Problem with an Ebay seller

[hayfield]

Last week I received a K's 14xx from a seller which was sent wrapped in two (used) padded bags. Needless to say it arrived damaged. I have no problems in recycling packaging and do recycle packaging myself, Yesterday I received a part made chassis in home made packaging with additional internal strengtheners to protect the etchings, perfect !!

 

 

The worst damage was the body where part of the cab is snapped off, the roof has come away and bent and one step has come off. It was quite cheap £9.99 + £4.50 P&P. I reported the damage immediately and was offered a £3 reduction, which after a couple of days I declined. Now the chap does have an unblemished 100% rating so I am a bit reluctant to spoil it.

 

He has asked me to return the item, I started a dispute (last Saturday) and requested both a full refund and the funds to return the item (this is standard practice according to Ebay. I have kept the packing (as the seller states it was sufficient to allow for safe delivery), and will return it so he can make a claim from the Royal Mail. I sent a polite reminder to him yesterday but so far have had no reply.

 

Now in 2 days Ebay will get involved and I will get a full refund, now do I

 

1)  leave negative feedback

2)  Return the item in the same packing and risk further damage

3)  Request enough money to buy a suitable Royal Mail approved to return it.

 

I will add, had he been reasonable I would have spent the time in providing a suitable box and packing at no extra charge so it would arrive in one piece. And have added positive feedback

 

I am not going to send any threats or further reminders to him as feedback is my last sanction

 

Advice please

 

[Andrew F]

I'd return it in the same packaging. He thought it was adequate so it's not your problem.

 

Maybe ask a couple more times for that refund or just forget it. It's possible he just expects Paypal to refund you and as far as he's concerned that's him out of it.

 

Leaving negative feedback. I couldn't be bothered. but that system is there for use .

[hayfield]

A quick update, ten mins ago I received a full refund and £3.50 to return it to him 2nd class.

 

I will return it with the original packing but in a protective box at no extra charge, as I am off today I may even be able to post it today. As for feed back I am erring on not leaving any. Had it been dealt with quicker I would have added to his positive feedback. Pity really

 

Andrew, Thanks for the reply, but had it arrived in a worst state I guess I would be liable for any additional damage. By wrapping it up properly if it does get damaged its Royal Mails problem  

[Kenton]

Perhaps the delay in response is yet another case of expecting too much from email systems. Not everyone sits on their PC all day everyday remaining connected to the internet in the desperate expectation that someone might just wish to contact them. People get ill, take holidays, go away on business, Even 14 days is a perfectly reasonable period to wait even with snail mail.

 

Maybe the seller's communication has been slow, but it sounds as if it is all working out in the end. I would reserve judgement on feedback until everything is dealt with, but so far see no call for anything negative. The goods arrived damaged (in all likelihood due to inadequate packaging to survive the poor handling in the postal system), the money is being refunded and the seller is covering the cost of return. Other than the communication delay and the fact you have wasted time - where is the problem?

 

Sadly no matter how well some items are packaged they still seem to get a battering in the post. I guess that is why they suggest the seller insuring against loss.

[hayfield]

Kenton

 

Thanks, but the initial emails were answered very quickly. I do not expect instant email replies (I work so cannot reply instantly all the time). The dispute has been opened for 5 days though, time enough? Two thin padded envelopes protecting a whitemetal (glued together) kit is asking a bit much of the Royal Mail, certainly I doubt if the Royal Mail will pay any compensation, due to the poor packing.

 

I will return it to the buyer with a letter confirming it was received damaged in the post along with his packing. Its then up to him.

[Kenton]

 

The dispute has been opened for 5 days though, time enough?

Not really, When I go on holiday it tends to be for a fortnight, and no one is going to cancel a holiday for the sake of any item sold on ebay that is under a dispute. The sums involved just aren't worth the hassle to a seller. Though I can empathise with the frustrations of a buyer in that position.

Although you have a point with the inadequate packaging I fear it happens a lot especially with those who recycle things and do not think about it enough. I do sometimes wonder about the age of some sellers and their ability to wrap parcels.

[hayfield]

Kenton

 

Yet again you are right about people being away etc, there is a simple answer don't sell things just before going away!!

 

You will be glad to hear I have wrapped it up properly, written a letter confirming I received it damaged in the post (to aid any claim the seller may wish to pursue with the Royal Mail) and within a couple (I have the day off) of hours it has been posted. cost slightly more than he gave me, but in this case recorded delivery I thought was wise.

 

I try and keep to a simple rule with Ebay, treat others how you would like to be treated, how quickly would I like the delivery? would I be happy with the packing ? If there is a problem, then try and deal with it as quickly as possible (its got to be dealt with anyway). Lost items are a bit more difficult as far as time span goes as the Royal Mail require 2 weeks to elapse before claiming.

 

Still as far as I am concerned its finished, Royal Mails job in getting it back, and if they don't its their problem to resolve

[kevinlms]

Kenton

 

Yet again you are right about people being away etc, there is a simple answer don't sell things just before going away!!

 

Perhaps that's a reason for selling, just before going away. For some extra spending money? If things go wrong, its how it's dealt with overall, that is how someone should be judged. As your getting a full refund & return postage covered, I don't see any further issues. Lots of others get treated much worse by eBay sellers, as many other posts have suggested.

[teaky]

In the past I have left both positive and neutral feedback that includes text mentioning that there was a problem but swiftly resolved.  That might fit the bill here.

 

Sadly, on one occasion I received a locomotive that was significantly not as described (not due to packaging) and despite providing photographic evidence the seller would not cover return postage.  I ended up with a full refund for original purchase price plus postage and the damaged locomotive still in my possession which was far more than anticipated when I opened a dispute.  I left negative feedback, the first for that seller I think, because they had been so inaccurate with the description and rude in their responses.  Sure enough, I received a rude message following that which I duly ignored and which, no doubt, sits on eBay's records.

 

In thousands of eBay transactions I have yet to reach double figures with disputes, so it works fine for me.

[hayfield]

Perhaps that's a reason for selling, just before going away. For some extra spending money? If things go wrong, its how it's dealt with overall, that is how someone should be judged. As your getting a full refund & return postage covered, I don't see any further issues. Lots of others get treated much worse by eBay sellers, as many other posts have suggested.

 

 

Kevin

 

Have no issues with selling items before going away, but you do need to have some wriggle room or message the buyer. At the time of the initial post the seller had been very quiet for a few days and Ebay's auto response deadline was approaching. Yes in the end I did get a refund, had it been done in a more timely manor I would have added to his positive feedback. I decided just not to leave any feedback

[hayfield]

In the past I have left both positive and neutral feedback that includes text mentioning that there was a problem but swiftly resolved.  That might fit the bill here.

 

Sadly, on one occasion I received a locomotive that was significantly not as described (not due to packaging) and despite providing photographic evidence the seller would not cover return postage.  I ended up with a full refund for original purchase price plus postage and the damaged locomotive still in my possession which was far more than anticipated when I opened a dispute.  I left negative feedback, the first for that seller I think, because they had been so inaccurate with the description and rude in their responses.  Sure enough, I received a rude message following that which I duly ignored and which, no doubt, sits on eBay's records.

 

In thousands of eBay transactions I have yet to reach double figures with disputes, so it works fine for me.

 

 

I think I have left negative feedback twice, the latter was withdrawn once I received a full refund. I did once receive a piece of rude feedback from a seller.  I bought it to Ebay's attention, it was not only removed immediately but received a gift voucher of £25 from Ebay, 8 times the value of the purchase. The item I recieved broken in the post is still on my shelf waiting for the seller to supply the return postage

[polybear]

There's always the option of neutral feedback...

I've had the experience of sellers posting items in just a padded envelope - I don't know what planet they're on, but it certainly isn't the same one as those with even an insey-winsey (spelling?) bit of common sense.

 

polybear