will this be a fake marble ebay tale of woe?
Discussion
Bought this "Italian Solid Marble Fireplace" on ebay for £50.
Eamailed the seller to ask if the items is as described and was told yes.
Arranged for a delviery (£100) and this arrives.
I am no expert on marble and didn't know they made fireplaces hoolow nowadays, however here is why i think it is fake:
E-mailed the seller and was told I should be glad I got it for 50, when their parents paid £800 for it and that they are sure that they sent off a solid marble fireplace with teh deliveryman, but can't guarantee (guarantee what? that it magically transformed into a fake whilst with the deliveryman?) that this is what arrived to me.
I need your help PH. I need your help with two things:
1. Tell me how i can be absolutely sure that this is or isn't marble
2. if it isn't what to do? a simple refund is not exactly going to make things fare and square now.
See pic attached
Eamailed the seller to ask if the items is as described and was told yes.
Arranged for a delviery (£100) and this arrives.
I am no expert on marble and didn't know they made fireplaces hoolow nowadays, however here is why i think it is fake:
- Room temperature to the touch (expected this to be cold, like any other stone)
- the inside, though it does seem to have some veins/marks looks like it was made using a cast, with seams and bubbles visible (I'd expect the marble just to be cut out crudely.
- "marble" chippings did not fizz or make any bubbles when submerged in vinegar (see pic)
E-mailed the seller and was told I should be glad I got it for 50, when their parents paid £800 for it and that they are sure that they sent off a solid marble fireplace with teh deliveryman, but can't guarantee (guarantee what? that it magically transformed into a fake whilst with the deliveryman?) that this is what arrived to me.
I need your help PH. I need your help with two things:
1. Tell me how i can be absolutely sure that this is or isn't marble
2. if it isn't what to do? a simple refund is not exactly going to make things fare and square now.
See pic attached
Galileo said:
Yes. Yes, it will. Doesn't look too bad for £50 though.
Well from the outside and without touching it, it doesn't even make you wonder if it is real or not. Looks very convincing. and is unexpectedly heavy. Though I am trying to justify my foolishness.On the other hand, the ad said solid italian marble and I popped a bid on it, simple as. Can't really be blamed for going with the description can I?
Mobile Chicane said:
It's some kind of moulded composite.
Still, for £50...
That's the kicker though it was £150 with the delivery, and sadly my first opportunity to check it out for myself was when it got delivered Still, for £50...
In all likelyhood ebay will side with me with the refund and the original owners will not pay to have the item collected, so it will be a £100 purchase.
isee said:
Galileo said:
Yes. Yes, it will. Doesn't look too bad for £50 though.
Well from the outside and without touching it, it doesn't even make you wonder if it is real or not. Looks very convincing. and is unexpectedly heavy. Though I am trying to justify my foolishness.On the other hand, the ad said solid italian marble and I popped a bid on it, simple as. Can't really be blamed for going with the description can I?
That said, that's not really the issue, is it? The item was misdescribed so you'll need recourse through ebay. I hope you've left very negative feedback for the seller, too.
Pothole said:
I have no idea what ebay's rules are about describing things properly, but if the first pic is one from the ad, you should have known it wasn't marble.
That said, that's not really the issue, is it? The item was misdescribed so you'll need recourse through ebay. I hope you've left very negative feedback for the seller, too.
nope the pic was one that i made.That said, that's not really the issue, is it? The item was misdescribed so you'll need recourse through ebay. I hope you've left very negative feedback for the seller, too.
here is the auction in question
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160889773906?nma=true&am...
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