Buying Used SU Stamps From Ebay

[Iheartstamping]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shines31

I paid for the stamps on may 12th. I filed with paypal for non-receipt on June1st. Then the seller said they had been out of town and forgotten to ship when paypal contacted them. I sent them an email 3 days prior to this to see what was going on. it was only when paypal contacted them that they responded. If I sell things, I ship them out as soon as I am paid.....that's part of the process. If they did not have time to mess with auctions, they shouldn't have them!

Sellers are supposed to ship within 10 days max. You were right to file the complaint at that point.

[Stamping Teacher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iheartstamping

Sellers are supposed to ship within 10 days max. You were right to file the complaint at that point.

Absolutely! And yes, it is a matter of doing the right thing (shipping when paid).

[shines31]

I am not going to give up on ebay. I'll just ask more questions next time. There are tons more good experiences than bad. I guess I was just venting!

[1mom02]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shines31

I am not going to give up on ebay. I'll just ask more questions next time. There are tons more good experiences than bad. I guess I was just venting!

Sometimes venting is where you learn the most. Now you know what to ask and what to look for. I know I appreciate when a seller shows pics of the top AND the bottom of the stamp. I have had much success on eBay. I got some CBug embossing folders and before it even arrived the seller realized that she made an error and sent the wrong folder. She let me keep the wrong one and sent me a replacement shipment for the one I really wanted. I did hold off feedback until I got the item I ordere, but she did a decent job of communicating (obviously not really familliar with the product).

My biggest issue with eBay are the sellers that outright lie like the gal that was selling a SU word punch for $60 claiming it was "rare" and "severely backorderd" and selling it so high because that is what the market would bare (when previous high $$ sales were sold overseas). Or people selling promo only sets or non-retired sets trying to push up the price by claiming "retired" or "rare" when the item is readily available from SU!

[NoraCH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage Redhead

Bingo. If photos of both sides aren't there, then a question should be forwarded to the seller.

Mini-Hijack:

I'm not criticizing those who like *pristine* stamps...I just honestly don't get it! Ink doesn't make them stamp any differently (though bleach will mess 'em up pretty badly and excessive baby wipe use can cause "dead zones" in the rubber that don't pick up ink.) Ink doesn't deteriorate the wood block at all. Do people put their stamps on display or something? Do they like them tidy for resale value? I honestly don't know - enlighten me! ~ kbc

Actually, there are some people who collect stamps themselves intentionally (as opposed to just buying a lot and never using them that is ). They do display them so I can see where those folks would not want ink stains particularly on the wood index. So to them, condition is important. To me, it is unrealistic to keep my stamps pristine if I am actually using them. To me, that is the real value of them-in creating with them. Plus there are plenty of great stamp cleaners that get off the worse of the mess. Also, if you ever watch people demo'ing at stamp conventions, you'll notice their stamps are less than tidy. No time to clean them right away with all those potential customers watching!

[Steph315]

I've bought used stamps off ebay, and I've had good and bad experience. One alphabet set I bought was listed in great condition, but when it arrived many of the letters were mounted crooked, and some were even sliding off the wood blocks. The seller blamed it on the heat during shipping. Others I have received in good condition. It's always a gamble when you buy something used!

[Vintage Redhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steph315

...One alphabet set I bought was listed in great condition, but when it arrived many of the letters were mounted crooked, and some were even sliding off the wood blocks. The seller blamed it on the heat during shipping...

This probably *is* what happened. One day two summers ago I took one of my double-mounted alpha sets over to a friend's house. When we finished our stamping, I took the alpha out to the car and put it underneath the seat, thinking at least that would keep it out of the direct sunlight. Good thinking, right, since the SU box always says to keep it out of direct sunlight?

Wrong! When I got home, every letter had "slid" off of the mounting foam, taking adhesive with it. It was a sticky, sloppy mess. And it wasn't even like it was a super-hot day or anything - just an average midwest June day - though it had probably reached over 100 in the car with the windows up.

Now I've learned: If the day is hot enough to *NOT* leave the dog in the car, then don't leave the stamps there either. I'm not equating my dog with my stamps...sorry, but the dog wins! :cool:...it's just my own personal litmus test. Sort of like 15' from an Illinois door is less than the stripe of a parking stall line. ~ kbc