The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: Win some, lose some with eBay

This isn't damaged. It's fine. But, it certainly is not as shown. I will indeed see what the seller says/does. He is obviously eager that I be happy. He shipped my order faster than he had to under the timeline given. I did not just get an email from eBay that it shipped; he also sent a personal message to me saying the same, and telling me that if there were any problems to please contact him. With my order, he sent a little business card also telling me to contact him if anything was wrong. I have done so.

My experience so far is that their English is vastly better than my Chinese, but comprehension can still be a problem. I will have to convey that a Block I is not a Block III to a fellow who I doubt knows such subtleties, and in my language, not his (unless I trust a machine translation, which I don't.) I plan to photograph what I got with my finger pointing to the two problem areas. He will have to then be convinced that's as big a problem as I do. And ultimately, all his site promises in writing is a 1/700 Virginia class submarine, which I certainly got (if it's really "just business.")

I have no doubt he wants to make me happy. I have no doubt he will understand that I am not completely happy. I have no doubt that he can not produce a Block III Virginia sub model, which is what would really make me totally happy. If I can get him to understand that what was shown was not what was received, I strongly suspect he will offer some sort of (probably partial) refund. At this point, he can't produce the thing that would really make me happy, so I will settle for monetary compensation, the exact amount of which I am open to determining.

That's business.

Previous Message

I wouldn't be as forgiving especially because of the missile tubes which are probably a main selling point. I have purchased from China of course and twice I have received damaged goods, contacted the suppliers with photo's through ebay channels and both times have received correct replacement items and one of those did not require me to return the item.

See what they say in their reply but I think they would be reasonable, it's business.

Previous Message

Today I received my 1/700 3D printed Virginia SSN from eBay China. Pictured by the seller was an orange colored full hull Block III, with a chin sonar, and opened large diameter bow missile tubes, with separate hatches to position open or closed.

What I got was a dark grey colored Block I/II with closed (scribed on) individual missile tubes, and no chin sonar. I doubt the seller knows the differences in the blocks, and suspect he has no clue what his site shows is not what he's sending. I have expressed my dissatisfaction, but there's a time zone difference. I will see what his reply is.

Other than this detail, it is one mighty fine model featuring the side sonar arrays, torpedo tubes, etc. It came with an extra bow plane in case I somehow lose one trying to put them on, and it has a "fret" of periscopes and other masts for me to "mix and match" as I choose, should I want to show anything extended on the sail. I think I can come up with a scratch of the chin sonar. I don't want to bother with repacking it for return, so a refund will not be the solution. I will just mention in my review it was not what's shown, but otherwise fine.

Bottom line...if you see an orange 1/700 Block III Virginia SSN offered on eBay and are thinking of getting one, just know it's not really a Block III as shown!