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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 4:10pm

By that same logic, that Epperson Zeppelin album failed by PSA is now compromised.

Refunds don't occur on items not returned. Perhaps you should look up 'extortion.'

Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on October 29, 2014 at 4:22pm

Epperson was an agreed upon authenticator, obviously since you said he was. Roger never advertised that PSA was agreed upon. So the logic is off just a little.

You are right though. That album will always have doubters since PSA rejected it. With it being on the internet and searchable will make it harder to sell.

Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on October 29, 2014 at 4:27pm

I don't completely disagree with you, except Roger is a reputable authenticator (one YOU used as a guarantee pass) you THEN question his skill after the fail. I just know that negative feedback turns me off from buying from a seller. I would suggest next time not guaranteeing a pass unless you get it authenticated yourself first (regardless if you were present for the signing) because you never know if PSA or Roger will like the way it looks.

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

Post a picture of the receipt, you may unknowingly have a tracking number. Some people in the US send items to me but don't realize they have tracking.

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on October 29, 2014 at 3:44pm

My other thought is that you now know it is a fake as the authenticator you trusted in the listing has failed the item. What would you do with the item when it got back to you, relist it or destroy it?

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 4:06pm

A straw man argument.

I obtained the autographs in-person. So no, I do not 'know it is a fake.'

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 29, 2014 at 4:41pm

He said, she said. I agree with Adam. A good businessman would have simply refunded the $100 and cut their losses. I had never heard of Bandersnark until this discussion was created. I can only hope that things work out for both parties involved.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 29, 2014 at 4:52pm

No competent person in business would simply refund without proper checks and balances. One without a spine, perhaps.

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 29, 2014 at 5:03pm

Too busy watching the World Series right now Buddy. I am sure that you have a spine, as do I. Stew Leonard may not have, but what does he know about being a businessman and satisfying the customer, right? Enjoy your evening.

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on October 29, 2014 at 5:00pm

Glad to see you left appropriate feedback Bjorn, so many do not and it at least warns others

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 29, 2014 at 5:46pm