posted on March 13, 2001 04:43:54 PM
Need some feedback on a problem. I have what may be a mentally challenged or senior citizen buyer. He emailed me saying he was waiting to hear from me...but I had no clue what he meant. ( The auction had ended and package shipped about 2 weeks ago)
Later, in a 2nd email..he requested another jug like the one he bought from me. (It was from 1970 I do not have one)
Now, I get a 3rd email saying the jug came broken because I did not mark the box 'handle with care' and based on that he wants a refund.
Something smells
fishy to me on this because of the time frame.
I have already gotten 2 negs from folks this month after having a spotless record forever so assume this 3rd one awaits me.
I am not insuring the items unless the people request it or if the item is over 50.00 in value. I am somewhat leary because I really really wrapped this great and used a great sturdy box as well.
I need input on how to handle this man.Thanks
posted on March 13, 2001 05:06:46 PM
He does sound odd! If it arrived broken it would seem he would have emailed alot sooner. It doesn't matter that you didn't mark "handle with care" on the box...I never put "handle with care" or "please don't bend" or "fragile" on anything! I saw a 20/20 program about packages being deliberately stomped on because that was marked on them - the people unloading the Postal trucks were caught on hidden camera destroying packages!! The PO does NOT handle with care, no matter what you mark on the box! Anyway, did you offer insurance in your listing or end of auction message? If you did & he refused, then he has no legit gripe (even though he can still leave a neg no matter how unfair it seems). But if insurance wasn't offered, you may need to refund his money. A buyer does deserve to get what they pay for. I don't insure items under $50 either, but if something comes up missing or broke, I send a replacement or refund.
posted on March 13, 2001 05:54:02 PM
I would request a return of the broken merchandise before I would even consider a refund. If I didn't offer insurance, I would then refund. If insurance was offered and not taken, then I would not refund.
posted on March 13, 2001 06:02:15 PM
Let me say something about 'Fragile' and 'Handle with Care' marked packages. THEY ALWAYS ARRIVE damaged from MY POST OFFICE!! I do not use those labels for that reason!!...
My only problem is, in asking him to return it.. that 'adds' to his expense (and mine if I must refund all this) yet I do want to see the damage and the box.
We have no idea IF it arrived broken or IF he actually broke it and assumes I am just like Wal Mart and will cheerfully refund his blunder.
In answer to your other question.. I did not offer insurance.
posted on March 13, 2001 10:23:02 PM
Even my post office noted that the only boxes I receive damaged are the ones marked FRAGILE...now that is sad.
Carole
posted on March 14, 2001 03:48:56 AM
I had one buyer a year ago, that I am POSITIVE broke the item so he could send it back to me to get a refund. ... [this one is even better than 'gut instinct'... i simply KNOW he broke it on purpose to be able to send it back here] ..... takes all kinds to make this world; an HE was 'all kinds'
posted on March 14, 2001 04:42:33 AM
Gee, I wonder how many see the "Fragile" or "Handle With Care" on the packages and DON'T see any "insurance" stamp then stomp on the packages. I guess it makes you sh*t out of luck!
posted on March 15, 2001 06:47:00 AM
Kiki,
Man oh man, THAT is a scarry thought!!
No wonder postal employees are going 'postal' less often. They have our boxes to kick around to vent their frustrations.
Guess we are performing some kind of community service.
posted on March 15, 2001 06:57:27 AM
Ummmm, I would ask him to return the jug first. When I first started selling and never thought anyone would pull a fast one, had two people pull the 'switcher-oo' on me. They said their items were broken and it was something I didn't mention in the description. So I took them at their word and sent them a refund (shipping both ways, no less). When I received one item (and these were pieces of glass), one of the legs was broken in half and the other one had a large repair on it. There was no way either of these two faults could have been overlooked when I listed them. Now they have a mint piece of glass and their money. what a deal, not. From reading previous threads there are some people that do this routinely. kind of sad in my mind.
posted on March 15, 2001 07:05:40 AM
That's a great idea! All I have to do is write a couple of confused emails, wait a while, tell you it's broken and voila! I get my money back!!
NOT!
BTW, how much money are we talking here? If it's only 5 bucks, yeah, send him 5 bucks... but if it's 49.99, then NOPE!
posted on March 15, 2001 11:23:38 AM
ZEENZA Wow, you have a strange puppy on your hands, Listen to your gut feelings. I have been shipping goods all over the globe for years, I put fragile stickers all over them. Have never had a single one get broken or lost yet. If yours get damaged that often find a new post office. There is somthing wrong with that bunch.
[ edited by gs4 on Mar 15, 2001 11:26 AM ]
