So I ran into a situation on Ebay and have mixed feelings about it. Wanted to see if anyone else made some good points about it that pushed me one way or another.

 

So one of my general Ebay practices to get good deals on a set is the mass bid strategy (not really a strategy).  Anyway, I find a set that I like that has several auctions all ending around the same time in a weird period of the day meaning I have a good chance of snagging one of them at a stupid low price.

 

For example, last week I got a Sail Barge for $84 and a Republic Gunship for $82. Good stuff.

 

Anyway, because I am bidding a several sets at one time, I generally don't read through every word of the description. I may have to change this. I bid what the highest I would like to pay on every set and hope I win one.

 

Yesterday, I was doing this on some Epic Dragon battles. I got a message I won one. I looked at the listing - only sold for $58. Thought ti was weird, so I looked closer at the listing. Missing pieces. Damn. Missing a whole bag!

 

So why did I not see this?

 

Listing included a main stock picture as the gallery picture - basically looked like every other new listing. It was listed as New and the title said "Brand New Ninjaco Epic Dragon battle 9540". Sounded like straight up sealed set.

 

In the listing, it did become clear half way down it was missing some pieces. If I had read it, I would have known. However, the title and picture were pretty misleading. So I see it like this:

 

1. My fault - should have read the whole listing. I should honor the purchase and deal with my mistake.

 

2. Ask for and try to cancel it based on the fact that the listing was misleading. They violated "New" policy. Also, generally sellers describe it better in the title as "incomplete", "missing bags", etc. This was a fairly seasoned seller who should have known this.

 

So far, I just sent the Ebayer a message explaining the mistake and asking that they cancel the Purchase and explaining how they could offer a second chance offer to the second highest bidder. I have not heard back.

 

What do you guys think? Whats the best option?

 

PS: I considered what I would do as a seller in this situation. I would cancel the transaction knowing it was my fault for not being clear. I have made this mistake before.

 

Pay up. Ebay's buyer protection won't work for you here. It was clearly stated that the set was missing pieces and that is what ebay will stand with. Want to know how I know?

Want to know how I know?

 

Yeah!  Do tell.

Bag three doesn't have any minifigres so at least you get the bulk of the value.  

Pay up. Ebay's buyer protection won't work for you here. It was clearly stated that the set was missing pieces and that is what ebay will stand with. Want to know how I know?

 

Wrong! The item was listed as "new" - a brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item. Not only listed as new in the title but also in the item description. Clearly the item was opened otherwise it would not be missing pieces. I would not pay and open a case. Neg the seller if you can.

If y'all will read the thread (it's only two pages), you'll see this was all settled yesterday and the seller amicably agreed to cancel the listing. No need to keep beating the poor horse, he's dead. 

Since this is the sort of thing that comes up from time to time it may be worth talking about even though the particular case is settled. If title + main photo don't match up with what's in the listing, I'd never consider the buyer at fault. If the title says new but the featured picture shows what elements are missing, sure, you as a seller can at least fall back on that. But if you're a seller and you're deliberately burying the lede, you're asking for the kind of trouble that comes with a SNAD claim, an involuntary refund and a negative feedback for your trouble.