Jim Log

This posting documents my reason for leaving negative feedback for Chris Newhart.

Background:
I purchased a 6" Mitutoyo digital caliper from Chris. His auction described the item as, "lightyly used good working 6 inch digital mitutoyo digimatic calipers" (this is his text, including misspelled word "lightyly").
Chris included this small picture (taken from his auction):

I paid $50.51 for the calipers plus shipping. The calipers came in the package pictured below:

This is VERY POOR packaging for an instrument, just some cardboard cut to wrap around the instrument. There was no packing material around the caliper!

Here's the damage I complained about:

And anther look:

The tip is broken, and the measuring surface is scratched. You can't make accurate inside measurements!

I don't call this lightly used. I call it damaged inside caliper surfaces.

Finally here's text of my email exchange with Chris (below in blue). When I asked to discuss the damage, he said leave feedback.

I am leaving feedback. I recommend you carefully consider my experience with Chris before buying!

BTW - there's another complaint about the way Chris packages items. But I want to emphasize, damage to the calipers was not from packaging. They were damaged BEFORE packaging. Chris calls this "lightyly worn" (or lightly worn). If the description doesn't get you, the packaging might!

There's no excuse for such poor packaging, poor judgement, or poor response...

Here's my Email Exchange with Chris - you be the judge:

From: CHRIS NEWHART
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 7:31 AM
To: Jim Curtis
Subject: Re: Calipers purchased on Ebay Damaged

I said lightly used either way just leave the feed back thanks...

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Jim Curtis
Date: Sat, 14 May 2005 08:07:11 -0700 (PDT)
>Chris,
>This is the first response I've received. I did not receive anything from or through Ebay. The calipers are clearly damaged on their inside measuring surface. One tip is broken off. I'm attaching a better photo. I don't think many people would call this "lightly worn". The calipers will not make accurate measurements on inside surfaces due to the broken tip. Even scratches on a measuring surface should be disclosed for a measuring instrument, but broken tip is damage.

Let me know whether I should call to discuss this with you to work something out. If so, when should I call? I'm out today until around 4 PM (California time).

If we can't come to a satisfactory resolution (i.e. return or discount), I will leave my honest feedback on Ebay. It will be negative due to undisclosed damage that lowers value.

Regards,
Jim

--- CHRIS NEWHART <nhart@joink.com> wrote:

sir,

I replied to you yesterday through ebay. I did not hide anything in the description of the calipers I did not list them as like new with no marks or excellent I listed them in good condition lightly used. which was my opinion of how they were If your opinion is different I am sorry. I do not offer returns or refunds.. If you feel it necessiary then do what you feel you must.

---------- Original Message>> ----------------------------------
From: Jim Curtis
Date: Fri, 13 May 2005 21:50:40 -0700 (PDT)

Chris,

I wrote an email to you 2 days ago documenting damage to the calipers I purchased from you on Ebay. Yesterday I called your phone and left a message requesting a response. So far, I've assumed we can work this out, because you have generally have good Ebay comments. If I don't get a response, however, I will have no choice but to contact Ebay/PayPal and ask for a full refund. Please contact me so we can resolve this outside the Ebay system.

FYI - my last email included pictures showing detail of the damaged to the calipers. Although the instrument was poorly packaged, the pictures show the damage was on the measuring instrument before it was packed. It simply wasn't disclosed in the auction's description. I look forward to a response soon

Regards,
Jim Curtis