My Smart Little "VTech Little Smart Talking Alphabet Phonics Desk" Story. Once upon a time not so long ago in a land not so far away... I ordered a VTech Little Smart Talking Alphabet Phonics Desk from The Wicked Christy Huish of Pirate Treasures Ebay Store. On a cold winter's day (March 1), I followed the breadcrumbs and came upon this magical little toy on The Wicked's Ebay Gingerbread House/Store. Oh my! An Alphabet Desk for $3.00! Even with a Jolly Green Giant sized shipping cost ($7.25), I shouted, Hurrah! Was this a fairy tale? After I pinched myself and realized I was not dreaming, I sent $10.25 to The Wicked Christy via PayPal. My gleeful boy impatiently waited for his toy as visions of sugarplums and Alphabet Desks danced in his little head. We waited... And waited...
Finally, two weeks later a weathered box arrived from The Wicked. I didn't expect it to arrive slower than the Pony Express, not with those shipping costs. Nevertheless, my boy was ecstatic; his anticipated gift had arrived. We were carefully opening the box when my boy screamed in dismay. What the hell is this?! I exclaimed. (n.B.: Don't curse around the children.) This is not an Alphabet Desk! It was some fraudulent toy. And what did The Wicked do to this piece of refuse? Had she used it in place of her broom to slide down rocky hillsides on her derriere?
From my computer cried out for answers. I pleaded repeatedly with The Wicked, "Can you please send me the toy I purchased or give me a full refund?" My words drifted into the infinity of cyberspace. There was no reply, only an eerie silence. Listened very closely, one could hear a faint sound... Was it laughter?
I asked the ever powerful PayPal to come to my rescue from The Wicked Christy. With robotic parent-like authority it snorted, "FILE A CLAIM!" This, I did dutifully. Finally, after more than three weeks since my purchase, The Wicked cackled at me,
"Out of the goodness of my thorny heart, I will send you a refund provided you:
(1) Return the rubbish I intentionally mailed to you, and (2) pay for its shipping cost."
Behind her cold cyber eyes, she seemed to bellow, "What kind of a fool would pay $7.00 for a $3.00 refund? You DARE trust me, of all people, again? Out of spite, I may claim your package never arrived and refund you nothing. Who would know? It would serve you right, silly knave!"
I staggered through the great cyber halls of Ebay and PayPal, knocking on doors that never opened. One could only hear empty echoes down the corridors, and the cackling sound of laughter...
Having had only wonderful experiences with my brethren on Ebay until now, I am thankful that my path had not previously crossed Ms. Huish. I would have surely missed the chance to interact with several honest and courteous Ebay sellers and buyers.
My loss here, while perturbing on a micro scale, is insignificant in the larger scheme of things. The loss to Ebay and PayPal is greater. Even if Ms. Christy Huish is too short-sighted to see it, her loss is immeasurable.
Ms. Huish, all joking aside, you surely must have some redeeming qualities. Many of your Ebay transactions have resulted in complaints against you, but several of your transactions do not appear to be fraudulent. Enough is enough. Stop robbing people for pocket change, especially on the sale of children's toys. You're stealing toys out of the hands of babes. As a mother, of all people, you should know better. What morals are you teaching your son? Do the right thing and make restitution with me on this failed transaction.
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