How Long is Too Long??

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:20 pm

Alright, not entirely sure where this would fit best; but since it hasn't actually escalated to the point of a "Buyer/Seller Beware" I figured this would work. I have TWO things going on here that I'm not sure how it would be best to handle.

Case #1

I'm currently waiting on a cel I purchased, for which the negotiations took most of the summer. Not an expensive cel, mind you, only $25. Still.

This was originally up on eBay, but I missed the auction and got in touch with the seller to see whether she was planning on relisting. Some time later I heard back from her. She wasn't planning on relisting at that point, but she'd be happy to sell it to me.

So... off goes the PayPal some three weeks ago.

After a week and a half or so had passed, I wrote to inquire about the status of things... which is my standard operating procedure. About this time last week I got a reply. "Oh" she says, "my mother had to go to the hospital and I totally forgot about all of my own stuff. I'm planning on taking the day off Friday to do that sort of thing. So sorry."

"No problem," says I, "but please send me a tracking number."

I didn't hear anything from the seller, so on Sunday I sent a little note to inquire whether the cel had hit the mailways as planned. No reply.

No cel, no tracking, no response to emails... What would you suggest?

Case #2

Fairly expensive cel is on hold at the Rubberslug shop. I made a downpayment of $100 in mid-August; and because this person could not accept credit card payments from PayPal I wanted to wait until my paycheck hit the bank to pull the rest out in "cash," as it were.

Because it's a pretty large sum, though, I figured I'd double-check with the seller before I sent it.

It's now a week since I sent the FIRST "are we good to go?" email to the seller. I've followed up with two others, both through regular email and the feedback system over yonder.

How long is too long? Do I start procedures to reverse these payments with PayPal?

I've never had this happen before. The weirdest thing was when a cel took a five-week-long detour courtesy of mixed up mailing labels, and even that worked out ok. I don't want to come across like a twerp, but there are other things I could do with those funds... like give 'em to the Red Cross, or the Lynxa no Pantsu fund!

Advice? Experience?

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:15 pm

Poor Baakay....

That stinks.....

I have no idea what you should do but I just want to say I am sorry what happened and you have to deal with this mess.....

Plz keep me updated what is going on

PS.... Maybe if you post the sellers' names it might help? Since cel collecting is such a small community so that the sellers might realize youo are really looking for them?

RahOtaku · Post by **RahOtaku** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:39 pm

On the $25 one... I wouldn't worry about much...

Give it another week before Telling her that you'd have to start contacting your Credit card company and Paypal if she doesn't give you a tracking number....

It doesn't matter if it hasn't arrived... all you want to ask for is a tracking number.

It is possible that her mom got sicker... or even she's at a funeral.

And on the $100+ item... Maybe wait for 2 weeks then start asking for a tracking number.

But you have time with paypal. You don't need to worry until atleast 30 days have past since payment.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:39 pm

RahOtaku wrote: And on the $100+ item... Maybe wait for 2 weeks then start asking for a tracking number.

Well, in this case I haven't sent her the rest of the money yet. I just really didn't want to send several hundred dollars to some one unless I knew both she, and the cel, were actually still out there

I was just looking, I think, for reassurance that its a good idea to wait for contact?

Sugarflower · Post by **Sugarflower** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:16 pm

Do you know where the second seller is located? I wondering if they were affected by Katrina in any way?

If I had to wait that long then I would be getting impatient too. Especially when they just can't take a few measly minutes to reply to your email. I hope things start to look up for you very soon Baakay!

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:16 pm

Do you really think you will have to?

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:30 pm

Sugarflower wrote:Do you know where the second seller is located? I wondering if they were affected by Katrina in any way?

If I had to wait that long then I would be getting impatient too. Especially when they just can't take a few measly minutes to reply to your email. I hope things start to look up for you very soon Baakay!

Yeah, that's my concern. And, well... I did post on Rubberslug asking for any info about her -- it's kiki00 and her gallery is called celdom. If that's what's happened then by golly any money of mine she has she may keep with my wholehearted blessings, you know?

But I'm ignorant as to how to check such a thing there...

If NOT, then... darn it, take the 30 seconds

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:31 pm

Do you really think you will have to?

Fever's Break · Post by **Fever's Break** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:18 am

Baakay wrote:And, well... I did post on Rubberslug asking for any info about her -- it's kiki00 and her gallery is called celdom.

Unless there are two celdoms, I bought a rather expensive Bebop cel from her also from the Rubberslug shop not too long ago. As I remember, she wasn't the best communicator but I did get my cel as promised. She's located in Japan. Hope that helps.

Is it just me or does there seem to be more trouble lately buying/selling cels? There have always been a few bad apples but man I am sick of all the people who don't follow through with transactions or just make them difficult.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:19 am

Woot!

The first case solved! Cel is on the way, confirmation number in hand.
Me be happy

I'll try again on the other one... if she's in Japan she might have been having storm-related issues too, so I'll just keep the fingers crossed! Thanks for the info.

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:53 am

Baakay wrote:Woot!

The first case solved! Cel is on the way, confirmation number in hand.
Me be happy

COOL

I am glad to hear

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:26 am

Regarding Case #1 Baakay, was that involving 'Kath' by any chance? The background sounds similar as I bought 2 cels from her in July and they were never sent- until today (allegedly). She promised a refund on my shipping which is good of her. If this isn't the same person, rest assured that you're not the only one who's had a similar problem

As for Case #2, I'd wait till the weekend then try to get your money back through Paypal. If you've tried to contact the seller several times, there's nothing else you can do so you need to think about protecting your own interests.

Which leads me to ask- has anyone heard from Stephanie (Ashenfairy I think)? I bought 2 Mezzo cels from her in July and haven't heard back from her OR received anything in the post. Tried emailing several times directly and through her shared RS site Feedback form, Acetate Addiction.
If she's around and you're in contat with her, please remind her of my order! Thanks.