eBay advice needed - poorly packaged ponies? :(

[Sunshine]

Okay so I haven't been buying off eBay much lately, not because of anything in particular, but not much has been drawing my attention.

Anyway, the other week I lucked out on a small lot with some ponies that... were not "bait" condition in the auction, but some of them did have cancer marks. None of them really had a ton wrong with them, and what I saw in the multiple auction photos was "okay by me". I mean, I'm a rehairer and a customizer, so if worse came to worst I could always use them for that purpose - BUT from what I was buying I was not planning on using them for these purposes.

SO. I got them today. Wonderful. They were wrapped in newspaper.

Now the ponies all have ink stains from the newspaper on their bodies. Three of the ponies are white ponies. It's only NOT obvious on the single, darker purple pony. On the pink one, also obvious.

I know for a fact that some of that might come off, but I also know that sometimes it will NOT come off. I don't want to go ahead and try to clean them yet because I want to know... some advice on what to do.

I do not want to send these ponies back. It's a hassle for me... and a bummer. But I am really disappointed.

Should I contact the seller by message and bring this up? Should I leave some sort of... different kind of feedback? Should I try to clean them first?

At this point I don't know what to do. I'm disappointed. This person has an "mlp" themed username and over 200 feedbacks, how is it possible they're shipping ponies loose in newspaper?! I just... die inside when I open a box to see that...

Anyway, any advice on how you'd handle the situation would be appreciated!

[Carcina]

You are not supposed to leave negative feedback until you've contacted the seller about the problem! Perhaps they'd give you a partial refund or something, if they really don't want bad feedback.


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[thekozmicpig]

I would at least message them in a way that's polite and explains what not to do while shipping. I find it hard to believe they don't know this, but maybe they've never received a complaint?

Either way, I'd definitely let them know politely about it before feedback. They may be willing to work out something for you.

[UnicornCandy]

I totally know where you are coming from.
I constantly am buying and selling on eBay.
Here is my advice:

Contact the buyer.
Explain that the items were NOT as discribed as they were marked!
(If the seller does NOT state things like, little marks etc in the discription, the item is then classed as not as discribed!)

Also explain, that the pagacking was AWFUL as because of her/him wrapping them in newspaper, they have marked the toys EVEN more, with ink stains, the lot!

Then end it, with a -
''I look forward to hearing from you with suggestions on how to fix my problems, Many Thanks''
The seller needs to fix this!
They can offer you a refund if you return the ponies back to them.

If they don't offer to refund you, contact eBay themselves, and open a dispute.
Explain to eBay with what you're problems are, how the items were not as discribed, and how the packaging damaged the items even more.

eBay are on you're side!
They will probally deal with your calim within 48hours!

Hope this helps!

 

[bluerose9978]

Definitely message them first. But I have had good luck cleaning newspaper ink off with acetone. The problem is you won't be able to take it off any so softs or off any symbols or eyes or the blush or you'll remove the paint and flocking.

[aintnobuffalo]

This is just a thought, but I wonder if silly putty will help remove the spots on the areas that can't have acetone on them? It's a product that lifts ink easily, as many probably know, and originally the product was created to remove soot from walls. Perhaps it would at least fade the marks without damaging the paint?

Not sure if there's any history of silly putty effecting ponies negatively though. Certainly would want to keep it away from hair.

[Sunshine]

I haven't left any, and probably won't... I'm undecided. I guess I'll see how they clean up. Luckily I have some mad restore skills so, I'm hoping that none of the ink was on them long enough to stain - as I said I've had it go both ways with newspaper wrapped ponies, sometimes they clean up beautifully, sometimes they seem to set in the stains pretty fast.

I did message the seller politely and mentioned that in the future it's wise to package ponies in something like a ziplock or bubble-wrap before using newspaper as the ink can come off on the ponies. Other than that I really am over it... I am going to go ahead and restore them as best I can and move on but, I just wondered if anyone would do anything else.

So I appreciate the feedback, glad I was on the same page with how you guys mentioned handling the situation. Thank you all!

[Ringlets]

Its always disappointing when people ruin the item by poor packaging  
I think you definitely did the right thing by contacting the seller about the situation and explaining about the newspaper marks/giving them advice about future packaging. Have they responded at all?  I think the response should determine the feedback TBH  

[SeashellnBubbles]

Whenever I buy from someone off eBay I ask that they not use newspaper or colored paper to wrap the ponies prior to shipping. I had one lady use very pretty multi-colored paper on some ponies that, thankfully didn't stain very badly, but she just thought she was making it look nice for me
Honestly, some people just really don't know that ponies and newspaper don't mix. They just know theykre packaging them securely so they don't shift in transit. So when i win, i just send them a "Thank you, so glad i won...." And a bit of a guide as to how I'd like them packed. One lady was very happy to hear she didn't need to go hunting for papers since she didn't subscribe to a newsprint!

[ButtercreamDream]

I would take LOTS of pictures before you try to clean them.  If it does come off, I'd warn them of it anyway, so that they don't use it again.  If it doesn't come off, then let them know.  Hopefully they will give you a partial refund.

Sorry Sunshine, that sucks =(

[Sunshine]

Well, I just ended up messaging them and saying something to the effect of, "It's not the best idea to package ponies with newspaper unless you put a barrier between them, something like a ziplock bag or uncolored tissue paper. The ink of the newspaper can rub off (as it can on your hands) and stain the ponies, unfortunately these did come with some ink from the newspaper but I am going to keep them and restore them as best I can, so I just wanted you to be aware in the future. "

Their response was basically, "Thanks for the info! "

So, whatever - as long as I prevent future packages of ponies going out with newspaper only, I feel accomplished. And I have one of them sunfading for one mark that was set in a bit more, but most of them are cleaning up well so I'm glad I didn't throw a fit, lol!

Thanks everyone!

[ButtercreamDream]

I hope the clean ups work out.  You have a gift for rehairing and restoring, so I'm glad they are in your capable hands.