Here's a funny ebay story...

bmattock

bmattock

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I bid and won an auction for an Olympus 35 ECR (Item 7608344209) for $9.99.

I got an invoice from the seller, and I think he made a typo - instead of $7.95 shipping (which still would have been high, he listed $6.95 shipping in the auction), he fat-fingered in $795 for shipping. Total of $804.95.

Well, obviously this is a mistake, and equally obviously, I am not going to pay it.

However, when I click on 'Pay Now', it won't let me change the shipping price. Apparently, only the seller can do that.

So I emailed him.

Nothing.

I emailed him again a day later.

He acknowledged the problem, but did not say he'd do anything about it. He confirmed that the shipping price was supposed to be $7.95 (I ignored the fact that his auction said $6.95 shipping, who cares about a dollar).

I emailed him again yesterday. I said I want to pay him, but I can't - not until he fixes his 'invoice' so I can pay the actual shipping price

His one-word reply: "OK". He sent that reply at about 2:30 today, I didn't get it until I got home tonight (had a charity event to set up tables for).

I clicked on the 'Pay Now' and it still wants me to pay $795 shipping. Obviously I won't be doing that.

Sigh. He's new at this, I get that. I'm sure he's not trying to rip me off.

But this kind of sucks. I just want to pay him and get my camera.

Dang.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Trying going to your Paypal account 1st, and then the "Pay Ebay Auctions" (or whatever it's called). I think that lets you specify the shipping.
 
Kin Lau said:
Trying going to your Paypal account 1st, and then the "Pay Ebay Auctions" (or whatever it's called). I think that lets you specify the shipping.
Click to expand...

Thank you! It appears to work - it lets me put my own shipping amount in there. But when I click on continue, it puts the 795 back in. Hmm. This is still closer than I had been. Thanks again, I'll keep working on it.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Or, mark it as payed (using 'other' method) and then pay him any way you wish, including paypal (use his email)
 
Hey guys, thanks, I think that will work (send money to anyone and put in his email address). I didn't ask him about a money order, he's a one syllable kind of guy (I send him a paragraph explaining the problem, he answers "OK" and that's it). But I'll do as you guys suggested.

I'm looking forward to the camera too. I just shot a roll with a non RF Olympus 35 EC, and it is a nice little camera - really! The ECR is (I guess) a RF version of that - strictly AE, though, no manual control. So the metering has to work.

Thanks!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Bill, you're more kind to the seller than most. He's been an ebay member for 17 months and has 23 sales under his belt. IMO, he's hoping you'll just give up and he'll re-list..... maybe with a higher entry bid or even a reserve.

I just mailed a money order for $5.49 to a guy for an excellent copy of the 1953 "Leica Manual". I was the only bidder at 99 cents and shipping is $4.50. I immediately emailed the seller saying a MO would be mailed the next day and I've marked the auction as "Payment Sent". So far, not a word from the seller. I know it's crappy for him but he takes a chance at 99 cents and no one else bid it up. I actually bid more so the seller can't hold it against me for paying his price.

Walker
 
jpbob100 said:
The eBay listing says that he will accept a check or money order.

Bob
Click to expand...

Gotta get his address first. But if I can just go ahead and paypal him as mentioned above, then I think that will work. It's kind of frustrating, though. I don't really want to go to the post office to buy a money order - I haven't the time for it. I will if I have to though.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
doubs43 said:
Bill, you're more kind to the seller than most. He's been an ebay member for 17 months and has 23 sales under his belt. IMO, he's hoping you'll just give up and he'll re-list..... maybe with a higher entry bid or even a reserve.

I just mailed a money order for $5.49 to a guy for an excellent copy of the 1953 "Leica Manual". I was the only bidder at 99 cents and shipping is $4.50. I immediately emailed the seller saying a MO would be mailed the next day and I've marked the auction as "Payment Sent". So far, not a word from the seller. I know it's crappy for him but he takes a chance at 99 cents and no one else bid it up. I actually bid more so the seller can't hold it against me for paying his price.

Walker
Click to expand...

I admit, I didn't think of that. I was thinking maybe he thought I'd just click on pay now and not notice the high shipping fee? I mean, not likely, even my paranoia didn't believe that, but it also seemed like he was in no particular hurry to get on with fixing the problem - kind of like I was bugging him, trying to pay the guy. So you could well be right.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Yes, the ECR is the RF version of the zone-focus-only EC. If the metering is off, then you're stuck with compensating or you're screwed. But given how nice the pics from the Trip 35 (zone focus, auto-only) can be, I'd be interested in an ECR myself. I get good results from a Konica C35, which is equivalent to the ECR.
 
jpbob100 said:
Bill:
Shouldn't his address be on the invoice they emailed you? Any way, good luck. I hope you get it straightened out quickly. Now it's time to sleep. Good night.


Bob
Click to expand...

Woah, you're right! Sorry, stupid me, I didn't even look. I guess I'm just so used to Paypal. OK, you got me. I'll try contacting the guy again and see how he wants to be paid.

Thanks!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Wayne R. Scott said:
Bill,

What are you going to use for batteries in the ECR?

Wayne
Click to expand...

In the EC, I had some corrosion. When I tried to clean it out with vinegar, one of the posts (there are two bays for PX640's) came completely out, leaving a blank plastic hole. I shoved a small screw in there and turned it, prayed it made contact with something conducting. Filled the rest of that hole up with aluminum foil. Used a pair of the hearing aid zinc-air batteries in the other hole to make up the diference (the two bays are wired in series) and wrapped them with tape until the were fat enough to fit in the hole and not turn over. Worked! I did a roll of el cheapo color print film, the negs looked good and the lens was fair enough - like an Olympus XA2, maybe even a tad better. So I have a roll of B&W in there now - but I thought a RF version of the same camera would be nice.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Thanks Bill,

I have an ECR and an ED was wondering if there were any batteries that would work. I'll get out the baling wire, duct tape, aluminum foil, and hearing aid batteries and see if they can be put back to work.

Wayne
 
bmattock said:
Woah, you're right! Sorry, stupid me, I didn't even look. I guess I'm just so used to Paypal. OK, you got me. I'll try contacting the guy again and see how he wants to be paid.

Thanks!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
Click to expand...

Bill, go low tech. Like me. Send him money. What a concept. Even cheaper than a money order. People actually still like cash.
 
bmattock said:
I didn't ask him about a money order, he's a one syllable kind of guy (I send him a paragraph explaining the problem, he answers "OK" and that's it).
Click to expand...
I have an idea: send him a Money Order for $1.00. Let's see if his vocabulary gets extended :angel:
 
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