Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Anything that is gaming related that doesn't fit well anywhere else
Jontendo
64-bit
Posts: 339
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:30 am

Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Jontendo »

A recent acquisition didn't turn out so good... :cry:
Image
Image
Image

In addition to the cosmetic damage, the system itself no longer works. So I'm now in the unenviable position of having to consider filing a damage claim with the courier, and I've got some questions for anyone who's ever done this.

Do you have to surrender everything (even the undamaged portions)?
I'm seriously considering eating the loss if it means a good box, controllers, power supply and game would otherwise be discarded.

What a day... :(
User avatar
Lodestar
128-bit
Posts: 676
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:05 am
Contact:

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Lodestar »

Hmm, how do you know it's courier-related and wasn't shipped damaged to begin with? It looks like it has all the packing materials in there needed for secure shipment. That sucks, man...being hyped about an acquisition and having it arrive damaged is one of the worst feelings for a collector.

*By courier, you mean the shipping company and not the seller, correct?
If you like retro games, come hang out on my stream!
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Renulph
Jontendo
64-bit
Posts: 339
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:30 am

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Jontendo »

Lodestar wrote:Hmm, how do you know it's courier-related and wasn't shipped damaged to begin with? It looks like it has all the packing materials in there needed for secure shipment. That sucks, man...being hype about an acquisition and having it arrive damaged is one of the worst feelings for a collector.

*By courier, you mean the shipping company and not the seller, correct?
True, I don't know it wasn't shipped damaged to begin with, but I contacted the seller and got very prompt replies & contact info for filing a claim with the shipper. For now I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

*= correct.

The thing is, damaged or not, if I have to let them take it all away it might be a while before I find one with all the factory packaging goodness. And I hate to consider what would become of the non-damaged stuff... :?
User avatar
Lodestar
128-bit
Posts: 676
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:05 am
Contact:

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Lodestar »

Hmm, I dunno, that seems fishy. What's their feedback like? I can't really picture a courier messing it up in such a fashion; the bottom corner broke off, which should've been directly pressed up against the styrofoam. I'm assuming the worst, but I suspect this person knew about it beforehand. Besides, unless the entire package was maimed, it's the seller's fault for not packaging it properly (that is, if the box is even damaged).

Can you give more details on the damage? Does the box look like it was damaged in such a way that would cause that corner to break off? If not, this guy is lying through his teeth and passing the buck on the responsibility. The *fact* that he responded quickly with all that pertinent information is suspicious enough.

As for what you can do, depends on where you bought it...if it was eBay, buyer protection has you covered. Maybe see if you can have it repaired or give it away if you're feeling charitable, hehe.
If you like retro games, come hang out on my stream!
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Renulph
User avatar
Hobie-wan
Next-Gen
Posts: 21705
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:28 pm
Location: Under a pile of retro stuff in H-town
Contact:

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Hobie-wan »

It looks like that was the corner in the middle of the box. In which case there's no way it was broken in transit without having something pierce the box to hit that corner of the system, or if it was opened and played with along the way. My Money is on it being packed that way and the seller planned to file a claim the whole time.

But to be fair, were there pictures where you could see that corner in the auction?
Jontendo
64-bit
Posts: 339
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:30 am

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Jontendo »

Lodestar wrote:Hmm, I dunno, that seems fishy. What's their feedback like? I can't really picture a courier messing it up in such a fashion; the bottom corner broke off, which should've been directly pressed up against the styrofoam. I'm assuming the worst, but I suspect this person knew about it beforehand. Besides, unless the entire package was maimed, it's the seller's fault for not packaging it properly (that is, if the box is even damaged).

Can you give more details on the damage? Does the box look like it was damaged in such a way that would cause that corner to break off? If not, this guy is lying through his teeth and passing the buck on the responsibility. The *fact* that he responded quickly with all that pertinent information is suspicious enough.

As for what you can do, depends on where you bought it...if it was eBay, buyer protection has you covered. Maybe see if you can have it repaired or give it away if you're feeling charitable, hehe.
Feedback is 100% on 5 sales (and 108 transactions total).
Packaging is all damage-free (suspicious, I know), the Neo was shipped from Michigan & I'm in Indiana, so it wasn't a long trip... :|

The only thing remotely wrong with the packaging was that, like my top picture there the console was oriented 180 degrees. This made it sit with the back corners high rather than flat in the foam.

The listing showed (or appeared to show) the system working & the seller actually bothered to make (accurate) note of the box condition and contents.

The chipping wouldn't be entirely unheard of as Neos can be a little on the brittle side (like SNES) and the plastics are fairly thin. However, it does just seem more and more suspicious with each detail considered.

I'm not sure I'm ready to be quite so generous as to give it away ATM. Especially as I'm most worried that a claim will cause me to lose the non-broken stuff. :o

Thank you for your input.
User avatar
Hobie-wan
Next-Gen
Posts: 21705
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:28 pm
Location: Under a pile of retro stuff in H-town
Contact:

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Hobie-wan »

regarding the brittle plastic theory, was the foam at least dented a little next to the broken corner?
Jontendo
64-bit
Posts: 339
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:30 am

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Jontendo »

Hobie-wan wrote:It looks like that was the corner in the middle of the box. In which case there's no way it was broken in transit without having something pierce the box to hit that corner of the system, or if it was opened and played with along the way. My Money is on it being packed that way and the seller planned to file a claim the whole time.

But to be fair, were there pictures where you could see that corner in the auction?
I hate to admit it, but you both may well be right on (no offense). :wink:

That corner is not visible in the auction, no...
Hobie-wan wrote:regarding the brittle plastic theory, was the foam at least dented a little next to the broken corner?
That's a 'no' on that one too.
User avatar
Lodestar
128-bit
Posts: 676
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:05 am
Contact:

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Lodestar »

I'm certain you'll win the claim; eBay pretty much always sides with the buyer and you can make a very strong case with this one.

The more you tell me about how he was careful enough to detail everything beforehand just solidifies my suspicion--this guy seems like a real con artist. Five feedbacks aren't enough to make an accurate assessment of one's scruples, unfortunately.

Also, I think you meant the Genesis? The SNES is solidly built, but I've always felt that the Genesis (model 2 in particular) is cheaply made with brittle plastic.
If you like retro games, come hang out on my stream!
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Renulph
Jontendo
64-bit
Posts: 339
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:30 am

Re: Neo Geo Tragedy 2012! :(

Post by Jontendo »

Lodestar wrote:I'm certain you'll win the claim; eBay pretty much always sides with the buyer and you can make a very strong case with this one.

The more you tell me about how he was careful enough to detail everything beforehand just solidifies my suspicion--this guy seems like a real con artist. Five feedbacks aren't enough to make an accurate assessment of one's scruples, unfortunately.

Also, I think you meant the Genesis? The SNES is solidly built, but I've always felt that the Genesis (model 2 in particular) is cheaply made with brittle plastic.
I guess it may be just because I've bought & sold more SNES than Genesis systems, but I've noted a lot of issues with corner chipping (and outright chunks cracking out). I even saw one ebay seller who used to make a habit of dremeling both sides to make them look symmetrical. Speaking of a lack of scruples... :roll:

Not to be a broken record, but even if I won a claim I still don't want to lose the non-broken stuff. I'd be out return shipping and the seller could go on to parcel out what I sent back. :(
Post Reply