Problem with online retailer (overseas)

[Bryan]

I'll try to keep this short and simple. I recently purchased a DVD-Rom drive from a company based in Germany and paid via Paypal. I ordered a black drive, but received a beige one.

While the company has admitted that they made a mistake and shipped the wrong item, they have only been willing to replace the item if I return the item they sent (back overseas, mind you) on my dime. Other suggestions they have offered include selling my drive on eBay and buying another from them, and stupid things like that.

I have sent them an e-mail asking them to do the right thing and send me the part I ordered, and that they could send Paypal funds for me to send their property back to them. They have, of course, stopped replying to me now.

I contacted Paypal and tried to file a complaint. Their stupid system has you tell the whole story in detail before letting you know that they refuse to get involved, and to try and work it out with the seller.

Short of bashing the company on the internet and giving them a nasty review at Reseller Ratings, is there anything I can do to get the item I originally ordered without going further out of pocket, or am I SOL? I'd really like to hear from anyone with similar experiences.

 

[dullard]

How did you pay Paypal? If you paid Paypal by credit card, you could try getting your money back from the CC company (federal laws would back you up). If not, you are probably screwed. Luckilly, in the worst possible case, you are only out a small shipping fee and/or the cost of a can of spray paint.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Ask them to send you a bezel on their dime.

You replace the bezel and return theblack bezel on your dime.

 

[dabuddha]

Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

 

[Kelnoen]

What make is it, you can get faceplates pretty cheap

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

i was wondering that also.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Ask them to send you a bezel on their dime.

You replace the bezel and return theblack bezel on your dime.

This would be the best solution, but they are probably going to be reluctant to take apart a drive like that. Good luck, but I'm gonna bet you're SOL, since they ARE offering you an exchange.

As an aside...why did you order a DVD drive from overseas? They're almost FAR in hot deals locally...

 

[Allanv]

i might have a black fachia plate that may or may not fit but i wont be home until tommorow

will look then

 

[Bryan]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

This drive is (or, was at the time) particularly hard to find. It is a Samsung SH-D162C.

 

[Bryan]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Ask them to send you a bezel on their dime.

You replace the bezel and return theblack bezel on your dime.

This would be the best solution, but they are probably going to be reluctant to take apart a drive like that. Good luck, but I'm gonna bet you're SOL, since they ARE offering you an exchange.

As an aside...why did you order a DVD drive from overseas? They're almost FAR in hot deals locally...

While an exchange is fine, overseas shipping is expensive. I know because I paid it the first time. I have yet to receive the correct product I ordered and paid shipping for. On the other hand, the shipping cost as much as the drive, so I can see why they don't want to pay out so much money to replace it. While it would be the right thing to do since the mistake was theirs, I don't think there is any way I can force the issue. I guess I am just a bit upset that I have no recourse but to pay more to cover their mistake. Is there no protection for the consumer in this case?

 

[PokerGuy]

Yes, the protection is, next time don't use that aweful paypal and use a CC instead. That way, when problems arise, you can use the CC to help get the issue resolved. A good CC company will back you up most of the time with issues.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Ask them to send you a bezel on their dime.

You replace the bezel and return theblack bezel on your dime.

This would be the best solution, but they are probably going to be reluctant to take apart a drive like that. Good luck, but I'm gonna bet you're SOL, since they ARE offering you an exchange.

As an aside...why did you order a DVD drive from overseas? They're almost FAR in hot deals locally...

While an exchange is fine, overseas shipping is expensive. I know because I paid it the first time. I have yet to receive the correct product I ordered and paid shipping for. On the other hand, the shipping cost as much as the drive, so I can see why they don't want to pay out so much money to replace it. While it would be the right thing to do since the mistake was theirs, I don't think there is any way I can force the issue. I guess I am just a bit upset that I have no recourse but to pay more to cover their mistake. Is there no protection for the consumer in this case?

The problem, is that you paid as much for shipping as for the item. Why? There IS protection -- they're offering to exchange it, and all you have to do is pay to ship it back. It sucks, but that's the risk you take when you spend such a high % on shipping. It's pretty traditional, AFAIK, for mail order outfits to expect you to pay for things you ship back to them. And they can't let you KEEP it, can they?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

This drive is (or, was at the time) particularly hard to find. It is a Samsung SH-D162C.

This one?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

This drive is (or, was at the time) particularly hard to find. It is a Samsung SH-D162C.

whats so special about it? does it give BJs while it burns discs?

 

[radioouman]

Sharpie marker will turn it black in no time.

 

[lokiju]

Paint it.

 

[Bryan]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

This drive is (or, was at the time) particularly hard to find. It is a Samsung SH-D162C.

This one?

"Condition: NEW, Availability: NO (0) | Set Alert"

Yep. That'd be it.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Bryan

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Someones going to ask so I might as well. Why the hell would you order a dvdrom drive from overseas?

This drive is (or, was at the time) particularly hard to find. It is a Samsung SH-D162C.

This one?

"Condition: NEW, Availability: NO (0) | Set Alert"

Yep. That'd be it.

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