Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fuddjcal on August 4, 2016 at 8:36am

make a claim with e-bay and shove it back down his throat. You will need e-bay's approval to sent the item back with tracking. Pay for the return shipping on your own unless e-bay makes the seller do it. Don't be shy. It will take 2-3 weeks & if you paid by credit card, which you should always do, give them a call and dispute the charge with them as well. That will fix the jack off. Good Luck and watch what you're buying next time and how you buy it. Never use pay pal...never. That's for dopes and morons. They are as responsive to you concerns as cop at a donut shop.

Permalink Reply by a pug called eva on August 4, 2016 at 10:56am

Hi Michelle,

You obviously realise that you should have read the description more carefully and  asked a question or two, particularly given that you were looking at the item for over two years and are not new to the hobby. It is difficult to say whether the seller was trying to pull a fast one without seeing the listing (any chance of a link?) but, on the face of it, I would react the same way if I were him (or her). 

Having said all that, ebay usually sides with the buyer so there is a good chance you'll be OK if you "open a case" against the seller. I wouldn't mention that you had been watching it for so long or that you are any sort of expert in the field.

Ironically, you would almost cetainly have got a refund if you had just said that the item had not arrived - unless it was tracked of course. On the very, very few occasions that I have had something go missing (genuinely I hasten to add) ebay have always ordered the seller to refund. In fact, many sellers quite reasonably insist on tracking for this reason - one seller told me this week that she was having to refund about half (!) of the items she sent abroad until she insisted on tracking.

Permalink Reply by Full Time Flipper on August 4, 2016 at 12:13pm

its important to play fair but if you really feel you have been duped and your certain you are right but have already confirmed reciept of the item the best way is to open an arrived damaged dispute, e bay and the seller cant dispute this, in any other case you are risking e bay deciding against you if the description is in the small wording , just say it arrived damaged and send it back they cant dispute this type of case at all you get your refund they get the item back very rarely do they ask for photo proof if they do say it got water damaged from rain while being delivered take a few photos of it wet in a small area dry it and then return it, it should get back to the seller in decent condition so no one has really lost out 

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 4, 2016 at 3:03pm

Hi Michelle,

While I feel very bad about your situation, the auction text did state these were printed and that only the Bergman was hand signed in blue - the image showed all other "signatures" to be the same color as the photograph which is noticeable. From the auction itself - "After having gone through the trouble of obtaining this remarkable set of signatures, offprints such as this of the whole ensemble were produced for Bergman to sign and inscribe individually to those involved in the production" - I don't think that is quite hidden. No, it doesn't say the word "preprint" plainly, but it does say offprint, which is key. It only says she signed it, in blue. I still think you might have done OK considering the 8x10 Joan of Arc that closed in Jan 16 for $857, but others will know more about value.

Best wishes,

                  Eric

Permalink Reply by michelle on August 4, 2016 at 3:53pm

Hi, in hindsight I should have asked more questions because I did read the auction details but was none the wiser if I am being quite truthful so I should have asked  before bidding on such an expensive item .  However, as stupid as it may sound,  it didnt occur to me that an item as expensive as this one was originally would  have preprinted sigs on it; -  its been a real nasty lesson for me

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on August 4, 2016 at 3:35pm

There are several things this particular signed photo has going for it. It is vintage and the signature was signed in the same period as the photo. It also had an extremely limited print run(imagine finding the original with all the signatures). I know you are disappointed that all the signatures except hers is part of the photo but the original would have a much higher value than what you paid. I would say you paid what this signed photo is worth. It's not a bargain but it is a one-of-a kind signed photo. 

With that said you probably can force a return and get your money back. But, fine examples of her during that period are also quite limited. It depends how strongly you feel about the situation.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 4, 2016 at 3:58pm

HI Joe,

That is how I felt. Signed in the period, double weight, wonderful context, awesome image...From what I could see the price might have been a bit strong, but then the item is superb and so well preserved.

Eric

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on August 4, 2016 at 4:08pm

Excellent examples in that era go for a premium. Joan of Arc was one of her defining roles. It's a nice signed piece for the advanced collector.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 4, 2016 at 4:18pm

Hi Joe, Michelle,

I agree Joe. I think it was a decent price. Michelle, below is a list I wrote for another member of things to consider when purchasing - I ran your item through this and it comes out very well indeed IMO! The list is not organized well, and need your additions:

In no order here are some things I think about (NOT comprehensive – add your own criterion):

Original/virgin /untrimmed 1^st gen photo/item/LP/CD (no tape, folds, spots, restoration etc – considering item/age/other factors)? YES

Vintage as possible? Recent? Common? Scarce/rare? YES

Is the autograph contemporary to the item/photograph, or added later? YES

Best condition possible (considering above etc.)? YES

Best quality photo (1^st generation/original release/candid)/”Official” item”/product (album, CD, ticket, promo, key photo etc.)? YES YES!

Best inscription (if any possible)/dedication/dated? YES Inscr & Dated

Fountain, ballpoint or fiber/felt? Pencil? Other? YES Fountain

Optimal contrast/placement? Ink color clash with item/image? YES Optimal

Clear example/preferably no smudging from signing/no fading/etc.? YES

What else can I buy with this amount of $?             

Recent auction/sale results for like material? GIVEN $857 1.16 Joan 8x10 Vin Sig

Is the signature interesting/unusual/unique without the photo/item? Is the opposite true? YES/YES

Frequency of items with comparable presentation? LITTLE

Comparison to similar for quality - mediocre or exceptional? EXCEPTIONAL

How does this fit in with other items I have collected using similar criterion? Display?

It the item is too big? Small? Is the autograph lost or overpowering? EXCELLENT/Strong

Is this same item offered anywhere else online for more/less? NO

I REALLY hope you keep this item!

Best wishes,

                 Eric

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 4, 2016 at 5:19pm

Hi again Michelle,

You know, the only things that I can think of, within the confines of what this was meant to be, is if it were a color print and/or embossed, and blind-stamped or hand signed by the photographer. I suppose it could have been 11x14, but this is a really stunning item just as it is.

Eric