Used Curriculum Purchase -- a bad experience

[Guest ME-Mommy]

I purchased a SOTW "bundle" from someone on Homeschool Classifieds after several emails back and forth to determine exactly what I was getting, condition, etc.

 

The seller assured me that the AGs were complete -- but that several pages were loose due to being removed for photocopying. The loose pages were included...just loose according to the seller.

 

Well, I received the package and guess what?!?! The AGs AREN'T complete --

 

SOTW 1 is missing 4 pages

SOTW 2 is missing 3 pages

SOTW 3 is missing 6 pages

 

and the Tests/Answer Key is missing Tests 27 - end and ALL of the Answer Key...

 

I'm am SO ripped right now...I could just scream...

 

I did get a really good deal, but still -- URG -- now I will probably spend more $$ to get the loose-leaf student pages and at least the Tests/Answer Key for SOTW 1...so that I have everything I need.

 

Any advice?? Should I ask for a refund and shop elsewhere??

Edited August 9, 2010 by ME-Mommy

[duckens]

I would ask for a refund. It is not a "good deal" unless you got what you wanted (or had negotiated for).

[Jen+4dc]

I would ask for a refund. It is not a "good deal" unless you got what you wanted (or had negotiated for).

:iagree:

 

And I would ask that the seller pay the return shipping fees if she wants her stuff back. Have you let her know there's stuff missing? If so, how did she respond?

[StephanieZ]

I'm so sorry you experienced this!

 

That's a reason why I only buy used stuff right here. :) I am around enough that I "know" many of the posters, and I feel comfortable taking the risk of buying used here.

 

I figure folks here want to protect their reputation and are generally a good set of folks. I have yet to be disappointed. :)

 

I also avoid the mass-sellers who appear to be commerically selling here, not necc. b/c they are cheats, but b/c I do not expect them to be as familiar with the goods they are selling than women who have actually used the things they are selling. They also probably take less time triple checking each item than I (and most other moms) would, as an infrequent seller and pathologically honest person -- I am much more concerned with my reputation here than I am in making a profit, so I want to be absolutely sure to disclose any damage or imperfections, etc.

 

I also will use personal option for sellers I feel that I "know" well but not on total strangers. . . since doing personal option saves the seller a couple dollars but eliminates the dispute option for the buyer. . . (In all cases, I will use non-cc paypal.)

 

Likewise, I prefer to sell items to people I "know" here than to newbies. I might willingly sell an inexpensive item to a newbie, but I would hesitate on a more expensive item. That's b/c I know that I'd readily refund the purchase price if someone told me the item never arrived or was damaged, or whatever. I need to trust the buyer to be honest, just as she must trust me to some degree. (I do get delivery confirmation on items over $40 or so.)

 

Now, I'd also feel OK buying on ebay b/c folks (from sellers with a good history) there are also neurotic about protecting their rating. . . and so I feel comfortable that someone would solve a problem honestly and not just ignore it.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

I would ask for a refund. It is not a "good deal" unless you got what you wanted (or had negotiated for).

 

True...

[Guest ME-Mommy]

:iagree:

 

And I would ask that the seller pay the return shipping fees if she wants her stuff back. Have you let her know there's stuff missing? If so, how did she respond?

 

I emailed her right after I made the OP...she emailed me back and claimed that "she felt she had made an accurate description" and "As far as price is concerned, the readers alone were worth the price that was paid." (I'm sorry but 2 soft cover SOTW readers in good-fair condition do NOT sell for $35...) Then she lamented how she had paid $15 for Priority Shipping -- I didn't ask her to ship Priority -- that was her call (I was expecting Media Mail) and I shouldn't be held responsible for it. I told her so...:toetap05:

 

I'm thinking I might file a Paypal claim for part of the $$...and I'm wishing I had kept her seller ID so I could file feedback.

 

I am SO frustrated with used curriculum purchases right now...I could just SCREAM!!

[TCoppock]

I've filed a complaint with Paypal twice and both times were quick and painless. Do you still have the emails back and forth prior to buying? I have pretty much quit buying from people I am not at least familiar with because of so many bad experiences. A good deal is not a good deal if you don't get what you really want.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

I've filed a complaint with Paypal twice and both times were quick and painless. Do you still have the emails back and forth prior to buying? I have pretty much quit buying from people I am not at least familiar with because of so many bad experiences. A good deal is not a good deal if you don't get what you really want.

 

I just filed a complaint with Paypal -- asking for a partial refund. Basically I figured out what the 2 texts would cost and asked for the difference between what I paid and the costs of the 2 texts.

 

I have all the email back and forth...

 

Hopefully I won't have to do this again any time soon...

[dansamy]

This is also why I do not like to send money using the Personal tab. You don't receive any of Paypal's buyer protections unless you send the payment as being for goods.

[DawnM]

I didn't know that you don't have protection if you pay with a personal tab.

 

I have asked buyers to pay using personal before.

 

I you are selling then would you ask for "personl payment or pay paypal fees?" or would you just assume paypal fees and put that in the cost?

 

Dawn

[dansamy]

I would adjust my asking price to account for the fees.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

This is also why I do not like to send money using the Personal tab. You don't receive any of Paypal's buyer protections unless you send the payment as being for goods.

 

:iagree: -- that policy just didn't "sit right" with me to begin with...:glare:

[Brindee]

I emailed her right after I made the OP...she emailed me back and claimed that "she felt she had made an accurate description" and "As far as price is concerned, the readers alone were worth the price that was paid." (I'm sorry but 2 soft cover SOTW readers in good-fair condition do NOT sell for $35...) Then she lamented how she had paid $15 for Priority Shipping -- I didn't ask her to ship Priority -- that was her call (I was expecting Media Mail) and I shouldn't be held responsible for it. I told her so...:toetap05:

 

I'm thinking I might file a Paypal claim for part of the $$...and I'm wishing I had kept her seller ID so I could file feedback.

 

I am SO frustrated with used curriculum purchases right now...I could just SCREAM!!

Oh my, out of all the purchases and sales I've made on here I have only had one bad experience, and this sounds soooo much like the person I dealt with!

 

I saw her for sale thing on this site and contacted her. I offered her a price, and she didn't want to accept it because she wanted this other higher price. I looked into it, and she had made two for sale posts, one the price I offered, and one the price she stated. I pointed it out to her, and she said she forgot about that and supposed she would sell it to me for the lower price! She asked me to send it personal, but I forgot, and she was VERY upset at me about that! After I sent payment I waited and waited and waited....nothing. So I e-mailed. Nothing. So I e-mailed again, asking for confirmation of receipt of the payment. She finally answered and said she was so sick she'd been in the hopital. I told her sorry. Then nothing again. 2 weeks later I sent another e-mail saying I hoped she was better now and had she sent the curriculum I had purchased from her. No not yet, but she'd have her husband take it in to send to me the next day. A week later--nothing! Now we're MANY weeks into this, and I'm getting afraid that I will never see this curriculum or my money again! I e-mailed again. Oh my goodness, her dh hadn't sent it off like she thought he had, so she'd send it right away by Priority Mail since she hadn't gotten out yet after so long. This time she actually DID send it, and I actually DID receive it.

 

Her description of the item was that it was PERFECT inside, no writing or tears or bends on the pages, but had some very minor wear on the outside. I was shocked when I got it. Some pages were bent. 10 pages had writing of some sort on them. A few pages had stains on them. I sent her an e-mail saying I was surprised at the condition of the book, since it was nothing like what she'd said it was! She got very upset and said it was perfect when she sent it off, she couldn't be responsible for whatever happened to it during shipping! I said this wasn't shipping, this is inside the book.

 

She said, "After you not sending it personal, and me barely making anything from it, then I spent extra to send it Priority Mail, and now you fuss about it?!! Boy, there's no pleasing you, is there?!"

 

:001_huh: :glare: Ummmm, the reason you sent it Priority Mail is because YOU didn't send it when you should have. That has nothing to do with this problem!

 

Then she refused any more communication. I should've complained about it, but I NEEDED the curriculum, and it was already weeks and weeks past when we should've gotten it. I regret not doing anything, and hope noone else had to deal with her!!!

 

Otherwise, I've had wonderful experiences with my selling and buying on this board!

 

 

ETA: That was a math curriculum. I had also put a WTB for the next level. I had another lady from this board contact me about that level. She sold it to me for $35 cheaper, and it looked like it had never been used! She was sweet and easy to work with! What a difference!

Edited August 9, 2010 by Brindee

[May]

I would ask for a complete refund.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

OK, ladies and Paypal experts...I need your help.

 

The Seller is being uncooperative and has declined my request for a refund.

 

I attempted to escalate to a claim but Paypal apparently does not get involved in disputes over quality...but only if the goods are never delivered. :glare:

 

So, it looks like I've been taken and I'm "out" the cost of the Activity Guides/student pages...unless someone knows of a "workaround".

 

Any ideas??

[OleanderRain]

Do you have any friends that could let you borrow those pages that you need? Maybe you could post on a local homeschool yahoo group to see if anyone has these pages they could copy for you?

[Mommyof4ks]

Did you pay with a credit card or use your balance? If you paid with a credit card, then you can do a charge back. I had to do that once for a $150 purchase, because the item was unusable and the seller would not refund my money. It is fairly simple. You just dispute the charge with your credit card company and they will ask for your emails and then refund your money to your card.

[PinkInTheBlue]

It's rotten that you didn't get what you paid for. It's wrong and a pain to you. However, there is no way I'd spend what you would have to spend to replace 13 pages out of hundreds of perfectly fine pages or a few tests at the end. What are the ages of your children? Are tests really going to be that important? I just would never spend that much more for not missing all that much.

 

(Not negating the fact she should have told you the true condition of the curriculum. Just that are you sure it would be worth buying so much to replace so little?)

 

I purchased a SOTW "bundle" from someone on Homeschool Classifieds after several emails back and forth to determine exactly what I was getting, condition, etc.

 

The seller assured me that the AGs were complete -- but that several pages were loose due to being removed for photocopying. The loose pages were included...just loose according to the seller.

 

Well, I received the package and guess what?!?! The AGs AREN'T complete --

 

SOTW 1 is missing 4 pages

SOTW 2 is missing 3 pages

SOTW 3 is missing 6 pages

 

and the Tests/Answer Key is missing Tests 27 - end and ALL of the Answer Key...

 

I'm am SO ripped right now...I could just scream...

 

I did get a really good deal, but still -- URG -- now I will probably spend more $$ to get the loose-leaf student pages and at least the Tests/Answer Key for SOTW 1...so that I have everything I need.

 

Any advice?? Should I ask for a refund and shop elsewhere??

[Guest ME-Mommy]

Do you have any friends that could let you borrow those pages that you need? Maybe you could post on a local homeschool yahoo group to see if anyone has these pages they could copy for you?

 

Is this legal?? What about copyright??

[Guest ME-Mommy]

It's rotten that you didn't get what you paid for. It's wrong and a pain to you. However, there is no way I'd spend what you would have to spend to replace 13 pages out of hundreds of perfectly fine pages or a few tests at the end. What are the ages of your children? Are tests really going to be that important? I just would never spend that much more for not missing all that much.

 

(Not negating the fact she should have told you the true condition of the curriculum. Just that are you sure it would be worth buying so much to replace so little?)

 

I wasn't really concerned with the Tests/Answer Key == I didn't even figure that into the equation.

 

The pages that are missing are entire sections/chapters out of the Student Activity Pages...coloring pages, maps, games, activites, etc.

 

If I don't replace those, what do I do when I come to that chapter?? Just the reading?? :001_huh:

[Guest ME-Mommy]

Did you pay with a credit card or use your balance? If you paid with a credit card, then you can do a charge back. I had to do that once for a $150 purchase, because the item was unusable and the seller would not refund my money. It is fairly simple. You just dispute the charge with your credit card company and they will ask for your emails and then refund your money to your card.

 

I paid with my Paypal balance...:glare:

[OleanderRain]

Is this legal?? What about copyright??

 

This I have no idea, my library always allows me to copy pages from books. Maybe someone else will know if it's legal.

 

I think it's illegal to copy and sell it.

[hsmom3tn]

You can leave negative feedback for this seller on homeschool classifieds so that others will be aware of how dishonest and uncooperative they are.

 

If you don't remember the username, try searching for their list using their email address (you can do this from the "go to user's page" page). Also, you can try searching for the item, as they may not have deleted it yet.

 

I'm sorry that this happened to you. :(

[Nakia]

Girl, I am right there with you. The only thing is that I paid with a check, and I was able to stop payment on the check before it cleared the bank. I will not be using homeschoolclassifieds ever again. I am sick of dishonest sellers. I am actually seriously considering putting in overtime at work to make it possibly for us to purchase everything new from now on. I hate to do that when I have had such good luck getting things used, but one bad apple spoils the bunch sometimes. If I do continue to purchase used items, it will be from well established WTM members only.

 

Hope you get it worked out!! :grouphug:

[Catwoman]

The Seller is being uncooperative and has declined my request for a refund.

 

I attempted to escalate to a claim but Paypal apparently does not get involved in disputes over quality...but only if the goods are never delivered. :glare:

 

 

That is just awful!!! :angry: I can't believe the seller won't even issue a partial refund!

 

Maybe you can file a PayPal claim anyway, because technically, the goods weren't delivered... at least not completely.

 

It's worth a shot.

 

Cat

[teamturner]

I wasn't really concerned with the Tests/Answer Key == I didn't even figure that into the equation.

 

The pages that are missing are entire sections/chapters out of the Student Activity Pages...coloring pages, maps, games, activites, etc.

 

If I don't replace those, what do I do when I come to that chapter?? Just the reading?? :001_huh:

 

Are you missing pages from the "student pages" section of the AG? If that's all you're missing, you should just buy and PDF file of the student pages for use w/in your own family. I think this cost around $10 from Peace Hill Press. If it's the actual review questions, book lists, and hands on projects parts of the AG then that would be more challenging to fix.

 

I bought a used SOTW 4 set and the seller disclosed that some student pages were missing and it was reflected in the price. So I'm just going to buy a new set of student pages.

[Guest ME-Mommy]

You can leave negative feedback for this seller on homeschool classifieds so that others will be aware of how dishonest and uncooperative they are.

 

If you don't remember the username, try searching for their list using their email address (you can do this from the "go to user's page" page). Also, you can try searching for the item, as they may not have deleted it yet.

 

I'm sorry that this happened to you. :(

 

Thank you for this "tip" -- I still had her email address and I filed negative feedback. (although she retaliated with negative feedback for me:001_huh:)

 

That is just awful!!! :angry: I can't believe the seller won't even issue a partial refund!

 

Maybe you can file a PayPal claim anyway, because technically, the goods weren't delivered... at least not completely.

 

It's worth a shot.

 

Cat

 

Paypal closed the claim as soon as I hit the "send" button because they do not get involved in issues of quality or "completeness". :glare:

 

However, I emailed the seller a second time and did get the partial refund...and some expletives, and some negative feedback. This woman is a "piece of work".

[amyrjoy]

Oh wow! Just wanted to say I'm sorry that this happened! Geesh!

 

Also, I just ordered some things off of there and now I'm worried. Lol!!

[Guest ME-Mommy]

Oh wow! Just wanted to say I'm sorry that this happened! Geesh!

 

Also, I just ordered some things off of there and now I'm worried. Lol!!

 

Thanks...although I wanted to say that I've never been disappointed with any materials I've purchased here...all my experience here has been positive. :)

 

I would say that I've only purchased from WTM'ers with extensive posting history and no negative feedback. I would be more cautious if it were someone with little to no history...maybe asking for reputation on other boards or if they have sold on ebay?

 

This bad experience involves another board and the seller had only registered as a seller on 7/27...once our deal went sour, she deleted her other listings. :glare:

[Brindee]

 

This bad experience involves another board and the seller had only registered as a seller on 7/27...once our deal went sour, she deleted her other listings. :glare:

Well, if she deleted her other listings, at least noone else will have to deal with her! Not sure why people act that way!!! :glare:

[elegantlion]

All of these horror stories keep convincing me to just buy new. I have a low tolerance for what should be a simple transaction turning into chaos. I'll consider it an investment into my health...to keep my blood pressure low!:001_huh:

 

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. :grouphug:

[fhjmom]

Is this legal?? What about copyright??

 

 

Yes, it would be illegal for someone to copy those missing pages for you. Adding to that, I would have been wary of this seller the moment she said that "the pages were loose from copying". If she copied the AG and used it for her family, then it is my understanding she has "used up" the copyright and it is not legal for her to sell it to someone else.

 

You mentioned her unlisting all her items. I would be afraid that she would relist under a new user name to get around her only feedback being such a negative.

 

Sorry it has been such a frustration for you. I hope you are able to get some resolution.