<B>High feedback scores on EBay don't necessarily mean a thing!</B>
FSGW has a high feedback score on Ebay. However, that didn't protect me! I ordered new RAM for my computer from FSGW on Ebay for two reasons:
1) The ordering page stated that items may be returned for money back within 30 days, with buyer paying return shipping. OK, that's fine.
2) A high (99%) feedback score. That should offer some protection, or so I thought!
The RAM arrived in 2 days. Full marks there. However, it did not work - the computer could not boot. After going through the usual tests (check again with HP that it was definitely the right RAM, take it out, clean the slots, put the old RAM back and check everything still worked...), it was obvious that this RAM was DoA.
Based on this experience, I really did not want to have to do it again. Plainly, FSGW had some bad RAM and I didn't want another batch of that and have to pay for return shipping again. So I just returned it for a full refund... or so I expected!
About a week later, I did get a refund. However, it was only a partial refund. FSGW retained $6.99. When I queried this, I got the following:
"Our refund policy is written in listing and processed in accordance to the agreed return policy and in accordance to your choice you selected on packing slip you returned with. All items come with limited lifetime replacement warranty for any defect." - i.e. a brush off.
It seems that FSGW think it's perfectly ok to ship bad, and doubtless untested RAM (otherwise it would have worked - the packaging wasn't damaged) and then charge $7 (plus shipping, which means I'm out about $10) when it is returned. Perhaps, with 99% feedback, only 1% of their RAM is bad. However, is that going to be your order?
The order page states: Returns: 30 day money back, buyer pays return shipping. It also states "SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!". I guess it doesn't say for whom it is guaranteed! The first is misleading at best, and the second is an outright lie. The "written in listing" policy FSGW is referring to above is buried way down the bottom of the page.
So, be warned. FSGW can and will send you untested, faulty RAM and then leave you $8-$10 out of pocket each time you expect to be able to return it for a refund. Alternatively, you could try the exchange policy and pay just $3 shipping every time FSGW sends you a bad RAM chip. In theory, there's nothing stopping them just sending the same one to you over and over again, until you finally get bored, at which time they'll charge you the $7.
Satisfaction guaranteed indeed... for FSGW!
readthedetails
coos bay,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sun, February 14, 2010
if you read the auction carefully as i did, you will see the following :
We ship via USPS first class within 24hrs of payment acceptance Monday through Friday. S/H for the first item is $6.99
Shipping and handling fees is not refundable for any reason.
the whole thing is, when doing business online or with an auction site, read their terms, if posted and expect them to abide by them. Not refunding shipping fees is standard practice in any business with any online presence. Often the profit margin is very slim to be competitive and the s/h fee refund would give you the item below cost for the seller , so read carefully and buy wisely.