Question for those of you who buy used CDs from Amazon

[George]

If you ordered a CD that was listed as "Like New" and it arrived scratched (but still played fine), gave the seller a 3/5 rating, and he or she contacted you saying: "I'll give you a refund if you remove your feedback" would you do it?

My thinking is, the reason you give feedback is to warn other buyers, but then again, I don't make very much money and could use my money back. 

[Gustav]

If you ordered a CD that was listed as "Like New" and it arrived scratched (but still played fine), gave the seller a 3/5 rating, and he or she contacted you saying: "I'll give you a refund if you remove your feedback" would you do it?

My thinking is, the reason you give feedback is to warn other buyers, but then again, I don't make very much money and could use my money back. 

it happened to me once, I bought a CD, and it came in with a shattered case (the CD is mint though), I got pissed and wrote something not so nice on the review, he offer me the refund, and I took it. But, I had only to replace the case, which was not much trouble at all, and a shattered case might not have been their fault, so, i took my comment down when i got my refund.

[George]

it happened to me once, I bought a CD, and it came in with a shattered case (the CD is mint though), I got pissed and wrote something not so nice on the review, he offer me the refund, and I took it. But, I had only to replace the case, which was not much trouble at all, and a shattered case might not have been their fault, so, i took my comment down when i got my refund.

Yeah, that makes sense.

This guy was offering a refund if I first remove the feedback, not a refund first. If I take it down, I can't put another back up if he doesn't refund me. 

[Greta]

What about when you order a brand-new CD, from the Marketplace, because it's cheaper, and then it arrives contents okay, but with the case broken. And this was an SACD too. 

I left something like a 3 star feedback, but never was contacted by the seller. I guess he really didn't care. Or maybe I should have wrote something meaner in the feedback note...

[Great Gable]

Firstly, I don't buy used anymore - I don't ever want to get into a dialogue with a private person over a transaction (and I don't want a CD coming stinking of tobacco smoke). With regard to my other transactions, I keep a large supply of jewel cases and trays. I no longer quibble breakages of that nature, as it's not worth the hassle. The spares I buy in bulk and only cost me around 10p per complete case - big deal!

[Que]

I think if you order "like new" the CD itself should be spotless, and the booklet in (very) good condition.
But I'm willing to accept a scruffy case - that can easily replaced.

Because my orders are transatlantic when I order in the US, there is always a higher risk that a case gets broken. I just replace the casing when it does happen once in a while - would only leave a negative feedback if the packaging was clearly inadequate. Because of the risks of transatlantic mail I tend to order (larger) sets in vulnerable (cardboard) layout in Europe with companies which I know to take extra care with packaging. (MDT for instance).

George, with the delivery of a scruffy CD this seller was clearly at fault. But it seems reasonable to give him a chance to correct this and to take the refund. I think future buyers will benefit nontheless, because the seller now has learned not to sell a scruffy CD "like new". If he doesn't keep his word, you could always inform Amazon of this (keep the email). I think generally the best strategy is first to complain with the seller and keep the option to leave a negative feedback open to "motivate" the seller... This worked for me before.

Q

[71 dB]

Interestingly the cheapest options in Amazon Marketplace are usually new CDs so I rarely buy them used. If I do, I have to get the CD for really low price and I am pretty much happy if the CD plays ok. 

One time I was offered refund. I never saw the money after removing my negative feedback! 

[longears]

No, George, I wouldn't. 

I've bought several used CDs from marketplace sellers (ever since ebay became worthless).  Probably half arrive with cracked cases--easily replaced, as Que notes.  Probably 3 out of 4 are as advertised.  "Like new" should be just that--what's not to understand?  "Very good" CDs should be unscratched, but perhaps with some flaws or marks on the packaging.  My pet peeve with marketplace sellers is that some will send a club edition without noting that information in the description.  That is deceptive and I almost always leave feedback about it, so prospective buyers have a chance to know what they're dealing with.

[Lethevich]

The worst are people who advertise CDs as "New" when they are obviously used (this is more common with books, though). I mean, I can understand if a guy has multiple CDs in different conditions how he may mix them up, but that still won't stop me giving him a 1 star review if I get it in shitty condition (the disc was 1p - so no refund is likely to be offered there, haha ).

[Szykneij]

I buy lots of used CDs and would prefer to buy used over new when the price is significantly cheaper. From my perspective, anything that's used can't be "like new", so when I buy a used CD I expect there to be some visible signs of wear regardless of the description and I make my purchasing decisions accordingly. To me, the music is the important thing so perfect condition isn't a concern as long as the CD plays properly. For those who want their CDs in perfect condition, buying used  isn't a practical option.
  As far as jewel cases go, they just don't travel well through the mail and I've received damaged cases on new and used CDs alike. It's just an unfortunate hazard you can't avoid unless you buy them in person. In the very few instances I've had a problem of any kind with an Amazon or ebay purchase, I've contacted the seller first and had the issue quickly resolved. I always assume that if something goes wrong, it's an honest mistake and give the other guy a chance to fix it first. 

[ChamberNut]

I just buy new directly from Amazon.  I tried to order about 7 CD's one time through the Amazon marketplace, choosing the cheapest "new" CD's from the various marketplaces (ie. Caiman), and while the cost of the CD's would have been alot cheaper this way, the various astronomical shipping charges all added up, made the purchase directly via Amazon alot cheaper in the end.

[greg]

If you ordered a CD that was listed as "Like New" and it arrived scratched (but still played fine), gave the seller a 3/5 rating, and he or she contacted you saying: "I'll give you a refund if you remove your feedback" would you do it?

My thinking is, the reason you give feedback is to warn other buyers, but then again, I don't make very much money and could use my money back. 

depends on how much i paid for the Cd 

[Great Gable]

I just buy new directly from Amazon.  I tried to order about 7 CD's one time through the Amazon marketplace, choosing the cheapest "new" CD's from the various marketplaces (ie. Caiman), and while the cost of the CD's would have been alot cheaper this way, the various astronomical shipping charges all added up, made the purchase directly via Amazon alot cheaper in the end.

Shipping costs to Canada must be significantly higher than shipping from US to UK. At £1.24 per item (CDs), that makes the process as "cheap as chips", to coin David Dickinson's phrase.

[Lethevich]

  As far as jewel cases go, they just don't travel well through the mail and I've received damaged cases on new and used CDs alike. It's just an unfortunate hazard you can't avoid unless you buy them in person. In the very few instances I've had a problem of any kind with an Amazon or ebay purchase, I've contacted the seller first and had the issue quickly resolved. I always assume that if something goes wrong, it's an honest mistake and give the other guy a chance to fix it first. 

Replacement jewelcases are so cheap that I agree that it shouldn't be a problem. A broken jewelcase isn't the seller's fault, it's the moronic mail workers who played football with the parcel (I can't explain any other way that some of the packages I've sent people can have ended up so damaged).

[johnQpublic]

(ever since ebay became worthless).   

Interesting comment, as that's my feeling these days too, although your opinion may be based on different criteria than mine. For me it's a combo of rarely  having what I want and then when a "want list" item of mine shows up the bidding goes above what I could buy it for at Amazon Marketplace.

[prémont]

I buy lots of used CDs and would prefer to buy used over new when the price is significantly cheaper. From my perspective, anything that's used can't be "like new", so when I buy a used CD I expect there to be some visible signs of wear regardless of the description and I make my purchasing decisions accordingly. To me, the music is the important thing so perfect condition isn't a concern as long as the CD plays properly. For those who want their CDs in perfect condition, buying used  isn't a practical option.  

Exactly. But if the CD in question is OOP, you are urged to get it second-hand, if you want it.
I have acquired a few "like new" for that reason, and all of them were actually unused.
Either I have been fortunate, or maybe I purchase CDs nobody wants to hear.

[George]

I just sent the seller this email:
_____________________

My main reason for being honest in my feedback is to help other buyers. However, you seem to be aware of the feedback you get and will therefore hopefully post information on amazon with more care.

I have looked into this. If I remove my feedback and you don't refund my money, I cannot repost my feedback. Since this has happened to a friend of mine, I don't think it's a good idea for me.

However, if you first refund my money, you have my word that I will immediately remove my feedback.

George Perkins

[Szykneij]

I just sent the seller this email:
_____________________

My main reason for being honest in my feedback is to help other buyers. However, you seem to be aware of the feedback you get and will therefore hopefully post information on amazon with more care.

I have looked into this. If I remove my feedback and you don't refund my money, I cannot repost my feedback. Since this has happened to a friend of mine, I don't think it's a good idea for me.

However, if you first refund my money, you have my word that I will immediately remove my feedback.

George Perkins

Sounds fair to me. George, out of curiosity, how much was the CD? (And what was it?)

[Gustav]

ebay is pretty crappy now, rarely do you get a bargain deal. But, let's see, there is a rare Sinopoli's Bruckner's 8th on auction right now, it's by no means in Mint condition, but i still expect the end price to go through the roof.

[longears]

From my perspective, anything that's used can't be "like new", so when I buy a used CD I expect there to be some visible signs of wear regardless of the description

.  Virtually all of the CDs that I bought new are still "like new."  They've been stored and handled properly, have no scratches or fingerprints or globs of dried peanut butter on them, the jewel cases are clean and intact, and all the inserts are pristine.  And 3 out of 4 used CDs I buy that are described as "like new" are the same.  So when a seller advertises as "like new," that's exactly what I expect--a CD "package" that's indistinguishable from a new CD that's had the wrapping and seal removed.