Hi all,

Please hang in there -this will be long and rambling, but I have found myself in a rather uncomfortable position and I need some sage advice! After nearly 15 years on eBay -something like this was bound to happen.

A few months ago, I won an auction for a BG from overseas. I paid what I would consider top dollar for what appeared to be a nice unit from a new seller to eBay -on for about four months. Though not a B&o person they had sold and received good feedback for other high end gear.

After about three weeks of silence, a response was received regarding an inquiry I had made about the status of shipping. The seller had fallen ill, and was apologetic stating they would get the BG off to me ASAP. Another week went by and nothing. Then I received a response that they had shipped it, but the courier had returned the shipment because the box was too big?!?!? Another week and I started to get concerned. I sent off another request that went unanswered that coordinated with my ability to start a case.

At this point, I noticed a precipitous drop in their feedback rating -things started looking really sketchy. Then, all of a sudden the seller set their feedback to private! So be it, I opened a case -and viola! the seller sent off tracking within the hour in addition to some rather unpleasant ramblings questioning my integrity. I left the case open for several reasons, primarily because of the long delay in getting the BG out the door, I felt as though I would not have time to leave fair, impartial feedback -one of the few powers I felt I had in the situation. The dialog continued in the case with the seller adding that besides the illness and the box fiasco, that they had been snow-bound and couldn't get out to deliver the package for shipping, again adding some not-so-niceties about me and my intentions for opening the case.

After about three more weeks with the tracking frozen at the origin scan, I was contacted by eBay that I either had to A.) Close the case -or- B.) Escalate the case. Constantly checking the tracking and then being told by the seller that I did not understand how tracking worked... and now in full realization that even if the BG should arrive -there was no guarantee that it was as described, was packed well, or even if it worked - I escalated the case.

Not sure what to expect -all I wanted was my BG after nine weeks of running around... I was surprised to discover that escalating the case actually pushes eBay into some sort of resolution mode (having never been in these waters before, I had no idea). I then received a nasty response from the seller that they were oblivious to whatever decision eBay would hand down and that if they lost and their (my) money was pulled that they would demand it back (sounds like they have been here before in their short eBay career).

Well, very quickly -eBay handed down a decision in my favor and before I realized what was going on -the money had already been transferred to my account! Now the morality of the situation started gnawing on me. What if the BG actually does make it to me? What if it is packed in gold and perfect? What if all the run-around was legit? I kept checking the tracking and nothing... then one day -a package arrived and my jaw dropped. Inside was a fairly poorly packed, ok to good condition BG with no setup for transportation. Remarkably, however it did seem to survive realtively intact but with the controls popping out and damaging the top. I have tested it and it does play.

I have since received an email from the seller that the BG did arrive and that they were contacting their attorney and the police and that they are going to get their money back.

Having received nothing but grief during this entire transaction, I was never anything but formal, polite, and to the point. All I wanted was the BG and the opportunity to leave honest feedback. Now I am stuck with a BG that has lost any sparkle that it may have had otherwise. I am left with a really bad taste in my mouth and now, to the point of this long ramble -I am not sure what to do!?!?!

I feel guilty that I have the BG and now the money. I want to be fair to the seller and would like to close this most unpleasant chapter. Should I...

1.) Send the BG back (at my cost).

2.) Send the seller the full amount originally paid including shipping.

3.) Offer a settlement (lower amount) and keep the BG.

4.) Do nothing.

Thanks all for listening, I feel at least some guilt lifting as I await your responses. It really has taken a toll on me (I haven't posted much lately on BeoWorld 🙁). I just want to do the right thing.