posted on January 12, 2001 11:08:06 AM new
First please allow me to vent.
I have had SEVERAL buyers complain about not receiving their items on time lately. Many are 10 DAYS or more late.
Q#1. I PAY for PRIORITY MAIL (2 to 3 days advertised delivery time).
What can I do if I don't GET WHAT I PAY FOR?? Shouldn't I get some sort of refund?
Q#2. Why is it that I pay a premium to have packages sent PRIORITY MAIL but if I want to MAKE SURE they get where they are being paid for to go, I have to pay an ADDITIONAL FEE for "delivery confirmation"?
When I go buy a can of soup the grocery store doesn't charge me extra to guarantee there is actually soup in the can.
This is the ONLY business I can think of that charges for a service then charges a second fee to prove they do what they are being paid to do in the first place.
Pay extra for insurance then you have to wait 30 days to file a claim. If THEY SAY my packsge WILL BE DELIVERED in 2-3 days, shouldn't I be able to file a claim when it's 5 or 6 days late?
If you do file a claim it's put on the back burner and they sure don't break any speed records trying to find it.
One last thing. HOW does a package with TWO addresses on it GET lost? It has to be somewhere. More than likely in THEIR possesion but they can't find it. It's sitting SOMEWHERE with TWO valid address on it. Wouldn't you think it would eventually get to ONE of them?
Anyway, what are your feelings on these things and what method is the most DEPENDABLE and ecconomical. I'm really surprised at the number of packages (and payments) that are lost or grossly overdue using the PO. Is UPS or Fed X any better??
With POSTAL increases on top of PAYPAL (always free)fees coupled with EBAY fee hikes and endless ADD ONS can a person make out on Ebay anymore?
posted on January 12, 2001 11:11:48 AM new
I can't really complain about the USPS this week. On Monday I waited in line at 4:00 with all the cave-dwellers who just crawled out and realized they needed 1 cent stamps.
I mailed a Priority package from Ohio at 4PM and it reached Alabama the next day before Noon! At the same time I mailed a First Class small package to Virginia and it also was delivered the very next day!
I realize that is not the norm, but I was still impressed.
posted on January 12, 2001 11:22:55 AM new
Granted . Much of the time they get the package there quickly enough but I PAY to have every package delivered within THEIR time frame.
I'm not expecting perfection but the service lately has really been poor.
Bidders are also becoming VERY IMPATIENT. I had a guy Email me a snotty "WHERE'S MY STUFF!!!???" on the 10th when he PAID on the 8th!!!
Over Christmas I had 2 people file formal FRAUD complaints less than 10 days after paying. Nevermind the FACTS that the Christmas rush was on and the whole northern part of the country was crippled (airports and roads) by terrible weather
Couple the POs lack of service with the buyers impatience and add in the every escalating pile of fees and I'm really questioning whether EBAY is worth the trouble, expense and stress.
[ edited by horizonod on Jan 12, 2001 11:25 AM ]
posted on January 12, 2001 12:40:11 PM new
horizonod wrote:
"If THEY SAY my packsge WILL BE DELIVERED in 2-3 days, shouldn't I be able to file a claim when it's 5 or 6 days late?"
Priority Mail is not guaranteed to be delivered in 2-3 days. It's only an estimate. The clerks at my PO are always reminding customers of this.
"One last thing. HOW does a package with TWO addresses on it GET lost? It has to be somewhere. More than likely in THEIR possesion but they can't find it. It's sitting SOMEWHERE with TWO valid address on it. Wouldn't you think it would eventually get to ONE of them?"
Well...
Labels can come off.
The label can get wet and become unreadable. Packages can get stolen.
etc.
posted on January 12, 2001 12:55:05 PM new
Yes lables may come off (both lables? unlikely). Yes things can get lost or stolen but while it is in THEIR CARE CUSTODY AND CONTROL it's there responsability, isn't it.
Anything in my CCC is MY responsability. Ask any court in the land.
Maybe the PO should let customers ESTIMATE the amount they pay to ship if they are going to (under) ESTIMATE (in a NATIONAL advertising campaign) the delivery time.
It happens FAR too often. I'm willing to cut them some slack for an occassional occurance but when it happens constantly I think there should be some fashion of refund. If they can't (or don't) get it there in 2-3 days (which is what the fees we all pay are based on) then they should charge the standard parcel post rate for parcel post service.
posted on January 12, 2001 01:01:08 PM new
Horizonod -
I think one thing that hasn't helped the situation any is the terrible winter weather some parts of the country have experienced the past couple of months.
Having said that, I agree that there should be some accountability...and I won't even get into the horrendous price hikes they started on Jan. 7th.
I'll still use the USPS primarily, and most likely, Priority Mail, but I'm going to go out of my way to try to find the cheapest rates for my customers from now on.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
