An Apology for Everyone

ok joker..so i see you've got problems,,,well I've got one too,,the laser i bought from you has stopped working,,i don't know how or why the diode is barely visible I just know that it's screwed up ,,, and I need it repaired,,, and since you're the one that built it I would hope to have you be the one to fix it,,, I don't have a problem as far as the money goes,,, I can pay for your time and whenever parts would be needed,, I just need it fixed,, it's the one you built me,, the Arcane 2,, with the battery extension,, the true blue 1000Mw 471 diode.. So will this be possible...?... its an awesome laser,,,and i need it fixed,,,Will I be able to send it back to you and have you repair it for me..?

ironworker433 - It sounds like your laser LEDed. The diode went bad. Unfortunately that does happen from time to time, and is usually only covered for a limited time by most. (IIRC Scifi had a 6 months warranty or something like that, but good luck getting it honored.)

Sending the laser back will run at least $60 to mail it from the US if you want delivery confirmation, and Scifi is likely out of business.

Your best bet would be to try to find someone here to repair it for you, or to do it yourself.

If anyone is in need of a diode replacement or repair for a laser sold by thejoker or anyone, I have the tools and skills for soldering and laser repairing. PM me.
I'll pay for return shipping, you pay to get it to me and have it repaired. I'll do the work!

ironworker433 said:

ok joker..so i see you've got problems,,,well I've got one too,,the laser i bought from you has stopped working,,i don't know how or why the diode is barely visible I just know that it's screwed up ,,, and I need it repaired,,, and since you're the one that built it I would hope to have you be the one to fix it,,, I don't have a problem as far as the money goes,,, I can pay for your time and whenever parts would be needed,, I just need it fixed,, it's the one you built me,, the Arcane 2,, with the battery extension,, the true blue 1000Mw 471 diode.. So will this be possible...?... its an awesome laser,,,and i need it fixed,,,Will I be able to send it back to you and have you repair it for me..?

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Same problem here, except mine is an SF501b that stopped working after 10 days. Did yours stop working within the 6 month warranty period? You may just have to file a paypal claim to get this resolved. I tried communicating with thejoker to get mine either replaced, repaired or refunded, but he never responded when I contacted him on the forum, by PM or by email.

You have a legitimate dispute. The goods that you ordered had an express and implied warranty of merchantability. Given that the company is insolvent (as the owner admitted on this site) - you should request PayPal arbitrate for a full refund and be willing to ship the laser back to Eitan.

If someone has a legitimate claim they should file it with PayPal and let it run its course. This is why I got on AlienLasers for directing prospective buyers to send him money "as a friend" instead of sending an invoice for goods.

Not only is it a violation of the PayPal T&C - but it is part of a classic con. Make the victim believe that they were responsible for the loss. Many con-artists use this technique with PayPal to prevent people from reporting against them - arguing that the victim themselves was the one that told PayPal that the money being provided to the fraudster was a gift - not an exchange for goods.

RedCowboy said:

I would not close the dispute, tell them you don't trust him to send it back nor do you wish to incur the expense of shipping, but you do want t be compensated.

Keep that dispute on him as long as you can, he's just waiting to get his hands on that money.

If there is damage he should have to compensate, if not make them close it, deny that thief as long as you can.

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I got my PayPal refund today. $249 was due yesterday but I got it on day 11. Makes sense to give the seller 10 FULL days before anything happens.

RedCowboy said:

I would not close the dispute, tell them you don't trust him to send it back nor do you wish to incur the expense of shipping, but you do want t be compensated.

Keep that dispute on him as long as you can, he's just waiting to get his hands on that money.

If there is damage he should have to compensate, if not make them close it, deny that thief as long as you can.

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Unfortunately PayPal only gives me the option to either 1) provide a tracking number or 2) close the dispute. It's a checkbox thing and I don't see any other way to just pose a question or something.

You can try calling PayPal.

epsilon748 said:

Unfortunately PayPal only gives me the option to either 1) provide a tracking number or 2) close the dispute. It's a checkbox thing and I don't see any other way to just pose a question or something.

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I don't think you can submit a question during that part of the dispute (this is the escalation part?). You could try and call as others suggested - I don't see any downside to that. Just make sure you only answer what is asked and if they ask what exactly you bought, well that's your call but you see what I mean. But if it were me I'd cut my losses, keep it and have someone here fix it. If you send it back, even at his expense, IMO the risk of losing more is higher than by keeping it. Even if he fixed/replaced it, he now has more exposure so it might not even make it back to you once it enters the country.


EDIT: RCB makes a really good point about not closing the dispute. Let every policy, procedure, practice that can work for you have time to do just that. I would let it run its course.

When in doubt call PayPal at their toll free number. 1-888-221-1161. You can speak to a representative and ask them your options.

paul1598419 said:

When in doubt call PayPal at their toll free number. 1-888-221-1161. You can speak to a representative and ask them your options.

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I've found PayPal representatives to be very friendly, as long as you're the buyer :/

I bought an item online, using PayPal and after having waited 10 days without it shipping I asked for a refund so I could buy something, somewhere else. Called them up, they created a claim and got $15 back during that same phone call! I heard they aren't as caring when you are the seller however :undecided:

-Alex

Hap said:

I've found PayPal representatives to be very friendly, as long as you're the buyer :/

I bought an item online, using PayPal and after having waited 10 days without it shipping I asked for a refund so I could buy something, somewhere else. Called them up, they created a claim and got $15 back during that same phone call! I heard they aren't as caring when you are the seller however :undecided:

-Alex

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Yes, PayPal will always side with the buyer. I believe that this is because if the seller is satisfactory, there is no reason that the buyer should be upset. But, this open's a window for easy buyer-scams.

I've had a claim for an item on eBay with a return-to-sender error, as soon as the buyer opened the claim eBay deducted the order funds from my account, no questions asked. But, as long as the case gets resolved, they later pay you back the funds that were taken.

Recently it has come to our attention that quite a few SciFi customers have had issues with their lasers. As SciFi seems to have ceased business, it is not recommended to return items to them for repair. Pman and I have therefore decided to offer help to those of you who have bought a laser from him, but, either received a non-working device, or those of you who's laser has broken within their warranty period.

Please note the following conditions:

1) You must have bought a laser from SciFi that is defective - we are not offering a free building service.
2) The laser must have been received within the last 6 months.
3) You must provide proof of purchase, this is to avoid possible abuse of this offer.
4) You will need to cover the cost of all parts (including shipping if required) and shipping of the laser to and from its destination.
5) We are offering this service for free and as such are not earning any money, this means that any and all payments should be made as a gift with PP, or sent as a money order.
6) We are not liable for customs, or other seizures.
7) You must be over 18 or we will not accept the repair.
8) Do not send batteries with the lasers.
9) We are not responsible in any way for damages, or injuries incurred through use of the returned laser.


Pman has kindly offered to cover the US and I will offer to cover Europe - this should minimise shipping costs and any customs risk. Please feel free to contact either of us via PM for further details.

That is very kind of you :beer:

grainde said:

6) We are not liable for customs, or other seizures.

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*OR shipping screw ups/lost packages.

One other comment on return shipping. It's already fairly high to ship to another country but can be significantly higher for large and/or heavy items. For goods from another country, Sellers often request the item be returned at the Buyer's expense which can be as much if not much more than the item itself. Sellers also state in their auction T&Cs that return shipping is the responsibility of the Buyer and sometimes point it out if the Buyer balks.

This used to be a problem several years ago but in the past couple of years eBay and PayPal have either adjusted or began enforcing their policies. Sellers, however, have largely left their "returns at Buyer's expense" terms in their auctions.

So for items that arrive 'Not as Advertised' or does not work (DOA) my recommendation is to first ask the Seller to provide a return shipping label - despite what is in their auction T&Cs. Make it short and to the point, don't bring up their policy or claim it's unfair and so on. For small knick knack stuff the Seller may offer a steep discount to make amends or will 'abandon in place' (don't need to send it back) and issue a full refund. If they don't do either, dispute the transaction and eBay or PayPal often provides the Buyer a return receipt shipping label and charges the Seller for it (has worked everytime for me for a dozen or so transactions in the last couple years). The trend I've experienced lately for merchandise totalling up to $20 the Sellers are offering 50% discounts or abandoning their merchandise and issuing a full refund.

This policy seems like it could be ripe for Buyer abuse but so far it's still working as far as I know. Plus there are other indicators to tell if a Buyer appears to be abusing the policy so checks and balances do exist.

ElectricPlasma said:

Yes, PayPal will always side with the buyer. I believe that this is because if the seller is satisfactory, there is no reason that the buyer should be upset. But, this open's a window for easy buyer-scams.

I've had a claim for an item on eBay with a return-to-sender error, as soon as the buyer opened the claim eBay deducted the order funds from my account, no questions asked. But, as long as the case gets resolved, they later pay you back the funds that were taken.

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You know. I recently started selling on eBay to get rid of some things I never use, and I haven't once gotten any feedback back. Like WTF? I leave the buyers feedback, but it's very disrespectful to not leave anything when you have a seller who ships you things out fast, and is friendly.

Kinda pisses me off. I just shipped off something else today. If you check my profile, it says "0" feedback. Although I have 2 satisfied people already :/

-Alex