My mistake or did I get ripped off?

[Mark42]

I ordered a BRP key switch kit from EBAY. The BRP kit includes a switch, short wire harness, and a warning horn.

I got the package, and there no horn. But the ebay ad said "new in box" and had a few photos of the pieces. But no photo of the horn (I checked after getting the box). Nowhere in the ad does it state the horn is missing or not included. The seller cut off the the BRP labels from the original box (two of them) indicating it is the part # 0176498 (switch and horn kit). I don't know why he put the parts and paper work in a new box when the ad says "new in box".

I sent an email to the seller asking when he can forward the horn, but have not heard back yet. Its been less than one full day since I emailed him.

The ebay auction is a "buy it now" auction, so no bidding. I can buy the same item for $10 more from an online BRP retailer, and pay shipping. I went with ebay (against my better judgment) because it was $10 less, and had free shipping. About a $17 total savings.

Check out the ad for yourself and let me know what you think. Was this ad deceitful and the seller has no horn, or do you think he just messed up and forgot to include the horn in the box? I am waiting for his response.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0588655480&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

BTW, the return address on the box is Greatlakesskipper.com. I'm sure many of you recognize that popular retailer of overstock or discontinued new items. Although I am not sure that Greaklakesskipper actually placed the ad. Probably someone who works there and put the shipping charges on the employeer. Just my guess.

Thanks,

Mark.

 

[dolluper]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Switch new in the box SOLD AS SHOWEN is what I read.....maybe an e-mail asking what exactly is included before you bid....no horn in any pictures

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Mark

The part # quoted is 0176408, not the one you've indicated, and the description and photo indicates switch only.

The only mistake in the ad is its listed as NEW. It should've been NEW (other) as its new but no in the original, and sealed manufacturer packaging.

I suspect the horn, which may have originally been in the kit you've indicated is probably being sold (or was sold) separately, which would explain removing the original BRP tags from the kit.

Nothing indicates the kit you've mentioned would be included from how I read it. Sorry

 

[Mark42]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Mark

The part # quoted is 0176408, not the one you've indicated, and the description and photo indicates switch only.....

Wow, that is odd. I just cut and pasted that part number from the ad, and now its different. Can the ad be updated after the fact? Wonder if they saw this post and made a change?

I guess I could be mistaken. But knowing how particular I am about what I want, I find it hard to believe that I made this kind of mistake. But I am not perfect. Almost, but not quite....

Oh, but wait, the part numbers in the box are for the key and horn.... And it came with the instructions listing the horn as part of the kit.
So what am I to do?

 

[boltonranger]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Wow, that is odd. I just cut and pasted that part number from the ad, and now its different. Can the ad be updated after the fact? Wonder if they saw this post and made a change?

I guess I could be mistaken. But knowing how particular I am about what I want, I find it hard to believe that I made this kind of mistake. But I am not perfect. Almost, but not quite....

Oh, but wait, the part numbers in the box are for the key and horn.... And it came with the instructions listing the horn as part of the kit.
So what am I to do?

Hmmm.
Well see if you can work it out with the seller.
I realize what you're saying.
But then there's the ad. (can't see it anymore though)
I would say that if he listed the horn or showed it he should provide it; but if he didn't I wouldn't say it was deceptive necessarily. Maybe he can find furnish you with a horn for a reasonable price you agree on. I've almost bid on things until I realized "whoops!"

Hope you get it resolved.
-br

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Switch new in the box SOLD AS SHOWEN is what I read.....maybe an e-mail asking what exactly is included before you bid....no horn in any pictures

I think dolluper nailed it. You received a new in the box switch. There was no mention of a "kit". I think the ad was done properly. I still would give them a day or 2 to respond. Maybe you can return it even tho they say "no returns accepted".......

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

If he originally listed it as the BRP part # 0176498 which would have included the horn if bought from BRP, I don't think it matters whether he showed a horn or not. It should have been included.
I'm with you.
It also means that he has changed his ad.

If the part number now showing has NOT changed, then I
don't think you have a case.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

I have mixed feelings about this. If the original part number on the listing was for the kit (with horn), then you have somewhat of a point. Mitigating this, however, is that the listing showed photos of what was being offered and the words "kit" and "horn" apparently weren't used.

I would call this one a misunderstanding without intent to defraud. Work it out as best you can.

BTW, don't forget that you can ask a seller questions about listed items, before bidding or buying.


PS: When I first tried to link to the sale, it appeared to be a dead link. A second try worked and here is a quote from it ...

"I AM SELLING AN EVINRUDE JOHNSON SINGLE ENGINE KEY SWITCH 0176408. THIS ITEM IS NEW IN THE BOX AND SOLD AS SHOWN. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT A DEALER IN YOUR AREA."

(Emphasis added by me)

Mark, I hate to say it, but you messed up. Gotta ask before you buy!



???

 

[BF]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

while I wouldn't say it was rip off, if they changed the part number of the ad since you complained, that would indicate to me that they recognize that it was at least a bit misleading. It's true the picts don't show the horn, so I'd probably not expect to get anything more than what was photographed, no matter what part number was on the box. It's obviously been opened, and I think these ebay retailers are often getting stock from sources that may have opened boxes with some components missing (which is probably why it came to them in the first place).

They probably don't have the horn, but if you point out that you know they changed the part number on the ad after the end of the auction (if that's what happened), and intend to leave feedback stating that, maybe they'd try to make it right... Do you need any other parts that maybe they could substitute to make it OK, since they likely don't have the horn?

BTW, the link still worked for me.

Oh, and this is why I always save a copy of the original ad when I buy something off ebay... Partially b/c I then have documentation for customs if I need to pay duty or tax to import it, party to cover my behind if what I get is different than what was listed...

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

My local dealer gave me a horn not long ago. He does this sort of thing because I buy from him a lot. Still, he's in business in a tough time, so why did he do that? The answer is simple - because it was most likely a horn out of one of these kits and he installed a new switch in someone's boat with a working horn.

My guess is that this kit was missing the horn for the same reason - someone had the kit on the shelf, hijacked the horn from it and then put the rest of the kit up for sale separately. The part number change sounds like an honest mistakes to me, since everything else about the sale clearly indicated what was included.



???

 

[Mark42]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

I think dolluper nailed it. You received a new in the box switch. There was no mention of a "kit". I think the ad was done properly. I still would give them a day or 2 to respond. Maybe you can return it even tho they say "no returns accepted".......

The ad did say "new in the box" but the parts did not come in the box. They were repackaged into a regular shipping box with the labels cut off the original box showing the part number. And I did check the BRP site, that part number in the auction is the switch and horn kit part number.

Not a big deal. I was probably shopping by part number and not remembering that ebay auctions do not follow normal retailer rules.

A switch kit is a switch kit except on ebay, then its just a switch.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

....but do you know for sure whether they changed the part # shown in the ad?

 

[Mark42]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

....but do you know for sure whether they changed the part # shown in the ad?

The part number in the ad is the part number for the kit (switch and horn). I doubt it changed. I probably just typed it wrong in the original post.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

The ad did say "new in the box" but the parts did not come in the box. They were repackaged into a regular shipping box with the labels cut off the original box showing the part number. And I did check the BRP site, that part number in the auction is the switch and horn kit part number.

Not a big deal. I was probably shopping by part number and not remembering that ebay auctions do not follow normal retailer rules.

A switch kit is a switch kit except on ebay, then its just a switch.

Sorry, I misunderstood your OP. For some reason I was thinking labels were removed from the wiring for the horn. Don't ask me why. Read it too fast I guess.. I don't know how much the part cost, but you could contact e-bay. Or, wait and hopefully hear from the seller.

Here's the only thing you would have to stand on, IMO, although the pix clearly showed it out of the box:

Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab... Read moreabout the condition

Although, he did say "sold as shown". He didn't show a box or a horn. A little deceiving. may be considered a "grey area"......... I would look at it as a e-bay learning experience.....

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

OK, so now that we know the part number shown is for the kit, things change a little.

Its still a tough call, though, because the ad was pretty clear about what was included.

I'll still call it a misunderstanding.



???

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Resell it on e-bay and buy a full kit from a BRP retailer.......

 

[dolluper]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

An e-mail with doesn't that kit number come with a horn I don't see it in your pics is the horn included or not....It's hard when you think you found what you wanted to stop and think before you commit to buying....I have a note on my putter it says REMEMBER IT"S E-BAY....then I research and research,ask alot of questions and still buy something I don't need....esp if it's lost and I can't find it ...buy on ebay and a day before the item arrives you find your lost item...oh well more junk to lose and buy again ....its just a cycle never ending LOL"S

 

[boltonranger]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

Resell it on e-bay and buy a full kit from a BRP retailer.......

That's a very good idea if you can't work out a mutually good arrangement.

 

[Mark42]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

I could resell, but would probably take a bit of a loss unless I wanted to wait a while for the right buyer to come along.

The horn is just a horn. The warning horn that is on the boat now will probably work. Will just have to cut and crimp on the right connectors. That is most likely what I will do, because anything else will waste time and cost more in the long run.

I should be grateful that this is a small issue and not a big money mistake. The seller wrote back and its obvious that they did not realize that the part number was a kit and was missing a piece. Of course they offered no remediation. But I did notice that Greatlakesskipper.com paid the freight on the package. So I emailed the seller asking if he could supply a "free shipping" or "x% off" coupon code for greatlakesskipper and that would make everything fine.

Will see what they say.

Bottom line is this: Its not worth getting upset about. Its only a few dollars for the horn. I have a used one that probably will work. I will be more thorough on my next ebay purchase.

Oh, I almost forgot.... I sent Ninjas to the sellers house to kill his family and burn his house down. Only seems fair, right?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: My mistake or did I get ripped off?

I went through this with an Ebay item a couple years ago and don't think you have a case, since the seller posted photo's of exactly what was being sold.

I bought a hitch that was being sold as "NEW" using the stock marketing photo that's seen from other internet retailers (no photo of the actual item being sold), so one would think that the auction would include everything that a new hitch comes with... WRONG, all I received was the steel bar, all the mounting hardware was missing. Seller and I went around and around. I disputed it through Ebay and they sided with the seller since the picture he had in the auction showed what I received,,,, even though a picture of a new hitch does not show the hardware in the picture, but you get it with a new hitch. I disputed it through my CC to get my money back, so Ebay locked my account. Ebay finally saw it my way and unlocked my account,,, after a bunch of phone calls. Total PITA!

I'm to the point that, unless I'm saving 50% on something, it's not worth the risk of buying it off Ebay.