I don’t buy that many records from Soul Source listings, but when I do transactions have always gone smoothly. On one occasion (and only one) when there was a grading issue, the seller sorted matters out swiftly and effectively.

 

A combination of the reputation of this site, and buying from members you’ve had opportunity to interact with on here over time, and the generally strong sense of community, means that overall it’s a trustworthy and safe place to do vinyl business.

 

I’m rather sorry then to have to make a post now about my recent and unsatisfactory experiences with a member here. The member goes by the user name of Suite45, presumed real name Sergio M. Vivas (smvivas74@gmail.com).

 

In a nutshell, Sergio/Suite45 posted up a sales list here on 30^th January of this year with all items described as being in excellent condition.

 

Sales list here: 

 

I bought and paid for Sonji Clay “Deeper in my heart” on 5^th Feb. The seller had a number of positive feedbacks, so I paid for the item as gift/friends thinking that the feedback must count for something (fool).

 

What arrived two months later was a 45 that was clearly not in the condition described - it’s bottom-end VG+ condition with surface marks and audible noise. Worse, it has fatal damage in the run-in grooves, which either causes the stylus arm to stick or jump off the record completely.

 

I made a video clip of the problem so the seller could a) clearly see it, and b) be sure that it was the 45 he’d sent (there was writing on the label, so it was easily identifiable). The seller has not replied and the requested refund has not been forthcoming.

 

 Clip here:

 

https://youtu.be/WVvI8-SCUxQ

 

By itself, it’s an annoying situation. However, it concludes what has been two months of frustration with a seller who completely lacks any sort of professionalism. For the sake of complete transparency, here’s a break down of communications and events across the two-month period with this seller.

 

Before posting this, I did ask the advice of sales forum moderator Rod (thanks for your support), who tells me that I’ve been way too generous in my patience with the seller. In hindsight, that’s possibly true. My position though is that I’ve never had a serious problem with any 45 I’ve bought, nor with any sellers — until now.

 

Here’s how the transaction went:

 

- 5th Feb: item paid for.

- 15th Feb: item not received, so check it had been posted.

- 17th Feb: seller states posted 'last week'.

- 25th Feb: tell seller item still not received. State will wait one more week before considering options.

- 3rd March: tell seller item still not received.

- 5th March (one month later): seller provides tracking number for item. Item is shown as having been posted 22nd Feb, two weeks later than said. "Spanish postal service sucks," he says.

- 17th March: item shown as delivered via Spanish postal service website. No item received. Wait a couple more days. Still no item even though postal website shows delivery. Presume wrong tracking number given.

- 21st March: advise seller item not received and query tracking number.

- 21st March: seller says item returned to him. Shows me pic of package. Incorrect address and handwriting on package makes address confusing to Dutch postal service.

- 21st March: I clarify my address and ask him to resend.

- 27th March: ask for confirmation that item has been resent. Seller replies: will let you know when I've sent it.

- 28th March: I ask if he could please get it in the post promptly - it's been nearly two months. Tells me not his fault and won't charge me for reshipping(!).

- 1st April: ask again if item has been sent. Yes...

- 5th April: package received. Item not as described and has a fatal jump.

- 7th April: email seller with video clip and ask how this can be resolved.

- 13^th April (today): no response from seller and no refund.

 

As you can see, it’s been a long drawn-out affair made worse by a disingenuous seller who has no regard for the customer.

 

At this point I’m not really bothered about getting my money back. It’s a sufficiently small amount (20 euros + postage) for me to write it off and put the whole thing down to experience. It still leaves a bad taste in the mouth, though.

 

The most obvious lesson learned is to not make Paypal payments as gift/friends to people you really don’t know — even when they do have a certain amount of positive feedback on here. Normally I wouldn’t, but as said — and more fool me - the positive feedback swayed me.

 

So, even among members of Soul Source the age-old warning holds true: caveat emptor — let the buyer beware!

 

And Sergio M. Vivas - up yours 

I paid two times the P&P to sent to him because duth postal can't find the address first time... and I resent for free...

When he recieved again for free and said that the condition is not as he though i said that if he returned to me the record i'll refund the money, still not answer... Although I listen all the records that I sold before to sell it, and mine was in the condition that I said, nothing can demostrate that the copy of the video is the copy that I sent you.

it is 20€!!! I spent more in the P&P for two times and not asking him for money, free P&P... Do you think that I want to recieved this kind of comments for the price do two pints.

 

I've got the email sending to him on 8th april telling him that although I'm not sure that it was my record if he sent the record back to me I'll refund his payment... not answer... of course I can forward the emails to the moderators if they want it.

 

 

Still if you want sent me back that record, AS I TOLD YOU, and i'll refund to you your payment, Although I have lost my record and my money

 

That's all!

Edited April 13, 201411 yr by Suite45

Thank you making contact at last, Sergio.

 

First of all, you didn't pay for postage two times. When I bought the 45 from you, I paid for the cost of it being mailed. It cost me 8 euros. Remember?

 

Second, you doubt if the 45 is the same one you sent? Further, you say that nothing can demonstrate that the copy in the video is the copy you sent. Look closely at the clip and recall that you sent me a scan of the label before I bought it. I still have it and it's got the same writing on it. That's why I made the clip; so it would be clear that it was the very same record.

 

I'm happy to share and compare your scan with a scan of the 45 you sent.  Likewise, I'm quite happy to post a new video clip alongside the scan you sent me. That would be my pleasure...

 

Third, you did not reply to my email stating that the record was not as described (and yes, I've checked spam filters, etc).

 

Fourth, you did not reply to my later email stating that a) I had spoken with a mod here, and b) If a refund was not forthcoming by the weekend, I would post here about my dealings with you.

 

Fifth, nothing you've said here mitigates your completely unprofessional and deceptive approach to selling 45s.

 

Sixth, your original sales post states that the items offered are in excellent condition. No, that's just not true, is it? The 45 you sent me a) has obvious surface marks, b) has obvious crackles, and c) doesn't play! See video clip previously posted.

 

Now, Sergio Vivas, the package you sent has a return address of:

 

************

 

Please confirm this address here and I will return the item to you by registered post. Thereafter I anticipate a full refund.

 

Sincerely,

 

Russell

That's the  danger of paying paypal as gift imho , mainly because record grading is subjective ,, Ex can mean F%*ked ..Paul

Hello,

You can return to me the record to the address that I sent you by PM and I'll refund your complete payment as I told you in my email of 8th April.

I am in peace with myself about this...

Sincelery,

Sergio

  On 14/04/2014 at 08:49, Suite45 said:

 

Sincelery

 

 

Quite.

  On 13/04/2014 at 23:48, Russell Gilbert said:

Thank you making contact at last, Sergio.

 

First of all, you didn't pay for postage two times. When I bought the 45 from you, I paid for the cost of it being mailed. It cost me 8 euros. Remember?

 

Second, you doubt if the 45 is the same one you sent? Further, you say that nothing can demonstrate that the copy in the video is the copy you sent. Look closely at the clip and recall that you sent me a scan of the label before I bought it. I still have it and it's got the same writing on it. That's why I made the clip; so it would be clear that it was the very same record.

 

I'm happy to share and compare your scan with a scan of the 45 you sent.  Likewise, I'm quite happy to post a new video clip alongside the scan you sent me. That would be my pleasure...

 

Third, you did not reply to my email stating that the record was not as described (and yes, I've checked spam filters, etc).

 

Fourth, you did not reply to my later email stating that a) I had spoken with a mod here, and b) If a refund was not forthcoming by the weekend, I would post here about my dealings with you.

 

Fifth, nothing you've said here mitigates your completely unprofessional and deceptive approach to selling 45s.

 

Sixth, your original sales post states that the items offered are in excellent condition. No, that's just not true, is it? The 45 you sent me a) has obvious surface marks, b) has obvious crackles, and c) doesn't play! See video clip previously posted.

 

Now, Sergio Vivas, the package you sent has a return address of:

 

**********

 

Please confirm this address here and I will return the item to you by registered post. Thereafter I anticipate a full refund.

 

Sincerely,

 

Russell

Please delete as soon as possible my personal address details, you don't have my permission to show it in public

Thanks

I've removed address.

 

Sergio please get in touch with Russell by PM and make necessary arrangements for return of this 45.

 

ROD [Forum Moderator]

I did it as soon as he answered me.

Thanks Rod!

Locking this post as it's run its course.