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

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;34045188][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.[/QUOTE] But he studied at the Paypal Academy of Instrument Identification

[QUOTE=Zeke129;34044906]I think the buyer deserves some blame for assuming Paypal could expertly evaluate the authenticity of an item remotely[/QUOTE] I think the buyer deserves some blame for following such stupid advice.

"Hey man you have to destroy the violin to get a refund, don't worry it's a fake we know an expert in fake violins" [IMG]http://puu.sh/cnXS[/IMG]

Since when is paypal the law anyway, she could've just took a bit of common sense and ignored them, and then lied about it. They would never find out about it.

Never had any problems with payapal, but these stories are becoming more common

[QUOTE=yawmwen;34044945]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] I wouldn't take Paypal as a position of Authority on anything that isn't typically done with a pitchfork and a goatee.

Paypal's dispute system is terrible (from experience) so I really feel sorry for the seller.

[QUOTE=Emz;34046072]Paypal's dispute system is terrible (from experience) so I really feel sorry for the seller.[/QUOTE] Paypal's dispute system seems to side with the buyer every single time, even when they're blatantly wrong

why would you buy an OLD instrument

[QUOTE=abcpea2;34046232]why would you buy an OLD instrument[/QUOTE] Because antique items are awesome

[video=youtube;gIuotFZnBtk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIuotFZnBtk[/video] Rest in pieces violin :'(

I don't understand why it couldn't happen like this instead: Buyer buys the violin. Doesn't like it and demands refund. Refund granted and violin sent back to former owner. Everyone are happy. Are such concepts so hard to understand?

[quote]UPDATE: I neglected to mention in the original post that the violin was examined and authenticated by a top luthier prior to its sale.[/quote] [img]http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/paypal.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.regretsy.com/2012/01/03/from-the-mailbag-27/[/url]

[QUOTE=abcpea2;34046232]why would you buy an OLD instrument[/QUOTE] Because for instance the Stradivarius violins are worth millions and they are pretty old. and maybe because they have a better sound

[QUOTE=Swebonny;34046324]I don't understand why it couldn't happen like this instead: Buyer buys the violin. Doesn't like it and demands refund. Refund granted and violin sent back to former owner. Everyone are happy. Are such concepts so hard to understand?[/QUOTE] It's because by law counterfeit stuff is supposed to be destroyed so it's out of circulation. Or something like that. [editline]4th January 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=DrBreen;34046496]Because for instance the Stradivarius violins are worth millions and they are pretty old. and maybe because they have a better sound[/QUOTE] If I had an instrument valued in millions i sure as shit wouldn't play it

[QUOTE=latin_geek;34046577]It's because by law counterfeit stuff is supposed to be destroyed so it's out of circulation. Or something like that.[/QUOTE] I was under the impression that counterfeit stuff is supposed to be given to the police so that it can be investigated and afterwards it is destroyed. Even if Paypal had been right and checked with an luthier beforehand, they still made the wrong call by saying "destroy it", it should have been "give it to the police". Also, seeing as it had already been proven as genuine by a luthier, both Paypal and the buyer are in the wrong.

as much as I hate paypal I am £500 up because of them :quagmire:

[QUOTE=Zeke129;34046110]Paypal's dispute system seems to side with the buyer every single time, even when they're blatantly wrong[/QUOTE] They denied me a refund when a shabby internet scam site scammed me.

[QUOTE=SEKCobra;34046864]They denied me a refund when a shabby internet scam site scammed me.[/QUOTE] Yet they give me refunds all the time when I pretend I didn't receive something in the mail! (!)

[QUOTE=Contag;34046932]Yet they give me refunds all the time when I pretend I didn't receive something in the mail! (!)[/QUOTE] :v:

[QUOTE=Zeke129;34046110]Paypal's dispute system seems to side with the buyer every single time, even when they're blatantly wrong[/QUOTE] Not if you're selling intangible goods and give Paypal a lot of info, and/or call them.

Oh cool PayPal I didn't know you had the jurisdiction on stuff like that keep up the good work. Like even if it was fake this is still ridiculous.

[QUOTE=Andokool12;34047373]Oh cool PayPal I didn't know you had the jurisdiction on stuff like that keep up the good work. Like even if it was fake this is still ridiculous.[/QUOTE] I think PayPal's company policy is to try and act like they're above the law as much as possible.

I hate seeing rare and expensive things destroyed.

[QUOTE=subenji99;34046382][img]http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/paypal.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.regretsy.com/2012/01/03/from-the-mailbag-27/[/url][/QUOTE] What if you buy a diamond and don't live near anything that can destroy it :v:?

[QUOTE=booster;34048071]What if you buy a diamond and don't live near anything that can destroy it :v:?[/QUOTE] Obviously it's fake so destroy it to get your refund idiot. YOU ARE TRYING TO SCAM US!!!!

[QUOTE=booster;34048071]What if you buy a diamond and don't live near anything that can destroy it :v:?[/QUOTE] if it's fake you could easily destroy it okay sekcobra that wasn't cool

I'm already paranoid about ANY damage or people getting near my violin (it's 107 years old so, ya know, sort of justified), so this is like a classical violinist's worst nightmare.

I wonder how the guy felt after he found out he destroyed a legit violin.

[QUOTE=abcpea2;34046232]why would you buy an OLD instrument[/QUOTE] Because the age does not affect the sound. It is still held together by tension and glue. As long as you keep the strings and bridge in good condition you wont even know it is almost a hundred years old.