The Energon Pub

Posted this on another forum about 18 months ago, but it's worth reposting here as it appears nothing much has changed with him:

Wheeljackslab.

Item #: 6027507361 (Brainstorm)

Item #: 6027507393 (Slapdash)

It's interesting to note that all the positive things which I've heard people say about him seem to relate to domestic dealings, and here in the fan community in Australia, I have yet to hear of a single positive experience people have had with him.

A few months ago, I made the mistake of buying a G1 Brainstorm and Slapdash from him. First off, he'd said no Paypal payments for international sellers with the auction yet had listed Bidpay as an option, which to be frank, was the only reason I bid on both items. When the auction ended I discovered that he hadn't done his homework on Bidpay and they had since shut down. This left me in a position of trying to find a relatively safe alternative to sending cash or a cheque, and in the process of doing so, he left me with a payment not received dispute on both items. It's also worth noting that in his auction listings, he'd mentioned Slapdash but had a picture of Triggerhappy. When I messaged him to confirm that it was Slapdash and not Triggerhappy, he assured me it was Slapdash.

Fortunately at the same time, I'd managed to find a payment method which did at least cover me to some extent. I informed him on both items and both non paying bidder disputes were closed. About a week after this, I read the TFW2005 bad buyers thread and so I emailed him politely asking for clarification over concerns i had with his packing methods after reading about another Australian member's misfortunes over a G1 Shockwave he had acquired through him, only to be greeted not by the usual helpful and friendly tone of his emails, but by what was essentially a rant about how he ALWAYS packs Shockwave well and about "bad buyers". He also told me point blank that he indulges in retaliatory feedback on ebay. I should have realised that this would be the calm before the storm.

About a week and a half later (I can check dates on all of this later on if need be), Brainstorm arrived but not Slapdash, and one of the wing joints on Brainstorm was VERY badly worn! I emailed him about both items and was told that because I didn't specify with the payment that it was for both auctions, it was my problem. With Brainstorm, he also insisted on me shipping it halfway round the world for me to inspect it so he could "consider" giving me a refund.

Now considering that this is exactly what had happened with this other member's Shockwave (literally arriving in pieces), naturally alarm bells went off. As for Slapdash, if it were a standard situation, then fair enough. However this was not a standard situation as he had unpaid item disputes on both items, and payment was sent to him for $110 (the quoted total for both shipped with insurance), where Brainstorm was worth $50 and Slapdash was worth $45. I learned from him at the end of things that he doesn't use any of the standard ebay tools, as in my ebay and his ebay inbox- things the average buyer would EXPECT from an ebay seller - at least when it doesn't suit him anyway.

He also insisted on me sending over a money order for the additional shipping amount- the cost of which was as much as the shipping amount i was sending, rather than allowing me to send it through ebay. When I brought up paying the $8 I believed it to be at that time (the guy is very good at being difficult and intimidating via emails to the point where if he catches you off guard, it's very easy to get flustered and not be thinking straight).

Considering that I had tried resolving things with the seller and had been given an unsatisfactory result, I followed standard ebay procedures and filed an "item not as described" and "item not received" dispute for Brainstorm and Slapdash respectively. This resulted in a "how dare you be so unreasonable" response from him. He then turned around and insisted on charging me a 20% penalty on a refund for a "restocking fee" for Slapdash, or he would "allow me" to choose another item of the same value. He also insisted on sending me the refund through Paypal- which while seemingly being "the devil incarnate" when he receives money- it's perfectly ok when he's the one sending it. The figure he claimed was short though, and when I argued that he accused me of trying to con him. I had to scan in and send him my carbon copy of the money order to which I got a response of "Well how was I supposed to know you'd payed me that much?!", and an extremely grudging acceptance of the new amount. When I asked again about Slapdash, he argued that I didn't have the credit according to his 20% rule, yet at the time, the Auction for Slapdash was still active and won by me.

Feeling intimidated, I caved in at the time and accepted another item (which I now regret) and he went offline. About 2-5 minutes later, the intimidation faded and I argued a new proposal. As the shipping difference with the extra amount was such that there was a difference of $3 US as far as the shipping cost for Slapdash went, as both items were still active (It's also worth noting that at this point, he'd banned me from bidding on any of his items, as I discovered when checking on the other item) and I had a worn wing joint which was not as described; I suggested partial compensation for $3USD for the wing joint damage which would take care of the shipping and that way there'd be a reasonable compromise.

To make sure the message was there before he came back online and cancelled the emails, I sent him a message through the "contact seller" option (as that way it would be instantaneous) saying that I'd changed my mind on Punch (the other figure I'd caved in on with) and that I proposed the above idea of a partial compensation for Brainstorm in the way of a shipping difference to square things up.

He then demanded we stick to the 20% option. When I refused to play ball on it as post auction extra charges like that are against ebay TOU, he got nasty saying take Punch or the refund - 20% and that as he was blocking my email address from his email account after the next email and a reply from him, if I gave him an answer other than either option not only would I get no reply from him, but he'd decide what course of action he would take and I'd just have to live with it.

He sent me a refund, minus 20% for a "restocking fee from having to cancel both auctions" to an email address which wasn't even linked to my Paypal account. At this point, I was through being reasonable, and so I not only bounced his refund back, but filed an additional charges complaint with ebay, a false contact info complaint (his listed phone number at the time was disconnected) and left neg feedback, to which he carried through on his retaliatory feedback veiled threat.

About a week later I got an email from him, claiming he'd refund me the full price of Slapdash but insisted on keeping the $6USD and that I had better take this refund because there would not be another.

So not only did I wind up losing a whole night's sleep on this, but am now out of pocket and have a transformer which was not as described with a bad precedent in terms of having faith that if I returned the item he would actually inspect it in good faith and play fair on a refund; I'm also out of pocket.

While I can't speak for his domestic dealings and he may well be a dream to deal with in them; with international dealings, I can honestly say that he's a nightmare to deal with. In short, if you'll be dealing with him internationally; avoid him like the plague!

I've dealt with WJL once, living in Europe.
Bought a small part (gun) I needed to complete a TF. The item would have fitted in a regular padded envelope, but he insisted it needed to be sent by registered package, making the shipping more expensive than the item I was buying. I added some crap (minibots) I didn't really want for the same shipping price, but it turned me off dealing with him again. Still, I got the right items in acceptable conditions, and I was able to pay by PayPal.

Is all that true?

If you mean what I said, then yeah, every word of it. This was back before they changed it so they could sellers couldn't leave retaliatory feedback.

that sucks bowspearer. Thank god ebay did that. I had a seller leave me negative feedback onetime mistakenly. "returns game because he does like" the best part was I never returned nor requested to return the game! The seller wouldn't respond in typical fashion either. It makes you think of what a jerk like wheeljackslab would leave...

As a slight corection, I had a hunch my dates might be out. I turns out that took place midway through 2006. I think what happened was that I copied and pasted it from another forum I was on and forgot to alter the dates when I did. Just thought I should clarify that minor factual error.

alldarker wrote:I've dealt with WJL once, living in Europe.
Bought a small part (gun) I needed to complete a TF. The item would have fitted in a regular padded envelope, but he insisted it needed to be sent by registered package, making the shipping more expensive than the item I was buying.

I am not defending the guy in any way as I have only bought from him once, but he might have had to use a registered package to get a tracking number internationally. Tracking numbers are a must especially dealing internationally as it's the only thing that will protect a seller from an "Item not recieved case".

If only that were the crux of the matter. In my personal dealings with him I asked if he would waive the outrageous insured shipping price for a pair of loose fists, to which he agreed. Upon using BIN however, he recanted, stating that he would only reduce the shipping charge if I didn't pay by Paypal, knowing full well that I was an international customer and that no other option was open to me.

There really is no excuse for the way he behaves.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

alldarker wrote:I've dealt with WJL once, living in Europe.
Bought a small part (gun) I needed to complete a TF. The item would have fitted in a regular padded envelope, but he insisted it needed to be sent by registered package, making the shipping more expensive than the item I was buying.

I am not defending the guy in any way as I have only bought from him once, but he might have had to use a registered package to get a tracking number internationally. Tracking numbers are a must especially dealing internationally as it's the only thing that will protect a seller from an "Item not recieved case".

That's both true, and it's a fair point.
I did ask him about cheaper shipping before bidding (explicitly stating I would accept the risk, for something which was in effect a low value item), but he told me it was his policy for overseas transactions, as stated in the item description (and he advised me just to add a few items to my order, which would also fit in the same package). Still, that's his right, and I did give him positive feedback.

Tekka wrote:If only that were the crux of the matter. In my personal dealings with him I asked if he would waive the outrageous insured shipping price for a pair of loose fists, to which he agreed. Upon using BIN however, he recanted, stating that he would only reduce the shipping charge if I didn't pay by Paypal, knowing full well that I was an international customer and that no other option was open to me.

There really is no excuse for the way he behaves.

Be glad that policy has since been implemented. When I dealt with him, my only option was to send him a Western Union money order.

Well, I know who I won't be buying anything from. That is just ridiculous.

I once bought a couple of G1 Ultra Magnus missiles from him to use on my reissue Magnus and all was fine.

I then bought Scampers gun which like happened to someone above he insisted on me paying for registered postage as it was coming to the UK. It never turned up, he couldn't provide me with the tracking number yet insisted he had proof of postage and was completely unreasonable.

After a drawn out Ebay dispute I got my money back, but I wouldn't go near his stuff ever again.

SJ21 wrote:Well, I know who I won't be buying anything from. That is just ridiculous.

Glad you're a convert. I can't imagine who would want to buy from this guy anyway.

At the risk of hijacking a thread to plug another thread; while we're on the topic of nightmare sellers, I'd recommend people check out this thread in case the douchebag it's about ever lists anything Transformers related.

I'd tried to getva shipping from him a while back for some Metroplex parts, the whole tone of his emails made it sound like I was causing him a huge inconvienience, so I just left I in the end....

SJ21 wrote:Well, I know who I won't be buying anything from. That is just ridiculous.

Yeah, I'm with you. I'm glad I read this thread!

is this guy save to order from? see that he has some stuff at a good price.

As in any transaction.............you take a risk.

I've been tempted to buy off him plenty of times but he won't budge on his exorbitant shipping prices. I've asked him a few times being that the shipping was three times higher than the purchase price of the item to no avail. His candor in the replies led me to believe he's a bit of a jerk and not really reasonable.

So i stay away from the items he has up for auction.

monstergrotusque wrote:His candor in the replies led me to believe he's a bit of a jerk and not really reasonable.

You sir, are clearly a gentleman for putting it so nicely.

Although "not really reasonable" may be an understatement. Try living in another country and buying stuff off him because he's the only one that has what you want.

Have to agree with the shipping cost. Sometimes its best to be patient and buy from Europe or something.

Personally, I have never had a problem with any dealings with him. In fact, I really appreciate all the effort he puts into listing all that he does, especially parts and accessories. most of the time my transactions include free shipping, and he usually ships out within a few days...sometimes less. Obviously I am a repeat customer and I am sure that doesn't hurt my purchases from him.

Sorry to all who have had bad experiences, I truly do feel your pain when It comes to getting rude or obnoxious ebay sellers. But I felt that I should weigh in on some positive interactions I have had with him.

I must be one of the lucky few. I made 5-6 purchases of him 3-4 years back and didnt have any trouble that I can recall and Im in Australia. I'm sorry that you feel you got burnt mate.

But the reasons that I dont purchase off of him any more 1) Shipping prices are putrid for international buyers.
2) One photo and a grade are not enough of a description. There are ebay stores like Cybertron junkyard who goes into incredible detail to describe the conditions of figs with photos too.
And finally, All the above posts

ive bought from him for sevral years now, and i have never had any issues with him.

I've bought from wheeljackslab several times and have never had any problems.

Oddly enough, one seller who frequently has hard to find stuff in abundance, thapharaoh1, who I've purchased from before, now refuses to sell to me. Any time I try to make a purchase on one of their BuyitNow auctions, it refuses to allow it so I'm forced to go elsewhere. I have no negative feedback, so I'm guessing they've changed their qualifications for buyers, perhaps requiring higher feedback ratings numbers (actual ratings, not percentages) than I have. It's quite annoying.