Mint in box toy arrived broken! :O

[reanna-mator]

So, a little while ago I ordered a Slayers doll from Italy, and yesterday I finally arrived. The seller claimed that it had never been opened, but the first thing I noticed was that while the doll was still fastened to her backing board, the tape seal on the box was broken.

After opening the box and (I thought) carefully extracting the doll from the backing board (fastened on with those plastic twisty ties), I noticed that both her leg joints are broken. I thought that she was packed in and padded fairly well as I unpacked her so I have a hard time believing she could have been damaged that much in transit, but it did come a long way.

I paid a good amount for the doll (around $40 plus shipping) and I do want to keep her, and I definitely don't want to send her all the way back to Italy, but... it seems like an awful lot to pay for a broken doll. On looking at their eBay feedback, it's not perfect, but it's at about 99-point-something. I'm really not sure what to do. Should I ask for a partial refund, or maybe just start by informing the seller that she arrived broken? I can't believe that I could have damaged her that much just by unboxing her.

Help me!

[moving to Trader Support for you - SDS]

[Sarahlacewing]

I'd be tempted to say this happened in customs.  They are allowed to open ad inspect things.  I'd start by messaging the seller to let them know.  Also take pictures of the packaging.  Maybe they got insurance since it was a pricey purchase.

[slj84]

I would contact them and just politely let them know that the item arrived broken. See if they come back offering you a partial refund ect. 

I had someone once email me once very rudely informing me that the item was a baby pony and they thought it was a adult G3.  It was clearly named, and pictured but because I didn't put baby in the title it was my fault that they didn't know what they were buying.  They suggested I measure every pony a sell, a d offer the a refund.  I was not willing to deal with them, because A.)they were rude and B.) the pony name a pictures were clearly written, if you had questions email me.  It's not my fault that you can't tell the difference between a baby pony and a adult.

Now another time I had someone buy a ceramic rooster I was selling for a friend.  Doubled boxed, wrapped in bubble wrap with peanuts ect.  Wrote fragile all over the box and shipped it.  The box arrived litterally smashed to the buyer.  I contacted to post office about it with pictures and insurance and they never got back to me!  But the lady was so nice and so sad that it arrived like that I offered her a full refund and ate the cost.

I guess what in getting at is as long as you are polite, alot of sellers will work with you to resolve the issue.  I know what it is like to get something like that and how awful it is, so why would I not try to fix it

[LadySiha]

I work in a comic store, and I've seen some (especially older) figures that actually are messed up at the joints right out of the box!  I bought a $65 figure with this problem, but no big deal, I just popped it's foot back on...
Often times, with these joint problems, you won't find them until you pull them out of the packing, too, because the packaging holds everything where it's SUPPOSED TO be.

Also, are the knee joints actually broken, or are they just not popped in all the way?

[reanna-mator]

I work in a comic store, and I've seen some (especially older) figures that actually are messed up at the joints right out of the box!  I bought a $65 figure with this problem, but no big deal, I just popped it's foot back on...
Often times, with these joint problems, you won't find them until you pull them out of the packing, too, because the packaging holds everything where it's SUPPOSED TO be.

Also, are the knee joints actually broken, or are they just not popped in all the way?

The joints where the legs connect to the torso are actually broken (It's kind of a Barbie/fashion doll kind of toy). The part of the joint stuck inside the torso actually seems stuck in there, so I can't see any way to even super glue the broken joint back together to fix it without making her legs static.

I suppose I'll just contact the seller and let them know what happened, and see if they offer any kind of solution.

[LadySiha]

The joints where the legs connect to the torso are actually broken (It's kind of a Barbie/fashion doll kind of toy). The part of the joint stuck inside the torso actually seems stuck in there, so I can't see any way to even super glue the broken joint back together to fix it without making her legs static.

I suppose I'll just contact the seller and let them know what happened, and see if they offer any kind of solution.

I'm so sorry to hear that.  I hope something gets resolved for you, especially with that price tag!

[ponylady]

I'm sorry to hear about your dolly

I am suggesting the same thing as others and that is to contact your seller.

I was curious though what the dolls looked like so I googled them. Cute by the way! They are from the 90's correct? Could it be that her legs are that way due to age? I am not saying they are, I am just genuinely curious, since you compared her to a Barbie and I know that Barbies joints can get funky due to age.

None the less you should not pay MIB value if the box has been opened and she is damaged. Hopefully your seller will help you come to some resolve to the matter. 

[Ringlets]

I'm so sorry to hear your doll was broken    Contacting your seller is definitely the best thing to do.  What happens next depends on how they respond.  I can see 3 Italian sellers with Lina/Rina slayers dolls for sale at around $40ish on ebay right now.  Did you buy from one of those sellers?  they all have mulitple MIB dolls for sale now so maybe if its the same doll/seller they will agree to send you a replacement instead?

[reanna-mator]

I'm sorry to hear about your dolly

I am suggesting the same thing as others and that is to contact your seller.

I was curious though what the dolls looked like so I googled them. Cute by the way! They are from the 90's correct? Could it be that her legs are that way due to age? I am not saying they are, I am just genuinely curious, since you compared her to a Barbie and I know that Barbies joints can get funky due to age.

None the less you should not pay MIB value if the box has been opened and she is damaged. Hopefully your seller will help you come to some resolve to the matter. 

Yep, from the 90s. The series is my favorite anime series, and years ago my husband (boyfriend at the time) got me Lina. My Lina doll has been kept out of her box for many years and she's just fine, though I don't actually play with her much. She's been displayed on her stand pretty much constantly.

Anyway, the seller offered to send me another if I send him some photos of the damage, so I'm going to go with that and hopefully all goes well!

... now I just have to track down Gourry, he's super rare. >.<

[ponylady]

That's great news that you were able to work something out.

I went and looked those dolls up again and I am starting to think I need one 

[Ringlets]

I'm so glad that your seller is helpful and willing to send a replacement    (and yes those dolls are cute! I'd never seen one before either until yesterday )