Okay, I'll try to be brief. I'm both a buyer and a seller, so I know the deal. I found a lovely piece of cut glass with no bids, opening bid $9.95. Description states that there are only very minor "tooth chips." Win the item for $9.95. Seller e-mails EOA, stating "I only lost $140.00 on this." Okaaay. Well, it arrived today. It is a two-piece item, nappy and underplate. There's a nasty chip with a beginning crack on the nappy, and also a large chip on the underplate. It was not bubble wrapped. Could have happened in the mail. Could have happened due to chagrin! Now, my dilemma is - I only paid $9.95 plus shipping. I have perfect feedback. If I pursue the USPS insurance - well, you know what a hassle that is, and the seller is already p.o'd at me. Do I just suck it up and ignore it? Do I contact this seller, who thinks I pillaged him? Heeeeellllpppp!!!
posted on July 27, 2001 06:11:30 PM
Spittingcamel: Thanks ... but I know that. It is just that I'm rather protective of my feedback, and the hassle with the post office insurance claim and contact with this unhappy seller doesn't seem worth the price of the item. I would LOVE to point out to the seller that he should have put a reserve on the item, but this would only serve to make him defensive and even more unhappy. But I have this nagging thought that he purposely packed it without bubble wrap, or even damaged it himself prior to shipping. If I only knew, I would have a clear course of action - big time neg! My grandmother used to say "don't bite off your toe to spite your foot." Any more ideas out there?
posted on July 27, 2001 06:30:33 PM
If he didn't pack it properly perhaps the insurance won't be paid out anyway.
You bought it in good faith and received something that you did not expect to get. I would write him and let him know that it is damaged and I would nicely request a full refund.
As far as feedback, that is up to you to decide. This is the prime reason I use a different ID for buying than I do for selling. I have been able to work things out with most sellers but I will leave a negative if necessary.
posted on July 27, 2001 06:51:50 PM
Re: Postal Insurance
Two summers ago, I had the only three breakage claims I've had to file on eBay sales. All were under $50. I filled out the green insurance form on the back, sent it on to my buyers with an invoice for the item and my portion of the breakage form filled out, they brought it to the PO w/the broken item and were paid in full immediately.
While one lady was furious at me (because of course I was the one that kicked her package all the way to LALA land), they all reported that getting the money was easy.
Note: It actually doesn't have to be done that way. If my Postmaster at this end inspects the insurance form and signs off on the breakage form, the buyer doesn't need the original. Most postal employees don't seem to know this however, so I sent the form on for convenience.
Another note: perhaps your seller "lost" $140 on this because he is getting a reputation for selling broken items. The seller was unprofessional on this. If he really were that upset, he could have waited a week, then lied and said he broke it and returned your money (which isn't really professional), but he should not have taken it out on you.
posted on July 27, 2001 08:21:55 PM
I would email him back saying that the piece was damaged. After all if he lost $140 he would gladly give you a refund. Plus if he is in the habit of overpaying I have some nice items for him
