Re: Major eBay mistake, was (Re: FA: Reference books, Salvation Supreme)

[Donald Lee <coach41@pacbell.net>]

Ebay is full of crap sometime.  Take a look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3363132240&category=41646

Looks relatively legit right?  Well, this video was being sold with the
same exact wording earlier this year.  I think it is the same "person"
selling it, but just under a different user name.  

Being a Knight Rider fan, I was foolish enough to buy it as it two of my
favorite episodes were on the tape.  

Well, I received it, I knew something was wrong right away.  The box
didn't have any copyright information on it.  The videotape label was
handmade.  

Then the shows themselves.....the first episode showed "Columbia House"
copyrights on it.  Columbia House has released certain episodes to be
sold through their club.  The second episode was WORST.  The quality of
the video sucked, it looked like it had been actually recorded from 1984
when the episode originally broadcasted.  The transitions when the show
went to commerical were cut so that should have given me a clue.  But
the final kicker?  As the episode ended and rolled to the closing
credits.....an voice over from NBC was promoting the next show coming
up...which was quickly muted.  

So much for Ebay's "policy" of not selling shows copied from TV!!!  The
seller was initially a bit "rude" when I pressed about the quality of
the tape and the so called promises that had been made.  However, I
gleamed their personal contact info (address/phone number) and I was all
about to contact them when the seller suddenly became nice and said I
could get a refund.  

I haven't had many problems with Ebay except for this one incident.  But
they are woefully inconsistent if they are giving problems over software
that may be legit when tapes like the one I bought are still being sold.

Donald



Sandra Warnken wrote:
> 
> a2@wilserv.com (Willi Kusche) wrote in message news:<5e7193b4.0311220933.3735ed75@posting.google.com>...
> > Hi, y'all!
> >
> > warnken@mother.com (Sandra Warnken) wrote in message news:<97885148.0311141048.13868c4d@posting.google.com>...
> > > Apple IIGS Firmware Reference
> > >  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2766165857
> > >
> > > Apple IIGS Technical Reference
> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2766168650
> > >
> > > Salvation Supreme for Apple IIGS
> > >  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2766157966
> >
> >     Looks to me as if Sandra has gotten a raw deal from eBay.  The
> > description for the "Salvation Supreme" item has been removed by eBay
> > so the evidence of the foul deed is no longer available.  I saw the
> > pictures of the software that Sandra posted, before the item
> > description was deleted.  The disks appeared to me to be original
> > copies of the software.
> >
> >     But eBay cancelled the auction claiming that the disks were
> > copies.  The worst part is that Sandra was threatened with being
> > kicked off eBay if it happened again.
> >
> >     Sandra hasn't been able to convince eBay that the software is
> > legit.  I've dealt with her before and found her to be an excellent
> > seller.
> >
> >     Just had to comment about this situation.
> >
> > Willi
> 
> Hi Willi,
> 
> I had another go around with eBay's customer no-service Jack.  Today
> he told me today he is tired of dealing with me.
> 
> The portion of policy the notice cited is
> http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/software-backup-faq.html    It's
> now clear he doesn't know the policy he was exhorting me to follow.
> 
> Last night I mucked around the rabbit warren of links on eBay to find
> the policy.  I can't believe how difficult it is to find things. I
> finally found the following.  The last sentence is the critical one
> which I sent Jack.
> 
> "As a matter of eBay policy "backup" or "archival" copies of any
> software may not be listed on eBay (including games software, whether
> on disk, console or cartridge). eBay is aware that sometimes you may
> lawfully make a backup copy of software, and in some rare instances,
> even lawfully sell that backup copy. However, even legally permissible
> copies of "backup" or "archival" software are not permitted on eBay.
> The policy does not affect the offering of original authentic copies
> of software."
> 
> I said in the very first letter to Jack the back ups were original
> disks from the manufacture.  I sent him the jpg I used which clearly
> shows the disks are original.  He did not respond to the picture.
> 
> Today he backed down a little, but still said don't do it again.  I
> have no idea how the threat to be kicked off if I do it again is
> handled.  I wrote in the customer survey that I feel less safe with
> this experience.  I work hard to maintain a good reputation by selling
> things that are accurately described.  I have been rewarded with
> customers who do their part as well.  We both have a good experience.
> Of course, I have to say that I've never had a problem dealing with an
> A2 fan found on any internet connection.  This sort of thing sours it
> with eBay.  I'll get over it.
> 
> Sandy