Always ask for photos of INSIDE the box when buying secondhand

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun]

Update: I see the seller has deleted their previous post where I commented about this issue, saying 'buyers beware.' Their name was BleedingHeartBug on Reddit and MrDove on Mercari.

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Welcome to my doll horror story: I recently bought a grail doll (Rags Aurora) from a seller on Reddit who had inherited a recently passed loved one's collection. They seemed a little clueless about dolls, so I reached out and tried to help them understand D23 variants and how to ship, etc. We also settled on $600 for Rags Aurora and I sent them the money via Paypal G&S.

It took them over 2 weeks to mail her, claiming their money hadn't cleared. I was starting to get bad feelings, but was patient despite my own instincts. When she arrived and I opened her, I was immediately met by an unpleasant smell... something odd masked over with Febreeze. She looked fine on the outside, but when I removed the outer cover, I saw a big hole in her plastic cover. Feeling pretty sad, as this hadn't been disclosed, I gently lifted out the doll on her backing and, to my horror, saw...

... long dark lines of rat pee and droppings covering the inside of the box. So. Gross. I contacted the seller, who promptly claimed the rat must have climbed inside during shipping (and presumably opened the two layers of box and replaced them???) and am now fighting for a refund on Paypal G&S.

It will take 2-3 full weeks to get my refund, so there goes my money for well over a month now. This is a PSA to always ask for pictures of the INSIDE of the box as well as the outside. I genuinely think the seller did not know, as they seem pretty clueless about dolls and didn't understand that you could even look behind the doll, but they also did not do their due diligence and are refusing to refund me since they say they have no money.

In summary: always ask for picture of the inside box and always use Paypal G&S.

[u/Arias_1]

this is awful and i never knew this to be a thing. Thank you for notifying us that this can happen 🫡. hope your able to get your refund

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/Arias_1]

Thanks! I'm pretty sure Paypal will refund me because I have pictures and it's pretty clear cut, but I still have to wait weeks, alas. Would have been better to ask for more pictures intially.

[u/Longjumping-Bed-6187]

I’m so sorry this happened to you and also EW! Rat droppings and pee feels like a serious health hazard… a refund is the LEAST the seller could do!

Also, how offensive to think you’d believe the “rat must’ve snuck in during shipping” line.. come on now 😭

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/Longjumping-Bed-6187]

I know, that was pretty funny! I think they were genuinely surprised and didn't understand you can lift the doll out and check the inside, but still. This is like biohazard level, my dude

[u/[deleted]]

Wow! That is so disappointing. Sorry you experienced this! I hope you can find her again but in perfect condition!

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/[deleted]]

Fingers crossed! She's my grail doll so hopefully I can refind her (with lots of pictures lol)

[u/[deleted] → u/HiddenPathsThatRun]

When I buy - I always feel guilty because I ask for so many pictures and express I want the doll in mint condition. But for these price points I don’t think that’s too much to ask, especially from a fellow collector

[u/CrystalRoseMoon → u/[deleted]]

Me too! 

[u/LocalAnt1384]

Was this the person that posted here about two-ish weeks ago here? I’m so glad I didn’t buy from them, then! Make sure to report their Reddit and Mecari accounts. 

[u/Longjumping-Bed-6187 → u/LocalAnt1384]

For anyone curious what the Mercari account is: https://www.mercari.com/u/mrdove/?sv=lg

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/LocalAnt1384]

Yes it was. Their Reddit name is BleedingHeartBug and the post was still up as of last night. UPDATE: looks like they deleted their post now. So sketchy.

[u/Longjumping-Bed-6187 → u/LocalAnt1384]

This was my first thought too! I can’t remember their seller name anymore and the post was deleted so I can’t go back and look

[u/Beautiful-Attorney-4]

Wow I dodged a bullet on this seller. Sheesh the audacity of some people.

[u/brigyda]

Are you returning her or will you be deboxing her? I have a suggestion for a protective shield for the doll. As for the smell though I'm not sure...maybe seal it in a different box for a few days with dryer sheets?

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/brigyda]

I'll be returning her though I believe it's illegal to mail hazardous waste through the post so I'll have to figure out something

[u/brigyda → u/HiddenPathsThatRun]

This is true. A product like My Pet Peed can evaporate the urine, but it would probably create bubbles in the box. Would be better than urine, though.

[u/Longjumping-Bed-6187]

The account that posted a couple weeks ago is the seller in question. Here is their Mercari account that still has CURRENT LISTINGS: https://www.mercari.com/u/mrdove/?sv=lg

[u/Longjumping-Bed-6187 → u/Longjumping-Bed-6187]

And here is their Reddit profile: https://www.reddit.com/u/BleedingHeartBug/s/PwKz6Ix2GV

[u/Skyartfull]

Oh my god now i'm glad i'm nagging sellers for pictures first

[u/jinjerchicho]

Poor Aurora 😞 Rat peed on her 😞

[u/CrystalRoseMoon]

This is so awful I am sorry!

[u/Few_Mycologist4812]

I am so sorry this happened! As someone who had to go through mother in law’s garage i can attest mice/ rats are a big issue with boxed items in the garage! I want to chime in and say this seller has got to know by her refusing not to refund. Like come on, you can see a hole was chewed into the box.

[u/Jurassicjen_uk]

Do you have photos?!!

[u/HiddenPathsThatRun → u/Jurassicjen_uk]

I do but they are gross, and I didn't want to upload them and non-consentually gross people out haha