posted on May 29, 2001 10:02:34 AM new
I ordered a book I was really wanting to read. I figured I could then throw it on Amazon as it is a popular book right now and get most of my money back. I got it today and it is beat up as it was thown in an envelope with no packing. I think that is absolutely ridiculious when I paid almost retail for the book (saved only $5 by going through half.com, but $5 is a lot right now as slow as my auctions are going. (I sell full time, but need to get out of it because the last three months, all selling full time has done is dig me deeper in debt.)
I don't know why half.com doesn't have a little more regulations on packing.
Instead of reading it and being able to relist it as like new (which is what I bought it as!) I'll have to list it as acceptable because of how dinged the corners are. I still want to read it, but I would NEVER have paid this much for a book in this bad of condition.
posted on May 29, 2001 10:07:19 AM new
Contact half and let them know. I emailed them as to why they withhold a portion of the shipping they charge sellers, and the response they gave was to cover returns. You can get your $ back in full according to them. It will be charged back to the seller. Personally, I think that is the last thing we need anywhere, being more rules and regulations.
posted on May 29, 2001 04:21:55 PM new
As of now, the seller says its not their fault because it was "packaged properly", and since I didn't purchase insurance, it wasnt' their fault
I've contacted half.com now and waiting to see what they say.
Stuffed inside a too small envelope is not packing. Also, doesn't half.com tell the seller to purchase insurance?
I only asked for a partial refund. It wasn't like I wanted to keep the book, and get all the money back. But being two conditions lower than advertised is not a good practice for sellers.
posted on May 29, 2001 06:54:00 PM new
Quick question - you said 'an envelope'. Was it a padded or bubble envelope?
And, No, half.com doesn't tell the seller to purchase nor does it reimburse for insurance.
But you have a perfect right to be upset. Unfortunately, I don't know what good it will do you. Last I checked, the grade (of the book received) had to be *more than* two grades different than from what was described. So, if the book was supposed to be 'as new', it has to be in 'acceptable' condition before half.com will do anything.
('As New' vs 'Very Good' vs 'Good' vs 'Acceptable'.)
posted on May 29, 2001 07:59:50 PM new
Hi, jenndiggy - Overall, I have been more than pleased with my Half.com purchases, but I had one incident similar to yours - the seller listed the book as "like new"; when it came, it had NO dustjacket (and I knew that it should have one), and was just thrown into a non-padded envelope with no other protection. I gave the seller terrible feedback - stating in detail what was wrong and how it was sent. I don't know that it did any good as far as changing the seller's methods, but it made me feel better. It was by far the worst feedback I have ever given anyone.
Sorry you had this experience - hope you enjoy the book anyway!
posted on May 29, 2001 08:04:09 PM new
I'm a seller myself, and its people like this that give the rest of us a bad name. I love buying at half.com (just wish they offered coupons more often!) Usually, I don't care what condition a book arrives in, but this is a new release (issued last month), and I was hoping to stick it on Amazon or back on half immediately and get most of my money back out of it. Boo Hiss! The seller is actually a high volume seller there -- has received over 2500 feedback if I'm reading everything right, and has almost a 5.0 feedback.
I just wish other sellers would get a grip when it comes to shipping. Makes the rest of us look bad. I always keep a huge supply of bubble wrap on hand because my half.com and amazon sales seem to go in cycles and I never know when they will be (I'm selling a lot now, and haven't sold hardly anything for almost 2 months at either site.)
A little bubble wrap would have been all that was needed.
was it hardcover or paperback? I only ask because I am always interested in packing and mailing stories. By going in a manila envelope with no padding, the corners got dinged? What else happened to it?
I still remember the thread in which people put books through the clothes dryer to test their packing. ; - )
