Paypal instructs buyer to destroy "fake" violin instead of returning it, violin wasn't fake, seller - Polidicks

[url=http://consumerist.com/2012/01/paypal-tells-buyer-to-destroy-purchased-violin-instead-of-return-for-refund.html]The Consumerist[/url] [release]PayPal... will you never learn how to resolve a situation without having everyone hate you? Mere weeks after enduring the wrath of the internet resulting from its war with Regresty.com, PayPal has once again hit viral vitriol gold. This time, a seller claims that she's out $2,500 and an antique violin after the company told the buyer to destroy the instrument. According to the seller, who shared her tale with the aforementioned Regretsy, she had sold the old violin to a buyer in Canada, who subsequently disputed the instrument's bona fides. [b]It is certainly not uncommon for people in the antique musical instrument field to argue over whether or not a particular item is the real deal[/b], and it makes sense to notify PayPal that you are disputing the purchase. [b]But the decision as to whether or not the violin is the real deal or an impersonator is not usually left up to the company that promises the payment. Alas, someone at PayPal apparently is an expert in old violins, because the company determined the instrument was "counterfeit" and told the buyer he needed to destroy it in order to get his refund.[/b] The buyer not only smashed the violin to bits; he also snapped some pics that he sent to the seller.[/release] They're destroying violins in an attempt to stop [i]Paypal Sucks: The Musical[/i]

What a troll.

Obligatory: [video=youtube;XdofmoYcJNE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdofmoYcJNE[/video]

So hardcore

Wow. I still have had nothing but good experiences with paypal though.

clearly you must destroy the item in order to get your refund because you know who returns shit or reports counterfeit sales to the police for further investigation

This is retarded as fuck, she should sue the idiot at paypal that said to just smash it up.

what a dick [IMG]http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/bourg.jpg[/IMG] PayPal's idea sort of makes sense. Destroy it so if he gets a refund he can't just resell it. But it's still fucking retarded because there was no investigation involved on something this valuable. She should've gone with a better method than PayPal if she was dealing with an antique violin. Either way the buyer was being a general prick.

That's a really dick move on the buyer's part.

I used to play violin and even if I hadn't I'd cry for the loss of money. Seeing such a nice antique destroyed isn't funny.

I would of just sent a fake picture of another violin that's been destroyed so I can keep it and get the refund

[QUOTE=GhettoGeek;34044566]I would of just sent a fake picture of another violin that's been destroyed so I can keep it and get the refund[/QUOTE] Oh you sly bastard.

[QUOTE=GhettoGeek;34044566]I would of just sent a fake picture of another violin that's been destroyed so I can keep it and get the refund[/QUOTE] Remember to edit the EXIF data

I am not a violin or classics fan but if this was a real antique instrument it makes me feel really sad that it got destroyed.

Destruction of a classic violin? All my rage.

[QUOTE=AceOfDivine;34044619]I am not a violin or classics fan but if this was a real antique instrument it makes me feel really sad that it got destroyed.[/QUOTE] violins aren't only used in classical music

He could have sold it who wasn't an instrument terrorist

[QUOTE=mjbrooks194;34044534]what a dick [IMG]http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/bourg.jpg[/IMG] PayPal's idea sort of makes sense. Destroy it so if he gets a refund he can't just resell it. But it's still fucking retarded because there was no investigation involved on something this valuable. She should've gone with a better method than PayPal if she was dealing with an antique violin. Either way the buyer was being a general prick.[/QUOTE] Why is the buyer a prick? He disputed the authenticity of the violin, which is incredibly reasonable when dealing with antique, expensive items. It was Paypal that wrongly advised the dude that the violin was counterfeit and to destroy it. The man was trusting that Paypal knew their shit.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;34044803]Why is the buyer a prick? He disputed the authenticity of the violin, which is incredibly reasonable when dealing with antique, expensive items. It was Paypal that wrongly advised the dude that the violin was counterfeit and to destroy it. The man was trusting that Paypal knew their shit.[/QUOTE] Agreed. It's not his fault paypal is shit.

I think the buyer deserves some blame for assuming Paypal could expertly evaluate the authenticity of an item remotely

[QUOTE=Zeke129;34044906]I think the buyer deserves some blame for assuming Paypal could expertly evaluate the authenticity of an item remotely[/QUOTE] Paypal took that position of authority on the subject, though. They shouldn't have said that they could identify whether it was real or not. Why shouldn't he have assumed they could tell when they said with such confidence that the item was deemed counterfeit? [editline]4th January 2012[/editline] And besides, it generally isn't that hard to identify an instrument remotely anyways. If you have adequate pictures taken then for about 90% of the cases you can identify it.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;34044945]And besides, it generally isn't that hard to identify an instrument remotely anyways. If you have adequate pictures taken then for about 90% of the cases you can identify it.[/QUOTE] Got a source for that? Or are you speaking as an expert on the subject of violin identification?

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;34045008]Got a source for that? Or are you speaking as an expert on the subject of violin identification?[/QUOTE]God I hate people who ask sources all the time. Do you think I keep a folder with a link to a source of each thing I say? Why can't you do some googling.

They are getting some form of reimbursement right?

The buyer is still a prick for smashing the violin then sending pictures of it to the seller.

I think the buyer was being passive-aggressive.

Buyer was an absolute idiot. Paypal was dumb. Only the seller came out on top. Speaking of which, i got my hands on a violin recently, so this pertains to my interests. Oh wait. I missread the whole thing. Poor seller, but easily settled with a lawsuit.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;34045008]Got a source for that? Or are you speaking as an expert on the subject of violin identification?[/QUOTE] I don't need a source. Do you know how to identify an instrument? Here's a hint: They look different. There isn't some mystical thing about an instrument that means you need to hold it in your hands. Stuff like the tuning pegs, the length, the width of the neck, the dimensions of the body, the type of wood it's made out of, serial numbers, what types of hardware are used to hold the neck to the body. You can identify all these things with photographs if you are truly an expert. The most likely scenario is the person who looked at the claim wasn't an expert, googled some shit real quick and something was out of place(a probable reason for the buyer disputing the authenticity) and didn't have the proper experience or education to know how to really tell if the instrument was genuine. It isn't because it is impossible to identify an instrument through pictures.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;34045093]I don't need a source. Do you know how to identify an instrument? Here's a hint: They look different. There isn't some mystical thing about an instrument that means you need to hold it in your hands. Stuff like the tuning pegs, the length, the width of the neck, the dimensions of the body, the type of wood it's made out of, serial numbers, what types of hardware are used to hold the neck to the body. You can identify all these things with photographs if you are truly an expert. The most likely scenario is the person who looked at the claim wasn't an expert, googled some shit real quick and something was out of place(a probable reason for the buyer disputing the authenticity) and didn't have the proper experience or education to know how to really tell if the instrument was genuine. It isn't because it is impossible to identify an instrument through pictures.[/QUOTE] Counterfeits are made to look identical to the item they are counterfeiting. It's irresponsible and dumb, as proven in this case, to identify them through pictures. You should always get it inspected in person by a professional.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;34045093]I don't need a source. Do you know how to identify an instrument? Here's a hint: They look different. There isn't some mystical thing about an instrument that means you need to hold it in your hands. Stuff like the tuning pegs, the length, the width of the neck, the dimensions of the body, the type of wood it's made out of, serial numbers, what types of hardware are used to hold the neck to the body. You can identify all these things with photographs if you are truly an expert.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.gussetviolins.com/appraise.htm"]"Photo appraisals are the least expensive, however, photo appraisals are also the least accurate, but can help determine if an instrument or bow merits closer examination."[/URL] [URL="http://www.collectibleviolins.com/appraise.html"]"If you have a violin with the potential of being worth $2500 to $3000 or more, it is best to take it to a qualified luthiery to have it properly appraised."[/URL] I think you can stop talking now.