As I mentioned in the Interesting Items Currently on eBay thread, I recently executed a BIN on a first printing DMG for $89.99.  The listing can be seen at  
** expired/removed eBay auction **
.  

This a picture from the listing.  

It arrived last Wednesday, damaged in shipment.  It came in a bubble mailer and the Post Office smashed it, as required in their procedures.  For some reason I assumed that when the seller stated that collectables would be shipped in a box, that that would include $90 books.  I have attached some pictures.  

This is as received.

This is a close up.

The top of the spine is smashed.  

I contacted the seller to complain and this was the reply:

I am so sorry that happened to you! Unfortunately, neither of us has any
control on how USPS handles a package. Insurance is always a good idea if
you are ever worried about an item being damaged in transit. I never ship
just a single book in anything but a bubble mailer as clearly stated in my
shipping description. (unless someone specifically requests otherwise) My
description of the word collectibles that are shipped in boxes are
specifically for the kitchen glass items that are meant for the
"collectibles" eBay category. My description clearly states "Single books
or small book lots will be shipped in bubble mailers. Larger book lots or
collectibles are packaged securely and shipped in a box." Again, I am
really very sorry to hear your book was damaged.  

-busybee123

General condition.  As noted by smarmy1 and Gnat the Beggar, there is a little rub on the top right hand corner.  There is also one on the lower right hand corner.  There are some minor dings on the lower cover edge.  There is light foxing on the top page edges.  Inside it is clean, with a few spots of foxing on the front end papers.  The end papers are yellow.  It looks like it was rarely opened.  My only other first print DMG is intact but rough.  I will note the differences between the two and post some questions in another thread.

Lessons learned.  Require that shipment of such items be in a box with padding.  

I know that I am the only one that can determine what the DMG is worth to me.  What I would like to know is "Am I being too picky?"  What would you do?  I am considering returning it for a refund.  However, I don't know when I will see another DMG in as good a condition even with the shipping damage.  Also, what should I do about feedback?

LB

Dude, I always thought the BIN was at the VERY top value, though I thought about hitting it myself.
The extra damage and the issues not listed are significant enough that you might ask for a keep the book + partial refund, or if not, then return it for a full refund.

In the end; I agree with you in that, that copy is still fairly nice, even with the top of the spine damage and those are a tough find in NM condition and pricey when fully advertised as such.

Please post pictures of your other copy.
Exactly how nackered is it?

Thanks for the quick replies.  I hope to get more.

I will post pictures of my other first print.  My questions about both are in regards to the texture of the covers.  This latest one is smooth.  The other looks and feels textured, as has been described by others.  I've heard this called Dragonhide.  I wonder if this is due to wear.  

Regarding the going prices for DMGs from Gnat, SimperingToad, and others, I appreciate the information.  The more prices the better.  Did you catch this one?  
** expired/removed eBay auction **
 It went for $102.50.  I didn't bid.  

LB

I like the "partial refund and keep the book idea" (like maybe $20.00?).

For the price you paid for it, it's actually a good deal, even with the dinged corner.

smarmy1 wrote:Very good point.  From my own shipping misadventures and for any item of significant value or particularly minty condition, I always send the seller a message after the auction is over asking:

1) if they would mind shipping the item in a larger box with plenty of bubble wrap and/or packing peanuts, and
2) if there are any additional mailing charges for shipping in a box, and if so, I offer to pay to upgrade the shipping method.

This is good advice for the future.  Ask for the packaging you want.

But for the current situation, it doesn't matter at all what the seller states in the auction or how they ship it.  If it arrives damaged, you didn't receive what you paid for.  Period.  If you don't want it, ask to return (and file a claim through ebay if the seller doesn't agree).  If you still want it, but value it less, you can ask for a partial refund.

In the end, as it was stated before in this thread, ultimate responsibility sits on the shippers shoulders.

It really doesn't matter if the shipper is going to ship the item in a bubble mailer, Whitman Sampler box, or wrapped in tin foil.....if it gets to you damaged, it is the seller's responsibility to make it right. Which is why the seller ALWAYS covers his ass, if he's smart, by making the shipping method impenetrable by normal human means.  It's really survival of the fittest out there; no matter what the seller states, eventually he will get slammed on DSRS and feedback if he insists on only using a bubble folder instead of sturdier packaging.  You are really doing him a favor by being reasonable because believe me there are plenty out there that would have just already hammered him on feedback and also filed a NSAD with Ebay.

Mike B.

Most of you know that I am one of the first ones here to point out a bad seller.

However; I am also well aware that Buying and selling on e-Bay is a give and take deal.
In this case the seller clearly stated in the listing itself what what type of shipping would be provided (media Mail) and how much that shipping would cost.
I also know from the few sales I have made that shipping a book that size and weight using media mail in a padded envelope would VERY Close to what the seller asked ($3.99) if not a little more.
The padded mailer itself costs around $1.50-$1.80 and I get them at that price ONLY when I purchase them in large lots from Staples or some other place like it.
OP stated at the end of his first post that in the future he will ask for upgraded shipping...
That is the best solution to this TYPE of situation for the future for OP (though that does not help for this specific deal).

On the other side; seller should have placed a little extra padding around the book than just a bubble mailer.
Perhaps write FRAGILE on both sides as well... but even that would not have protected the book from dingasses in the shipping industry.

If that book had been sold by me, it would have been shipped in a box, not an envelope... (Unless buyer insisted on chepest shipping possible).
And the buyer would have been asked to submit more for that upgraded shipping cost, which I suspect in this case OP would have been happy to do.

Disco: I took notice of your specific statement.

... When I buy something 100% of the time in my paypal remittance I plainly state in capital letters with lots of asterixes so it is noticable to use stiff packaging and lotsa protection and even go so far as to say a "bubble mailer" is not sufficient... because this (and the bubble mailer syndrome) has happened to me to many times....

So, AS YOUR paying you insist that a bubble mailer is not enough and you try to commit the seller into providing upgraded shipping above what was stated in the listings?
Upgrade from a bubble mailer is to me obviously a box... (if not, please enlighten me)
So is it your assurtion that sellers should provide better shipping than the type that is stated in the listing, yet they should not ask for higher shipping to be paid by the buyer?
Or, does your statement mean while you are paying that you also send enough extra money to cover upgraded shipping?

Heh, Discodadda I remember your asking me to pack the item well when you bought a 2nd Printing Monster Manual from me.  I got great eBay feedback from you so I must have got that part right, hahaha..  Me personally, I would be happy with the condition of the book if the way you received was how it originally was, but since it was damaged in shipping.... geez.  I know in earlier days as an eBay seller I got burned a little with bubble mailers when I shipped them.  I never got any negative feedbacks but I did have to do a partial refund.  I learned then not to use bubble mailers for collectible items and on pricier items I ship with insurance.

Gnat the Beggar wrote:I just got a DMG (not a 1st print) in the mail yesterday and it came in a bubble mailer.
No damage.
POS feedback left for seller.

HOWEVER: if it had been a 1st print, I would have asked for upgraded shipping before paying.

And that is the gamble the Seller is taking. Very large scale sellers find the risk worthwhile because of sheer volume of sales. For RPGs this is only a handful of sellers. For book sellers on ebay the number is much larger.

The buyer is not responsible for how the seller ships an item, but to insure an undamaged item insist on a box and explain how you want the item packaged. Do not pay till the seller acknowledges the preferred shipping and packing method. While you can normally get your money and original shipping back you will have lost out on your item and normally have to pay the return shipping price (with tracking).

Ebay needs a blocked seller list the way they have a blocked bidder list. At the moment I haven't even been able to exclude sellers from my current saved search results. I'm not sure what the problem is or if it is my system or something wrong with ebay. My old search results exclude sellers, no problem, but I can't do it with new saved search results.