Did I Get RIPPED-OFF? Advice sought.

[jaydeebee]

Please take a look at this auction...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250188319703&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015

Okay, back yet? Now having looked at that auction, did you think that the item was a DELL replacement AC power adapter or a knock-off of a DELL replacement AC power adapter? Because the picture shown is an authentic DELL product exactly like the one currently powering the very lap-top computer which I am using. However the one I received today is a knock-off.

It works, it looks similar, however the cord is lighter weight and it has an odd Hong Kongish warning printed on it, see if this makes sense,...

WARNING:

(1)this device may not cause harmful interference,and
(2)this device must accept any interference received,including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Then is says "Best Regards" and there's a little smiley with a heart!(okay, I made that part up!)

My questions to you, the Corral at large are;

(1) Did I get what I bid on or did I get ripped?
(2) Should I use this thing?
(3) Do I have grounds to file a dispute about this?
(4) What the deuce does that warning mean?:?

[fulltimer56]

If the item you received isn't the one listed in the auction that means you didn't get what you were bidding on. I would do a dispute on it.

But first I would email the seller and let them know you are not happy with the item and why, then go from there.

jay, did you check the feedback on this seller? This was listed there:

shorter and thinner cord compared to original adapter abcd148 (http://ads.auctionads.com/pagead/link_16ab40a37249e63306c1_ccd9e6a8c4079976fcc759fb 09b0475e_http://myworld.ebay.com/abcd148) ( 3 (http://ads.auctionads.com/pagead/link_16ab40a37249e63306c1_ccd9e6a8c4079976fcc759fb 09b0475e_http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=abcd148) )
Nov-27-07 17:18 AC Power Supply Adapter for DELL INSPIRON PA6 PA-6 PA-2 (#250169034607)

It looks like it was the same one you won?

Linda

[Hoss]

Hmmm. Seems like a shifty way to sell someone "similar" lower quality parts to me!

1) The auction states "New in Bulk Packaging. OEM Equivalent Replacement Part. " I think that was the loophole. OEM is short for Original Equipment Manufacturer. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer) What isn't there a wiki for?!?!
2) I dunno about that. Feeling lucky?
3) You could give it a try...the worst that could happen is that they would rule against you.
4) The device warning is a manufacturers' FCC Declaration of Conformity Statement. I think it means it wont change your channels or open the garage door when you plug it in.

You can ususally get replacement parts from Dell directly...is your computer still under warranty?

[jaydeebee]

If the item you received isn't the one listed in the auction that means you didn't get what you were bidding on. I would do a dispute on it.

But first I would email the seller and let them know you are not happy with the item and why, then go from there.

jay, did you check the feedback on this seller? This was listed there:

shorter and thinner cord compared to original adapter abcd148 (http://ads.auctionads.com/pagead/link_16ab40a37249e63306c1_ccd9e6a8c4079976fcc759fb 09b0475e_http://myworld.ebay.com/abcd148) ( 3 (http://ads.auctionads.com/pagead/link_16ab40a37249e63306c1_ccd9e6a8c4079976fcc759fb 09b0475e_http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=abcd148) )
Nov-27-07 17:18 AC Power Supply Adapter for DELL INSPIRON PA6 PA-6 PA-2 (#250169034607)

It looks like it was the same one you won?

Linda

Yeah, unfortunately that wasn't there when I bid on mine. I filed the claim, I'm not using this thing. I checked with my brother whose job it is to check AC power supplies of all things and he said it's not powered properly and the cord isn't up to specks. It's probably not going to start a fire, but it might fry my lap-top because it's power output is wrong. :roll:

[marvelguy]

Just for safety's sake, does it have a UL label on it? If not, I wouldn't use it.

Hoss is right, OEM equilvalent product is the catchphrase these days, it's really a third party product from China. I don't trust any Chinese made product anyways. Wait.....my shoes is from China.....d'oh!

[jaydeebee]

Just for safety's sake, does it have a UL label on it? If not, I wouldn't use it.

Hoss is right, OEM equilvalent product is the catchphrase these days, it's really a third party product from China. I don't trust any Chinese made product anyways. Wait.....my shoes is from China.....d'oh!

Yeah, everything is made in China, even the real DELL AC ADAPTER. And no, it absolutely does NOT have the UL label and I will not be using it. If I don't get my money back, I'm going to post negative but very true feedback warning others that they are purchasing an unsafe, shoddy, imitation product. Of course, I'm going to do that even if I do get my money back.:cool:

I'm sure somewhere in the auction listing it states that it's not the real deal, but I missed it and they did picture an authentic DELL product in their listing, so I'm thinking of contacting DELL and putting them on to this guy as well. :rolleyes:

[jaydeebee]

Hmmm. Seems like a shifty way to sell someone "similar" lower quality parts to me!

1) The auction states "New in Bulk Packaging. OEM Equivalent Replacement Part. " I think that was the loophole. OEM is short for Original Equipment Manufacturer. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer) What isn't there a wiki for?!?!
2) I dunno about that. Feeling lucky?
3) You could give it a try...the worst that could happen is that they would rule against you.
4) The device warning is a manufacturers' FCC Declaration of Conformity Statement. I think it means it wont change your channels or open the garage door when you plug it in.

You can usually get replacement parts from Dell directly...is your computer still under warranty?

Nah, it's not under warranty, heck I'm not even the original owner! This model AC Adapter had a design flaw which caused the cord to pinch during use, usually resulting in a broken connection, the one I have now is the third one for this computer. Dell has since changed the design I have heard. I couldn't find one of these for sale and honestly wasn't looking for one super cheap. When I found the one on eBay I just figured it was the real thing and since this type isn't used anymore, I figured that's why it was cheap. That's what I get for figuring! :roll:

[marvelguy]

I'd get my money back just because you got a different product not described.

[dhennen]

If you have to ship it back to Hong Kong I expect there's very little chance you'll get your money back. It would be easy to say we never received it, so sorry...

[jaydeebee]

If you have to ship it back to Hong Kong I expect there's very little chance you'll get your money back. It would be easy to say we never received it, so sorry...

They don't want it shipped back to Hong Kong it turns out. They want it returned to a PO Box in California. I don't mind returning this piece of junk, I just don't think I should have to pay to do it when they are the ones running the scam.

I filed a complaint with the Consumer Products Safety Commission today, for all the good that will do. I also reported the closed auction to eBay as a fraudulent listing and reported another of his current listings, for the same item, as fraudulent. If anyone would like to help me get bloody vengeance on this guy by reporting his running auctions for bootleg electronic parts, here is a link to his eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/gadgetslink (http://ads.auctionads.com/pagead/link_16ab40a37249e63306c1_ccd9e6a8c4079976fcc759fb 09b0475e_http://stores.ebay.com/gadgetslink)

Everything this guy is selling is bootleg and if you neg him about it, he negs in retaliation.

This is the result of "free trade" without consumer protection. Selling untested (no UL stamp), poorly-made, knock-off battery packs and AC Adapters is just as bad as selling toys with lead paint, every bit as potentially hazardous, perhaps more so. If our government and eBay will not take steps to stop this, that only leave We The People to stand against it. (That was a tad overly dramatic wasn't it? But true all the same!)