stupid/contradictory eBay descriptions

I know what you mean, though it's reasonable to assume it's complete if it's factory sealed. If it's open and the instructions are there why not check and make SURE it's complete? They spend a lot of time designing the ad and writing disclaimers but don't have 5 minutes to check if what they are selling is complete? The seller knows that the item is worth more if it's complete. It's in their interest to check it out yet they don't bother. I generally assume it's incomplete if they use words that imply any uncertainty about the kit or don't say it's been inventoried.

Ron

OSTIAANTIC wrote: : I know what you mean, though it's reasonable to assume it's complete if it's : factory sealed. : With the ready availability of shrink wrap machines, a sealed box doesn't necessarily mean anything. :-(

Also, "unopened" probably refers to the inner bags if the outer shrink is gone.

But, hey, why not complain about "new AND improved!"

Bruce

Have seen more than a few original 1940s and 1950s kits advertised as "Still In Original Shrink-Wrap".

Now THAT is really stupid.

Tom

The one that gets me everytime is the old hawk kits that are listed that way (MISB). After winning one auction (I emailed the buyer before hand to let him know my intent if I won the auction) I asked the seller to verify that all the pieces were in the MISB. He was a gassed that I would open the shrink wrap, but went ahead - guess what he found - nothing but plastic sprues and a few misc. parts. He cancelled the auction and went after the guy he bought it from. Buyer beware.

Woody

Frank May wrote:

This kit didn't even have the plastic bags. IIRC, Monogram wasn't using them in the early-mid -70s.

At some point in the past, RLGIRSCH slavered, and posted this:

The one caveat would be as follows: in most jurstictions, the contract made is nullifiable if the seller misrepresents the merchandise s/he is selling. In other words, if a person advertises "unopened, mint condition, etc," and it comes to you as opened, the "as is/sales final" conditions do not apply. I ALWAYS print out a copy of the auction to ensure that I get the item for which I actually paid.

Watch out for the " nice kit, it appears to be all there, but I don't know much about models" and when you check their feedbacks (which might be all positive) you find that they normally are auctioning Poki-man cards and 8track tapes....ie they don't have a clue about what the model they are selling is or if it is incomplete...

At least with items like pottery or sculpture you can look at the pictures and read the labels (if they provide the images) and judge for yourself.. with a model kit it is a bit harder to tell if it is complete from the box photo...

Any one know when model kits first started coming out with shrink wrap over the box ???

~Voigt

I'm more leary of the guys who "don't know much about models" and when you check that's all they HAVE been selling. Kinda reeks of "dishonesty"

Dean

Some of the more hilarious e-bay offerings involve common plastic kits from the

While most appear to be either ignorant or just lazy there have been many who state that these "rare" and "very old" kits date from "the 1940s, 1950s at the very latest".

I guess they are ignoring the 1970-1990 patent dates usually stamped on the box.

Tom

I ran across one the other day. The seller admitted to knowing nothing about airplanes, but they had a built-up OV-10 for $12.99, going into its WWII history all thru the description! A couple of years ago I bid on 2 built-ups, a Monogram C-47 "Viet Nam Bomber" & Revell 1/32 F4U Army plane, which , BTW, had "Navy" decals on it. :) Some folks.

Maiesm72 wrote: : Some of the more hilarious e-bay offerings involve common plastic kits from the : 1970s-1990s described as "Original WWII Models" and the like. : For sellers like that, I move along to the next item. They are either patently dishonest or stupid, and I really have no desire to deal with them either way. : : I guess they are ignoring the 1970-1990 patent dates usually stamped on the : box. : Well, you are giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are literate... :-) Of course, it is possible they have no idea what (C) means. No smiley.

Bruce