Steelseries 6G Buying Experience

[FKSSR]

First of all, I'm not sure exactly where to put this, so it can be moved to another forum, if this is not the place for it.

Here is a little story about my experience with buying a Steelseries 6G off ebay.  I am honestly posting to get your opinions.

Okay, so I found a Steelseries 6G on ebay, a day before the auction ended.  The seller only had 7 feedback (all positive), and I saw that he had bought a very used 6G from someone earlier last month.  However, based off the seller's auction, I thought that he may have just found the good deal on the used one, found out it worked, and then decided to sell his newer one (since it would give him more money back).  As you can see, the auction I bid on said it came with the extra gray keys ("To further enhance the look, feel and performance of SteelSeries 6G an extra keyset for all standard sized keys is included in the package.").  I bid and won the auction.

I emailed the seller prior to the auction ending asking if the extra keys were included, but, of course, he didn't get back to me before the auction ended.  He asked if I read the description.  I said yes, and that the description said they were included.  He then said they "should be" if it was in the description.  So, I assumed that meant the keyboard was still in the box/packaging.  I then said that I would have to return it if the keys were not included.

I got the keyboard.  It was the heavily used one he bought previously (dirty and legends coming off of some keys).  I paid $32 more than he did when he bought it because I thought the extra keys were included and that it was newer (I didn't assume it was new, though).  He, of course, did not put real pictures of the product on his auction, and the part about the extra keys was copied from Steelseries's website and was not accurate.

I told the seller I wanted to send it back for a refund.  He said there are no refunds.  I told him that the description was inaccurate.  I also tested the keyboard and found that 2 keys did not register (without banging on them multiple times - really hard - to finally get one keystroke to register).  I told him it was not functional, to which he said I proved it was functional because all but 2 keys worked.

I was very polite and told him that I was going to open a PayPal dispute/claim if we could not work it out between us.  He basically said that he wanted to take his chances there.

So, am I being a bad buyer here?  I know I could have been more diligent before buying, but am I being absurd by trying to get a refund?  I honestly feel he owes me a refund because the product is not fully functional and he lied in his description, but he does not see it that way.

Thank you.

[huha]

So, am I being a bad buyer here?  I know I could have been more diligent before buying, but am I being absurd by trying to get a refund?  I honestly feel he owes me a refund because the product is not fully functional and he lied in his description, but he does not see it that way.

No, you're not a bad buyer. Rather, he is a bad seller knowingly misleading you about the grey keys and was outright uncooperative and lied to you when told the keyboard was not fully functional.

-huha

[FKSSR]

Here is our entire conversation - if anyone is curious enough to read the whole interchange - (minus a couple messages I sent about the fact that the USPS couldn't deliver the newspaper at first because he put the wrong address on it). :D

3/26 Me - Hello,Does this keyboard come with all the additional gray keys so that certain black keys can be swapped out?Thank you!

3/26 Seller - It should come with the following keys. Thank you for the question

3/26 Me - Cool. It was in the description, so I will need to have those. Otherwise, I will need to send it back. That is the only reason I want it, to be honest. Thank you!

3/26 Seller - you did read the whole description and return policy before bidding
right?

3/27 Me - Hello. Yes, I did read the description. The extra keys were in the description. If the keyboard is still in the box, then everything should be in there, including the keys. I just wasn't sure if it was used or not. Thanks!

4/7 Me - Hello, It appears that the USPS was able to find me! The address on the box says 62 Duffield St. instead of 63 Duffield St, but they still worked it out. In any case, it is here, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask for a refund. As I mentioned on March 26th, I only wanted the keyboard because it is supposed to come with an extra set of gray key caps. The description on the job stated: "To further enhance the look, feel and performance of SteelSeries 6G an extra keyset for all standard sized keys is included in the package." Can you please confirm that I will be refunded the full $67.00 if I sent the keyboard back to you?
Thank you.

4/8 Seller - well, on the listing, it stated there are no refunds. You can contact
SteelSeries directly and have them send you a free set of gray keys.
My other customers have done that in the past and it worth out
great.

4/8 Me - To be frank, even though your listing says no refunds, you still listed the item incorrectly. If I file a claim with PayPal, it will be based off that. Based off my past experiences, you will have to give a refund. I don't mean that as a threat, but it really is the truth. I have received a couple refunds from auctions due to this issue.
Also, just based off looking at your history, it seems like you were hiding the true nature of the keyboard, considering you paid $35.00 for it (shipped) and then sold it at a higher price without any actual pictures and without indicating the product was used or did not come complete. Again, I'm just being honest here. I have sold and bought many things on ebay, and I have been on both sides of this argument. You were not totally honest, and the ad was deceptive.
Finally, I have contacted SteelSeries in the past about getting extra keys and they said they didn't have anymore. If they say that again, I will be filing a claim with PayPal.

4/8 Seller - I understand what you are saying, but i was not being deceptive
in any shape or form. I have also made transactions on ebay and
other auction mediums, therefore i understand the part about
being on both sides. There are no refunds because it is sold as
is, but if you want to report a claim, be my guest. In my defense,
i did nothing wrong and the treatment towards me is not
necessary. Have a nice day

4/8 Me - I am not trying to be rude towards you at all, and I apologize that it is coming off that way. I am just trying to be honest with my perspective.
I am not accusing you of trying to be deceptive, but I am just trying to say that it does appear that way since you didn't post actual pictures of the product, which you could have taken from the auction you won for the keyboard, and you didn't post accurate information about what the keyboard came with.
I don't want this transaction to be messy for either of us, but I also can't "lose" on this transaction, especially when I was upfront from the beginning.
I emailed SteelSeries, and I am waiting for an answer about the extra keys.

4/8 Seller - Honestly, id rather take my chances than agree to your
compromise. You and I know the goal of selling things on ebay.
Listen to my reasoning, if i took your "compromise". you can still
gain money for it by selling it for a higher price. Since the
keyboard works, its better than paying $120 retail for it, if it was
still available from SteelSeries. Might I suggest that you can
leave things as is and just resell it?

4/8 Me - Well, it turns out I should have just tested the keyboard before I sent that email anyway. I apologize.
I just tested the keyboard and I found two dead keys. The ; and 2 (2 on the number pad) keys. So, I will definitely need to be getting a refund. I know you said "no returns" so if you would like to stay with that defense, I will just open a PayPal claim based on the fact that the gray keys were not there as advertised in your ad and that the keyboard is not fully functional.
Once again, I'm not saying this as a threat at all. Like you said, we both have dealt with ebay. As you can see by my rating, I've bought and sold over 200 products without any issues over years. It's just the way it goes.
Please let me know how you would like to proceed.
Thank you.

4/8 Seller - i could give you back 10 dollars if you would like?

4/8 Me - I appreciate the gesture, but I really don't have use for the keyboard considering it doesn't work properly or even have the extra keys that I could use on another keyboard.
I'm sorry, but the most I am willing to do is pay to send this back to you in exchange for a full $67 refund. I would be losing $10-12 that way, but that's the way the business works, as it were...

4/8  Seller - For clarification, it does work properly because you tested out
the product and found that all keys were working except 2. I'm
just trying to help you out by refunding a portion of your
purchase because I am a nice person, but also because you have
the capability of reselling it for an equal or higher price. I guess
we have to wait for the decision from paypal because i am being
honest on my part and trying to work it out with you.

4/8 Me - A keyboard only works properly if all the keys function just like a car would only function if everything functions correctly. What is the use of a keyboard if I am typing and cannot use a key?
I honestly do not believe that I could sell a keyboard in this condition (the writing wearing off on a couple keys, not cleaned) without everything included when it was new (the gray keys as was listed on the auction) and not fully functioning (2 broken keys) for $60+ dollars. If you feel that way, though, I'm not sure why you are not willing to do the same - take it back and resell it.
Also, even though I do appreciate the gesture, I'm not sure what the $10 amount means. That number seems random and without any logic.
I will file the claim now, and I do hope it works out for both of us. If I end up having to bite the bullet, then I will. However, I just cannot let this go, out of principle, based on the fact that if I was the seller in this scenario, I would have handled it differently.

4/8 - Seller If i was buyer, i wouldve handled it differently as well. $10 does
have logic because it is like buying an item from the store, the
employee will give 10-15% off the cost of the item. There for 10%
equals $6.70 and 15% equals $10:50 or so.

4/8 Me - Ah, okay. I understand that a bit better now. I just didn't have experience with such a discount. I worked retail for about six years, but we didn't have a policy like that.
I have filed the claim, so I guess we should go through that from now on.
Thank you for your prompt communication thus far.

[FKSSR]

Thanks huha.

I appreciate any advice.  I did file the PayPal dispute/claim, and he supposedly responded.  They are now looking over it.

[itlnstln]

I don't think you are being a bad buyer.  He listed the item with a misleading description, especially concerning the including keys.  I wouldn't get into the anything about the 'board being dirty or used, but since you specifically contacted the seller and have records of communication.

[FKSSR]

Yeah, I mentioned the "dirty" part to him just to say that if I tried to sell it, I would have to take that into account, but that is not part of my reason for wanting a refund.  I don't mind cleaning used boards.  I do it automatically for any used board I get, even ones that are already clean - just to make sure it is as "sparkly" as possible.

Thanks itlnstln!

I hope PayPal rules in my favor.  I'll let you guys know of the outcome, when I find out (it may take a couple weeks - not sure).

[itlnstln]

I don't think you are being a bad buyer.  He listed the item with a misleading description, especially concerning the including keys.  I wouldn't get into the anything about the 'board being dirty or used, but since you specifically contacted the seller and have records of communication.

Wow, the last sentence makes no sense.

[FKSSR]

hahaha.  I think I know what you meant.  Don't worry man, I gotcha!

[D-EJ915]

This guy's an idiot and making stuff up as he goes along, he obviously lied and it should be pretty clear to paypal how this guy was covering his ass.  He definitely deserves negative feedback.

[CX23882]

Just a thought - did you pay by credit card? Your credit card company might be able to help you out if Paypal refuse.

[Ulysses31]

I'd have no qualms about hanging him out to dry.  I've personally had too many bad experiences with shoddy service from sellers of goods and services to even think twice about tearing them a new a**-hole or threatening them with legal action.  In this economic climate they should be bending over backwards to ensure the customer has a good experience.

[FKSSR]

I paid via PayPal Buyer Credit.  I do that to get added security through them and then just pay it off a couple times a month.  I'm probably going to stop using it, though, because it's just a hassle and doesn't give any bonuses in situations like this.

[o2dazone]

I told the seller I wanted to send it back for a refund.  He said there are no refunds.  

I'd let Paypal settle it, and if not go to your credit card. If he doesn't want to take the board back, fine - but you'll get your money back.

As for you being a bad buyer, that's really a matter of perspective. According to him, buying a board, and turning around and selling is ok - It should be...it's a free market. If it had been left at that, I'd say you're SOL, considering he doesn't state whether it's new or old - and you bid without getting a response on your questions.

But this line here 'To further enhance the look, feel and performance of SteelSeries 6G an extra keyset for all standard sized keys is included in the package' was a promise to the buyer that it would come with the purchase. It did not. False advertising is all it should takes for Paypal to repeal the transaction.

[FKSSR]

UPDATE:

PayPal granted me the refund, provided I provide tracking information showing I return the keyboard.

I have to pay for the shipping back, which means I do lose about $10-12 from the whole transaction, but I am not mad, as it allowed me to try out black cherry switches.  I think the small loss is worth it for that.

I'm going to send out the keyboard on Monday.  I'll update again once PayPal actually gives me the funds and the case is completely closed.

[o2dazone]

Glad you got it worked out Shame you couldn't keep the keyboard.

[FKSSR]

ha.  Yeah, I almost thought that I may get to keep the keyboard if PayPal ruled in my favor, but I have to give them the tracking number of the return before I get my money.  I don't really mind, though.  I didn't like the black cherry switches at all (for typing or gaming).