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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 Bjorn VDB on October 31, 2014 at 6:09am

We'll see Bjarne, these are exceptions and happen maybe 1/1000. Not hoping to get a refund anymore.

Permalink Reply by Snark on October 31, 2014 at 6:24am

Tracking is useful.

Permalink Reply by Null on October 31, 2014 at 7:11am

It is incredibly clear that Snark is going to ride this "no tracking" excuse all the way to the bank... At least you have warned others of the type of person Snark is, which in itself is worth $100.

This happens all the time on eBay and in the card trading world, which is why I personally will always pay extra for tracking if it's something I value it at more than $10.

All he is going to do is deny deny deny deny, point fingers, place blame elsewhere. It's just sad really that someone is that pathetic of a human being to begin with, AND has the time to come on here and lie even more.

Permalink Reply by Bjorn VDB on October 31, 2014 at 2:50pm

That's right Ryan. I'm sure the "tracking tactic" already came up with him the same minute I mailed him to say Roger didn't pass the item and I was going to return it. It was his only hope in the end, me not using that damn tracking :-).
Well, he now has 100 dollar AND an in-person signed genuine cd in his hands, he must be a satisfied human.

Permalink Reply by Snark on November 1, 2014 at 11:00am

If you wanted your money back, why would you not assure that the package would be tracked?

Permalink Reply by Snark on November 1, 2014 at 11:04am

you avoided tracking to make sure there wasn't a paper trail, and that you could attempt to extort $100.00.

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on November 1, 2014 at 1:04pm

In the same way you tried to sell a forgery for $100. Guaranteed it would pass Roger's authentication and it failed, does not say much for you as a seller and at least you have a negative feedback to warn others not to buy

Permalink Reply by Xwiesy on November 1, 2014 at 5:17pm

Snark, read your post here again and realize how ridiculous you sound.

Permalink Reply by Bjorn VDB on November 2, 2014 at 1:36am

Well my friend, I didn't even think about tracking when I sent the item back. And if you didn't had asked that question if I used tracking, I wouldn't even think about it up to this very minute.
Let's say I did avoid tracking on purpose and just sent it without tracking. I think there is about 1 chance in 1000 someone doesn't receive an item because it's get lost. What a smart gamble it would be by my part!
How on earth would I know your reaction would all be about tracking, I already sent the item back then.
Why would I hold on to an awful forgery. They are some serious costs to you pal.

Permalink Reply by JXE on November 1, 2014 at 3:03pm

OP, open the case with ebay. Upload an image of the receipt to the resolution center case so they can see it. They will most likely take the hit themselves and refund you so this bad experience with one seller doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth for ebay in general. Stop wastibg your time and open a case.

Permalink Reply by Bjorn VDB on November 2, 2014 at 1:40am

Steps will be taken of course. Not wasting my time here, all steps at a time ;-)

Permalink Reply by Ben Silver on November 3, 2014 at 8:18am

What can be done? I had a very similar situation with a dealer in Germany. It's even harder to collect across countries.