The story of my little misunderstanding with engage757...

How much was the difference? Keep in mind shipping costs can also include packing materials, boxes, and possibly having it professionally packed.

 

Are we talking 10$ or a lot of money?

 

I always get screwed shipping Internationally, meaning I always have to pay more than I estimated, so good for him over estimating. If it's less than $50 let it go man. Packing materials cost me anywhere from $30-70 depending on the guitar & location. Last guitar I shipped cost more than I charged, paid it anyway & let the buyer know after the fact. He was cool enough to make up the difference. Hope it all works out or you're not picking a fight over a few bucks.

 

IIRC, he's perma-banned (for how long we don't know) so you might have to contact him via e-mail or do a Paypal dispute if the window is open and you didnt pay via gift

 

If you feel the situation has gotten so far outta hand that you needed to make a public thread about it.....then you must post the amount of money that you feel you are owed. How else can anyone else understand the magnitude of your problem?

 

Well, I'd guess fairly permalong.

 

Let me see if I understand... You gave him negative reputation over shipping costs after you received a guitar in perfect condition that you love and after he broke the law to send this as a gift so that you didn't have to pay additional taxes on your end. Add to the fact that he had to pick up (or buy materials) to pack it all up and go through the pain in butt of sending things via international post.

I think you are a jerk-off. But that is just my opinion...

 

He's been perma-banned before and Alex has let him back so that's why I say that. More like a "perma"-ban

 

I always get hosed on international shipping, so I'm always surprised someone comes in under budget.

Materials for that could eat up a significant portion of that budget, such that the difference may not be nearly as large as it seems. That would be an important factor to understand. I doubt this was a ploy to screw you out of money- particularly when he broke a law to save you taxes.

I'd say count your blessings.

 

I wouldn't recommend defending engage on this one. They had an agreement about shipping, engage has gone back on that and stopped replying to messages. Therefore, the negative feedback was deserved. Overall feedback rating is about more than the quality of the guitar you receive, its' about the overall satisfaction with the transaction and dealings with the seller/buyer.

I say sue engage so he can't move.

 

Thats how it goes man. I've been "burned" on here a few times (not mentioning names or anything). Just dumb shit like me saying "ok, I'll ship it with a tracking number and insurance in the full amount", however I guess even though you can track something and know that it's insured people still don't know how to use paypal's "gift" option. It would be one thing if they paid for shipping but it's an entirely different animal when I'm footing the bill (that means i spent the extra money to make sure it gets to you in one piece and you just screwed me out of even more money).

Basically, it happens man. That's the way of the road and once the deals done their isn't much you can do except learn from the experience.

 

until we see emails and the like stated that a deal was 1. made and 2. understood by all parties. Then this is just he said he said.

 

Also a fair enough point- that I agree with- but you can't approach this problem the way you did and then state that you did it so that things would end "peacefully", as that clearly is not the end result either.

Not knowing either of you really at all (despite have a couple PM exchanges with Engage that were very nice and friendly in the past), I'd say that if he responded as defensively as he did, and given your tone in this initial post, I would venture to guess that you were a bit aggressive in your approach. Whether that be initially or eventually, it is a method that really doesn't get the best out of people. I'm not saying the situation is your fault by any means, but perhaps suggesting that there are some things you can take away from the exchange that may help in the future.

Additionally, it is worth considering the other side, as was mentioned- there may be additional costs to take into account (packing/shipping materials and/or labor, which are not accounted for in the cost you would've seen, and can be substantial), plus he did take extra steps that could've initiated legal liability on his side that was done for your benefit. Thus, perhaps a more reasonable, objective approach should be considered before hearing the full story- which I agree, you deserve, if you haven't received. Fair enough.

Cosmically speaking: I get shafted on every international shipment I ever make when I sell guitars, pickups, whatever- it is never as cheap as people want, nor never as cheap as people tell me they've paid previously, and I still make attempts to accomodate it because I'm excessively nice. Sometimes it is much more expensive (and this happens with in-country guitar shipments, as with BOTH guitars I recently shipped), and I often eat the difference because it makes the buyer happy. They often don't even know. Thus, returning to the function of the cosmos, as an international buyer, for every time that you overpay shipping once, you've probably underpaid a couple times. This does NOT excuse shipping inflation (like you see on eBay) or similar practices, but something to keep in mind when you can step away from the situation a bit. Doesn't make the one instance feel better, but is a healthy reminder that these things have some give and take.

Just trying to be objective about the presented circumstances- not taking sides in any way.

 

I feel like there have been many, won't name them, that come here just to sling guitars. You have to be careful with people that set up monthly threads with ten guitars just to sell/trade like that. They are wheelin dealin and looking for cash anywhere they can.

 

this road is two ways...I've had some deals with a few wheel and deal trades/buys go through with out a hitch. Nothing wrong with a guy trying to make some extra scratch, as long as its on the up and up.

I feel this thread would benefit from copies of the emails, seeing as how engage isn't here (yet) to give his side of the story. To me the whole thing looks like there is an easy middle ground that could possibly be met.

We shouldn't be quick to rush to a judgement, remember there is always 3 parts to the story. Your side, their side, and the right side.

 

In the business world, a promise is about the most meaningless thing one could say.

 

This is good advice.


EDIT: It also looks as if a couple have been Perma Banned recently. This is pure speculation on my part....but it feels as if these types of members are being weeded out....not just here but other forums as well.