WTF is wrong with this ebay seller?

I bought a set of speakers on eBay from a used dealer, good stuff and for pretty cheap, and as part of the auction, they offered free shipping if I won both auctions to make them a complete set of 3 (one center channel, two mains).

Well, they shipped them quickly and I had them quickly. I was completely happy with the experience and they asked me to let them know when I got them, which I thought was very kind. Well, I was a little lax on letting them know, but finally did tonight, about a week and half after I got them. In my email I just pointed out two things:

1. The shipping box was damaged and inside the speakers, which are pretty heavy, were wrapped in bubble wrap and surrounded by more bubble wrap and paper, so I suggested that they should use more rigid shipping materials so that didn't happen, but luckily mine weren't damaged in that.

2. I said "my only complaint" was that there was a stale cigarette smell, said that I was able to get it out with some deodorizer, but I wanted them to know for the sake of any future customers... I thought I was being helpful?? At the end, I said I'd leave good feedback, and I did... all compliments and 5 stars on all ratings.

Anyway, about 30min. later I get a call on my phone... and it's the guy who starts off into this tirade of if I've even went to a "used goods" store and that they get so much stuff in and have so many smells, they don't notice anything like cigarette smell anymore, and he started getting smart with me asking what I thought what would happen if they would ask every customer about their personal habits before buying their stuff. I'm thinking "WTF?!?", and interrupt the guy to say "I wasn't trying to complain, I just wanted to let you know about it, I didn't expect you to do anything about it". Well, he keeps going and going and the whole time I'm just trying to reiterate that I DON'T CARE, it was just a "to let you know" email, not "I'm going to file a Paypal complaint on your ass" email. Yet, this guy is acting like I was completely unreasonable to suggest that my speakers, albeit used, shouldn't smell like cigarette smoke.

Finally the guy shuts up about his "business" and quits telling me how unreasonable he apparently thought I was being. THEN, he proceeds to ask me "Did you think the shipping was reasonable?". I said "Yes", then he asks "How much did you pay?", and I said "It was free because I bought the two qualifying auctions", and then he says in a very conceited tone "Exactly", then I said "Yes, it was very generous", and he says "Yes it was" like he did ME a favor! I bought the damned things from him, he offered free shipping as part of the auction terms, what ground does he have to act like that??

Overall I was happy with the purchase and had no reason to ask for anything in return, but after that harrassing call I don't ever want to deal with that guy again! Wow, what a way to run a business

[/end rant]

That's pretty psycho.

Kind of what I call 'spitting in the note before paying with it', except in this case it was with the seller, not the buyer

I figured I'd get an email saying that they were happy that I got my speakers and they apologized for the smell by saying something like "we're sorry about the inconvenience, we didn't notice the smell before shipping, but we're glad to hear you were able to get rid of it and if you have any other problems, let us know"

I don't think this guy has ever heard of "customer service" :

Whenever I sell anything on Ebay that might possibly hold onto any sort of odors - like fabric of any kind, I always say whether or not the item was from/stored in a non-smoking environment or not - and if there was any odor I could not get out I would mention it. But yes, there are a few jackasses out there on Ebay....

I wouldn't be able to stop myself from laughing at the guy.

I would then probably tell him to not take himself so seriously...

why did you give him your phone number anyways? I have a strict policy. DO NOT CALL ME. lol.

email is so much more efficient.

I DIDN'T give him my number.  Apparently you can submit a request to eBay, which he did, for contact information.  So he specifically made the effort to get my phone number to call me and be an ass.

At first I thought he was trying to have a civil conversation, just trying to help me understand his situation, but then I realized how condescending he was really being and I ended up just trying to get him to shut up.  He's like 60-something and from Boston, so yeah, stubborn old guy.

He probably took it as an insult, because some smokers hate being told that their habit is unhealthy or unpleasant, especially grumpy old men who hate the world for changing as it has over the years, and hate youngsters because they still enjoy their life.  

My parents smoked for over 30 years of their life, and I would get yelled at for sticking my nose out of the window as a kid when driving, "You don't like it... Well you can GTFO!"  And my family would always complain to them every Christmas about the gifts smelling like cigarettes, my parents behind their back would say "Well F them, they don't need our gifts anyways", although every year is the same story.  

It can be a touchy subject for some, because they really don't like smoking, they just can't help themselves. Although you were trying to help his sells with a little constructive criticism, he most likely took it as  “who the F are you” unnecessary disrespectful criticism.

LOL @ the story rkcstr. The fact that's he's 60-something clears things up a bit. Grumpy old man. ;D

PS: I didn't know eBay simply hands out phone numbers of buyers if you just ask for it. That's a bit strange imho.