Lava table lamp shipped to member arrived with some problems - why?

[kero48]

Guys / Gals,

I am curious about something. A member here purchased my lava table lamp which was pretty much perfect before it shipped other than one fastening tab missing.

Videos and photos, which was listed in my F/S post showed all in perfect order.

The seller received the lamp with lava rub marks in the interior of the bottle and more worrisome is that the fluid arrived very cloudy.

What conditions other than maybe poor handling would cause such issues. The lava rub marks I think I can imagine but crystal clear fluid turning cloudy? How does that happen. What conditions would cause this?

My post is not about defending myself, it's for the buyer who received a lamp that was not in the same condition when it shipped. I feel very bad about this as the lamp was really nice and I am worried it won't return to it's former condition.

People ship these lava lamp items all the time. Do they all arrive with lava rub marks and cloudy fluid if not there originally? Am I over thinking this?

This also makes me nervous about other items that I have listed for sale or maybe future items for sale. How can one avoid this issue for future shipments? We all know you can mark a box fragile, this side up, etc etc. I doubt the carriers really pay attention to those things.

The item as a whole arrived without damage other than the lava rub marks and cloudy fluid.

I asked the buyer to post up some photos for us to see, so maybe we could help him/her get the lamp back to the condition it original was in.

I did insure the item for the sale value including shipping. Based on this post, with no physical damage, can one make a claim so I can help the buyer out?

Original post in case anyone is interested - https://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/f-s-lava-lamp-table-lamp-cl...

Thanks

Rod

[Claude J]

rub marks and cloudiness can happen with older lava in transit and its not your fault

All the new owner should have to do is just run/cycle the lamp for a while and the cloudiness and scuff marks from the lava glob shifting around during transit should clear up

[kero48]

^^ Claude, thanks for the input, the new owner is running the lamp regularly and did advise the cloudiness is clearing up but not 100% yet. They did advise the lava marks are starting to go away but there is what they call a "COLD LAVA LINE" at the top that is yet to go away. Not exactly sure what that refers to and asked for some photos.

[Erin]

Heat will cause that, for sure. That being said, esp with Chinese-made lamps, they often do not travel/ship well. It's the same reason so many new lamps from Lava Lite get returned/have problems. If that lamp gets warm during transit and the wax bonks around the globe, you can have the problems you've listed above. 

It's definitely not your fault, but it is something all who purchase lamps should be aware of. All of the vintage lava lamps usually clear up with running, but sometimes the Chinese-made ones don't. 

[The Lamp Caretaker]

Several years ago I purchased this same lamp. When it arrived USPS (which I hate because they treat everything like crap) same thing you described.  I ran several times and when it really heats up the cold line will be absorbed. I only ran it a few times and it began to clear nicely before I stored it with the rest of my lamps in the basement. I rotate my lamps annually throughout my home since I have several hundred and no way can display all at once. The last time I unboxed the lamp it was clear as day from simply sitting around for several months unused.  Relax- this happens with a lot of the older lamps. It will eventually looks as good as the day you mailed.  Ask the buyer to give you several months and if it does not clear up offer a partial refund. If the buyer is telling you it's already showing signs of life...it's on it's way to recovery. 

[kero48]

Thanks for the replies guys. The buyer stated about as week or so ago they have still be cycling with no further clearing up of the fluid and that some wax will not melt off the bottle inside.

I do recall this lamp getting ultra hot when used for hours on end so I hoping the buyer continues to cycle the lamp for at least 5 to 6 hours at a clip.

I have not heard back as of late but they are a great member here so I hope they give me an update when they get time.

Thanks all :)

[Gijzzz]

I recently bought a vintage Crestworth lamp and at this moment I have the same issue.

When it arrived the whole bottle was cloudy and it looks like there is a layer of fog on the inside of the bottle

The photo’s of this lamp before it was shipped show a clear bottle. It looks like this happens  sometimes during transport

I am now  running it for longer periods (6-8 hours) and hope it will clear up

[kero48]

^^ Sorry to hear, I hope it clears up! Just keep running it. I always get nervous shipping things to people now but I shipped a 90's clear and green bottle and it arrived to the buyer still crystal clear and i perfect shape. I just wonder if it has to do with the matter of transport, truck, airplane, etc.

[Gijzzz]

The lamp I bought was transported by airplane. This also might be the causing the cloudyness?

I have received severals other lamps before without problems.

But I dont blame the seller. I agree upfront the transport is at my risk. I buy my lamps in the UK so I know the transport always is an issue.  I give it some time running it and In the worst case I’ll buy a donor bottle at Mathmos

[Keith]

I received a cloudy Mathmos astro a few years ago.  It did clear up with repeated running.  It took several months though.