Horrendous stories all. I have more than my share too, but the worst -- by far -- was the time I won a beautiful Kirby 511 (1951), in practically mint condition, all original, all the attachments & accessories, boxes, literature, including the large outer box that was just in unbelievable condition. This was way-back-when, when I had first joined eBay (1997 -- and, oh, how eBay has changed for the worse over the years) and made the mistake of giving other eBay users the benefit of the doubt, that they were intelligent.
Well, I paid for the auction then waited for it to arrive. I came home from work one day and it was pouring down rain. As I walked up the sidewalk, my heart just sunk down to my toenails when I saw a large maroon box with a KIRBY logo on front, standing on my porch in the downpour.
When I got to the box and saw it was soaked, I literally stood there and bawled. As best I could, I dragged it up onto the porch and opened it up -- which of course just meant peeling back the old, brittle cardboard. Everything inside was drenched as well, and the beautiful, mint, dark gray bag had streaks of maroon on it where the wet attachment box inside had pressed against the bag and the ink had transferred onto the bag. I knew there would be no way to remove the ink stains without ruining the bag.
Oh ... My ... God.
I don't think I have ever sent a more blistering email to anyone. I bet that lady's monitor is STILL smoking. Then after that, I called UPS and gave THEM unholy hell for leaving the box outside in the rain like that.
I mean, really, how could someone be so stupid as not to know that the box was a valuable part of this set? She knew it was old, she had described it as "vintage collectible old kirby." yet she just sent the thing in the original box, with magic marker scrawls and shipping stickers and plastic tape all over it. So even if it had not gotten wet, the box would still have been a total loss although the stuff inside would have been okay.
After that experience, I do not hesitate to send sellers very explicit packing instructions, written clearly enough for an 8-year-old to understand. And I also tell them my feedback comment will directly reflect how well they did or did not follow my instructions. If they reply with "attitude," I regale them with the above sad story and USUALLY by then they get it. But not always. There truly are some very, very, very stupid (and mean) people on eBay.
(These photos are not of the same Kirby obviously, but the same model I got later -- given to me by a friend who found it in her aunt's attic. She even delivered it to me! This one is as complete as the ruined one, but not in as-nice condition - even as nice as it is.)
