Sticky Situation with PICHAI

[Dreamh2o]

Please cast your vote on this situation:

Pichai auctions "english" Samurai Showdown 4 in June 2001 the reserve is
not met and Dreamh2o agreed to pay $230 in installments starting with
$70 on June 5th then the rest later. The game did not arrive for 12 weeks from the
date on the post mark, and this was while Pichai was moving. I had
actually thought at one point I wasn't getting a game. It did however
come, and was sent when he said it was.

I Dreamh2o openly admit the remainder of the payments were slow. I have
been going through a rough time. I Paid $53.33 July 30th, and then $53.33 on
September 6th for a total payment of $176.66 paid to date.

My wife Mommywolfs sold the game as English (because this is what Pichai
sold it to us as) to user SamShong for $230 shipped (so about $220).
When SamShong got the game he noticed that it was not USA but Korean.
Something that I Dreamh2o, and my wife Mommywolfs, Like original seller
Pichai, did not notice. Understandably this was upsetting to SamShong.
He felt that the game was worth $125 or roughly $100 less than he paid.

We asked Pichai about this and he claimed it was worth $140 - $160, and
openly admitted that he must have sold it to us prior to his figuring
out that Korean version existed. A version that he sold to a ton of
people. As restitution he only offered to knock of the $53 I Dreamh2o
still owed him. Meaning that I paid $176.66 for a game worth in the eyes of
SamShong $125, and visably not able to be sold in the forum for $130.
Thats an over payment to Pichai of $51.66. Now Iv decided to take a
$100 loss, and give SamShong $100 towards a game, or a refund of $100.
PICHAI, You owe me $51.66 in the same way, cash or credit. I may not
win a paypal dispute but I can hold up your $53.33 for 30 days. You have
been so unhelpfull in the situation you leave me no choice. So you may
as well pay me. (or give me $53.33 in value of other video game items).

A week went by with no response from Pichai on the matter. I
Dreamh2o feel that Pichai should directly offer game(s) to Samshong as I
was unwittingly sold a problem game, and as a result my wife unknowingly
sold it and misrepresented to another user. Again we would never
misrepresent a game to anyone. We have sold over 50 Neo Geo games, and
my wife has done and outstanding job. At the very least Pichai should
take responsibility for the item and make restitution to someone, myself
Dreamh2o or Samshong. My wife and I have vowed that whatever the action
Pichai takes, SamShong can expect restitution from us, as we would never
screw over a customer. However we were hoping Pichai would be a Man
about this and fix the problem before it came down to our being more out
of pocket than we already are.

Since Pichai was the original seller I Dreamh2o have expected him to
make this right by SamShong. Since SamShong bought the game from my wife
Mommywolfs he expects her to make good on it, and was reasonably asking for
credit towards games. Iv stepped in and made the choice to take care of the matter
because last night Pichai outright refused. His solution was that I refund Samshong
in full then return the game to him, when he got around to selling it he would refund me. Easy for him to say, that puts all my testicals on the chopping block. Money and
game gone, and all my trust in Pichai, someone who has shown me I can not
put trust in them?

I am hoping that posting this in the forum, and getting the opinion of
the rest of the users as to what we should do, may urge Pichai to stand
up for what he sold. I AM, WHY SHOULD IT BE ANY DIFFERANT FOR PICHAI.
PICHAI IMPORTED THIS TURD OF A GAME IN THE FIRST PLACE AND RUINED THE
SS4 MARKET.

We are in a Troubled time here in the USA. Economy is slow, the holidays
are behind us. People are low on cash. No one is trying to mean or
unfair, or take any ones money away from them. Justice is my, and my wife
Mommywolfs goal, and apparently SamShongs goal as well.

What do you Pichai, and the forum members think? Im calling you out!

Dreamh2o
Tim D Tews

 

[SonGohan]

This is a very interesting situation. You have to look at it from this point of view also.

When you are buying something from somebody, you must know what you're getting. It seems here you were just trying to turn a profit (not saying that's bad), but it helps to know what you're buying/selling. I'm not saying you're at fault either, because I feel Pichai could have saved a lot of trouble in this situation by stating it what it was, but you had an obligation yourself to inspect the package further, to even make sure that it's in working order before you sell it.

That's the problem on your part. The problem I find disturbing (as I have had a wonderful transaction with Pichai recently) is that Pichai isn't putting too much effort I feel into correcting this situation. I say, at the very least if anything, you return the game to Pichai, and Pichai refunds you in full for the game, and in turn refunds HIMSELF when "he gets around to selling it".

There's a serious lack of communication here, and from the looks of the situation, it seems you both could work on them a lot (hopefully with each other).

My 2 cents..

 

[Dreamh2o]

I agree. Iv written Pichai on a 3:1 ratio. The game was not purchased for a profit. The game was purchased for my own collection. I didnt get around to playing it, and I had only aimed to sell it to get my money back out of it, due to my finacial situation. As said the goal is not to shaft anyone. Im going to satisfy SamShong, and I expect Pichai to satisfy me. I am his customer.

 

[Pichai]

Tim purchased the game from me back in early June and was suppose to pay off the remainder of the balance by July ends. I also sold some SS4 on Ebay and some on the forum, not knowing that they were the Korean version. They looked exactly like the English version. In August, Rarehero was the first to have problems with his game, it was garbled bad and missing characters, we thought it was just a bad cart so I promptly send him a replacement and it worked fine. It wasn't until Sep or Oct when I send Charlie another SS4 and he made the discovery of a Korean version. I purchased them all in the same store and apparently some were a real US version and some were the Korean version. Tim never emailed me about his game after it was posted on the forum 15 different locations for a month. My assumption was that he had the real version.

I waited for months for the remainder of the money, there were payments made, let alone any emails from Tim. I chalked it up as a lost and posted a short message about this on the forum. Within an hour or so I asked the moderator to delete that message. I did not want to ruins Tim's image here and the deal was between him and I. Still no email or a payment. I understand times are hard and money is tight.
Last week, I received an email from Tim with the above details deal with SamShong. My solution was that he refunded SamShong the cash and that we try to sell the SS4 for $120-$140 and that I'll refund Tim the difference.

Now, I might sound like an asshole but if Tim would had paid me off as agreed I would have refunded him now.
I also felt deep inside that if the deal went smooth with SamShong, Tim would have made a $30-40 profit on the game. I still would have not received any emails or payments from him. Is funny how when the ball is in his court he dribbles around me. SamShong is not pleased and needs to be refunded. Tim and I needs to sell this game and I'll send him the differences and I won't wait 8 months to send it either. I have refunded numerous people before for bad items and you know you are. Sorry that this has to happen but we are all not perfect.

-Pichai

 

[BIG BEAR]

I think those "bootlegged" shit games should be returned to the original seller and DESTROYED!
The domino affect should work in reverse for a refund.
Those Korean "shit games" will continue to cause trouble as long as they circulate!
They are WORTHLESS....This goes beyond EPROMS on the pCB but the code has been altered as well..
This is just total BULLSHIT! Somebody is going to have to "BITE THE BULLET" here.
You two need to come to a compromise.
-BB

 

[Gamefan]

After reading both parties stories, I have to agree with Pichai. Dreamh2o, you should have played the game much less at least turn it on to see what you were paying for. I have had numerous transactions with Pichai and I too once had a Korean SS4 and it does look like the US version. I can see how the mixup happened. I feel that since SamShong has done nothing but purchase the cart, he should be refunded entirely. Afterwards, you and Pichai need to come to an agreement on how to resolve this matter amonst yourselves, not place SamShong in the middle. Dreamh2o, remember as a reseller, it is up to you to inspect the package before you sell it as to make sure you are covering your own side of the transaction. I too feel that these Korean version are pretty bad, and should not be sold, but you also have to look at it like this, some people want SS4, and cannot afford the 450-500 dollars price tag it has. Just my two cents worth.


GAMEFAN

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: Gamefan ]

 

[Liquid Snake]

Interest topic

I'm not taking any side and this is my opinion:

Dreamh2o claims the SS IV cart he bought from Pichai was for his personal collection. I assume anyone will check the cart he bought (unless buyer/collector doesn't want to open it) like cartridge condition as seller described (any scratch, parts, etc), manual, and everything and play at least one or twice before putting the game up on the shlef.

The deal was made in June last year and it takes too long to find out the mistake. I don't think you can get any refund anywhere if purchase date is over three months old even product .

just my $0.02

 

[GamersAbyss]

This is really a unfortunate turn of events and I have to say Big Bear is right!! These lame carts need to take a powder!!

As for whos right and whos wrong, well that is simple business. The customer is always right. If you sell someone a Ford and in 6 months when they go to open the hood to change the oil and find out its a Chevy motor They have every right to get this matter fixed.

I hear you guys are both great traders and this forum needs more like you!! It is only a couple hundred bones guys, sometimes thats the price you pay for doing business. Suck it up and keep your names good because a good name is worth thousands in the long run.

 

[SonGohan]

Originally posted by GamersAbyss:
<STRONG>It is only a couple hundred bones guys, sometimes thats the price you pay for doing business. Suck it up and keep your names good because a good name is worth thousands in the long run.</STRONG>

AMEN!! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Catman]

This is definitely an awkward situation that can ruin anyones day. Tough call, hope you all work it out.

Damn them Korean carts. I have a couple as well and one of them is dead and will not make it back in distribution thankfully and as for the other I don't plan on selling it but if I ever did I at least will notify the new purchaser to be.

We need a tutorial somewhere to inform buyers how to identify these carts. The only way I know of is by looking at the PCB's themselves to see if there are suspect IC's or smaller PCB's in the spots where SNK's IC's should be. Also look for shotty resoldering work as well, as they leave lots of flux on the PCB's.

my 2 cents.
<IMG SRC="smilies/glee.gif" border="0">

 

[nick_th_fury]

At the very least Pichai should
take responsibility for the item and make restitution to someone, myself
Dreamh2o or Samshong.

Gotta disagree somewhat here.
At what point does the responsibilty shift?
If I bought a game 2 years ago, & sold it today, it would obviously be my concern.
Not the person I bought it from.

Well, time is not a good thing to measure responsibilty.
Too subjective.
So Id say Samshong should only ecpect to deal w/ Dreamh2o.
I'd say at this point, Pichai has no part in it.


Now the sticky part.
As far as we are aware, (To my knowledge)
The Korean copies are legitmete.
Anyone know differently?

Now, anyone buying any neo cart, at MSRP or under MSRP, IMO has no basis for complaint at all.
These games were designed to sell at 200-300
dollars, for gamers.

Had he bought it as a rare collectable, at over the MSRP,
I do feel he should be refunded then.

As it is, I say tell him no.
Dreamh2o, keep the transaction, as is.

Too all the folks that see $$$value beyond
the game/fun factor, let this be a lesson.
The Neo not a stock. Its not an investment.
Tuff.
I have no problem with anyone that wants to collect.
It's just an accepted risk.

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: nick_th_fury ]

 

[Liquid Snake]

Like I said before, the transaction between Pichai and Dreamh2o is over 6 months old. They can either take loss from both sides or Dreamh2o will take full responsibility.

 

[chimpmeister]

I agree with Trey here, and others. Dreamh2o doesn't deserve any refund from Pichai, seeing that he dragged out the payments so long (and never paid the full amount), and never even bothered to check or play the cart when he got it. Thats just sloppy business, period.

Pichai is a good seller, I've done business with him and was satisfied. He has no further responsibility, and in fact should have been paid the agreed upon amount for the cart. Korean or not, it is a working SS4 cart, right? Whoever said check the PCBs, thats ridiculous as I NEVER open ANY of my home carts, period. They're not like MVS carts, opening them can damage the case and is not a simple matter of removing a few screws.

As for Samshong, he should go back to Dreamh2o if he feels a return/refund is in order, and thats the end of it. If Dream then wants to sell the cart at a lesser price, thats what he has to do. Just my opinion . . .

And finally as Trey says, the game still plays fine, might at most have a different title screen. SS4 always used to sell for $400 a pop easily (U.S. version mainly), but recently the price HAS fallen a bit. I bought a JPN copy for $240 plus shipping from Nikke and was very happy with it. If the Korean versions are legit and complete except for the title screen, I don't think they should be a problem. If they're boots, then its a bit of a different matter, but I'd be surprised if they duplicated the insert, manual, AND cart sticker just to bootleg this game!!

 

[Joe McCabe]

I have to side with Pichai. First he was nice enough to let Dreamh2o do a payment. And second back in June, no one knew about the Korean SS4. I have done business with Pichai and he was great. Also Pichai is giving you a break in the price. Just take the price break for Pichai.

 

[Biggy]

this is the way i see it. Tim bought a car from a dealer, drove it for 8 months and stop making payments. now the car is broken and instead of fixing it himself. he wants the money back from the car dealer. in the real world, this is not going to happen. my vote is for pichai.

 

[RyoGeo]

I purchased one of Pichai's Korean versions myself and have no problems with it at all. It has all the Japanese dialog and original screens. I know there are Korean versions out there that are altered, but mine is indistinguishable from any other English release save for the "Korea" stamp on the back of the cart casing.

If the cart I bought were missing Japanese speech or had different screens, I would have been upset. As it was not, I thought I got a good deal. Perhaps your cart should be examined to see how it actually plays or if it has the ommitted speech.

And, btw, these carts are legit. SNK tried to sell in Korea and pulled out rather quickly. Korea is not a big fan of Japan, hence the changes in some versions that were released.

Just my 2 cents.

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: RyoGeo ]

 

[NeoLord]

I think Pichai should waver the final payment, because the game in question clearly wasn’t the version outlined in their agreement. I don’t think Pichai should issue a refund, but he should call it even since he sold something that wasn’t worth the original asking price.

Waver the remaining payment at the very least, Pichai


I think it would be easier for them to take a lose than to sell the cartridge again.

[Edited to implement a third comment]

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: NeoLord ]

 

[Kyokugen Star]

Korea is not a big fan of Japan, hence the changes in some versions
that were released.

That`s why SNK Neo Geo is reopening in Korea now? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[BIG BEAR]

Originally posted by NeoLord:
<STRONG>I think Pichai should waver the final payment, because the game in question clearly wasn’t the version outlined in their agreement. I don’t think Pichai should issue a refund, but he should call it even since he sold something that wasn’t worth the original asking price.


Waver the remaining payment at the very least, Pichai</STRONG>

The Korean Samurai IV was misrepresented twice.
There is no "expiration date" on misrepresentation.
Why would Dream2Ho need to inspect something a reliable seller sold him? If he -DID- inspect the cartridge what deficiencies would he look for??
The original deal was still active and everything was fine..nobody cried foul as far as payments were concerned...
Neo Lord is correct.
I am not siding with anyone but there must be a COMPROMISE.
Neither one of these parties is a "bad guy".I want to make this absolutely clear.
You both are victims if you did'nt know about the Samurai IV's origins..
It's not about "taking sides" It's about "the right thing to do"
Split the "loss" and "lessen" the blow...
-BB

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: BIG BEAR ]

 

[Dreamh2o]

The game did not A) arrive until LATE-AUGUST 12 weeks after the post mark.
B) At the time I did not have a neo geo to even try it on. Reason being I sold in
this forum a low cost system for $150, before shipping that cosmetically poor
system I discovered the power didn't work, and gave up mine as sacrifice so that
the buyer would have a good working unit as advertised. I did not have a system
for several months. When I got another system in November, it was used by my
wife to C) test all the games we intended to sell, to insure that they booted
correctly. Nothing was played to any extent. At no point was I aware of another
version for SS4, until SamShong told my wife, and in turn me. I never saw a post
about it (don't visit every day anymore).

Samshong has been given $100 off KOF97 Jap with MVS stickers, and
additional English insert that were being sold for $129 So for ($29 shipped). Very
reasonable restitution we both agreed with.

Pichai was communicated with very well. He did not respond much. (I CC every
email to myself... do I really need to post headers?) Maybe its his cheap free-mail
address... I don't know. He does ship the stuff he says he will, that's not in dispute.
I don't think he planned to stab me... it was listed and relisted twice and would not
sell. Both my wife and I thought something was fishy. We had intended to pay the
remainder in the form of a game Pichai wanted (as he requested), but then this
came to light. however, I had this game for about 110 days, its not what I paid for,
this was just discovered, he now knows, and I think like my restitution for
SamShong, I am due something... anything... you know what reasonable is. Make
it right that's all I ask!

 

[One-Eyed Willy]

The situation is fucked-up all around, but other members have posted good advice.

For starters, DreamH20, you should have tested that cosmetically poor system before putting it up for sale. Then you would have had a working system to test the game on when it arrived.

Pichai, you should not have accepted payment in installments.

Though no-one is in the clear, I think I side more with Pichai than DreamH20.

Since neither Pichai or DreamH20 caught the fact that the cart was Korean and not English, they should split the loss. Since SamShong was the one cognizant of the cart's identity, he should not be the one to compromise here. He should pay $125 if it's a fair price, (DreamH20 you refund him $105), and Pichai should, as offered, accept the loss of the remaining installment of $53 from DreamH20. How much simpler could it be? <IMG SRC="smilies/tickled.gif" border="0">

 

[Pichai]

I’m tried, just send the game back. I will send you a payment of $70 via Paypal when I received the game. And the rest, over the same time period it took you to pay me. If you don’t like that, than don’t do to other people.

Your last payment was in September, you never emailed me or took any initiatives to playoff the remaining balance. And that’s Bull. A seller, from France, trusted me enough that he was going to let me make 2 payments of $150 each for a Voltage Fighter. I wanted this game badly and I still do. In looking at my finance situation, I knew I could fulfill my part of the bargain and had to put my head down and told him straight.

The missed payment, the excuses, the lack of emails didn’t bother me. I am a true believer of what goes around, comes around. What pisses me off the most is that my instinct tells me that he tried to make a profit from this sale and it didn’t happened. Even if he did make a profit, I still would have not seen the cash. Tim has sold many items on Ebay within the last 3-4 months. There Is No Excuse!!!!!!!!

That’s my final solution and many of you may not like it. I may have lost a few new customers here and that’s fine with me. Just as long as I don’t lose trust from what matters most, the people here.

-Pichai

 

[simon_belmont]

What a bullshit dreamh2o, you are the thief overhere, you NEVER paid for the neo geo carts you got from me! I still remember, you mailed me and asked to send the games out first, NO PAYMENT EVER!! THIEF!! And I am not the only one you screwed, does the word Mark of the Wolves say anything to you! Looser, I know the stories!! I hope your financial situation will kill you!!

 

[Biggy]

that's fucked up. not only you didn't pay pichai, but simon now has a bone to pick with you. skeletons are coming out of the closest now.

 

[GamersAbyss]

Ummmm this thread is going to hell and doing it quick!!! Simon please tell us more on this deal where you never got paid? What carts did you loose? If this is true it is very uncool!!!