General Forum

Someone please tell me if I'm making something out of nothing here:  I buy a lot(100 or so) of Bowman 2013 Chrome on Ebay and no where in the description or title does it mention that they're mini cards (which I could care less about.)  I message the seller and let him know I'm not happy and his reply is basically, "I'll keep it in mind for next time, but no one else has complained."  I know that I'm just getting back into collecting so there's a lot I don't know, but this is wrong right?  Is it me?  By the way, it's not about the money, it wasn't a lot for them, the guys reply just irked me.

I would be pretty mad too.  I don't care for minis either but the point that he never clarified it is to me considered misrepresentation.  He may think its a harmless mistake, but somebody might buy from him and lodge a complaint one day and get him kicked off.  I would just not deal with him anymore if it bothers you so much.  I don't use EBay as much anymore, but on Listia a seller keeps posting cards listed as Gold cards when they aren't.  I commented on it and he said he changed it (it was a 1992 Topps he originally posted as a Gold Winners card), but the problem is its just the base card.  I saw it again yesterday and flagged it.

I'm very picky about who I buy from so the slightest thing keeps me from bidding.  I guess thats why I'm not on EBay much anymore (though I did buy something last night).  As for this case, I think you could file a complaint if you really wanted, but if your okay with it, I'd just let it go, knowing he was in the wrong.  Maybe post them on here if you don't want them and maybe someone will work out a trade.

I consider that misadvertisement on the seller's part.  

As a seller, I would usually refund the buyer and let that person keep the item for a situation like this.  If it was a really expensive item, I would pay for the buyer's return shipping costs in addition to a full refund at the least.

As a buyer, I would expect the same treatment if that seller wants to receive Positive feedback.  A partial refund would be Neutral feedback.  No refund would be Negative feedback.  Be sure not to mention feedback during your discussions, or Ebay will use it as grounds for feedback retraction.

"Buyer beware" is not an acceptable business principle in America today.  Basically, the seller sent you the wrong product in every sense of the word.  If I order Topps, don't send me O-Pee-Chee.  Mini is a different set from the regular set.  It's not a harmless mistake--and it's definitely not okay.  It's bad for our hobby.  We want to encourage people to continue collecting cards, not to quit collecting.  

I would also try to work something out with the seller, regardless of their response.  My goal as a seller is to have an accurate representation of the item I am trying to sell.  If the buyer is unhappy, I try to work with them to come to an agreement where we both win.  It doesn't always work, but I want my customers to be happy.  All sellers should.

I sell on Ebay and go out of my way to make sure the item is as described so there will be no problems with the sale.   Some people just don't care and I would not buy from them, especially the ones who don't put the word "reprint" in the title line.     The word "minis" should definitely be in the title line as this is not a "normal" card.

Yes, More than a few sellers omit valuable information. As much as I would hate to, I would eat the loss and consider it a lesson learned. The reason being, the frustration of trying to get the seller to do something about the issue (which he most likely won't), or getting eBay to do something (which they most likely won't), is not worth the aggravation. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but I have been there , done that. Now more often than not, I am shooting a question to the seller, if I have any, before I bid. If I am not thoroughly sure of what I am bidding on, I won't bid.

I'd file a claim. Nowhere in the description was "mini" mentioned - enough said.

RoundtheDiamond has it exactly right if you ask me.

Just piling on, I guess. If nowhere in the title or description does it say "mini," you've been had. And I hate that. Whether to pursue it to the end is your call. I'm not much into aggravation, myself. But a complaint to eBay and giving negative feedback, without the expectation of results shouldn't be too aggravating. 

When I sell on eBay, I always describe everything, take pictures of everything, and offer a full money back, including return shipping guarantee. That's my job as s seller. Alas, not everyone thinks that. 

V3

I agree. Generally the hassle and aggravation isn't worth it. Plus you have to pay to ship them back. I just ate a $25 "Silver Proof" that was nothing but a base card. I gambled on bad pictures on a site not knows for cards. They guy sounded like such an a-hole about it I just kept the thing. Figured I would never see my money back and be out $5 more to ship it back. Guy even told me this happens every time he sells one of the "proofs" from his set. I imagine it does since they are base cards. Cused me out and told me I ruined his Xmas. 
 

I did successfully return a non refracting refractor on eBay though. That honestly had no idea what they were doing and apologized and gave me a refund. But I still can't get my refund for an item the seller canceled on me after I paid. But overall I win more things listed wrong than I lose on bad deals.