Bartertown.com

I just want to throw this out there, since I don't want to leave a bad trader reference unnecessarily.

I bought 6 blisters from a new user. Given that this user did not have any references, I offered half the PayPal up front and the balance on receipt of the blisters. When the blister arrived, I only received 4. I contacted the seller, and he promised to send the missing two blisters right away. After a month, and a few more contacts, we agreed that we would just leave everything as is, I never received the remaining blisters, but I will not send the remaining PayPal either.

So, it was resolved, relatively amicably, but the seller still short-shipped me, and apparently never sent the missing blisters. It is possible that the remaining two blisters were lost in the mail, but that seems somewhat convenient in this scenario.

So I don't think I need to open a BTR, but I'm not prepared to give a good reference either. Should this be a neutral reference or a bad one?

Since you claim it was resolved "relatively amicably" .. no Bad Ref. Neutral probably.. but it also might qualify for a good..

From what I see.. you paid partially for 6 blisters, got 4 and the second half of the payment was dropped, mutually. You may not have gotten what you thought you were, but it reads like it was "fair" for your experience.

The overarching thought for me, though, is this... .. would you trade with this member again? (even under stricter guidelines?).. if the answer to that question is Yes.. I would leave a carefully worded Good reference.

-Porkuslime

I agree that the ability to come to a mutual conclusion was good, but the reality is that I would have been utterly boned if I hadn't held back partial payment. As such, I would only ever deal with him again on a strict and non-negotiable 'you ship first' basis, which, I think warrants a warning to future traders.

I agree a bad reference is probably out of line, but I can't see leaving a good reference. Neutral it is.

If, under *some* circumstances, you'd be willing to trade with him again in the future, then a negative is right out. Those are reserved for bad experiences that leave you saying you'll never trade with the guy again. So, I'm with Pork on that one.

Otherwise, I'm with you. Even though you resolved it amicably, there were relatively substantial issues that could have left you high & dry in other circumstances. I agree with the Neutral.

Eric

Agreed. I did leave a neutral for him.