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Bad experience with eBay seller Bandersnark, also known as Snark on this forum.

Hi all,

here's a "nice" story about my recent experience with this person from Canada.

I bought the following The Cure cd from him:

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/The-Cure-signed-Pornography-autographed...?

He also listed this item at the Buy/sell group here: http://live.autographmagazine.com/group/free-autograph-buy-sell-tra...

I bought it, thought he could be trusted since he also listed here. To be sure, I asked Roger Epperson's opinion a few days later (stupid, I know) and he said: "afwul item and not even close".

I asked Snark to refund me, off course after I sent the item back to him. I did the item (even unopened) back to the post and sent it back the 9th october (I have a recipe of the shipping costs I made, but of course this has no value).
I mailed Snark and he only said: "I hope you used tracking, because otherwise there is no guarantee I will ever receive the item back". I already saw the problems coming: he immediately covered himself by asking if I used tracking. I knew that I would never get a refund.
I also asked him to refund my shipping costs because that seems logic to me. His answer: "nice try, why would I do that?".
Maybe less common but I also asked him to refund the 15 dollar I paid for Roger's opinion. To me this seems logic too, I refer to his description on eBay: "I guarantee that these autographs will pass authentication by Roger Epperson".
Seems this phrase has no value at the end.
He also states that "further details of signing will be given to the buyer". I haven't receveid any details because I'm 99,9% sure he wasn't there when the cd was signed.

I didn't answer him and let it go for a few weeks, because off course I didn't use tracking. I just posted the item the normal cheapiest way, and never ever had any problems with this way of posting in all the transactions I did (all sort of items from all over the world). 20 days later he didn't receive the item so that's impossible. I'm 99,9% it's already collecting dust in his house.
His last mail states: "let us be honest, if you are trying to get a refund, you should have used tracking".
Maybe the item is still on its way, but I don't believe in fairytales.

But in the end, he'll say shortly with a smile that it's his word against mine. It's easy to cheat on people far away from overseas. I know I'm right, I'm just a music lover searching for genuine items, nothing more, nothing less. I rely on the honesty of traders when I do transactions.
Another lesson in the autograph hunting for me, and maybe other buyers will think twice if they want to buy something from him.

Tags: bandersnark, ebay, snark

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 2:40pm

Hmm, immediately banned without investigation -- that is the making of a one-sided affair.

'the accused is always guilty.' Right.

Permalink Reply by Null on October 29, 2014 at 2:51pm

From an outsider's perspective your attitude and way of going about this makes it very obvious that you are indeed ripping Bjorn off, who is a a great contributing member here.

Of course, you will never admit that, you will simply claim it was "lost in transit" because he failed to provide tracking info. Once Roger verifies that Bjorn indeed did contact him for his opinion, and that it is indeed junk, then it is even more obvious as there is no way Bjorn would hold on to a junk fake.

But whatever floats your boat mate, there are miserable pieces of s*** who rip people off and steal their hard earned money all the time. You aren't the first, and won't be the last.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 3:00pm

"very obvious' - I will save that statement for when marking term papers. How, exactly? Be sure to back up your claims on how my manner of conducting a refund with Bjorn is compromised?

My attitude reflects not receiving an item 'claimed' to be returned. I never stated I would not refund the item. Rather, I asked for it to be tracked in order for the transaction to go smoothly.

Permalink Reply by Null on October 29, 2014 at 2:23pm

If you paid with PayPal just open a case and you can get your money back that way...

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on October 29, 2014 at 2:48pm

For me it is clear that Bjorn now realises he should have used tracking and will do in the future as anyone should and always use PayPal as others have said. The bigger problem is the item itself. I don't know The Cure as well as others so would like others here to comment on the authenticity of the item.

However; if you say something will pass a particular authenticator and it doesn't then it calls into question the seller and their integrity. You say Roger will not answer questions on 2013 era Cure items but then say the item will pass his authentication. Why would you say this if you say he would not answer questions or give opinions on this era?

I welcome others who know The Cure as to the item itself.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 2:54pm

I asked Roger twice in a discussion on this forum about his knowledge on 2013 era Cure autographs. This was after the authenticity was denied by Bjorn. See 'The Cure, Again' discussion for further details.

Permalink Reply by Null on October 29, 2014 at 2:57pm

It doesn't matter if Jesus Christ said it was real or fake, if the item was returned, a refund should've been given.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 3:05pm

It wasn't returned; you overlook that fact. I did not ever state I would not give a refund.

The issue is that when an item has not been received, it is certainly difficult to issue a refund. Correct the above statement if it is incorrect.

Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on October 29, 2014 at 3:16pm

You were the one who listed Roger as a "guaranteed" to pass his inspection. You put that on the listing on eBay. How can you THEN question Roger when he says it is junk? You should make right and give him his money back regardless if he sent it or not. Why make yourself look bad as a seller and cost yourself potential clients who may have purchased from you? Some guarantee! You real need this much negative attention over $100?

Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on October 29, 2014 at 3:21pm

EBAY full of sellers like this.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 3:52pm

why would a refund be given regardless of the item being sent? That is referred to as 'extortion.'

Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on October 29, 2014 at 3:58pm

Because the person you guaranteed would say it was authentic said it was trash. If you were to get it back would you THEN tell the next potential buyer that it will pass PSA, but not Roger? No one will wish to purchase it after your guaranteed authenticator said it was not real.