The Result of Poor Packing (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

I don't know how many times I have won something on eBay only to have it arrive damaged due to poor or careless packing. Here is just the latest example of Frontline Figures Napoleonic Set SNV.5 Neuchatel Regiment Voltigeur Company Advancing in which every figure's bayonet was damaged in addition to damage to a plumb on one figure. The seller used a U.S. Postal Service Small Flat Rate Box which is too small for six figures to be packed correctly. He exasperated the problem by wrapping each figure in a paper towel and then using plastic grocery bags for packing material. Of course, the figures were not secure or protected and moved around in the box during shipping resulting in the damage you can see in the three attached photos.

 

[jazzeum]

Those are pretty bad. Unfortunately, we all have horror stories. I always worry when I buy something from someone who doesn’t specialize in selling toy soldiers.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Mike...

that is pitiful...

not to mention irresponsible...careless...lazy...cheap....etc...

I could go on and on...

they were doomed the minute he taped the box shut...

what a waste of nice figures...

I would certainly demand a refund...

 

[tdubel]

Bad job for sure, but as a user of small flat rate, that part would have been ok had the packer used straws, paper and bubble. I have sent 12gloss figures to Australia in a small flat without issue. Sorry it happened to you mike

Tom

 

[Grognard]

Sorry to see this. I can relate and I am always worrying when I buy TS oversee on EBay. Historically from Russia has been the worse. Some sellers do forget that TS are metallic items that are basically little weighs that need to be properly secured. I remember receiving a completely exploded TS. The seller used one of those poster cardboard tube for packaging with packed newspapers on both end to "secure" it. What happened is basically the maraca effect...It's like someone would have used it as a cocktail shaker during transportation.

 

[OzDigger]

The worse I've had is a vehicle sent with figures still seated in it. He did include a few foam peanuts but of course the figures soon fell out of the car in transit from the US and smashed against each other and the car. All of the figures arrived badly damaged and the vehicle was a write-off with no lights etc remaining attached, even broke main parts of the resin chassis. The guy usually sells Lego or similar plastic blocks and obviously not experienced with packing heavy but fragile goods. On the good side he refunded the purchase price and postage.

 

[Obee]

what a waste of nice figures...

I would certainly demand a refund...

Not really a waste because I have also seem some 'shockers' come into to me from local collectors, the worst was from China.
Good news for them was that they were close to me and asked to see of I could 'perform surgery' to bring the patient 'back to life'.

In most case I recovered a good looking figure/vehicle from the ruin, and if its placed in a display, you would be battling to pick it.
Luckily most of the sellers 'wrote off' the damage, and didn't want the 'corpse' returned and have to pay return postage as well as no $$ from the buyer.

Looks like they are an easy fix, but a bit more work matching paintwork.

John

 

[lancer]

Those are pretty bad. Unfortunately, we all have horror stories. I always worry when I buy something from someone who doesn’t specialize in selling toy soldiers.

E-Bay is a crap shoot. So many of the sellers have no idea how to package. I don't buy TS or books from sellers that don't specialize. Since I prize condition in my TS and books (especially), being careful with whom I buy from is my only protection. -- Al

 

[marco55]

There's nothing worse than looking forward to getting something and when it arrives it is damaged.It's a real letdown.
Mark

 

[theBaron]

I'd ding him for it in the feedback. Maybe rate it as neutral, and a low rating on the shipping category.

Maybe I'd bring it up to him via a PM, first, and see if he'd be receptive to advice for future reference on packing toy soldiers. Though I don't know if that would have any impact on him, or just generate a rude reply.

Prost!
Brad

 

[ucla1967]

I'd ding him for it in the feedback. Maybe rate it as neutral, and a low rating on the shipping category.

Maybe I'd bring it up to him via a PM, first, and see if he'd be receptive to advice for future reference on packing toy soldiers. Though I don't know if that would have any impact on him, or just generate a rude reply.

Prost!
Brad

I considered doing just that, but decided in the end to just let it go and try to fix the figures.

Mike

 

[ucla1967]

I am going to send this figure with the broken plume to Brad to pass on to Mike DeMarco who I am sure can repair it for me. The attached photos show how I am sending it to him so that it arrives without further damage (e.g., a soda straw over the bayonet, loosely wrapped with multiple layers of bubble wrap, and protective cardboard.). Too bad the seller didn't taken minimal care and use soda straws and bubble wrap.

 

[joesgis]

Negligent/ignorant shipping....lost my patience with such things long ago. Things will get broken now and then but this could have been avoided. Sorry you had this bad experience Mike. If you want to send me the figure I will gladly restore it for you.

Joe

 

[ucla1967]

Negligent/ignorant shipping....lost my patience with such things long ago. Things will get broken now and then but this could have been avoided. Sorry you had this bad experience Mike. If you want to send me the figure I will gladly restore it for you.

Joe

Joe, thank you so much. That is very kind of you to offer to fix it for me. However, I have seven items that need restoring/repairing including making from scratch a 6 x 3 inch snow base for my Kingcast Canadian Artillery Gun Team for the sleigh gun and limber. Joe DeMarco made the seven other snow bases for the horses that are part of this set, so I need him to make exactly what he made for me before only this time in a larger size. Thanks again, much appreciated.

Mike

 

[joesgis]

Joe, thank you so much. That is very kind of you to offer to fix it for me. However, I have seven items that need restoring/repairing including making from scratch a 6 x 3 inch snow base for my Kingcast Canadian Artillery Gun Team for the sleigh gun and limber. Joe DeMarco made the seven other snow bases for the horses that are part of this set, so I need him to make exactly what he made for me before only this time in a larger size. Thanks again, much appreciated.

Mike

You're very welcome, Mike. Yes, you'll want everything to be uniform and doing what you're doing will ensure that. But if you ever need my help just me know.
I started repairing Russian figures a few years ago for myself and several other Russian figure collectors as well as doing a wide variety of repairs for Bill Muesing and his clients.

Best,
Joe

 

[jazzeum]

Mike,

Please let me know when you send them.

Brad

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,

Please let me know when you send them.

Brad

Brad,

Thanks, will do. I am having lunch with Bob W. on Saturday and I want to see if he has any additional figures (two of the seven are his) that need restoring, if so, I'll include them.

Mike