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I have sold a high end set to someone on ebay and they are convinced that I have opened the set. It is a little odd I have to admit but I don't check every tab on every Lego set that I buy for myself or to sell.
The issue is that on 1 of the tabs a second identical sticker has been placed on top of the first sticker (fractionally to the side).
Also the set has 2 different batch numbers on the tabs either side of the box which I have never noticed before on a set. I side has 2 stickers with the number 45S9 and the other side 2 stickers with the number 46S9. I had a live chat with someone from Lego about the number differences and they said it was most likely that the set was part packed in 1 area and then finished off in another area but in the same factory.
The other issue the person has is that when they opened the set 2 of the 3 instructions booklets were inside each other and the other instruction book had the sticker sheet in them.
Whilst they have not openly said it I am basically being accused of opening the set, putting 1 instruction book inside the other, putting the stickers inside the other instruction book and then sealing the set back up. I have somehow then obtained or reproduced and identical Lego factory seal and placed it over 1 of the tabs.
CRAZY SCENARIO I KNOW!
I have built sets of this era where instruction books have been inside each other and not always all of them. The only explanation I can think for the double sticker is that 2 have been placed instead of 1 on the assembly line by mistake (by a machine presumably).
What I would like to know is has anyone every had a double sealed tab (2 stickers on top of each other) or had a set where it has 2 different batch numbers?
No matter what I say this person is adament I have defrauded them which having sold Lego sets for 10 years relatively hassle free is now driving me nuts!


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I'm sure when you get the set back, it'll be filled with MegaBloks. That should be exciting!
@SumoLego if it comes back I'm kind of expecting it to be sabotaged in some way out of spite. Maybe replaced with a Lepin set! : )
Sounds like the buyer is either hyper nervous or trying to cheat you. In either case, remain courteous and friendly in all communication.
If they are just nervous, I would ask them gently what is exactly their problem. If all the pieces, minifigs and instructions are there what are they worried about? How did you exactly cheat them in their opinion? What is exactly that they are not happy with? Emphasize that you have been selling LEGO for many years with many happy customers, and that you love LEGO too. Sometimes people are just half accusatory because they are nervous, or they have a buyer's remorse and try to wiggle themselves out of the transaction. If you are friendly and professional they will move on.
If you suspect it is a cheater, try to avoid talking about returning the set. If they are planning to cheat you and fill the box with garbage, you will have no recourse, and you will be out both the set and the money. Just remain very friendly, ask them what is their actual problem and hopefully they will change their mind about cheating you.
you probably got one with a hotfix packaged in since the initial release had a build error
I would like to say more about the transaction but I don't want to accuse someone of something I can't prove especially on a public forum. If you are curious you're welcome to PM me.
I'm not clear on what are they trying to achieve with these accusations. They have opened the set, and it seems they have full intention of building it. Why are they so hung up on how many sticker seals were on the box if everything is there? Is anything missing? Or damaged? Are they asking for a discount? Or are they wanting to send the set back? Or they are just grumpy for no reason?
The other original accusations were that the base board was placed upside down(?) and that the board was on 1 side of the box and the instructions on the other side with the bags in between. These accusations seem to have died over the various e-mails.
Wow, sounds like dealing with someone very fastidious and/or someone who just wants a discount. Are they convinced that every single piece in every single box is located at the exact same place? I would just keep replying to their messages in a timely manner to show good customer service and listen to their grievances without arguing. However unless they mention a specific figure they want as a refund, I wouldn't offer anything. Just keep reassuring them that this is normal and that you are a LEGO fan yourself with many happy customers.
If I were you I would put a phone call into EBay to get your side across to them early doors. Verbal is better understood than trying to ask them to interpret you mailing about double seals and batch codes etc. Explain it person to person. There is no claim as yet, but should there be (and it sounds like there might be very soon), eBay will have that memo left by their rep to hopefully get it across in English to the claim decider.
I'm speaking from experience. Good luck.
I wouldn't worry too much just yet. Phone eBay.
(I photographed a battered set of stickers. I've been told that the circular stickers were done away with a few years ago.)
His "proof" was that he asked 1 persons selling 1 on ebay about their set! He asked if I would accept a return (to which I didn't reply). He also was whining that the set wasn't worth it despite being about 35% less than any other comparable set on ebay and that he would have to sell it at a loss.
I explained that he shouldn't have opened it if he had doubts.
His "smoking gun" proof was that there was a finger print on the edge of the sticker sheet. In 1 picture he sent me the stickers are upside down laying in the instructions as found. The next picture the stickers are face up with a finger print on the edge of the sheet.
Just my opinion. and I would say next time you sell something take good pictures of the seals and add that to the listing.