If considering a purchase from ScubaDiverGreg

[idocsteve]

I thought we were better than that.

Perhaps the entire Scuba Diving community "as a whole" is, as you say, a more closely knit group of individuals that hold themselves to a higher standard and would be more likely to stand by a fellow diver.

But as the case with the seller on this thread, there are marginal individuals who do not act like one might expect.

One bad apple doesn't spoil the enter bushel.

 

[DCBC]

Greg,

I'm not going to hop on the bandwagon and drive over you with the wheels. Sometimes different people, at different times, with different perspectives do things differently. I for one do not believe you had any malicious intent with this sale.

If you haven't done so, perhaps you can mail Mark the receipt. Unless your name is on it (or even if it is) it can be shown as proof of purchase. I too have mailed items as gifts to various locations to save the buyer duties and taxes, but I don't know if this was your intent.

I agree with some of the other comments made, in-that you could have tried to gather the receipt and help out the Buyer without it being posted here. But I do understand how all of us don't always appreciate another's situation in the same way as they do. That's a mistake, but one which seems you are rectifying. I certainly don't see you as disreputable. We all make mistakes. Safe diving!

 

[idocsteve]

If you haven't done so, perhaps you can mail Mark the receipt. Unless your name is on it (or even if it is) it can be shown as proof of purchase.

Someone hasn't read this thread very carefully.

I won't say who.

:cool2:

 

[rayaa3]

OK, I just read 8 pages of posts. I'm invested now - you have to post the status of getting the camera fixed by Sea and Sea when it comes down to this.

Since everyone has chimed in with there 2 bits, I will as well.

Scubadivergreg - While I understand what you are saying, I think your approach on this was wrong, and you could have avoided much of this with a few slightly different choices in your initial response.

Perhaps from your first conversation you could have offerred "wow, it was brand new and I never tried to use it, but it should be covered under warranty - HERE IS THE RECIEPT, if Sea and Sea doesn't like that you are not the original owner, maybe I can call them as the 'original owner' and get it fixed for you"

You would have ended up in about the same position as you are now, only with your reputation in tact.

As for distaste for being poo-poo'd on the internet, well, my friend, that's the nature of participating in online forums.

Situations like this do occur often when dealing with used, and yes, brand new gear. I think what defines us is how we approach them when they do happen.

On the other hand you are free to post a 'don't sell to so and so' thread, and that would stir up a turd fest too.

I hope that this eventually has a positive result for all involved. Ray likes happy endings.

One thing is certain, from now on, I'll have to have a specific conversation before buying or selling used gear, so that expectations are established on both sides of the transaction. Maybe that's the positive result for the rest of us.

I Hope that you two find something more productive for each other.

 

[bvanant]

Someone hasn't read this thread very carefully.

I won't say who.

:cool2:

Maybe his scanner is broken too:kiss2:
Bill

 

[OldmanandtheC]

To all SBer's, Update on the status of the camera:

I received the photo of the receipt from Mark/Marek. I went to the Long Beach CA. warranty (actually a distribution facility) and found that they do not accept walk -ins. After a period of time I was able to speak with a member of the warranty section (repairs occur in Japan). Only the "ORIGINAL" purchaser is entitled to the "LIMITED" warranty. Yes I could have lied/Photoshopped/whatever to make it appear that I was the original purchaser but I did not. I spoke with a very understanding/polite individual that informed me that basically I was out of luck. He did inform me, and I'm passing this along to other SBer's that are considering the purchase of a Sea and Sea product that S&S is currently rejecting greater than 50% of submitted warranty requests. As a humorous aside, he notified me that I could purchase a replacement camera (I declined). The camera (and a deposit of $150) has been turned over to a local camera shop in the hope that it is something simple that can be repaired (The individual whose name can't be mentioned here recommended that the camera be sent anywhere but Japan!!). Again, it was an expensive lesson but I stand by my statement that I will only buy local (I don't see how asking a myriad amount/number of questions would really have changed the outcome) and I in all probability will purchase new from a dealer (I too thought that SB operated by a different set of rules/standards) but but it seems that it is not just Mark/Marek that thinks that once it leaves their hands it is the purchaser's problem (In fairness, I guess some of you think that as long as you ask the right amount/kind of questions, that you deserve to be treated differently).

In summation:
1. Some feel that you need to ask many questions and that this will absolve you of any risk. I agree that asking questions is a valid point but feel very strongly that in certain situations(This one as an example) that the number or kind of questions would not have changed the outcome.

2. Using Paypal as the processing mechanism for a purchase from SB is no defense for the receipt of non-working items. Paypal is set up to assist you if you purchased an item from eBay. PERIOD. (And you will have to spend quite some time and your refund is not a sure thing.)

3. Someone mentioned that its no problem for Mark/Marek as he can just set up a new identity. I agree. The part that is scary is I didn't even think about this as an option, another SBer did! For those of you that question Mark/Marek's integrity, in reality I would be hesitant in dealing with ANY SBer that I could not meet face to face. I agree with the several SBer's that have have offered comfort in the ratio 99%/1% and that is why I felt comfortable in this transaction. But again I state, I've learned my lesson, and in fact will probably only deal with an authorized dealer (My next photographic purchase will probably not be Sea and Sea though)

Thanks
Mike

 

[idocsteve]

Yes I could have lied/Photoshopped/whatever to make it appear that I was the original purchaser but I did not.

I don't blame you for not claiming to be the loser who sold you the camera.

Identity theft is a felony and although it's unlikely that anything would come of this, you never know.

 

[jdcpa]

Oldman:

I commend you for being as civil about this as you have.

Most everyone else has said about all that can be said on the issue.

I feel bad for you in all this and commend you for your civility.

 

[mike_s]

well, I'm sure ScubaGreg is reading this. his "last visit" was just 15 minutes after OldmanandtheC's post.

I think it's pretty safe to say that no one here will ever buy anything from him here again.

 

[eperet1986]

@ OldmanandtheC

I was the one who informed you about Paypal. While it is true that recovery of $$$ is bleak, here is my advice to you. File the claim. Why? Now that you have receipt and proof that the camera is indeed malfunctioning when you received it, they can use that to block the seller's Paypal account. Thereby disabling his misconduct, atleast for the meantime. If he wanted to open a new Paypal, he will have to change his credit cards, address, bank account the entire process. By doing this, you could help others by protecting them from this person.