Used Calcium reactor arrived broken... what would you do?

Well, I just got a Geo 618 calcium reactor off of craigslist and everything arrived just as expected, except that the guy did NOT pack it well for shipping AT ALL. Everything was in one flimsy box, the CO2 tank, regulator, pumps, controller, all thrown into a box with a few pieces of wadded up newspaper. I'm so P!$$3D!!!

The reactor base is broken in at least 4 pieces, but I don't see any other damage yet. I am about to attempt to set it up and test it.

I know he didn't insure it when he shipped it, because he sent it by regular post. I would have expected him to ship it insured and would have paid extra to do so, but he said that he would pack it really well and that he ships stuff like this all the time.

I haven't contacted the guy yet, mainly because I'm so angry about it and want to calm down a bit, but also because I don't know how extensive the damage is.

I'm looking for a little advice... supposing I can piece the base back together and make this thing work, do you think I should ask for compensation? If so, how much? Or should I just send it back for a full refund and let him deal with it?

I was so excited to finally get a reactor and now I'm just mad. It cost me $465 for everything, including 20lb tank, so it was going to be a good deal...

Thanks for letting me rant.

Will

 

I would contact the seller and (nicely) demand compensation. You paid for a product, expected it to be packed a certain way, and he should have insured it. Insurance is available via post, but good luck getting them to pay.

 

Maybe you can tell him to send you just the reactor, and if he wants his broken one back, ask him to pay shipping for both, and make sure to say in a polite, but firm tone something like: "But, please, pack it with peanuts, bubbles or foam so this one can't break"

If he doesn't want to give you money or a new reactor I'm afraid there isn't much you can do, unless he's from an established business that sells stuff on craigslist.

Good luck!

- Mag.

EDIT: By the way... I wouldn't keep the broken reactor even if it worked. It may be a matter of time until water pressure makes it give out.

 

You can always file a PayPal dispute, as well.

 

How did you pay the seller? If via paypal just file a claim mail it all back and you will get ALL of your money back.

 

How do you know it was a paypal transaction? I did not see that anywhere.
Credit card transactions at the same time, can be disputed just like paypal's.
Just in case

- Mag.

 

Yep, it was paypal... The guy actually has an ebay account selling coral with 100% feedback... of course, that doesn't help me since this was craigslist.... I will let him remain anonymous at this time.

 

Hmm I'm not sure that a PayPal dispute will work unless you bought it off Ebay. The only other protection you get from PayPal through a transaction outside of ebay is:

-You were charged for something you didn't buy
-What you bought never showed up
-What you bought was very different from what you actually got

PayPal's Buyer Complaint Policy lets you submit a dispute for an item that is significantly not as described.

However nothing in their terms refers to shipping damages.. If the seller on craigslist refuses to refund or replace you might have a hard time getting any money back, though your best bet might be through your CC company if you paid that way.

Hopefully all you need is a small jar of Weld-On #4 to re-weld the acrylic base back together which is only a few bucks. Do you have any pics of the damage?

 

Post a pic of the broken reactor.

Seeing that it was used, and this is not a retailer (I am assuming) then all you can do is have him refund the money for improper packaging.


If it holds water, I would keep it, but demand an amount of money back from the seller. If the seller won't compensate you, then dispute the charges through paypal.

 

This is kind of what I'm thinking... Fortunately all of the broken pieces are along or outside of the actual tube, but did not break underneath the tube itself.

I'll post some pics in a few minutes...