Cleaning things before selling them

[edd_jedi]

Over the past week I have bought two used controllers on Ebay from different sellers. Both were described as good condition, fully working. They cost nearly £20 each, so by no means throw away items. But both arrived looking literally like somebody had shat on them - brown dirt all over them, dust in the screw holes, and cleaning the cables left the wet wipes black!

It took me all of 2 minutes to clean them, but I can't believe anybody would consider selling something without giving it at least a quick clean first, especially something like a controller that people have to hold in their hands. Admittedly I'm a bit OCD, whenever I buy a new console or controller etc the first thing I do is completely strip them and try to make them look as like-new as I can, but sending out things that are completely filthy is just not on IMO.

 

[SkydivinGirl]

This topic is a double edged sword. Some people will get upset because something was not cleaned in an appropriate manner and would therefore rather receive it dirty to clean properly themselves. Either way, the seller should state the condition up front.

Heather

 

[edd_jedi]

I agree that original condition is important and any kind of restoration should be disclosed. I don't think many people would like to receive a controller with brown stuff on it though

 

[SkydivinGirl]

I certainly wouldn't!

Heather

 

[-Acid-]

I always strip controllers down and clean them myself when i get them, but at the same time I would be ashamed to sell one that hadn't had the same treatment.

 

[edd_jedi]

Ha, well I'm glad I stripped these down, one of them was full of cobwebs!

 

[Sardine]

I could never send dirty items

we bought Boots of eBay (the expensive walking/waterproof type) for my 6yr and 2yr,, no way would I pay the new price for 6months of use before out grown, anyway back on topic, one of the pairs we bought were in very good condition but we also received the last use "MUD" all over them, they cleaned up like new but why post muddy boots lol, I dont get it!!!!!!


here is what i sold, I would have been mortified if I was the buyer and received the 1st photos lol, I couldn't leave it I HAD to clean it

 

[protek]

I once received an Apple keyboard that was full of crud under the keycaps. I gave that a thorough clean and now it's as good as new.
https://www.amibay.com/showthread.p...n-put-in-water&p=617680&viewfull=1#post617680

 

[edd_jedi]

Yes check out my A4000 keyboard when I stripped it!

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?38402-My-Amiga-4000-Project&p=453158&viewfull=1#post453158

 

[mrr19121970]

I have bought VIC20s that were:

. Full of mud
. Full of leaves
. Had 2 live (big) spiders living inside

Nothing the dishwasher can't cure

 

[tbtorro]

I have bought VIC20s that were:

. Full of mud
. Full of leaves
. Had 2 live (big) spiders living inside

Nothing the dishwasher can't cure

Poor spiders.. Did you at least have a relocation plan for them?

 

[jimbob]

Got a pleasant surprise with an Xbox360 cable from ebay the other day. It was packaged and addressed just the way I do it and the cable itself was spotless and smelled of soap!

 

[mrr19121970]

Poor spiders.. Did you at least have a relocation plan for them?

Yes, I put them in a glass jar and released them into the garden.

 

[tbtorro]

Poor spiders.. Did you at least have a relocation plan for them?

Yes, I put them in a glass jar and released them into the garden.

Well done :inlove:

 

[Pondis]

I once bought a bundle of games online and when I went to collect them they were just heaped into a bin bag which was not a good start.

When I got the home some were water damaged (at least I HOPE it was water) some had a weird black treacle like substance on them (Hoping it was treacle) but all stank of smoke.

A good hour spend with baby wipes got them looking presentable, but it was still really unpleasant.

They were super cheap though, so I am not sure what I was expecting.

 

[Charlie]

FWIW: While don't expect retro stuff to be pristine I do think it's only common courtesy not to send stuff that is 'minging' without a darrn good reason and prior warning.

While I'm feeling like a rant something else that REALLY gets my undies in a bundle is people who can't be a***d packaging stuff properly... I'm not asking for fancy, just something that has a fighting chance of surviving the good kicking you know the delivery company is going to give it.

 

[Pondis]

While I'm feeling like a rant something else that REALLY gets my undies in a bundle is people who can't be a***d packaging stuff properly... I'm not asking for fancy, just something that has a fighting chance of surviving the good kicking you know the delivery company is going to give it.

I saw a picture online recently where the seller sent an N64 game through the post, but rather then put it in a bag/ box they just wrapped the whole thing in brown parcel tape.

I would be stunned if that dropped through my letter box!

 

[edd_jedi]

Just saw this listed for sale on eBay. I mean seriously, who is going to buy this? And why is the seller so lazy they can't spend 30 seconds wiping it clean before taking a photo?



- - - Updated - - -

I once bought a bundle of games online and when I went to collect them they were just heaped into a bin bag which was not a good start.

When I got the home some were water damaged (at least I HOPE it was water) some had a weird black treacle like substance on them (Hoping it was treacle) but all stank of smoke.

A good hour spend with baby wipes got them looking presentable, but it was still really unpleasant.

They were super cheap though, so I am not sure what I was expecting.

This reminds me of a monitor I bought off eBay a few years back. I asked the guy before buying it it smelled of smoke, he said no so I drove over to his place. When he opened the door it looked like he hadn’t hoovered his flat ever, and it stank of smoke. Needless to say the monitor (and everything in his flat) not only stank of smoke, but was caked in that horrible smoke residue old pubs used to have on the walls. Moral of the story - only smokers don’t realise they stink.

I was ****ed off as it was an hour drive away, but I felt a bit sorry for the guy so bought it anyway. He was obviously a bit of a mess himself judging by the state of his flat.

 

[UberFreak]

While I'm feeling like a rant something else that REALLY gets my undies in a bundle is people who can't be a***d packaging stuff properly...

Some years back, I bought a Vectrex on Ebay and the seller just shipped it in a thin box, without any padding at all.
Amazingly, it survived the trip with minor damage.

 

[Harrison]

Many years ago I purchased from ebay an N64 bundled with about 40 games. When it arrived the seller has just put everything together loose in a plastic shopping bag. Taped it up and put that in a box. Thankfully it did work but I couldn't believe it.

I've had quite a few retro items purchased online over the years which have arrived really dirty. Worst was an A500. I wasn't expecting much for £1.80 but it was so covered in nicotine it was orange and greasy. Took me kitchen cleaner and 2 kitchen rolls just to remove the gunk. Horrible. System worked perfectly and still is.

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