As many puzzle fans know, collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby.  But nothing is more frustrating than finding out you are missing a piece.  I have been in a buying frenzy recently and have acquired several puzzles that are incomplete.  As a collector, there is nothing I can do with an incomplete puzzle.  So it's kind of like acquiring a box full of junk. . . a box full of junk that I had to pay for.  And since I hate to throw a puzzle away, it ends up taking up space in my closet.  In my experience, here are some pointers that I believe will make everyone's puzzle-buying experiences on eBay much more pleasant. 

Buying 3-D Puzzles

If you are looking to buy a puzzle, the only thing you can really do is be vigilant and know as much as you can about the product you are buying. 

1.  One almost sure fire way to avoid missing puzzle pieces is to buy puzzles that are still in their original wrapping.  The only way a puzzle piece (or for the 3-D crowd, the assembly guide and any paper components) would be missing is if they came from the manufacturer that way.  These puzzles are usually marked with the symbol NIB or new in box.  The down side to buying your puzzles new is that they are often more costly than used ones and, for some rare items, difficult to find new. 

So, you can't buy new puzzles because you've stumbled upon a great deal on a used puzzle or a rare treasure.  Used or opened puzzles are alright to buy too, if you protect yourself. 

2.  Start by becoming familiar with the listing for the item in question.  If the puzzle is sold as guaranteed complete or complete with instructions, etc. , you're in good shape.  If the item is listed as as is, this doesn't necessarily imply the puzzle is incomplete, just that the seller has not completed the puzzle and doesn't want to take responsibility for missing parts of your puzzle.  The biggest difference between complete and as is is your recourse once a missing piece is discovered.  If the puzzle is listed as complete, you will have a better chance of getting a refund.  If you buy the item as is, you're usually out of luck. 

A.  Keep on the lookout for listings that direct you to the manufacturer for replacement pieces.  This does not make the seller disreputable if you see a listing containing these instructions, just unaware.  Many times, you see this on listings for puzzles manufactured by Wrebbit (also listed as Milton Bradley or Hasbro).  Wrebbit does have a system for replacement pieces, but they no longer replace pieces for puzzles made before 2001.  If your puzzle was made after 2001, that may be an option, but not if it was made before.  

3.  Get to know your seller too.  Most sellers on eBay are great, honest people.  So keep a positive attitude whenever you contact them.  As with most items sold on eBay, it never hurts to check your seller's reputation before you buy.  Check out what the typical complaints are and how frequent they occur.  Also, don't hesitate to contact the seller.  Most of the seller's I've dealt with get back to me within a day or two.  If your puzzle is not listed as as is or complete, you should definitely contact the seller and find out.  If you receive no feedback, assume it's as is. 

A.  It can also help to know whether your seller is selling their personal collection or if they are buying them and then selling them.  A person selling their personal collection will be more familiar with the puzzle and, in my opinion, can be more trustworthy when it comes to guaranteeing the item is complete. 

B.  It's also a good idea to buy from seller's you have a personal rapport with.  If you've had successful experiences with a certain seller, go back to them.  You'll be more likely to be able to trust what their listings claim and more likely to be satisfied with the solution to unpleasant problems later, should they occur. 

4.  Look at the picture.  If the picture provided is a picture of the completed puzzle completed by the seller, then you have a better chance of the puzzle being complete.  The puzzle is more likely to be complete because the seller would not have been able to complete it themselves for the picture, had it not been.  This is not a substitute for a guarantee or contacting the seller, but it can be another tool in your arsenal. 

5.  DON'T BID UNTIL ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!

Your puzzle has arrived.  What should you do?

6.  Sometimes, puzzles bought off eBay will be sold already put together.  This is a good way for a buyer to check the puzzle over for missing pieces without having to put the puzzle together themselves.  Some seller's, upon request, will leave the puzzle put together for you.  If it doesn't come this way, you'll have to either take the seller's word for it, or put it together yourself right away.  I recommend doing this for any puzzle that is rare or expensive. 

You've put the entire puzzle together and you've found out something is missing!

7.  If something is missing (and the puzzle was made before 2001), assume first that it was misplaced by you.  Obviously, you want to retrace your steps and check all possible places in your home it might be before running off to the seller demanding your money back.

A.  If your puzzle is a Puzz 3-D (a Wrebbit/Milton Bradley/Hasbro puzzle), it often comes with the irritating red-dot pieces.  The instructions warn against throwing these pieces away until the puzzle is complete.  This is because smaller pieces that are not red-dot pieces can often be mistaken for trash and thrown away before the puzzle is completed.  Follow this advice and look through the red-dot pieces if you are having trouble finding a piece. 

8.  If you still can't find the missing piece, this is when you tell the seller the grim news. 

A.  If the puzzle you bought was guaranteed complete or if the seller told you the puzzle was complete, you have a much better chance of receiving a refund.  First of all, never get angry.  Keep the conversation friendly.  It's likely that the seller just made a mistake and accidentally sold you something that was incomplete. 

B.  A great way to contact the seller is through the 'Stewie Griffin' compliment sandwich (lol).  Start by telling the seller something you liked about their service (the fast shipping, the packaging, etc.).  Then mention the missing piece and what you think they should do to fix it.  End with how you've enjoyed the transaction and thank them for their time. 

C.  Next, it never hurts to ask for the missing piece instead of your money back.  It's possible the seller might have an idea where the piece might be.  You should give them the option to find it and send it to you.  This is also a tip for people who bought the puzzle as is.  The chances are substantially lower the seller will have the piece you're looking for, but it's still a good idea to ask. 

9.  If they can't find it, they should offer you a refund or some kind of restitution.  Keep in mind that if you bought it as is, you will probably not be entitled to a refund. 

Hopefully, these suggestions for selling 3-D puzzles on eBay have been helpful.  Please send me messages concerning anything I may have left out of these guides and I'll be sure to include them.  I want to make the eBay community as pleasant as I can.  Also, I have several puzzles with missing pieces that I am very interested in finding good homes for.  Many of them are very rare.  Let me know if you are missing a piece from one of these puzzles and I will try to list them on eBay for you so you can get them at a low price to finally complete your collection.