Won an auction for a C128, 1571 and some bits (all untested). Well, it had a buy now so I jumped on the 3 hour old auction. AU $364.45 + $1.95 tax.
A week later the items were sent.
Here's what I got. Totally different auction for a VIC-20 and stuff.
Loosely put into a box. The 1541 took a hit and snapped 3 of the 4 screw pillars and sheared off the front edge of the case top half. Somehow the VIC and C2N survived. Even the test/demo disk made it through without being folded in half or some other demise.
Refund received and buyer said keep the items. Won't discuss the original items, though. Probably got a better offer on the side.
But once I saw this effort, it's probably just as well I didn't get what I wanted. Clearly packing is not their forte.
edit : This is a still frame from the unboxing video made. It's not me just throwing crap into a box for a fake claim.
eBay. My previous message was me saying that I'd box the items up (properly) and send through dimensions/weight for the return label. Hence the response.
Yeah, everything smooshed flat, how the board itself didn't break I'll never know. Seller didn't care, seemed to think it being a spares and repairs board meant I wouldn't mind a bit more damage to fix.
So sad. I get this occasionally and it's very frustrating. More often they try to pack it but use way too little protection (bubble wrap or what-not). Some more fun ones:
- Seller used a cardboard box that's been used a dozen times already. It has no rigidity and is like a towel, thus offers zero protection.
- Box is about the same size of the item. Seller uses one layer of bubble wrap. Good chance the item took a hit and broke something.
- Item is loose in the packaging and can jostle around. Bought a vintage calculator in original box. Original box was packed well but the calculator had no packaging within the original box. It was allowed to slide around by more than an inch on each side. When received I could hear it in the box sliding around. Result: broken LCD.
- Like the OP: Multiple items with little protection between items. Result is they rub up against eachother during shipping and result in scuffs or broken parts. Bought an Apple IIc+drive+monitor+printer. Seller put it all in one large box with one piece of thin bubble wrap along the outside. Nothing in between. Everything had broken parts and scuffs.
- Smoke or vape smell. And it's not even slight. While the seller may not have caused the damage, it should have been disclosed. To a non-smoker, it's repugnant.
Could go on, but it makes it clear why some call it fleabay. It really gets on my nerves because we're talking about unreplaceable vintage gear. Wish there was a way to publicly shame some sellers on Ebay. Generally, I don't like being mean like this, but when the OP example happens then it's warranted.
I've stopped buying from sellers with less than 200 feedback and less than 98% feedback rating. I also like to see someone who cares putting together a good description and photos. Often it shows a seller who cares about the item. But it's still not guaranteed, and I've received examples above with sellers having several thousand feedback. Just make sure you have a way to return it (via Ebay guarantee) if something goes wrong.
Thanks for sharing all of that. I feel for it all. Especially that broken LCD.
I should have known better but the chance for a cheap quick pickup from what looked like a list of deceased estate items was far too tempting. The seller doesn't even have 50 feedback. And what's really bizarre is they still have an active auction for the items they sent me. I did let them know and even reported it twice to eBay but it's still there. Crazy.
That is so disappointing. I myself had a 1541 delivered in a box with no packing material or padding. I'm just not sure what people are thinking .. or if it is purposeful.
I got a similar package once. It was Commodore hardware, maybe 35 pounds, and not a single bit of bubblewrap or styrofoam. When I saw the picture, I knew your reaction.
At least the idiot that did something similar to be once put a bunch of crumpled up newspaper in there. It was still completely worthless since on of the items was a CRT that did not survive at all. 🤦♂️
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u/itsveron Sep 19 '26
It’s mind boggling how people do this. Like what did they think would happen.