Welcome to the Second Life Forums Archive

These forums are CLOSED. Please visit the new forums HERE

User's Consumer Rights in SL.

Seifer Kennedy
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 20
08-30-2005 16:03
(Sorry I didn't know were to really post this, but seeing as the area of the forum gets a lo of viewers, why not?)

This is a topic that has been bothering me for awhile now and I can't seem to get an actual answer.

What I'm talking about here is, what rights do we have players against merchants who abandoned their items.

Such as this. You go into a shop, see something you like, you buy it. When you get home you realize..."Hey this thing doesn't work!" Then you proceed to contact the creator.
Weeks pass and still you get no response.

This has happened to me "countless" times. And I don't know what to do. The recent merchant I bought from is actually no longer listed in the "Find People" tab, and has not
responded to IM's for the past month I've been trying to contact him. Yet his items are still for sale.

What are we supposed to do against things such as this?
Torley Linden
Enlightenment!
Join date: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 16,530
08-30-2005 16:11
I use rippleshock to sniff out quality goods and reliable content creators. There's been some times when yes, people do leave SL for various reasons, be it temporary or indefinite, but established names (not only quality but quantity) carry weight as any offline business would... this way you know they're not just thieves in the night! I also ask my friends for recommendations, and any other helpful hints to point me along the way.

I do own some cool stuff by Residents no longer around, and even though I was looking forward to upgrades in several of those instances, the products themselves do work for what they are. A bum product when the owner is STILL around is rather irresponsible! I am judicious, wild yet cautious, and when I can read product reviews, I will.

In short, I don't take a lot of "against" action, but I am very "for" the excellence I see here in SL.

Community Standards sez:

From: someone
Buyer Beware
Linden Lab does not exercise editorial control over the content of Second Life, and will make no specific efforts to review the textures, objects, sounds or other content created within Second Life. Additionally, Linden Lab does not certify or endorse the operation of in-world games, vending machines, or retail locations; refunds must be requested from the owners of these objects.
_____________________
Burke Prefect
Cafe Owner, Superhero
Join date: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 2,785
08-30-2005 16:17
First. Go back and edit your post for spelling.
Second. Let us know what items you bought, what they SHOULD do, and how they aren't working, who made them, and what you paid for them.
This is a bit of info but it would help.
And, if the creator or seller is no longer with us, you might be out of luck.
This is sort of the correct forum for this.
_____________________
Cienna Samiam
Bah.
Join date: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 1,316
08-30-2005 16:25
Hi, Seifer. Generally speaking, the only true rule when dealing in SL merchandise is 'Caveat Emptor' (Let the buyer beware). For the most part, reputable merchants will work with you and, if you just can't stand the item, refund you upon return.

Items that cannot be returned generally will not be refunded. I'm sure you can understand the logic in that.

The world of Second Life is very much mutable, people come and go, stores crop up and vanish, and competition in every arena is fairly high.

In my experience, taking the time to learn who is reputable, has been around a while (less likely to disappear overnight... though this isn't the firm declarative it seems here), has good reviews or references or has given you good service (trial and error) are about the only ways to go for the present.

There are rumors of an in-world directory where suppliers are vetted, but I don't think anyone is holding their breath. For the most part, talk to others, especially those who have items you like. Network. Keep a set of landmarks and share them with others. This insures those who give good service as well as have nice products will get the support and business they deserve.

Hope this helps... and if you are looking for a personal shopper with some experience in this area, feel free to toss me an IM. I'm reasonably priced and if nothing else, you'll learn a lot. :)
_____________________
Just remember, they only care about you when you're buying sims.
crucial Armitage
Clothing Designer
Join date: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 838
08-30-2005 16:56
all the things mentioned above are all good suggestions. you also need to use good common sense. look for content creators that have been around a wile check there profile if you never bought from them before. is it blank are they a week old. do they have a main location of land they own. these things can give you a and i stress a general idea of a sellers trustworthiness.

good customer relations is one reason i always answer customer IMs right a way and do what i can to assist them in any way i can.
i have worked in retail in first life for nearly 25 years and the one thing that will bring a customer back more then any thing is good customer service.

hope this helps
hugs
crucial
Seifer Kennedy
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 20
08-30-2005 17:02
From: Burke Prefect
First. Go back and edit your post for spelling.
Second. Let us know what items you bought, what they SHOULD do, and how they aren't working, who made them, and what you paid for them.
This is a bit of info but it would help.
And, if the creator or seller is no longer with us, you might be out of luck.
This is sort of the correct forum for this.


As far as that goes, I don’t see how two misspelled words would make any difference.

And secondly I do understand the logic behind finding out who your buying from before you buy, however sometimes you see those deals you can’t pass up and take them.

The item I bought was a mod-stereo in which you could add custom URL’s.
The creator was Powder Quirk, who, like I said isn’t even listed in the “Find People”
tab anymore.
Csven Concord
*
Join date: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 1,015
08-30-2005 18:27
I'm curious so I have some questions.

1) Did you buy this at his/her store?

2) What was the name of the store?

3) Was the store on this same person's land?

4) Did you buy this from the "creator" or did your money go the current "owner" who transferred an item to you (I'm thinking it might have been a free item that someone is reselling for profit)?

I'm asking bc I have been wondering about this issue as well (i.e. when players get banned how are their "For Sale" items handled... some can still sell through SLExchange or another 3rd party site I'd guess).

btw, someone I know has been wanting me to work on something like this for them. IM me inworld and I'll try to help you out best I can.
Seifer Kennedy
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 20
08-30-2005 21:10
From: Csven Concord
I'm curious so I have some questions.

1) Did you buy this at his/her store?

2) What was the name of the store?

3) Was the store on this same person's land?

4) Did you buy this from the "creator" or did your money go the current "owner" who transferred an item to you (I'm thinking it might have been a free item that someone is reselling for profit)?

I'm asking bc I have been wondering about this issue as well (i.e. when players get banned how are their "For Sale" items handled... some can still sell through SLExchange or another 3rd party site I'd guess).

btw, someone I know has been wanting me to work on something like this for them. IM me inworld and I'll try to help you out best I can.


I honestly dont remember. But what I do remember was it was a small stall next to a road I belive. The guys name was Powder Quirk.
Seifer Kennedy
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 20
08-30-2005 21:22
The location on the map is, Bolinas: 208, 77

His shop is called *** Radios that Work ***

They may work on his land, but they didn't on mine.
Csven Concord
*
Join date: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 1,015
08-31-2005 06:14
Okay. I'm also not getting a hit on Find People. But I did find his land and through it his profile. I notice Powder has a partner: Jude Mackenzie. Have you IM'd to ask if Powder is still in SL? Banned? or maybe even hired by LL?

There's also an instruction in Powder's profile: "Radio Help: Walk up to the radio and type "/radio help" without the quotes." I assume you've tried this. Yes?

As to the bigger question of consumer protection, it really does all come down to reputation.