eBay dilemma

Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
in Help Wanted!
I bought a limited edition Mario Sunshine bundle on eBay but the console won't read discs. It will power on, show the logo, then the disc will stop spinning. I tried multiple games and couldn't get one to work while they all worked on my regular GC. It was shipped from Canada and came well packed and the box is in good shape, so I have a feeling the thing was probably sold broken (and could have been done so unknowingly since it does power up). 



The issue I am facing is I would like to keep the box, but obviously don't want to pay full price for a broken GC. Is there a way I can ask for a refund without returning the entire thing or am I better off just requesting a refund and assume the seller will ask for a return?

Comments

  • PhearedPhoolPhearedPhool
    I was sold an earthbound and guide for a decent price. Upon arrival I saw that the earthbound was actually fake, contacted the seller who then let me keep the guide for free for the hastle. I just say that in if you tell the person what happened, you could work out a partial refund. It does happen
  • Bort License PlateBort License Plate
    I'd just tell them it didn't work and request a refund if you paid full price. You could try to get a partial discount and keep the box but they may not want to
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    It's just a bummer since the only thing that doesn't work is the GC itself. All the wires are Nintendo brand and the controller is in really nice condition.
  • Bort License PlateBort License Plate
    Originally posted by: Andy_Bogomil

    It's just a bummer since the only thing that doesn't work is the GC itself. All the wires are Nintendo brand and the controller is in really nice condition.




    If discs aren't reading I'd guess its an issue with the laser. I don't know if it's an easy fix but you should consider looking into that
  • CZroeCZroe
    Gamecubes are so cheap I'd just swap drives with another or replace the drive with one of those SD readers.
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil

    Originally posted by: CZroe



    Gamecubes are so cheap I'd just swap drives with another or replace the drive with one of those SD readers.





    Yeah, I could probably get another gamecube for $20, but the fact remains the guy still sold me a broken console. 
  • mickcrismickcris
    message the seller and explain what the deal is. im sure they probably would rather give you a partial discount than have you send it back. just tell them it would cost about $20 to fix so maybe they could give you a partial refund in that amount.
  • tsx222tsx222
    If you want everything else except the console itself and are afraid they will ask for you to ship it back, why not just suck it up and keep it. You can ask, but then they might want you to ship everything back and offer you a full refund. If you don't want to ship everything back, then the seller might start to "perceive" you as one of those "partial refund scammers or discount scammers" (not saying you are) that we read from sellers on here from time to time. It is a gamble, and is your call, but you like to gamble right?
  • IpsylosIpsylos
    Only bet is a partial refund for the gamecube. Filing a defect would mean you'd have to return everything. If the seller refuses or asks for a full refund only, then best bet is to keep it and see if you could clean/tighten the laser and see if it works. If not then yea, just buy another cube and replace it, perhaps neg the seller for selling broken stuff if it was listed as working.
  • jkenned5jkenned5
    You might have to return the entire package, depending on how much you spent he might let you keep the box if you send him back the console and accept a partial. If you value the box more then the gamecube you could always ask for just a small portion back to entice the seller to let you keep the box?
  • Nes FreakNes Freak
    request a partial refund and get another game cube plus 4.3 security screw driver and swap out the laser assembly. if you really want to keep it
  • darkchylde28darkchylde28
    To help your case, if you've got a smart phone, video camera, good webcam, etc., I'd take a video of you showing the system, putting a disc in, turning it on, then showing what happens on the screen. If you can keep the unit itself and the screen in the shot at the same time, I would do so. Then, I would message the seller, advise of the issue and tell them what you've told us--you'd like to keep everything, and can repair the defective system, but it will cost $xx.xx and you would like a partial refund versus returning the bundle. Depending on the size of the video, you might be able to attach it to the message via eBay's internal messaging, giving them access to it as well. If not, you could post it to YouTube, DropBox, etc., and just include a link in your message. Good luck!
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    The guy said he would do a partial refund to avoid shipping. He asked me what I think is fair. I paid $100 CAD for the bundle so I was thinking of asking for $35? Any suggestions?
  • Mega TankMega Tank
    Originally posted by: Andy_Bogomil

    The guy said he would do a partial refund to avoid shipping. He asked me what I think is fair. I paid $100 CAD for the bundle so I was thinking of asking for $35? Any suggestions?




    I am unfamiliar with shipping rates in Canada, but would $35 be more than what the return shipping would be? I do not see why a seller would pay more in a partial refund as opposed to paying less and just keeping the item for themselves.
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    Originally posted by: PDork87

     
    Originally posted by: Andy_Bogomil



    The guy said he would do a partial refund to avoid shipping. He asked me what I think is fair. I paid $100 CAD for the bundle so I was thinking of asking for $35? Any suggestions?







    I am unfamiliar with shipping rates in Canada, but would $35 be more than what the return shipping would be? I do not see why a seller would pay more in a partial refund as opposed to paying less and just keeping the item for themselves.





    Because I'm not shipping him a working console. It's not worth what I paid, so shipping, plus the now devalued item, it's probably not worth his time. And, yeah, Canadian shipping is pretty expensive (it's actually cheaper to send to the USA in most cases). It would probably cost $20 to ship it back. We'll see though, maybe he/she are thinking the same thing. They agree to a partial refund, but not a price yet. 
  • mkiker2089mkiker2089
    I personally think 35 is too much. It's still a limited edition that may just need cleaning or at worst a new laser. As a seller I'd offer 25 off.
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil

    Originally posted by: mkiker2089



    I personally think 35 is too much. It's still a limited edition that may just need cleaning or at worst a new laser. As a seller I'd offer 25 off.



    Thanks for the input. I would be fine with $25, I just got $35 as I figured it'd be worth about a 3rd of the purcahse with the box/inserts and then the controller and cables making up the other 2/3rds.



    I tried cleaning the laser and couldn't get it to work... I actually think there is something wrong with how the discs are spinning or lack there of.


  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    they ended up giving me the $35 back via paypal. Nice and quick resolution. Positive feedback was left.
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    Must be fate. I found an working platinum GC console with a matching controller and all the cords for $9.99 at Value Village this afternoon and I never find anything there.
  • mkiker2089mkiker2089
    Awesome. I've always wondered why someone can't find a way to make standard CD parts work. I realize it isn't super easy, but it has to be possible. I know for a while people were working on adding faster CDs to Neo Geo's so in some cases it's been done.



    Pretty soon we are going to have to either get creative with fixes or go emulation.
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