My dilemma

[e30318is]

As some of you know I have bought a MOC that had additional damage the seller did not disclose (Whether he noticed it or not)
I have had an email offering me a full refund, however I don't know what to do- I have requested a partial refund of about 20% of the purchase price. He has flat outright refused this.
My problem is that the MOC in question is quite a tough one to find. I don't know when I have the chance to buy another as they rarely come up for sale.
So my options are
1) Keep the figure and just live with it, absorbing the loss
2) Keep the figure and maybe flame the seller
3) Return the figure and get my money back

I haven't been in this position before and so I would appreciate some opinions of more seasoned collectors of what the "correct" thing to do is.
I understand this boils down to a personal choice, I just want to make sure the seller isn't taking advantage of the situation

 

[edd_jedi]

Hey Ed, personally if it's a piece you really like and is really tough to find, I'd keep it. Damage never really bothered me with MOCs, I think it adds character. I've never been one of these anal 'everything has to be AFA 90' collectors though :lol:

As for flaming the seller, only if you think he's deliberately mislead you. He's offered you a full refund so isn't all bad.

 

[itfciain]

To be fair - I don't think flaming the seller will do much, as most of us know who he is, how difficult he has been to deal with and that he is getting out of the game

I am probably with Edd on this one - although I always look to buy my MOCs with a view that if worst came to the worst I would be able to sell them on, the whole point in collecting is to get items that you want.

I think that the seller should at least make a token refund to you (at least the money he would have had to refund you for postage back) - but knowing this seller, maybe he won't

 

[Lee77]

Hi Ed. I don't think there's an easy answer. If it was mine, the damage would piss me off. You need to weigh up what a minter one would cost against the value of yours. If you found one at a later date, would you be able to sell yours at a decent price? Personally, I think instead of displaying it and enjoying it, your gonna think of the damage whenever you see it.
I agree with Iain about Klaus. It's not gonna achieve much moaning about him. Due to the amount of stuff he's sold and the fact he's getting out, his sales and packaging skills have been **** at best. I think you said you paid 300 for it, so the least he could do is refund £50. Especially when you think of the postage he will have to pay to have it returned.
I liked his Luke stormie, but with his feedback, I'm not paying that amount to him for it to arrive damaged.
I had a quick scout around earlier, but could only find an AFA 80 on the same as yours. But it's £800 obo!
I hope you get it sorted.

 

[e30318is]

Thanks for all your opinions guys, I think I will chalk it up as a loss and keep it.
I have no intention of selling the majority of my collection, however I like to think I will at least break even when I do. I suppose if I keep it over five years and it sells for a £100 less than I paid it has only cost me £20 a year to own and appreciate. It does look frigging awesome on display!!

Just leaves a bitter taste as I paid the price he asked for a supposedly sealed bubble. :roll:

 

[Starzone]

Just to add my thoughts...

I think you got the figure for a good price and I don't really see that as damage, I think it's more than likely a flaw.

I'm guessing the seller would like you to return it as in hindsight he knows he could have gotten more for it.

I'd keep it and be happy with it

 

[sith-smith]

I'd agree.

Consider how likely you are to get a mint one at the price you paid?

Sometimes in collecting with those rare pieces you have to accept less than perfect. Though it would be annoying if it wasn't fully disclosed...any chance there could have been an oversight on their part? Offering to refund is at least something decent on their part.

 

[e30318is]

That's how I have rationised it- I won't get another for the same price.
It could well be a factory flaw, who knows?
Your right Darren- one of the reasons he sights for not giving me a refund is he had lots of interest in this moc when it went up for sale.
Thinking about it I am still really happy with this one

So Gary and Darren, are you going to mem?

 

[Dom]

Have to agree with the others, if its that rare and the price isn`t that bad then hang on to it.

 

[silver grin]

Yeah got to agree with the rest on here Edd. If he's refused a 20% discount then i'd definitely keep it. Like Lee said, his reputation has taken a battering so flaming him won't solve anything and it won't fix that bubble! Be happy and enjoy an excellent piece!

 

[Grant_C]

Keep it!

 

[edd_jedi]

Can we see it? I have no idea what you're talking about :lol:

 

[e30318is]

Can we see it? I have no idea what you're talking about :lol:

:lol: :lol:

Its this beauty.....

I have decided to keep it and take the loss, I am still over the moon with it, it looks great with the other Jawas on the wall 8)

 

[edd_jedi]

Wow, very cool piece! Don't think I've seen one before. I agree that's a tricky one for the seller, that's almost certainly a factory error. A bit like the bottom stem of 12 backs are never sealed properly. I'd still consider that fully sealed.

 

[e30318is]

Cheers Edd! Its a stunner aint it 8)

Have you noticed how the bubble looks like it was hand cut by a five year old?!?

 

[Joe]

It is a very nice MOC regardless Ed, keeping hold of it was probably for the best - as others have said, would you have found a mintier one for the same price? It's better to have one that you can upgrade if you ever find another than not have one and run the risk of never finding one!

 

[edd_jedi]

Exactly Joe, you should have seen the state of the first tri logo Luke Bespin I laid my hands on! :lol:

 

[Starzone]

That's how I have rationised it- I won't get another for the same price.
It could well be a factory flaw, who knows?
Your right Darren- one of the reasons he sights for not giving me a refund is he had lots of interest in this moc when it went up for sale.
Thinking about it I am still really happy with this one

So Gary and Darren, are you going to mem?

Yes I'm going to Mem.....wouldn't miss it

 

[sith-smith]

Sadly I can't. Was planning to but the complications of life have gotten in the way.

Hopefully November though!

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

I will be ateending MEM early on the Sat! 8)