Brand new, sealed 1989 Gameboy just opened and doesn't work. Help!
I just sold a brand new, sealed Gameboy DMG-01 on ebay for $499.99. It sold within about a week. The box was damaged and the wrap was torn in a few areas.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141527352863?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649
Anyways, I get an email from the buyer. He opened the box to play the Gameboy... and it is not working properly. My listing states that I will refund only if box is unopened. But I never imagined that someone was going to open the box!
Apparently, there is a problem with the screen not being dark enough. Even with the contrast dial up all the way, it is not dark enough to see the gameplay very well. Also, there are two white lines on the right of the screen. He says he has used brand new batteries and tested multiple games with the same result.
I am hoping to find a solution instead of dealing with an ebay claim or refund now that this has been opened. He should be sending pictures soon. Help greatly appreciated! I am new to the site and am really enjoying it so far. I collect Gameboy and Super Nintendo. Thanks, Neill.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141527352863?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649
Anyways, I get an email from the buyer. He opened the box to play the Gameboy... and it is not working properly. My listing states that I will refund only if box is unopened. But I never imagined that someone was going to open the box!
Apparently, there is a problem with the screen not being dark enough. Even with the contrast dial up all the way, it is not dark enough to see the gameplay very well. Also, there are two white lines on the right of the screen. He says he has used brand new batteries and tested multiple games with the same result.
I am hoping to find a solution instead of dealing with an ebay claim or refund now that this has been opened. He should be sending pictures soon. Help greatly appreciated! I am new to the site and am really enjoying it so far. I collect Gameboy and Super Nintendo. Thanks, Neill.
Comments
Buyer has a CiB Game Boy
Buyer Buys a Sealed Game Boy
Buyer "Claims" he opened it and instead kept it sealed. Makes the CiB look as much alike as the Sealed and puts in claim..
Buyer request refund and sends you the CiB....
Major Profit
There is NO WAY I would refund this no matter what eBay and Paypal said. You need ot be polite but explain the situation/collect-ability and nature of the item. Ask them why they would spend $500+ on a sealed Game Boy just to open and play it when they could buy a opened CiB for under $100... Explain all this to eBay and Paypal too. He IS trying to scam you. Request pics of every inch of the Game Boy and contents. Hows his feedback and account age? You shouldn't have a problem winning this if you do your homework!
The first thought going through my head is fraud. Why would anyone buy a $500 sealed game boy to play? Why not buy a cheap used version??? This really irks me for some reason
I took tons of photos (extreme hi res) with my digital camera. So, if he sent it back I should be able to tell if it is the same box. The only problem is that I have no way to tell what is inside. This box has no serial number on the outside that would correspond to the system inside.
I did mention in the description that I would only accept returns if unopened. I had no earthly idea that anyone was going to open this to play. I was shocked. I was hesitant to sell this in the first place due to the condition of the box.
Was the problem with the dim screen a common issue? How is that fixed?
Tell him, I clearly state I will not issue a refund if the box was opened, as it was a collectors item meant to stay sealed, IMO of course. (Then if you want tell him: i will send you a replacement gameboy to use that i know works for sure for free).
. Do this !
Originally posted by: neill543
Thanks for the replies so far. My first instinct told me it was a scam. But I realize there are a lot of people with tons of money and that $500 means nothing to them.
I took tons of photos (extreme hi res) with my digital camera. So, if he sent it back I should be able to tell if it is the same box. The only problem is that I have no way to tell what is inside. This box has no serial number on the outside that would correspond to the system inside.
I did mention in the description that I would only accept returns if unopened. I had no earthly idea that anyone was going to open this to play. I was shocked. I was hesitant to sell this in the first place due to the condition of the box.
Was the problem with the dim screen a common issue? How is that fixed?
I would tell him you will send him a working GB for free.
Should cover any issue.
Also, if you say No returns if opened you are fine, especially on an unopened vintage item from 20 years ago.
At this point, I am assuming that he opened it to play. I am not going to offer a refund. Who is ebay most likely to side with on this issue?
he opens it. he keeps it.
XD
I made a phone call to ebay earlier today before the refund was requested. I was on hold for 15 minutes and had another 15 minute conversation. The rep was clearly not native-English speaking. I was very dissapointed with her take on the situation. She did not grasp the concept that this is a collector's item. I made the reference to sealed action figures and she did not comprehend any of it. Her response was, "How was the buyer supposed to know if it is working without opening it?"
First of all, I believe this is fraud and mentioned that numerous times but she ignored it every time. I just do not understand how I can clearly state "Returns accepted only if item is still unopened in same condition" but then the buyer expect a FULL refund after opening it.
The buyer has now requested a refund through ebay. Reason: It's defective or doesn't work. I have until Jan 23 and then ebay will step in. I will not be accepting a return on this. I have been buying/selling on ebay since 1999 and this is the first major problem I have ever had. But now that there is a problem, does the seller have any protection or support?!?
How am I supposed to warranty an item that I have no way of testing? What if someone were to open a VGA graded Gameboy and play it and it didn't work? This whole situation is very frustrating.
"I have found a way to avoid having to deal with overseas CSA's.
Always call during normal business hours as calls after business hours are going to be sent overseas.
If and when you get an agent with a heavy accent, stop the conversation, apologize to the agent, inform them that you have a hearing impairment which makes it difficult for you to understand them and request that you be transferred to the US Customer Service Team."
I believe the USA Call Center is in Utah, 1-801-545-2276 (no idea where that number goes)
I had a similar situation with a guy from the US buying a sealed SNES game from me for ~300$. He received it, was happy with it, then sent me ridiculously small resolution pictures of the corner of the box. He said it was received damaged and without shrinkrwap, and requested a full refund.
I explained the situation to him and eBay, but they agreed to give him a refund. At the very last moment though, they changed their mind for some reason and never took my money. This was clearly a scam and I believe they either got other complaints for the same buyer or did some research and realised it was a scam.
This was lucky for me, as I'm 100% positive he received his game the way I shipped it and is very happy with it. I will never again sell very expensive items on eBay, definitely not sealed items. If they're used and show wear/damage, the risk of this happening is drastically lower.