Online Seller Issue - need advice

[10kman]

I recently had an issue with an online seller who I'm going to for now, not mention until I have better input from some members.

I purchased an ESC from this vendor around the end of 2011. In july of this year (2012), the ESC suddenly decided to stop storing my settings. I would set them, turn the ESC off, back on, and they'd be gone. Seemed odd, especially since I haven't done anything out of the ordinary with the device, no extra juice, no hard running in heat, no water, just normal use, barely even got it dirty actually with this particular vehicle.

Anyway, I contacted the vendor right when it happened, and asked if this was covered under warranty, he said to send it to him and he'd have a look, pretty much to rule out something silly. Fair enough, I sent it in.

Some time went by, probably over a week, and I had to prompt for an update. Guy asks me to remind him which one was mine. I do so. Says sorry, not covered under warranty, too long from purchase date.

While I was waiting for an update, I had contacted the actual manufacturer of the device, and relayed my issue. Customer service told me that it was definitely not right and to send it in and they'd take care of it. Figured that's great news, I'll get mine back and mail it their way.

I write to the guy and tell him I want mine back, and explain how the mfg company is going to help me out. He offers me some other model/brands of ESC's which are better in his eyes, and I politely say no thanks, I'd rather have this one back.

Week goes by, no item in mail. I prompt seller for an update, no word back, but I get a notice from USPS that a package is coming my way. Figured good enough, not an issue.

Get the package, it's a completely different model ESC, from another company, and it's clearly damaged.

I write seller, clearly a mixup or something happened, asked how I can get mine back. No word for a week. I prompt again. Get another notice from USPS that package is coming my way.

Package shows up, right model, but clearly not my ESC, this one was literally so burnt I could smell it through the bag it was shipped to me in (yes bag, no bubble wrap, nothing). It was obviously not my device. And if it had been, packaging it properly would have helped greatly since it is still my device, I had it in a box with bubblewrap when I shipped it to him.

I write him, no answer. I write a more detailed, stern email, explaining that I wanted one of 4 things to happen within 24 hours or I was going to file a complaint with the BBB about it. Of course, no reply, and I filed a complaint just this morning.

Since he lost my device, broken or not, I want this resolved because I have a mfg willing to fix this for me and now I'm out an ESC because he can't find my device and keeps sending me the wrong unit hoping it will shut me up (I'm guessing).

Is there anything I can do here? I'm an adult, and have all of the emails proving this, and don't like getting yanked around, and I don't want this to fall on deaf ears, because this is clearly ridiculous.

Should I actually note this experience and name the online merchant in question if nothing happens on forums that most likely use this seller? I'm sure we have all heard of, and probably purchased from this person at some time due to the parts available through him.

Thanks for any help.

10k

[BrianG]

I'm not sure what I'd do. Sounds like this will end similar to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qmaB4Im0tY

[10kman]

LOL, I haven't lost my sense of humor over it yet, so am having a good chuckle at the moment.

[bdebde]

If paid through paypal, contact them... if paid by credit card, contact your card issuer.

[10kman]

I did use Paypal, and it was a credit card transaction through them as well. I just logged a dispute with Paypal and will see what they can do.

I really don't want a large bank to end up not caring about the tiny amount of money this is worth to them, I want the seller to get socked with it somehow, as he should.

[mmdooley]

I say you are on the right track. E-mail him and tell him, If he does not correct the issue you will get on facebook or youtube and call him out. These days that's as good as any trouble he would "NOT" want to have. Ain't the E-net great lol.

[Arct1k]

Losing settings ive heard of with tekin vs castle.
If it was castle I'd say contact support or Patrick with the full story and they may help you.

Sadly you may otherwise be out of luck. It does sound like the vendor lost your esc and is trying to make it right somehow.

[E-Revonut]

Moral of the story, contact manufacturer before the seller!