed this up as well). Before I had time to respond, I received another message from him saying "nevermind, I bought one elsewhere, but bro you're selling this way too cheap. You gotta go higher."

I eventually replied and said "thanks." And left it at that. But he continued...he sent another message about how "these are going for twice what you're asking" (they weren't), and "the only ones in your range are without the card and nobody wants those. You gotta raise the price." I found this all amusing, so I replied and said "thanks, I'll keep it in mind." I never changed my price, ended up selling it a few days later.

3 weeks or so later, I get a message from him out of the blue. "Bro, what did you get for it?" I ignored him. "Bro, I hope you got twice what you were asking. I never saw your price go up, but hopefully you did."

Weirdest shit I've seen on ebay yet lol
 
I just had another happy customer lol Sorry in advance, a bit of a long one.

I was selling the Chaos Studio Darknight Vigilante (Dark Knight Returns Batman) and the matching Superman in a separate listing. Batman was $225 and Superman was $300-something. Both listed as like-new, but open and I even had provided the link to my youtube reviews so buyers could get a good look at these.

Anyway, after taxes and shipping, this guy who bought them both spent over $600. My cut, which ebay held for some reason until delivery, was $495. He sent me a message about how excited he was because I was the only USA seller he could find, the rest were all from China and "I don't trust ordering anything from China." His words.

Keep in mind, I refunded him $10 immediately for combined shipping. He had paid $15/ea for shipping and it only cost me $15 total to ship both together, so I gave him a small refund and pocketed a couple bucks.

The figures arrive at his house, so I send him a message following up stating "hey, I see they arrived safely. Thanks again for the purchase and enjoy!" I get a message back later saying "thanks...but unfortunately, Batman is missing parts."

This was odd to me, because everything was complete when I sent it. So I inquired.

"Parts? What parts is he missing?"

"A batarang."

(I immediately notice that "A batarang" is not the same as "partS", but ok)

Before I can reply, I get another message:

"He only has 7 batarangs, so I don't know what happened there."

After pulling my eyes back downward from seeing the back of my skull, I reply.

"Ok, looking at pics I see he's supposed to have 8. Those batarangs do not stay in the little plastic molding for them, so did you check all around the box? Make sure it's not hiding under a flap in the cardboard, or stuck inside one of the other accessories."

"Yeah, I looked. I just don't know what I'm supposed to do now. I was going to pose him holding 4 batarangs in each hand, and now I can't."

(my eyes roll back again, but I manage to maintain composure)

"That's a bummer. I didn't specifically count them, but they should all be there. I can send you a refund of $10 for the missing batarang, what do you think?"

2 hours pass. Eventually, a message.

"Sorry, how do I return this? I've never returned on ebay before."

I was shocked. Absolutely shocked lol

"Um...ok. So you want to return the Batman figure because he's missing one batarang? The listing states I do not offer refunds or returns. I can send you the small refund right now for the batarang if you like."

"No, this just needs to be returned. It's supposed to be complete and it's not."

[I double check my listing, it does not say anything about the figure being complete]

"Let me look around my work area and see if maybe it's hiding around here. Maybe it fell out when I was packing him up."

"Well let me know immediately because I don't want this if it's missing stuff."

"Well, it sounds like it's missing one piece of molded plastic about 4mm wide, but I'll take a look before we get crazy and you have to resort from ordering from China."


I got home from work and looked around. Sure enough, hiding under a camera strap on my youtube table, was the missing batarang. I took a picture of it, put it in a padded envelope and messaged him back.

"Good news! I found it! I'll get this mailed out to you tomorrow if you still want the figure. And if you don't, then it's going to be a lot of back and forth because I don't accept returns. Your call."

Another hour goes by. He eventually says "please wrap it carefully. I don't want any more missing parts."

I gave it a bit and replied "Good news is, it's only 1 part. So there won't be multiples of anything."

"Great. Please ship it immediately."

"You bet."

I went to Pirate Ship and got the absolute slowest shipping label I could find. I added 21+ Signature confirmation to it. Cost me a few extra bucks, but motherfucker will need to make sure someone is home now to get it. It's the only inconvenience I could impose on this guy.

Cancelling a huge order over 1 missing batarang...fuck outta here. The figures were immaculate, by the way. Gorgeous pieces. Multiple head sculpts, capes, accessories, the works. 1 fuckin batarang...
 
"Bro, I hope you got twice what you were asking. I never saw your price go up, but hopefully you did."
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3 weeks or so later, I get a message from him out of the blue. "Bro, what did you get for it?" I ignored him. "Bro, I hope you got twice what you were asking. I never saw your price go up, but hopefully you did."

Weirdest shit I've seen on ebay yet lol
I just sold the figure from my original story yesterday, at a price I was content with.

And no sooner had I marked it sold then that other seller messaged me get with the exact line of questioning.

The fuck.
I went to Pirate Ship and got the absolute slowest shipping label I could find. I added 21+ Signature confirmation to it. Cost me a few extra bucks, but motherfucker will need to make sure someone is home now to get it. It's the only inconvenience I could impose on this guy.

My kind of petty.
 
I try to avoid anyone who starts and ends sentences with "bro." When women do call me it it's even more odd to me. I feel like Mark Wahlburg in 3 Kings hearing about Saddam's stereo system. "Newest and best, newest and best!"
I have a very similar reaction. Also the guy who was in that and the Rise of Cobra movie as Breaker calling him 'my man'. "That's not even the worst part, my man."
 
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