is it normal? (ebay - it is resolved but I'm curious)

[PitterPatter]

Just a quick one about an ebay thing. I will state that the issue is resolved as I got my pony, but it's left me wondering.

I bought a Sunsparkle/(dance) G2 on ebay and it paid straight away. It was dispatched to me quickly, but almost two weeks later it hadn't arrived.

I contacted the seller and she said she would check the tracking as she always gets it on her packages. She said that, once she had checked it, she could either give me a refund or send me another one as she was selling ones she had doubles of. I said that we should wait to see what the post office said but that I did want the pony if possible.

Two days later she got back to me saying she still had not heard from the post office but was sending out a second one right away and if the first ever arrived I could keep it. The new one arrived the next day. Now the confusing part of this is as follows: the one I received is *exactly* the same as the photos she uploaded for the auction.

I mean, 100% the same. It has a missing eye gem for one, came with the same lil hair clip (not necessarily a give away but still) and the same slight blemishes on the cutie mark. I now suspect that the seller never sent the first one. I know I received the "double" one because the postal date on the big sticker stamp was from the day before.

I'm not going to leave negative feedback or anything as I got what wanted and even what I expected, but is this weird to anyone else? Is it normal to photograph the one your not selling? Or am I just being paranoid.

Just interested in thoughts.
PitterPatter

[brighteyes]

Very fishy to me.  Seems likely the seller isn't being entirely honest.  It seems a little shady even if it is the truth.  I mean, the picture you post is not a photo of e exact items in your auction you should say so in the description.  I am glad you got the ponies in the end though! 

[Maniah]

Edited - I missed a detail. How lucky for you that shipping is so fast there! Seems like she forgot to mail it, or it got returned to her for some reason. Glad it worked out ok

[Stormy31685]

It sounds like the seller may have accidentally forgot to ship it and was covering for a mistake.  Either way, she seems to have made up for it.  I wouldn't worry about it, but your suspicions may be right.  Sellers are under a LOT of pressure from eBay these days...

[lovesbabysquirmy]

A little strange, but rather benign.  Thank goodness! 

[PitterPatter]

I am rather suspicious sometimes but thanks anyway. It still seems odd to me but I know I have got what I wanted so this time, no harm done.

[Dragonflitter]

I have known sellers to do stuff like that, say "Oh the package fell under my car seat and I forgot I didn't mail it!" or something when they just haven't had time or have been putting off going to the post office. No doubt your suspicions are correct and she hadn't mailed it out until you gave her a little nudge. Glad you got the pony! ^_^