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Hey Everyone,

The other day, I finally received my end of a huge trade ($600 + of my MTG for $600+ of Orks). Needless to say, I was pretty excited after waiting a little over a week to receive it (it was sent from a PO). However, as I was opening the package, I discovered some of the miniatures were damaged Some were just broken off at the contact points (aka where arms connect to torso, or torso is glued to the legs), which isn't a big deal, because I kinda expect that to happen when/if a model get's jostled a bit, and it's basically became unassembled.

However, some of the damage was a bit more serious. Here's a basic rundown of what I found so far.

1. Some OOP stormboyz (part old plastic, part metal) had some hands/weapons broken at the wrist. The big issue with this is I was probably going to resell them in favor of newer models. They were packed in a ziploc bag with some tissue/paper towel padding inside.
2. Fully assembled BattleWagon had part of the Chassis containing wheels snapped off, a wheel on the other side snapped at connecting point, Grabbin' Klaw arm broke where it connects to BW and where Klaw connects to arm. BW was wrapped in at least one layer of Bubble-wrap, and packed in with the rest of the models,bags inside a larger box
3. Some spikey bits and weapons broken off warbikers.
4. Deffkopta blades broken. Bikers and Deffkoptas were in a larger plastic container with some bubble-wrap.

So, I'm not sure what extent of damage I should expect. I think models coming "unglued", is to be expected and in my experience, it happens in almost every trade. but when they actual model becomes broken, I'm not sure if that's acceptable or I should ask for some kinda compensation.

I did take pics too, if anyone wants to see those.
In the other guys defense, I would like point out they came from rather far (overseas, from an APO address) and the guy has a very high trader rating (at least 150 trades on Bartertown). I'm not sure if this was due to poor packaging by the other trader or poor package handling by the USPS?

So, again, it's been a long time since I've had to deal with broken models. What should I expect in general and how do you guys suggest I handle this situation?

I appreciate your response Pergerine, though I'm curious if you actually read my thread, because this was clearly a trade and yeah, I am aware that some pieces will come unglued. Either way, I posted pics. I hope I can get input. What does everyone think about this? Easy to repair? Will the items be valued less because they have been repaired? Also, we did insure both trades for $500 at least. Idk if I can try to get that back from USPS or maybe a portion of that??

Hey Everyone,

I think I'll step in now and say a few things. First, I feel the shipper did make a Good effort to package them to a decent standard. If this were an average package of a few units, I would say he did a fine job. But being a larger trade where everything was in a huge box and there were lots of bags and smaller packed parts to bang against each other---perhaps there could have been some improvements.

Also, the box containing everything didn't seem to have any external damage, except the corners were a little dented/beat up, but it seems like that's your expected shipping wear and tear.

I can't remember 100% exact details, because I wasn't expecting to encounter damaged items. I almost wish I had taken pics/video as I unwrapped it...

So, to review and restate what I said earlier..

1. The Battlewagon and other large units (like a Trukk) were wrapped in a sheet of BubbleWrap. It was rolled around the BW at least twice, but with a delicate extension like a Grabbin' Klaw, I think perhaps it could have used more padding/immobilization, both to stop the BW from moving around and protect the Grabbing Klaw.
2. The Deffkoptas and Bikes were in a larger Tupperware type container, with maybe a little bubblewrap or plastic bag included as well as some units in ziploc bags, however, where was still a lot of room to shake/bang around against each other... AFAIR (as far as I remember).
3. The Stormboyz were packed in a ziploc bag with a paper towel inserted in the middle.

Aside from the afore-mentioned, most damage is minor like stuff being detached and weapon handles broken. Also, I haven't full inspected all the Boyz/Nobz models, but they seem in relatively good condition. The big issues were the ones I already mentioned.
Here's a Full list of the trade. The stuff NOS/NIB didn't really suffer any damage.

Your
7th Ed. Codex
Warboss on Bike konversion
Ghazghull Thraka 1 arm detached
Grukk FaceRippa (NOS)
Grukk FaceRippe (assembled) Gun arm detached
50 Boyz (20 with Shootas) (Pnt)
10 Bikers (pnt) * DMG ABOve
15 Stormboyz OOP Metal (pnt)** DMG above
3 Killa Kanz (Stormclaw) NOS
22 Nobz (5 NOS)
6 Deffkoptas (asm, some pnt) dmg described above
1 Trukk (bare, assembled) back panel on bed and front axle with wheels become detached)
1 BattleWagon (pnt w. Deffrolla)
10 Gretchen (StormClaw)

These items came from a third party
3 Deffkoptas
5 Lootas (NIB)
Deffdread (NIB)
Trukk (NIB)
20 Boyz (NIB)
20 boyz (condition?)
4 Nobz
Warboss (AOBR? StormClaw?)

 Haight wrote:
Thanks for perspective. I still wouldn't be okay with the koptas. Tupperware with a bit of buffer is not okay for highly irregular shaped easily breaking models like these.

I have shipped entire armies individually wrapped model by model in large priority boxes. Yup. Costs a lot for the bubble wrap (when i sold my VC like this, it cost two 50 foot rolls.... 16 bucks, but meh themst he breaks. Better that than an angry trade partner. As for irregular shaped models: no excuse. I shipped a fully assembled Coven Throne with no breakage. Not even the lances. Using just very skillfully applied bubble wrap.
[url]
http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Vampire-Counts-Coven-Throne[/url]

Honestly, if the lances broke i don't think anyone could blame anyone, but the point is if you're willing to spend a bit of money to make sure your trade partner is happy, its amazing what you can pull off.


So... yeah. I'd be unhappy about the deffkoptas and battle wagon. Particularly if you were looking to profit-flip these models, as you'll now have to market them as repaired and rehab'd (at least, you should / better ... if you don't that is risky pissing off a trader for lack of full disclosure... a topic for another thread though, lol).


But... that's just me. A "good honest attempt" is all well and nice, but I like good packaging in my trades, and i expect it.

Thanks Haight,

I currently plan on using the Battlewagon and Warbikers, but I was considering trading Stormboyz (in favor of newer models) and probably some of the Deffkoptas) not sure how many I should keep for my own personal use--or how useful they are..
However, since this trade cost each part between $17-$30 in shipping, I don't think asking for a tradeback is reasonable. I certainly want to keep the Orks as well. I was thinking of asking for a small amount for compensation via Paypal?

I guess the real questions here are

1. How hard is it to reglue the damaged items (mainly Battlwagon, Deffkopta, Stormboyz) and make them appear relatively "undamaged", and how well will they hold together?
2. How much will it decrease their value if and when I decide to sell them?