TheSamba.com :: View topic - VW Addict - jordancyr3@yahoo.com

Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:12 am

BEWARE of misleading ad descriptions and a seller who doesn't care to make things right.

I recently purchased a fan shroud from seller "VW Addict" - Jordan Cyr in Caribou, Maine through a Samba classified ad. Ad title was "NEW VW Doghouse Fanshroud". Item received was anything but new. Had obvious signs of previous use including bolt/washer marks and an area where it was hammered/dented in on the passenger side by the fresh air outlet.(to clear a manifold maybe?). It has also been repainted (poorly) over surface rust - the original black can be seen through the paint and in places where it is chipped. I did see in the ad pictures that the shroud was a reddish/rust color, but due to the seller's ad title and description of "NEW" inferred that the color was a factory primer, not a bad repaint.

The seller justifies his use of the word NEW in his ad by stating that he placed a question mark in the body of the ad after the statement "looks to be brand new?" and says that means that it might not be new but that it does look new. Well, it doesn't look new, not even close. It is used and damaged - obviously so.

I emailed the seller as soon as I received the shroud and let him know (nicely) that I was dissapointed and that I'd like to hear back from him about it. He responded with a "sorry you feel that way". I emailed back with an offering of options that he either do a partial refund of at least $10, allow me to return it for a full refund, or that I file an "Item not as Described" claim through PayPal. He responded with an offer of $7.00 and then completed a "refund" of $0.01 along with a note stating "Here's your refund so you can stop crying".

All I wanted was what was advertised and agreed upon. He sold an item that was not as described then tried to say that inserting a question mark into the body of the ad made it all right.

Pics:

link to original ad

This guy currently has 100 classified ads posted on the Samba - be careful - Run, don't walk away from this seller. Apparently he's changed his email address a few times, since clicking on the "Search Feedback" link in his ads doesn't show any feedback (except this thread now)

Other unhappy customers:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=128085&highlight=jordan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102652&highlight=jordan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101845&highlight=jordan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=100138&highlight=jordan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72302&highlight=jordan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74874&highlight=jordan

VW Addict Jordan Cyr [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:20 pm

If you honestly thought you were going to get a brand new factory doghouse shroud for $20 then you haven't been messing with VWs very long. I'm not saying the ad was right or wrong, it's been deleted, but it doesn't sound to me like you got screwed too bad. It might be different if it was $200 or $2000. Look at it this way, you learned a lesson and it only cost you $20.

Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:05 pm

It's really not about the money, it's the principle of the thing. He described it as new when it obviously wasn't - and apparently I'm not the first person he's done this to.

(and the deal was $40)

Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:16 pm

I agree about the principle. Unfortunately, doing business online has a certain amout of risk. Lately, it seems like there are a lot of "not so good" deal happeneing here on thesamba. But, anytime you you purchase something depending on someone else's honesty you run the risk of getting burnt. That's why I love this forum. I just wish when people have good deal they put forth as much effort to let everyone know as they do when they have a bad deal.

Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:14 pm

I bought this vw part in a new set of parts lot. I accurately described the item in the ad stating and I quote, "Traded in a swap meet this week. Looks to be brand new?" Apparently he did not read the description very well... because in my book looks to be brand new does not necessarily mean it is brand new. I also had four pictures accurately showing the item. Buyer has agreed that this piece has never been used, but he believes that it has been painted. (I stated looks to be brand new? with a question mark...referring to... you decide...). He then threatened me with filing a paypal claim and then stated "the oil cooler cover is bent (this might have happened during shipping as the box was in kind of rough shape when it was delivered)." Which is clearly a shipping matter and not a paypal dispute. Yes, I did offer him $7.00 and to keep the item to, since he dickered me down on the ad to begin with - which is half of what he paid ($15.00 for the item and $25.00 shipping) so he would be happy, but instead he said he would file a claim threatening - and I quote, "I will file a "Not as described" claim with PayPal and get them to refund me."

Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:00 am

I didn't write the post above to reopen a dialog and argue every little point about this case with Mr. Cyr here in the forum, I posted so others might read it and then decide if they wish to do business with him.

I think the facts as presented speak for themselves. I do however, want to clarify/correct a couple of small points and then ask a question. I'll then leave this here and let the readers make their own judgements.

VW Addict wrote: I accurately described the item in the ad stating and I quote, "Traded in a swap meet this week. Looks to be brand new?" Pictures are posted above - doesn't look new to me, and I'm sure others will agree - so how can you honestly say it is as described when you described it as "looks to be brand new"?

VW Addict wrote: Apparently he did not read the description very well... because in my book looks to be brand new does not necessarily mean it is brand new. I'll agree here - looks to be brand new does not necessarily mean that it is brand new - but it does mean that it should at least look brand new. This doesn't.

VW Addict wrote: I also had four pictures accurately showing the item. Buyer has agreed that this piece has never been used, but he believes that it has been painted. (I stated looks to be brand new? with a question mark...referring to... you decide...). Um, NO. I never agreed any such thing. I advised as soon as I received it that the shroud was obviously used and damaged. "Believes it has been repainted" - damn straight I believe it has been - You can see that it has been repainted right over the hammered dents and the rust.

VW Addict wrote: Yes, I did offer him $7.00 and to keep the item to, since he dickered me down on the ad to begin with - which is half of what he paid ($15.00 for the item and $25.00 shipping) so he would be happy, but instead he said he would file a claim threatening - and I quote, "I will file a "Not as described" claim with PayPal and get them to refund me."
Try and be truthful here - I made you an offer, then you made a counter-offer which I accepted. I fail to see how that qualifies as me "dickering" you down. The agreement was $40.00 for the shroud including shipping. If you want to look at it as $15.00 for the shroud and $25.00 for shipping then go ahead (BTW - I received a USPS quote for return shipping in your box at $8.39 - that's a bit different than your "$25.00" wouldn't you say?). My later email offered three options: you refund me at least $10.00, or you allow me to return the shroud for a full refund, or I file a claim for merchandise "not as described". That's not threatening, that's giving you choices about how to please a customer. Your final act of refunding $0.01 with a note stating "Here's your refund so you can stop crying" was a bit childish - I do hope it made you feel better about your deception.

Apparently you sell quite a bit of stuff, and seem to have a fairly high number of unhappy buyers (as the above linked threads show), so now for my question(s):

Could the problem with all of your unhappy buyers really be you or the way you describe your items - and not just overly picky customers who expect to receive what is described? Have you ever taken a moment and wondered if just maybe you need to rethink how you describe your items before you list them for sale?

Maybe it is and you should.

Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:46 am

Quote: I didn't write the post above to reopen a dialog and argue every little point about this case with Mr. Cyr here in the forum

So what the hell was that ramble just about?

Face the fact. You did not look at the pictures or read the description when you bought this item. EVEN PAYPAL AGREES WITH ME. Then this guy emails me and says well, "the damage could have been from the shipping." Which, if he would have stated first, this would be a different issue, and not a paypal claim, a shipping claim... he doesn't know what he is crying about!

Also... anyone, tell me, whos shipped doghouse fanshrouds before... how he believes it's possible to ship that item 3400 miles (Maine to California) for $8.00. HA! With the size and the dimensions of the box, it was a little more then $25 to send it to him, but I never asked for more shipping money.

Tell you what, you wanted $10 back and keep it? OK... so send me back the product, for your $8.00 quote, and I will give you $20.00 (your $10.00 refund you wanted to so bad...plus)

REALITY: You paid $15.00 for a good used doghouse fanshroud and complaining about it. Even paypal didn't agree with your false claim. Maybe they will send you some cheese for that wine. Or...would you like a cookie?

Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:53 am

VW Addict wrote: So what the hell was that ramble just about? I don't see it as a ramble, but since you do appear to want to discuss it here, I'll tell you. As I said before, I posted to this thread to warn others about your practices. I then responded to a couple of your innacurate comments in an attempt to set the record straight. It is apparent that you're not ever going to admit that you were wrong, so I'm just going to move on. I'll address your above comments with facts and consider this deal a lost cause.

VW Addict wrote: Face the fact. You did not look at the pictures or read the description when you bought this item. EVEN PAYPAL AGREES WITH ME. Hardly - The fact is that the ad title and description said "NEW" - it wasn't. The banged in side, and painted over rust were not apparent in your pictures. I don't know why you think PayPal agrees that there was no wrongdoing on your part - they have an open file on you. True, they're not currently pursuing this case but that is only because this transaction didn't take place on eBay. They're only covering "not as described" claims for eBay purchases now - must be too many unscrupulous sellers out there. (too bad I didn't know that before...)

The big problem (and my real mistake) is that I trusted you. Hopefully others won't fall for the same kind of shady stuff.

VW Addict wrote: Then this guy emails me and says well, "the damage could have been from the shipping." Which, if he would have stated first, this would be a different issue, and not a paypal claim, a shipping claim... he doesn't know what he is crying about! You keep saying this - did you not read the first email I sent? My comment about damage possibly occurring during shipping was related only to the bent oil cooler portion - it had nothing to do with the signs of use, the repaint, the rust, or the hammered-in side, in fact my exact wording to you was "also the oil cooler cover is bent (this might have happened during shipping as the box was in kind of rough shape when it was delivered)".

VW Addict wrote: Also... anyone, tell me, whos shipped doghouse fanshrouds before... how he believes it's possible to ship that item 3400 miles (Maine to California) for $8.00. HA! With the size and the dimensions of the box, it was a little more then $25 to send it to him, but I never asked for more shipping money. As i said before, the shipping cost really doesn't matter - our agreement was for $40 shipped. I offered to return it then at my expense - you declined - but as an aside, Here's your DHL "$25.00 shipping"
DHL Shipping Calculator wrote: 93551
UNITED STATES
To:
04736
UNITED STATES
Package:†
Your Packaging 25L" X 18"W X 8"H
12 lbs
27 August, 2007
Shipping services Arrival date and time Estimated charges
DHL Ground Service
Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 by end of day $13.37
VW Addict wrote: REALITY: You paid $15.00 for a good used doghouse fanshroud and complaining about it. Even paypal didn't agree with your false claim. Maybe they will send you some cheese for that wine. Or...would you like a cookie? As I said before - I'm not really complaining about the money - This entire issue is about your innacurate item description(s), and now your unwillingness/inability to understand why I'm not happy that the shroud is not as described.

Re: a false claim - the only things false in this entire transaction was your description of the item and your subsequent distortion of the truth. If you had accurately described it, we might not have made the deal, but we certainly wouldn't be having this "discussion" and I wouldn't have to be warning others potential buyers to be wary of dealing with you.

Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:45 am

... I must say that any and all dealings I have had with Jordan have gone well, probably a half dozen or so.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:07 am

Jordan made me a package deal on a few items he was selling and even dropped the price on an old owners manual because of it's condition (his idea, not mine). Everything was packed well, which was good considering it looked like the Post Office ran over the box. Jordan advised me when the parcel was sent as soon as my Paypal payment hit his account. I would recommend Jordan to other buyers.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:36 am

I've just received here in Brazil a package from Jordan, with a license plate light. It came well packed and the description of the part was correct.
I recommend Jordan to other buyers.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:40 am

Just bought 2 Bentley repair manuals off of Jordan for a whopping $10 shipped. Nothing bad to say here!

Mitch

Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:29 pm

I just bought some small items from him and I am completely satisfied with the deal.

Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:08 pm

I just bought 4 VW Sweet decals. Super fast shipping to Mexico City! Jordan is a great seller. Thanks.

Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:08 am

just bought a gas cap from Jordan. it was as described and pictured in the ad, priced very fairly, and shipped very quickly. thanks again for another smooth purchase and nice part.

Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:49 pm

I just received a speedometer I bought from Jordan...accurately described, reasonably priced, good communication, and shipped very quickly. I would buy from him again.
I have read the thread and there will always be some sticklers...a lot of BS over some reasonably priced parts.
Good luck to ya and remember...you catch more bees with honey than you do with vineger! Just keep 'em happy Jordan...it's not worth the fight... :roll:

Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:41 pm

this guy is a serious seller send my parts to brazil!!!! thanks again!!! (welli)

Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:16 am

Bought some ghia emblems from Jordan ,good communication,and fast shipping,all as described!
Thanks again Jordan

Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:26 am

Jordan Cyr - thank-you for the great deal on the horn buttons. Our '78 SB vert will be proud to wear them. I appreciate how fast you shipped them out, too.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:12 pm

I'm happy with the deal I had with Jordan!