Question How would you raise this packaging quality issue with an ebay seller?

[mikeymikec]

A i5-4590 was posted like this (I think I cut open this little packet before taking the photo) but inside another paper envelope basically.

Personally I think this is a bit shoddy and inviting problems like electrostatic shock in transit, but the processor has passed a 30 minute prime95 test so I guess it's OK.

I've already had a couple of words with the seller as it arrived something like 2 weeks late, then after that it didn't work in the z87 board I first tried it in (latest BIOS and listed as a compatible processor for that board by the manufacturer), to which they mentioned z87 being a potential stumbling block but also they said that the listing said no returns, which got my back up somewhat that I nearly shot back with "it was listed as working". I then realised I had a spare H97 board to try it in and it worked first time in that. My overall point is that the circumstances have been suboptimal as well as communication with this seller.

My personal feeling about the packaging quality is that if a seller doesn't have a plastic processor packet to stick a processor in then they ought to be using the closest plastic packaging to that rather than this clownshoes affair going on here. Thoughts on that but also about how/if I should broach the topic with the seller, e.g. private comms or ebay feedback?

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Not sure why you'd broach the subject at all, seems like more work on your part for a seller who clearly DGAF.

Leave a Neutral review citing the late shipping and shoddy packaging, but you did get the processor and it does appear to be working, then move on with life.

Probably want to make sure you don't buy from the same guy again in the future either.

 

[mikeymikec]

Not sure why you'd broach the subject at all, seems like more work on your part for a seller who clearly DGAF.

Leave a Neutral review citing the late shipping and shoddy packaging, but you did get the processor and it does appear to be working, then move on with life.

Probably want to make sure you don't buy from the same guy again in the future either.

I was thinking that either the seller ought to wise up or prospective buyers should know about it.

Do you have any experience of blocking a seller on ebay so I don't see their products any more? I've got another seller to add to such a s**tlist; I googled it and found a reddit conversation but accounts of its efficacy seemed to vary somewhat.

 

[bba-tcg]

I'd mention the shoddy packaging to him and also in the feedback. Not sure why it would merit blocking him. When searching for something on ebay and discovering he's the seller, just ignore the listing. But to each their own, I guess.

 

[DavidC1]

My personal feeling about the packaging quality is that if a seller doesn't have a plastic processor packet to stick a processor in then they ought to be using the closest plastic packaging to that rather than this clownshoes affair going on here. Thoughts on that but also about how/if I should broach the topic with the seller, e.g. private comms or ebay feedback?

You can give him advice on what should be done next time, rate the transaction 3 or 4 stars out of 5, rather than 5 out of 5, point out what happened.

And if he gets angry at you, ask for moneyback. As a last resort, needing to return the money back to the buyer is a good incentive not to make such mistakes next time. Talk to eBay. Even if it doesn't work out, the annoyance enough is a motivator to do better. If he doesn't change his methods, he won't be selling on eBay for long. When I sold my repaired GPUs, I even made a custom backplate for the GPUs so the components wouldn't be knocked off during transit. eBay selling is a different game than just selling stuff you don't want. You are partly a store.

 

[electron wrangler]

I've been in tech support in one way or another since the late 1980s. I have also used eBay from nearly the beginning. Add on I've watched tech on YouTube since before Google owned it and you could say I have seen a lot.

Most people don't handle tech well and that behavior keeps a lot of IT people busy and more than a few IT people angry. That Verge video several years back where they showed in CRINGE 3D how to build a PC is just a small example of that.

As noted before, mark a neutral review and mention packaging and shipping delay as issues to watch for.
And move on. It's the only healthy response!

At least you got it and it works. Be happy with that. It could be worse...