Ebay Help/Advice

[vealcalf]

I occassionaly sell on Ebay. Recently shipped and item and 2 days after it was received the buyer is now saying the item was damaged. Which let me say I'm an honest person I would not ship a damaged item! Anyway, no insurance was taken out, I did file a complaint with USPS anyway. I am concerned though because per USPS tracking item was delivered on 9-24-07 and buyer just sent me an email on 9-26-07. Not to sound petty but this item has been in their possession now for 2 days and who's to say the damage didn't occur at their residence?

I emailed buyer back and told them I was going to talk to USPS first. I also sent an email to Ebay detailing the situation.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice on how to handle?

[mom2fussbudgets]

If you packaged the item well, and I'm sure you did, I'd tell them you're not responsible for uninsured items that are damaged by the Post Office. From now on, you should probably make sure you include that statement in your auctions. You may get a negative feedback, but you have to decide what's more important, the negative feedback, or losing money. Good luck!

[vealcalf]

If you packaged the item well, and I'm sure you did, I'd tell them you're not responsible for uninsured items that are damaged by the Post Office. From now on, you should probably make sure you include that statement in your auctions. You may get a negative feedback, but you have to decide what's more important, the negative feedback, or losing money. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! I contacted Ebay, Paypal, and USPS on this. I did package the item very well and even have the receipt from USPS w/proof that I purchased their padded envelope and additionally bought bubblewrap to wrap the item with.

They did already have the item for 2 days before contacting me. Maybe that doesn't sound like a long time but I know when I get my free samples through the mail I tear into them right away I'd think they would have inspected the package immediately as well. I don't seriously think that someone would intentionally sabotage their own package but I come from a home full of dogs, cats, and a child and know that things do happen.

If the buyer is reasonable I'd even be willing to reimburse them a portion of the purchase price if not I guess I'll take the negative feedback.

In the future I will add note that I'm not responsible for post office damages etc. I don't post much on Ebay and have never run into a problem so I overlooked posting that.

[mom2fussbudgets]

I also think it's odd that they waited two days. I received something broken once, and I contacted the seller immediately!

Learning what to do, and what not to do is an ongoing learning experience. Each sale is unique, so it's hard to predict possible problems. A couple of years ago, a buyer filed a chargeback against me with his credit card company three months after the auction ended. He claims he never got his item, yet he never contacted me and told me he didn't. I had a receipt from the Post Office proving I'd mailed it, but since I didn't purchase delivery confirmation, I lost the dispute. That one cost me over $40.

Let us know what happens!

[vealcalf]

I also think it's odd that they waited two days. I received something broken once, and I contacted the seller immediately!

Learning what to do, and what not to do is an ongoing learning experience. Each sell is unique, so it's hard to predict possible problems. A couple of years ago, a buyer filed a chargeback against me with his credit card company three months after the auction ended. He claims he never got his item, yet he never contacted me and told me he didn't. I had a receipt from the Post Office proving I'd mailed it, but since I didn't purchased delivery confirmation, I lost the dispute. That one cost me over $40.

Let us know what happens!


Geez that's awful that you lost that dispute!

I have the Tracking Confirmation Slip and Receipt from that purchase (including shipping charges, envelope purchased for transaction, and also the additional bubblewrap I bought). I emailed USPS, Ebay, and Paypal w/all the details. I figured I'd rather have my side of the story documented ASAP rather than wait and see what the Buyer is going to say.

I'll definetly keep you all filled in on what happens. This was a 76.00 purchase not including shipping charges so hopefully I don't get burned too bad on this. All I know is I have the truth on my side because I know that item I shipped was in good shape.

[Cpogie]

I once sold a statue on Ebay.....it was a signed american eagle statue, delivered broken.......the person who bought it said if I was not at home and witnessed the mailman throwing my package at the door I would of blamed you for the broken statue.......now that was an honest person, I felt so bad that I refunded her money just on principal.....she promised to go to the PO and put in a complaint.........

I don't know if Ebay or Pay Pal will get involved with this dispute......I wish you the best, you will have to decide what is best for you, does this person have alot of feedback, any negative?? my son had a first time buyer claim his package was broken, a knife sharpener....he complained to Pay Pal and got all his money back.....this was after he told my son he got it and everything was fine!

[TAMMY293115]

I occassionaly sell on Ebay. Recently shipped and item and 2 days after it was received the buyer is now saying the item was damaged. Which let me say I'm an honest person I would not ship a damaged item! Anyway, no insurance was taken out, I did file a complaint with USPS anyway. I am concerned though because per USPS tracking item was delivered on 9-24-07 and buyer just sent me an email on 9-26-07. Not to sound petty but this item has been in their possession now for 2 days and who's to say the damage didn't occur at their residence?

I emailed buyer back and told them I was going to talk to USPS first. I also sent an email to Ebay detailing the situation.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice on how to handle?

I HAVE BEEN SELLING ON EBAY FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AND I HAVE HAD A BUYER THAT HAVE CLAIMED HIS ITEM WAS DAMAGED AND I HAVE ALSO HAD PEOPLE CLAIM THEY DID NOT GET THE PACKAGE. WHEN I LIST ITEMS I HAVE IN MY LISTING THAT INSURANCE IS OPTIONAL BUT HOWEVER IF OPT NOT TO INSURE THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE. I ALSO PUT CONFIRMATION ON ALL PACKAGES SO IF THEY CLAIM THAT THEY DID NOT GET THE PACKAGE I HAVE PROOF THAT THEY DID. THERE ARE EBAY BUYER OUT THERE THAT PURCHASED AND CLAIM THE ITEM IS DAMAGED JUST TO GET THE MONEY BACK, DO NOT FALL FOR THIS. FIRST I WOULD CHECK THE BUYER FEEDBACK AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY FEEDBACK THAT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE DONE THIS IN THE PASS, NEXT I WOULD NOT OFFER MONEY BACK UNLESS THEY SEND THE ITEM BACK TO YOU , (MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THEY COVER ALL SHIPPING CHARGES, AFTER ALL YOU DID NOT GET THOSE FUNDS THE POST OFFICE DID) I WOULD ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY MUST SEND PACKAGE BACK IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (THAT WAY YOU CAN SEE IF IT WAS DAMAGED BY THE POST OFFICE). THEN SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS IS A SCAM THEY WILL NOT EVEN BOTHER TO SEND IT BACK AND CHANCE ARE WOULD NOT EVEN LEAVE FEEDBACK. I MYSELF NEVER LEAVE FEEDBACK UNTIL FEEDBACK IS LEFT FOR ME THAT WAY I HAVE CONFIRMATION THAT THE ITEM IS OK. HOPE THIS HELPS IF YOU NEED TO YOU CAN SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE AND I WILL TRY TO HELP THE BEST THAT I CAN. GOOD LUCK.;)

[mom2fussbudgets]

Tammy gave you oodles of good advice. I never post feedback unless it's been posted for me first either.

Even though eBay probably won't help you, perhaps they can give you some kind of guidance that we haven't thought of.

[vealcalf]

OK, had to let everyone know that after all this time this is finally over.

Paypal ruled in my favor by default. Myself and the Buyer submitted our claims and Paypal originally ruled in the Buyers favor (even though Buyer changed their story twice??!!!!!--I won't go into massive detail but first buyer said my Ebay picuture showed item in good condition and I "misrepresented" what I sold because they rec'd it broken, then they said they looked at my Ebay picture of item more closely and then they said they thought it was actually broken in the pic and that I had sent item to them that way knowing it was broken!!!!!!) Well I was floored by their every changing defensive and I was even more flabborgasted that Paypal ruled in their favor originally. So I appealed, Buyer never responded, and Paypal changed their ruling in my favor.

I'm relieved this is over, but wanted to win on principal and the fact that I was telling the truth.

I just know in the future I will post with disclaimers on any items and will probably insist on insurance on all items. What a learning experience!

[mom2fussbudgets]

Yay! I'm so glad you have good news! Congrats!

[Motherofthree]

Wow, good for you for fighting back and being persistant.:D

[Cpogie]

Good news vealcalf!!!!

[bvanpeltsw]

I've had to deal with similiar before! Glad it worked out!