I’m trying to buy 2 rare Kotobukiya Bishoujo statues. The last 2 I’m missing.

Unfortunately, it seems most all sellers have decided not to ship to Canada. Apparently, packages shipped to Canada are often lost and the eBay sellers from the US need to refund the money to the buyer in this scenario. Word is catching on to everyone…and it now seems that 1 out of 10 sellers will ship something expensive internationally.

So, when there are 9 of the same item that will only be sold in the US, I can’t buy it.
And when there’s that ONE (out of 10) item that will ship to Canada, I’m bidding against all the other Canadians. So prices go WAY up.

Anyways, I ended up buying a rather expensive statue ($245), somewhat impulsively, given the situation described above. I saw it go online and within 5 minutes, purchased it. I looked at the other guy’s record first though (97%…which is low for eBay but not bad), I looked at the other things he sold and the other feedback. I was decently confident with this seller, so I purchased the item. with $30 shipping, it came out to $275.

2 weeks later, I get my package. And it’s opened. Despite saying it’s brand new in the description.
I don’t really mind this though, as long as the item is in good shape. It’s a rare item, so I’ll forgive it being open. What I can’t forgive is this painting issue:

One of the bracelets is silver, where it should be gold. I talked to Kotobukiya, the manufacturer and they did confirm it was not a legitimate product based on the UPC on the box, and that the “exclusive” sticker on the box was fake (but well done). It’s unfortunate because everything else is perfect quality. I imagine that what I received was a legitimate, but defective product, not a bootleg product.

Anyways, I complained to the seller:

The item I purchased is bootleg (not legitimate). I have contacted Kotobukiya to confirm this. Also, your item was not described correctly. It explains the items is new, unopened but the box was opened when I received it. I demand a refund and I will return this item as per the return policy stated on your product page.

If you do not comply, I will inform eBay and PayPal of your bootlegged product, dispute the charge, and provide you a negative feedback.

– Warren

oh im so sorry.
I mistake condition.actually I named mint but I mistook for new instead of used.
im so sorry for bothering you.
of couse I refund money.

but I would like to inquiry you.
how much do you buy this item?

this item is actually used.so its my mistake.
but if this item is used condition,its very rare item.
I want you to buy this item for 150$

how about it?

-sietoron20012012

I was thinking to myself: what does this mean? Does it mean he expected me to keep the product, while I get my refund, and that he wanted to buy it for $150? In that sense, I could have made a $150 profit. Due to the lack of clarify in the email though, I didn’t want to take the chance…that he meant “I will refund $150 of your money back” because if I agreed, it would hold and I’d be screwed $125. So I clearly wrote:

I will return the item when you refund the price I paid: 245 + 30 (shipping) = $275 Total

– Warren

ok Im so sorry.Its mean of couse for you to get uncomfortabale.
im sorry again.
I try not to do such thing.

Ill pay you immedately.

– sietoron20012012

Anyways, he did seem pretty sincere about it though I bet he knew he was trying to rip me off. He probably assumed I wouldn’t notice or care and then we’d both be happy. Unfortunately, I need this statue for my website/photography so I want a legit version.

I did get my refund immediately but lose the shipping cost it will take to return the item ($40). Sigh.

I would have/could have asked for more money but I didn’t really want to push my luck. To be honest, if he didn’t pay me, there’s nothing I can really do. I can disupute it was eBay or Paypal or whatever…but these asians don’t care/won’t get affected. They close shop and re-open shop with a different name a day later. The guy only had 33-person rating on eBay so it wasn’t like he was established. I’m actually pretty pleased to get my $275 back, even if I still had to pay $40 for nothing. Better to cut my losses.

I’m done with this way of things. I talked to some co-workers. I set up this service (http://cbiusa.com/) in which I ship packages to Niagara Falls, NY. A company keeps the packages and then I can go pick them up for $6 per package. The real issue is driving to Niagara Falls (1.5 hour drive, 3 hours there and back) and the gas it cost. Still, the discount I get for not having to compete with all these damn Canadian buyers makes up for the difference.

So in 2 weeks or so, I’ll go to the US one weekend to pick up my package :) It’s about $200 less than other competing offers have been so I’m quite happy :) Once I get that, I’m only missing one statue and I got them all! ^______________________^