ki9272649
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:05:17 PM
Ok so we had an auction up for a magazine that closed at $9 with a bidder. Bidder sent check(Which we do not accept as stated in our TOS, but some bidders either don't read or care) We told the bidder since they insisted on sending a check we were going to hold it for five days(Which is useless because most checks can take up to a month to bounce) We sent out the magazine, a month later we get this from our bidder
"I sent you the check weeks ago. Where the f*ck is my magazine?!" (Not my language)
My husband sent an email to him basically apologizing to him and offering to replace the magazine with another one or scouting the flea markets and used bookstores to see if he can find another one. Asking him if he has the delivery confirmation mumber(WHich I am quickly learning from this board is USELESS.So the guy writes back to us
"First of all, you NEVER e-mailed me with any kind of delivery confirmation
number. And the postage I paid for was sufficient enough for Priority Mail,
which only costs $3.20. As for the "other magazine," I have no interest -- the
magazine I purchased from you contains an article I wrote -- the spearfishing
piece -- that I was having trouble obtaining from Stuff because they were
completely out and had no reprints. Personally, I think you're trying to screw
with me. So, here's my suggestion:
Find the f*cking magazine I bought, which should have been returned to you if it
never got to me, or send me back my f*cking check. Otherwise...
I will use all my considerable resources as an investigative journalist and
become a thorn in your side."
Any opinions?
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Zazzie
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:10:17 PM
send him his money back and move on.
query: Don't you have the DC number?? Why did you ask him??
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abacaxi
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:15:04 PM
Nice person ...
Was it a rare magazine?
If he's writing regularly for any magazine, just print out the emails and send them to his employer. Abuse of contacts for a personal vendetta is usually not tolerated by editors.
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ki9272649
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:15:22 PM
We dont have the DC number because three weeks after we send anything we usually throw them away. We used to keep everthing relating to sales forever. After about a hundred flawless transactions we just started keepng them for about three weeks and WE ALWAYS give the customer a DC# and the link which to track it. No it was not a rare magazine it was one that came out a couple months ago. Stuff mens magazine.
[ edited by ki9272649 on Mar 24, 2001 05:17 PM ]
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abacaxi
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:23:10 PM
ki -
Keep records for at least a year, just for these occasions. It only takes one lost packet to make your live miserable.
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tomwiii
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:24:40 PM
...eeeeeerrrrrrrr.....
Nah!
Me smells a fish in Denmark! Throw out after 3 weeks?
Nah!
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ki9272649
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:48:45 PM
...eeeeeerrrrrrrr.....
Nah!
Me smells a fish in Denmark! Throw out after 3 weeks?
Nah!
>>>>>>>
We have never had a problem and we assummed that if they had a problem they would email us within a couple weeks. Yes, we keep everything(enevelopes, anything enclosed & DC slips) for three weeks give or take.
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ki9272649
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posted on March 24, 2001 05:54:00 PM
Another email from him, we already rated him a positive.
>>>>
Shipping was your responsibility. You didn't
send it with a Delivery Confirmation otherwise we wouldn't be having this
problem right now. So...
Get an exact duplicate of Stuff #4 this week and send it to me or send me back
my $12.95.
I only want the magazine and the money
has already left my hands (and account). You have the cash AND the magazine. For the record, I checked
your feedback after the e-mail... Your right, your feedback is excellent(so far), so
perhaps I jumped to conclusions. But the bottom line is I'm still getting
screwed in this deal.
I don't want any other mags, just Stuff #4 -- or my $12.95 back.
>>>>>
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redskinfan
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posted on March 24, 2001 06:02:04 PM
What is the exact title and issue of this magazine??
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ki9272649
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posted on March 24, 2001 06:09:23 PM
The complete title was Stuff and it was issue #4 .
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heygrape
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posted on March 24, 2001 07:44:23 PM
It is the sellers responsibility to get the item to the buyer. If you threw out the tracking information that is your problem.
Give him back his $12.95
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AZGamer
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posted on March 24, 2001 08:06:33 PM
Look at your sent mail folder.
This will have the number, if you emailed it to him.
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jrodgers
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posted on March 25, 2001 07:54:23 AM
If you would send the winner an email at the time you mail the item giving the Delivery Conformation number, you don't have to save all of those green and white stubs. If a question arrises just go back to your folder for that bidder and get the number or send him a copy of the emial. Personally, I have never had a problem with Delivery Conformation.
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gs4
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posted on March 25, 2001 08:28:08 AM
Do not forget that the post office does not consider mail lost till 30 days have gone by. No where does it state that even p.m. with d.c. will show up in two days. Things happen. If he wants to be a s.o.b. just ask, if they did not buy insurance too bad. I would allow for more time as it will show up sooner or later.
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unknown
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posted on March 25, 2001 08:42:15 AM
Insist on a SIGNED statement from him that he didn't get it. And make him wait 30 days after shipped.
There is a affidavidt form on U-Pic's web site that is good to use.
Never take any action based on an email.
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paloma91
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posted on March 25, 2001 08:48:04 AM
I think I would like to add my 2 cents here. In my auction description, I always add that I do not accept checks. If I receive a check, I send it back to the person. In the past, when I have accepted checks, I will hold it for atleast 10 days or more. Make sure they clear.
Another thing is shipping: when I send a something like that, I offer 2 methods of shipping, one less expensive and the other Priority and insurance. IF they choose the cheaper mode of shipment and the package doesnt arrive in a reasonable length of time, I cant track it and it is their loss. When I send something either parcel post or Priority and I ALWAYS use Delivery confirmation. This is my insurance. and I do NOT throw out anything until I check the DC myself and make sure it has arrived to the winning bidder. Even then, I dont through it away, I just file it away. I may need that documentation at a later date.
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capotasto
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posted on March 25, 2001 09:46:31 AM
"We dont have the DC number because three weeks after we send anything we usually throw them away. "
3 weeks???!!! That's not proper record keeping.
I ship a lot of books by media rate (book rate) and it can take three or four weeks to get there. I save all my records for at least three months. Just put them in a cardboard box in the garage, then chuck the box three months after it is full.
Vinnie
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sophie89
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posted on March 25, 2001 09:51:07 AM
Wow, What a jerk.
I'm going to get my husband to look through his old issues. He has a subscription to Stuff and it's possible that he still has #4.
I'll let you know.
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danilynn71
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posted on March 25, 2001 04:03:31 PM
Do as AZGamer suggested. Look in your "Sent Mail" folder. I believe every email program has one. Your email to him with the delivery confirmation number should be in there.
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petpost
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posted on March 25, 2001 05:38:43 PM
Wow, what a terrifying threat. I would be scared to death. I would sale your house or at least rent it out and move into another location. This guy could come to your house so for the time being I wouldn't answer the phone (let the voice mail get it) or the door. (If they're important, they'll leave a note or something) Don't sign for anything delivered from the PO like a certified or registered letter.
Hope this helps.
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taz8057
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posted on March 25, 2001 05:43:41 PM
Throw it away?
Never throw anything away like that! 
-Trey
***********************************
"If your mind can concieve it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
http://www.CondomDeals.com
***********************************
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jujudee
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posted on March 25, 2001 06:31:17 PM
It's obvious that this guy is a real jerk, his language and attitude are entirely inappropriate. So often people that act like that are trying to rip you off, and intimidate you into giving their money back. I've shipped 1000 packages in 8 mos and only had 1 of them get lost. In that case, the buyer and I split the difference. She couldn't prove she didn't receive it, I couldn't prove I mailed it. I don't waste my time with DC because of all the horror stories I've read about here. In my case, the buyer was happy that I was so reasonable about it.
However this guy doesn't seem reasonable at all. I'm not sure how far I'd fight him. I also wouldn't spend any time hunting for his darn magazine. I'd probably just refund the money and move on. But boy it would tick me off to have to do it! What a creep! How's his feedback?
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Zazzie
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posted on March 25, 2001 09:57:27 PM
Delivery Confirmation is for the protection of the shipper---so you threw it away?? Makes great sense.....
but......now if you really really bought DC--the numbers will be on your receipt from the Post Office--which also has his postal code printed on it.
Now if you tell us you also throw away your receipts--then you should just send his money back and start keeping better records.
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Linda_K
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posted on March 26, 2001 12:46:05 PM
ki9272649 - Another thing you might consider doing, before you refund his money, is to file a 'lost mail' form at your PO. They have that form just for this type of incident.
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outoftheblue
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posted on March 26, 2001 02:31:46 PM
[b]I will use all my considerable resources as an investigative journalist and
become a thorn in your side.[/b]
Yikes! This person has quite a mouth for a professional "investigative journalist".
In my experience, only under educated trailer park types use language like that.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Mar 26, 2001 02:35 PM ]
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Powerhouse
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posted on March 26, 2001 04:42:25 PM
I am sure that the spearfishing article must have taxed all of his 'investigative journalist' skills.
Tell him to put his considerable 'investigative journalist' skills to use and find his own damn copy rather than buying them over the internet.
Better yet, he can investigate where his precious magazine went! Maybe he will uncover a major underground used-magazine black market!
'Tony, put a hit out for a May '99 Scientific American issue. Mint condition!'
'Sure thing, Don Ameichi!'
Sheesh!
[ edited by Powerhouse on Mar 26, 2001 04:43 PM ]
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msstone
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posted on March 26, 2001 05:51:05 PM
Ki: I guess you never heard the words Audit from the I.R.S. You do not throw away anything that will go on your business income taxes. If you do not claim postage as an expense,(business deduction) then throw it away.
The IRS doesn't accept I threw it away after 3 months. They can audit you three years back and then if they find any problems they can audit you back another 7 years. Believe me, when I say you want every receipt, that you can have, if you get audited.
The big question is do you want to hassle with this person? If not refund his money and go on. If you are angry enough and want to go by a principle then wait him out and see what the post office says after 30 days. Save his email and forward it to Safe Harbor. If he becomes threatening turn him into local law enforcement from his state. You can also write a letter to his editor at the magazine. You can also write a note to ISP for making threats over the internet.
Is the $12.95 worth the garbage that you will have to go through with this person?
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xenainfla
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posted on March 27, 2001 04:01:33 AM
WOW, I am still reeling over the statement that you throw your Delivery Receipt away after three weeks. As you have been severly tongue lashed here, I will restate this. DON"T THROW AWAY ANYTHING YOU CLAIM ON YOUR TAXES.
I have a system for keeping track of items received. Once the item is packaged, ALL emails are stapled together and put into my FOLLOW UP folder. Once the client emails me or leaves feedback, I throw those away. I keep other information about the auction and of course my recipts and the invoice I prepare for them. If I have reviewed my files and I still have not heard from the customer, I will email them until I know for sure they received it. It is too easy to let something fall through the cracks.
You are in a no win situation here. You have an ANGRY customer and you must decide what to do here. For $12.95 I would just get rid of him and send him back his money. Don't bother looking for another copy - he sounds like the type that most likely won't receive that issue either. Even if he is not, he sounds like he will make your life hell over this entire issue and the amount is JUST NOT WORTH IT!!
In the future, protect yourself and also your customer with a good system in place to keep track of items shipped.
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