Ebay users, I have a question re; damaged goods

I purchased an instrument from an Ebay seller who is also a music store. They must have had no idea how fragile the instrument was and packed it like shit. I got it today and it was broken and unusable. The instrument was used and the pictures they showed, showed it was in one piece before they shipped it. I emailed the seller but haven't heard back, but it might have been after hours.

Do you think he will reimburse me? Do "power sellers' like that have insurance? I just thought I would ask here if any of you do a lot of Ebaying. Thanks. :)

But firstly, don't leave feedback until the issue is resolved, or wait until the very last minute.
Second, i'm not really sure how to go about doing this, but file a complaint asap.

Also.. did you go through paypal by any chance?

Wait for them to get back to you before you stress out *too* much, but don't accept broken merchandise :hi:

I went thru Paypal, yeah. I am not stressing out yet, I have learned better in my old age..lol. I am going to wait and see what the guy says, but I guess I was just trying to see if anyone had anything similar.

COntact the seller and give them a day to get back to you. If they don't respond in 24 hours, try again. (Keep in mind the hours and weekend status) If they don't reply after a couple days, contact them again and tell them you want to solve the problem directly with them and really don't want to have to contact eBay/Paypal.

I have had people replace things/refund money after a damaged pirated DVD, and a cell phone charger (wrong one sent). The first was fast and easy and the second took a week with several emails a day going back and forth. That one almost drove me nuts. Good luck.

Don't leave any feedback until it is resolved.

I'm pretty passive and I won't leave feedback right off the bat. It's good to know that people will work with you. I guess I'll wait and see what happens. I'm just a little bummed out because I was looking forward to this instrument :(

It's on the auction page.

Also, since you transacted business with them, you can get their actual info re: address, phone number, other email as listed and required by eBay for all members to have entered to be there.

Also, you can go to the eBay forums, and find the right place to ask the question (don't list the actual auction URL or name the seller) and there are a lot of eBay people that can give you very good advice. there are also eBay Pinks, who are designated eBay helpers that often respond in the forums.

Use the eBay site map here and look at the far right column for all sorts of policy and buyer help
http://pages.ebay.com/sitemap.html

Go to eBay Community page to find a forum where you can ask your question
http://hub.ebay.com/community

Remember: When posting in the forum to ask for help and/or advice DO NOT list the URL or the seller name, or the mods there will delete your post. You are there to get helpful info, not point fingers or violate privacy rules (that's the way they look at it)

Hope this helps :hi:

He operates a music store down in Texas and I found it on the web and he had his store's info with the package. I'm hoping he works it out. I took pictures already, so if he needs them I'll send them.

Thanks for the reply :hi:

...and be very polite and tell him that you're sure he would be horrified to know that the instrument was damaged and that you are sending photos (or posting photos for him to look at).

How's his feedback?

560 something sales and 1 neutral, the rest positive. I've dealt with Ebay for about 7 years and never had a problem, so I was a little bummed about this one. I guess I just wanted to hear some positive replies from here.