Most people who collect comics and buy comics online have purchased books on eBay.  I have done so hundreds of times.  While most of the time the transaction goes smoothly, it can occasionally be an unsuccessful and sometimes even predatory experience. 

About a year and a half ago I found offered for sale a beautiful raw copy of Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine issue #2 published in 1968.  I negotiated with the seller, who was a great eBayer and we came to a deal to buy the book.  It cost me several hundred dollars.  It was a glossy, square 9.6 all the way, and it had white pages!  He shipped the book to me.  Upon arrival I could see the box had been severely damaged.  Upon closer inspection I noted that there was a hole approximately 1 inch in diameter in the center of the box!  It appeared to have been shot or speared.  I took photos of the box and proceeded to photo document its complete opening.  Sure enough, the book was ruined; the hole went clear through the entire package.  I immediately contacted the seller to let him know the demise of the beautiful book.  Although he was devastated, he refunded my order in full and pursued a claim with the USPS.  To this day I have not been able to find another copy.   

Although that was my most memorable eBay nightmare, it was not my only such experience.  Here's the entire transcript of a more recent eBay nightmare I experienced personally as a buyer:   

TRANSCRIPT   

Apr. 5:  You requested a return [eBay]. 

Buyer’s Comments [me]: 

The seller represented this book to be NM/MT, an almost perfect specimen. This book is not even close to that condition. It has so many creases on both the front and rear covers that I cannot quantify them. It has two small stains on the front cover. The rear cover also has a tear. The package arrived in good condition, so the book was not damaged during shipping. A proper grade for this book is VG/F. 

 Apr. 5:  The seller sent you a message. 

Seller’s Comments: 

You should have read the description before you purchased - I do not accept returns period end of story! 

 Apr. 6:  The seller sent you a message. 

Seller’s Comments: 

No returns accepted! 

 Apr. 6:  You sent a message. 

Buyer’s Comments: 

You cannot misrepresent products on eBay and then refuse returns. I did read the description of your book and it turned out to be a lie. Your listing photo did not allow me the opportunity to discern the defects on the book. The problem we have here is that you lied and misrepresented the condition of the book in order to trick me out of my money.  I will pursue the eBay guarantee. Good luck winning this case. 

 Apr. 6:  The seller sent you a message. 

Seller’s Comments: 

It is not a lie - the book was marked uncertified in the ad - any represented grade is an estimate as this is a raw book and not professionally graded. You are not a profession grader and therefore any such grade given by you is an opinion. You are a schmuck.  Good luck winning your case. 

 Apr. 6:  You sent a message. 

Buyer’s Comments: 

So now you have resorted to name calling. Great. This is not my first time dealing with people on eBay that list items as high-grade NM/M and instead send something completely unacceptable, using “uncertified” and “I don’t accept returns” as their excuse and defense. On April 9, this “Schmuck” is going to the eBay court, and you will be held accountable. 

 Apr. 6:  The seller sent you a message. 

Seller’s Comments: 

best of luck - the beauty is in the details of the listing - You are going to waste so much time trying to get your $13 its going to be fun to watch - and even if you win, I guarantee you will not get it all back - good luck f*ck face. 

 Apr. 6:  You sent a message. 

Buyer’s Comments: 

Believe me, this is not about the money. It is about what you think you can do to other people and get away with. If eBay allowed this kind of thing to happen it would hurt its business. I have a “no return” policy too, but I would never treat a customer the way you have treated me. 

 Apr. 6:  The seller sent you a message. 

Seller's Comments: 

Well why don't you cry about it – saddlebags! 

 Apr. 9:  Case opened. 

Buyer’s Comments [to eBay]: 

Seller grossly misrepresented the condition of the book. Seller represented the book to be NM/MT, which is a 9.8 on the grading scale. It universally understood by buyers and sellers be a virtually flawless book. Seller’s listing photo shows the book inside its bag and has insufficient resolution to determine condition. The actual grade of the book is approx. VG/F which is 10-12 grades lower on the grading scale. Seller’s defense is that he stated up front he doesn’t accept returns and that the book is uncertified. 

Apr. 9:  A return request initiated. 

Apr. 9:  The case was found in Buyer’s favor. 

If you have trouble with a buyer or seller on eBay, you can open a case, submit your evidence, and request that a determination be made by eBay.  In my case, the seller was found to have misrepresented the condition of the book in his listing, and also to have breached the eBay policies by his use of abusive behavior and language.  

Have you experienced an online comic-buying nightmare?