Originally posted by Prince Harbinger This is getting ridiculous. I can't believe this! I brought what was advertised as brand new a Viltrox C/Y focal reducer. The damn thing is full of fungus! Came with a screwdriver. After removing the mount plate, the screws were full of rust. There's no way to remove the elements for cleaning.
Sorry to hear this.
I don't know how often you buy lenses and other photographic gear from eBay, but in my experience you have to get used to some disappointments. In some cases, sellers' descriptions are intentionally false. Most are, though, based on casual rather than detailed inspection of an item (I think), and it's possible this seller genuinely didn't notice the problem because of that.
Whenever I buy from eBay, unless it's from a reliable seller I've come to know over a period of time, I assume the worst. Usually, I'm pleasantly surprised, and I'm rarely disappointed. But sometimes, I'm disappointed - though I take that in my stride.
Even with known sellers, things can go wrong...
There's a very reputable seller of Soviet lenses in the Ukraine that I've bought many items from. Last year, I bought a "new / old stock" Zenitar-ME1 lens from him, sold as perfect in every way, and fully serviced. When it arrived, I inspected it, and though it was indeed cosmetically and optically perfect, there was oil on the diaphragm blades that prevented the mechanism from working. My conclusion, either his service guy had used the wrong lubricant, or he'd done a quick and dirty job by squirting some sort of lubricant thinner into the lens, and the result was migrated oil. I worked with him to agree a significant partial refund, and we were both happy. But I could have insisted on a return and full refund.
As mentioned already... eBay protects against this sort of thing. If your item isn't as described, you can return it and obtain a full refund. Sure, it's an inconvenience. But you'll get your money back.
You have a couple of options...
If you think you can service this item or get it serviced at a price you're comfortable with, explain this to the seller and suggest a partial refund.
Or...
Initiate a return request, return the item and get on with the rest of your photography. Don't give it another thought... it won't be the last disappointment you have with equipment bought remotely, so roll with it