Suggestions on a not so great ebay auction

jdylak

Ok, I won and received a lot of 16lbs of Lego. I will start off by saying I have gotten cleaner Lego from my aunt's barn. I have spent almost a month now trying to get them clean and aired out as they smelt very dirty. I also had to sift thru and pick out the batteries, tacks, screws, pen caps, clumps of lint, and all that other stuff. I'm at the point now where it's like is this as described? The description never said anything about being massively dirty and such. Thing is I did mix in some parts and have built some things and all. But I put in almost a months worth of time (well some time each day) picking and cleaning this. I can't send it back as the auction states "no returns", plus like I said, I threw away all the junk and super bad pieces.

I have 7 days left to go thru ebay's buyer protection yet. Do I do that? I feel had I known they were this dirty I prob would not have bid. Or do I go thru Paypal?

Renegade007cjh

I would probably start by e-mailing the seller (or sending a note via eBay messaging), expressing your displeasure and saying how disappointed you are with your purchase. Give them a deadline to respond (normally a week, but in this case, you might be better giving just a few days) and then, if that passes, e-mail again saying you feel you have no choice but to escalate to eBay. eBay like you to have attempted to resolve the issue before they get involved... shame it's a bit late in the day.

Did you take any pictures of the stuff (before / during your sorts), as that can help your case.

CCC

> I'm at the point now where it's like is this as described? The description never said anything about being massively dirty and such.

Did they say it was clean or excellent condition? If described as "used" Lego without a condition, then that is what you have. Did they say roughly how much non-Lego there was in there or include photos? Did you ask any questions about condition before bidding?

jdylak

It was described as used. They had a photo but nothing looked bad. I didn't see any junk in the box in the picture. They had to have bagged the pieces up as they didn't arrive the way the picture was. That is why I didn't understand why the let batteries, screws, and all that other stuff in. I didn't ask about the condition but did ask if they just wanted to sell as it looked like a good lot for my son to play with. I am glad I opened the package before he did.

So if the description says just "used", you never know what you may expect? I didn't think I had to ask questions about how dirty/smelly something was or if it would come with corrosive batteries. But it said "used" so I got what I paid for, is that what you are saying?

Maybe I should call ebay. My wife had a similar situation with books. She bought a lot of used books but the came all smelly of smoke and some were like stained. She called and the person said to send them back to the seller. My wife said if she does that, the person would just sell them to someone else and the books were too gross. The ebay person said she was right and just refunded her. Granted that was 3 years ago but I always find it easier to talk to someone on the phone rather than filing complaints. Seems like I am also on the end of bad luck with Lego since coming back into the fold.

prof1515

If you threw away some of them, you're stuck with it.

As for future purchases, I advise against buying used Lego. Sure, some people get deals but some also end up like you. I've been where you are and quite frankly it sucks (I've had the same experience with books as well). If you can't personally inspect it, don't buy it used.

peterlinddk

Well - I'm not sure if you got anything other than what should have been expected. I always wash all the LEGO-bricks I buy that aren't new from the factory (actually I also ought to wash the bricks bought from the Pick-a-Brick wall in the LEGO-store, since you never know how many snot-nosed kids have been handling the bricks before you buy them.)

There is a thread somewhere about cleaning LEGO bricks, and also about sorting large batches, and it seems that almost everyone experiences that there are dirt, dust, lint, pieces of paper and plastic from other toys - and atleast one Hotwheels car - amongst all the LEGO.

I recommend washing everything, and then sorting through the collection to see if you can find some valuable sets - that usually cheers me up, that I (potentially) have earned money, eventhough I felt a bit let down!

jdylak

Wow, I didn't think this was normal acceptable practice to sell things this way but ok. Thanks for the advices.

AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz

I woud have gone to ebay because it seems to me the batteries, screws etc could have been used to increase the weight, or possibly it was bagged up by the child who played with them. If you had taken pictures of the bricks with the garbage you likely would have had a case with ebay, but at this point you have thrown away the evidence. I would contact the seller and see if he/she will off a partial refund, and if not I think you are basically stuck with the situation because you waited a month to deal with it!

Gardenom

every once in a while, you can score bulk legos on craigslist or a similar site (if youre in the US). that way, you can see the product before you purchase.

jdylak

She offered a partial refund, just told me to come up with a number. Being is she was polite and didn't say "screw yo", I told her whatever she feels like refunding, I'd appreciate it. I didn't threaten or do any calling yet. Just explained my situation. They sid the pieces came from an eldery lady's basement and didn't realize they were even dirty. So all good.

AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz

It's good you were abl to resolve it. I hope she's fair in her refund.