Seller: from Rhode Island, USA
Buyer: ME (a.k.a cockcroft@img.cryst.bbk.ac.uk)
Comments: The above item was described as being in "MINT" condition, yet it is obvious to virtually anyone who makes even a simple examination of it that this description was false:
Photo 1 shows the loco with a missing buffer. Photo 2 shows the inside of the loco with lots of fluff, hairs, etc. It is difficult to believe that the loco got into this state if it had never left the box. Photographs 3-6 show the development of rust on the both of the coaches. In fact, examination of the box shows that the train set has been kept in damp conditions. The rust only occurs where contact with the cardboard packing takes place - hence the photograph displayed on Ebay of the other side of the objects is deceptive. The track was displayed so that some non-original track is not visible! In fact, 3 curved sections of the original track are missing, again suggesting that the contents have been out of the box and used at some time. The state of the wheels suggests that the set was only lightly used, as does the state of the loco brushes and commutator. The box cover was only in a fair to good condition, but this was to be expected given the Ebay photo of it.
Originally, I gave the seller the benefit of the doubt since it was possible that the seller didn't examine the contents since everything inside is very grubby, but not to examine something and then declare it to be mint seems a dodgy practice at best. It might be true that it has never been sold, since it may have been used without sale, but under no circumstances can it be described as mint in the year 2000. However, given the comments (see below) when this item was resold on Ebay, I have severe doubts about the attitude of this Ebay vendor when it comes to describing toys that he clearly does not specialize in.
Outcome: On contacting the seller, it was agreed that the goods could be returned. Total outward postage cost me US $40 (though marked US $35 on the parcel) plus £21 (US $31) to return it. I did eventually get back the money that I paid for the goods (US $133), but without any contribution towards my postal costs.
The seller then attempted to resell the goods with the
Mellano Hornby Dublo 2-Rail Electric Train Set 2009 0-60 Tank Passenger Train
B.R. In the original Box!!
This toy was found in a old drug store, here in beauiful Woonsocket
RhodeIsland. PHOTOS TELL IT ALL.
OK, the item no longer said "Mint", but what I say is:
My photos here tell it all!
Am I just justified in leaving negative feedback after all this? After the
seller tried to dupe a second UK collector into buying it, I felt I had
no choice. I leave it to the reader to judge on this one.
Naturally the seller promptly retaliated (despite
the Ebay rules) by leaving negative feedback on me, but I just take that as
a further reflection on his character.
Additional Comments:
In model railway (railroad) terms, the following scheme seems typical
for most dealers that I buy from in the UK:
Usually only the first 3 to 4 catagories are of interest to collectors -
modellers who wish to repaint, etc, will often buy good to fair, and the final
condition some dealers describe as only suitable for the bin or occasionally
spare parts.
The engine I would rate good to very good (6 to 7/10), but the coaches
only good (5 to 6/10), and the box only 5/10 at best.
Mint - 10/10
The item is in perfect condition, e.g. in factory condition
Near Mint - 9/10
Almost perfect, e.g. in factory condition,
but slight damage to box
Excellent - 8/10
Item will have been used, but little wear apparent, e.g. tiny
scratches
Very Good - 7/10
Item will have been used, but with obvious wear, e.g. a few
minor paint chippings, slight loss of the decals
Good - 5 or 6/10
Item will have been well used, e.g. obvious scratches,
loss of paint, rust spots, chipping off of fragile parts
Fair - 3 or 4/10
Item will show have signs of heavy wear, e.g. bits broken
or missing, usually serious loss of paint
Poor - 0 to 2/10
Item will be in a very distressed condition
