Merkur Used 37C Slant Plating Chips : Safe to use?

[owrichards]

Hello...I'm a newbie and recently got a Merkur 37C Slant used off of eBay. Now the photos posted along with the description made it sound like the razor was pretty much new (used only 10 times, etc) but when I opened it up I noticed some chipping on it that looked like it may have been dropped (?) now here's my core question...Is this razor actually safe to use? I've contacted the seller (who does not accept returns) and asked him about it..his reply "I don't know what you're talking about"...So I've learned my lesson about getting a used razor : if interested ask for more photos and detail...but can I live with this mistake OR am I'm being too picky about this?

 

[rockviper]

Contact eBay / paypal. The seller doesn't determine whether he'll accept return of misrepresented goods. PayPal and eBay should take care of you.

 

[Rockminer]

Contact eBay / paypal. The seller doesn't determine whether he'll accept return of misrepresented goods. PayPal and eBay should take care of you.

This^^^^^

If the seller didn't disclose the damage, you should be able to get your money back.

 

[h22o999]

I wouldn't completely rule out buying used razors, especially from members on this forum on the BST.

As for your razor, it is hard to tell from the pictures exactly where the flaking is. I would say that it is probably going to be ok to use as long as there are not sharp edges that could cut your face while shaving. I have a 37c that I bought off of the BST, while the finish isn't flaking on mine, there is some residual material in between the teeth that just kind of looks like crap (or cheap). I guess this is a quality issue with my Merkur 37c.

Justin

 

[owrichards]

Thanks for the replies; I've sent these photos back to the seller and will try to work it out with him. I see that I do have the eBay money back guarantee at least...next time I'll look on B/S/T...seems more reputable!

 

[owrichards]

the objectionable chipping is in the first photo where it's dark on the corner (NOT shiny)...I scrubbed the hell outta this razor when I got it with a soft tooth brush and palmolive dish soap and got most of it to shine up real nice...but honestly looks like it was dropped! Don't want a face divot..

 

[mmack66]

I don't see anything that would render the razor unusable.

If the razor was misrepresented in the eBay listing, open up a case through eBay.

 

[mblakele]

Plate loss is not dangerous to you. But it exposes the zamak to water, which can cause problems over the long term. If you keep it you might consider protecting the zamak with a dab of something waterproof and innocuous-looking. Maybe a little clear nail polish?

 

[Bebe]

i don't see anything out of the ordinary, looks like perfectly usable razor to me.
The white spot could be dried soap or hard water stains, nothing a little scrubbing won't take care of.
Now, depends how much you've paid for it, try to work it out with the seller, but you might have to pay for return shipping... or you can always sell it here and buy a new one. Personally, if the price was right, i'll keep it as it is.

 

[xillion]

I've circled what I see as the chips in red.

Owrichards, is this what you're referring to? To my eye it looks like the razor may have been dropped at some point.

Especially in the first image.

 

[gus1942]

i don't see anything out of the ordinary, looks like perfectly usable razor to me.
The white spot could be dried soap or hard water stains, nothing a little scrubbing won't take care of.
Now, depends how much you've paid for it, try to work it out with the seller, but you might have to pay for return shipping... or you can always sell it here and buy a new one. Personally, if the price was right, i'll keep it as it is.

+1. If you paid less than $40, you are ok.

 

[owrichards]

Thanks for circling the areas I was concerned about...yes those are the chips...now I asked the seller and he vehemently denied the damage and suggested that I had damaged it!...Bottom Line: I paid $35 for it and may just consider it a lesson learned to get more information (like better photos) and not trust a mendacious write up (ok always wanted to use mendacious in a sentence since "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof")...I'm new at some of this and it's lesson.

 

[owrichards]

Thanks gus1942 for helping me put this in perspective...I'd paid $35 for it...and if I end up selling it I'll post super detail pictures...

 

[Mick]

I asked the seller and he vehemently denied the damage and suggested that I had damaged it!

When it starts going in this direction just open a dispute, wait the 7 days and if you do not get a refund, escalate it and eBay will return the purchase price AND shipping you were charged.

Here is the eBay URL where you start all of this: http://resolutioncenter.ebay.com/

They may ask you to return the item and most times they will pay the return shipping too (generate a pre-paid return label for you).

I am amusing that the razor was sent uninsured (first class not priority)?

If there is insurance involved you may need to take it to the post office and have them start a damage claim but this will not effect your ebay dispute which is separate. It just gets you out of paying to return the item if it is in the position of the post office insurance dept.

 

[mmack66]

USPS insurance claims are initiated by the seller, not the buyer.

Was the razor shipped in a box, or a bubble mailer?

 

[owrichards]

The razor was sent in a double bubble mailer via UPS and the seller had also wrapped it in three layers of paper napkins sealed with scotch tape...well protected.

 

[owrichards]

Thanks for the assistance; I'll start the claim process...seller almost seems to be bullying in his attitude...will let eBay weigh in on it...