What to do about the auction I won

You have to complain, as advised. If you don't, nothing will get done. Best,  Mark

If these are the plastic coupler knuckles, they go bad after being closed for an extended period, even if they're brand new.  I've taken cars out of sealed packages and had the coupler springs be bad.  Since they're only 36 cents and a few more for the rivet, I just put the new knuckle on them, it's not worth the hassle to chase someone down.

If you don't hear back from him, you can open a case with eBay buyer protection.  They're very buyer-centric, and you'll almost surely get satisfaction or a refund.

I'm assuming that the MPC trucks have plastic couplers, which are notorious for the problems you stated.  They can cheaply be repaired with the new movable part of the knuckle that has a plastic piece that acts as a spring.

If the seller takes them back you may end up paying the shipping both ways so determine if returning them is a better option than fixing them.

I get the coupler repair kits while at York, but I'm not sure if hobby shops have them available.  Wherever you buy them, get a few extras for the future.

Not being cynical, just curious.  Are the cars worth that much?  Also, did the seller offer returns? 

I usually write to sellers with redundant stupid questions like because it's new, does it work?  Or, if the shirt's a medium, what does the chest really measure.  Based on the reply, I decide whether to do buisness with them.

Good communication begins before I bid or buy.

They may be K-Line trucks.  The Chinese K-Line versions/copies of the MPC XL-70 truck look a lot like Lionel's, but are inferior in many aspects.  They look identical, but close inspection shows they have no interchangeable parts except for maybe the wheel/axle assembly.  The moldings and clearances are much less precise too.

OK, I appreciate everyone's input!

Auction title: Lionel MPC 1pair of fast angle trucks w/ coupler Mint

Auction description: 1 pair of Lionel MPC trucks new with couplers. Have many sets available.

I just checked.  3 of the 8 trucks have no markings whatsoever.  5 of the 8 trucks say "made in China" and "For K-Line K-5000".

So if MPC was ~1970-1985, did they ever get produced in China or did I receive trucks that are not as described?  Would Lionel trucks ever be tagged as K-Line in the MPC era?

Bob, yes, they're the plastic knuckle type.  I'd prefer not to play with rivets if I don't have to.

woojr, the railcars weren't worth that much but for $8 I planned on repairing a few broken ones and letting my young son use them.  The seller says no returns or exchanges but they're covered by Buyer Protection.

I'll email the seller one more time and then go through ebay.  I assumed they were Lionel 9150-50 trucks but I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and asked more questions.  ttender lists the 9150-50 as "operating coupler trk Korean" and I probably should have just ordered from Jeff.

The XL-70 trucks were discontinued before Lionel went to China.  Lionel trucks would never be marked K-line, those 5 are K-Line & NOT Lionel.  As I suspected, you received trucks that are "not as described".

If the seller has many pairs, perhaps he has the genuine Lionel ones available to send out(although he's not offering any for sale now), and you could negotiate a return of the others if he even wants them back.

Also, did the extra purchases take place outside of eBay?  You will not have protection on any more than the $7.99 + $5.00 shipping. 

This auction was actually against eBay "listing practices" rules - "avoiding eBay fees" by "offering or requiring additional purchases".

Call Jeff first... the Korean trucks are not Lionel either. See what he says about the quality/fit/operation before committing to them.

Rob, I'm kind of an ebay newbie.  I won the auction but then he requested I paypal him the total and he "ended the action" of me paying him on ebay.  So I suspect you are right on both counts, I'm only protected for $12.99.  I still have his ebay messages to me.  I'll go to ebay and see what can be done.

Edit: I just spoke to ebay and they were very helpful, I'm confident it can be resolved one way or another.  Since I negotiated the additional pairs within the ebay messaging system and used paypal to pay, the full purchase is covered.

Thanks everyone!

I generally don't buy from "no return sellers".  I've learned patience trumps hoping something is gonna be okay.  Psycological thing I guess.  Feedback can be hit or miss.

If they don't write back when questioned or are willing to stand behind their description, I pass. 

I have had less satisfaction buying things here than on Ebay.  But I understood the risks in both venues before I offered.

Good Luck...

And:

If you're in the Del Valley I have a ton of MPC from my father's collection I be interested in trading or selling.

Forgot to mention.  The one time I used buyer protection, it was a hassle I'd rather avoid.  Almost like trying to collect insurance claim at USPS. 

for now on always inspect the item prior to leaving feedback.because now you have no leverage.anyways take it as a lesson learned.

MTSI also made trucks that are very close copies of Lionel trucks.

IMHO, If the seller listed the trucks as Lionel, and they are Kline or MTSI, then you have a case.

As far as sellers stating "no returns or exchanges" is concerned, I wonder whether Ebay buyer protection rules trump the statement.

Regardless, you could always leave negative feedback.

Well, I have to agree with the previous post, describe the item accurately, including any flaw.  For used items like a locomotive or rolling stock, I also take high resolution pictures from all sides and post them with the listing.  I've never had anyone claim I misrepresented an item, the proof is in the listing.

Yes, buyer protection trumps the "no returns or exchanges" statement.  If the item is misrepresented, you can return it.

I really try to avoid leaving negative feedback, that only happens if I can't resolve the issue any other way.  If you leave negative feedback, you can be sure you're getting one as well.  One of the benefits of having a good feedback score is you can become a top rated seller and get a 20% discount off the eBay fees.  Not huge, but I'd rather have that money in my pocket then eBay's.

Like the old saying "no use crying over spilled milk"

$13 is not worth losing sleep over.

Walk away and forget about it and learn from the expeirence.

Not checking items thoughly when received can lead to problems like this.

I have done this a few times myself

Those plastic knuckles with the little plastic tabs that act as springs aren't very reliable. If these are NOS MPC parts, I wouldn't reasonably expect them to operate well given their age. If I were in your position I would do consider these options; ask the seller if I could return them for a refund or replace the knuckles with new of the same type or ideally, and this is what I have done with these types of couplers that I had issues with, replace them with the metal type knuckles that have separate springs. You can get the knuckles, springs and rivets anyplace that sells Lionel parts and they are very inexpensive.

I've replaced some of mine with cast knuckles and springs, but somehow I can't always bring myself to put the nice coupler knuckles and springs into a $10 freight car.

It sounds like errors were made on both sides. I have seen many an item under-priced, overpriced, misidentified, you name it and I think 99% is unintentional, it's just a lack of knowledge. Saying it's acceptable and then changing you mind and saying it's not acceptable only compounded an already confused issue. If it were me, (for the cost) I would chalk it up to experience especially if you ever intend to spend serious money on Ebay in the future. Like the other folks said, Ask questions. Examine the item carefully on receipt..then accept or not accept it. Some stuff is obvious, some are not obvious. I would contact the seller first as "what do you have to lose?" applies.

hey guys i had a few of my mpc couplers not stay coupled or pull apart when train running so what i did take a little screw driver pop the spring out then bend it up but don't bend it very much or it will break then pop it back in i did that to a few of mine been two years i haven't had a problem since even on some of my new scale cars i had to do that to them too a lionel dealer told me to do that he said knuckle not go bad to much not unless that knuckle has alot of hours on it but said most likely just the spring  

I think we're talking about the plastic knuckle, the "spring" is a part of it.  The actual coil springs last for ages.