posted on August 16, 2001 11:10:57 AM
I sold two similar necklaces at $10 each which were wrapped in the same piece of bubble wrap and mailed in the same envelope.
I just had an email from the buyer saying how nice THE necklace is and did I ship the other one separately ?
I know they were both in there wrapped well so I suspect this guy is lying ?
I have to email this person back for more info, but if the envelope was not ripped or open when it arrived, what would your thoughts be ? refuse to replace ? OR replace free of charge to avoid the hassle ? OR what ?
This buyer has a feedback of only 5 but they are all positives.
One thing that makes me suspicious this guy is lying is that he emailed me and told me he mailed a check but when it eventually arrived it had a postmark on it that was dated one week after telling me he had mailed it. Can this happen legitimately or is it likely he was lying about that ?
There was NO insurance on the package, can I still claim anything from USPS if it turns out the envelope was ripped and item fell out ?
My problem here of course is that if I stand up for what I believe is right and to save me replacing a $10 item, this buyer could neg me twice for 2 different auctions !
posted on August 16, 2001 11:17:49 AM
have the buyer double check in the envelope and in the bubble wrap you included, perhaps the necklace is stuck inside one of those.
Was the envelope well sealed so the necklace couldn't fall out? Also possible he dumped ou the envelope and dropped the other necklace on the floor... I'm always careful when I open my packages to make sure I don't lose the contents - especially if they're loose items.
posted on August 16, 2001 11:18:00 AM
Tell them to check their trash. I have seen it happen many times with smaller items. It gets dumped with the packing material. I have done it myself. I get all the way to the bottom of the box & then you find out you already took it out.
posted on August 16, 2001 12:26:36 PM
If you are POSITIVE you packed both items, then as the others suggested, tell him to check the packing material and his trash. He didn't mention the envelope was ripped, so don't bring it up or you may give him ideas. Besides, if the two necklaces were in the same bubble wrap, they would both be missing if the envelope burst open.
Then, be polite but firm if he brings it up again. You are not responsible if he has lost the other necklace after delivery. I wouldn't refund just to avoid a hassle or a neg if I wasn't at fault. Up to you, of course, as we each must run our businesses as we think best.
posted on August 16, 2001 02:50:05 PM
Thanks for your comments so far !
I emailed the guy and asked him to look in the packaging and the trash as I mailed them together.
He just emailed back and wrote there was only one in the package and also volunteered the information that the package was sealed when it arrived.
This really makes me suspicious as I specifically remember packing both of them in there myself.
What would you do now ?
Also does anybody have any info about my postmark question at the beginning of this thread ?
posted on August 16, 2001 05:20:14 PM
Even if the package was sealed, it may have been opened & repacked. Have him describe the envelope to you. Color/size. Also is there more than one type\color tape on it. Packages can be tampered with, they also can get damaged in route, torn on a belt in a post office..., I have gotten stuff that has been very clearly damaged & repaired with not notice given, by many carriers.
The post mark, anything is possile, the envelope could have gotten stuck in a mailbox or misplaced by the clerk & found. I would not bet the house on it though. I once had a christmas card sent to me by my then boss. She lives less than 20 miles from me. It showed up in March. It got mis sorted into international mail, went to Australia, then Austria, then back to Ma. Anything is possible.
posted on August 16, 2001 05:26:04 PM
I sent 2 identical 24 lb items to a buyer once. One was packed in bubble wrap and foam, placed in the box, a cardboard divider placed on it, then more foam, and the second item. The buyer emailed me that he had opened the box, and only found one. I emailed him back and told him how I had packed it, and had he taken out the cardboard divider.
posted on August 16, 2001 05:45:27 PM
really, one item is good, very good in fact.
once upon a time, i mailed this wooden toy that i cut myself to a friend. i put it in a box with foam and all that then taped it too.
a few days later, my friend said they got the box and the box only. he said he opened the tape, and the foam are gone so is the semi-crappy toy that I made. interesting, isn't it?
posted on August 17, 2001 07:01:13 AM
Hello,
I received another email from the buyer now claiming that the package was sealed but there are signs it has been tampered with !
He is abruptly demanding that I refund or replace !
Am I obligated to do this if it has been tampered with and one of the necklaces stolen ?
posted on August 17, 2001 07:15:25 AM
So now he's claiming tampering? Like some at the PO opened it, shook out the one necklace and of course not knowing there were 2 in there, taped it back up to finish its journey empty? I've heard a lot of bad reports of things like that happening at the PO - maybe he should take the envelope tothe PO and file a complaint or comment or something... was it insured??
posted on August 17, 2001 07:48:33 AM
I think the buyer just let you off the hook! If the package was tampered with and he did not buy insurance, then it's not your responsibility.
Of course, you're hostage to the neg, if it matters to you enough. If it was a very cheap item, I might just just send another one and stop worrying about it. Sometimes I figure that I can take the time I'm fretting about this kind of thing, and use the time to list another item. If it was more expensive or unique, then I wouldn't replace it.
As for the postmark, that most likely means that he didn't tell you the truth. Of course, he might have thought he mailed it, then found it and mailed it after the reminder without telling you. A little different from lying, because the intent to deceive wouldn't be there.
posted on August 17, 2001 08:50:48 AM
Insurance was never offered OR never requested. In fact insurance has never been mentioned between buyer and myself even after the problem.
The item is a $10 value, but the more this buyer is demanding and in-polite, the more it becomes about the principal and not the value !
posted on August 17, 2001 09:20:48 AM
Does my responsibility end when I last see the item at the mailman ? OR does my responsibility end when the item is delivered to the buyer ?
posted on August 17, 2001 12:46:12 PM
some necklaces like pearls come in multiple strands,or if you show pictures which misled him to think one necklace should have multiple strands??
it is possible to have theft within usps by using a razor or knife to slit open the box from underneath and retaped.clue is the weight,usps does not record weight but from the postage paid,guess what the weight is.
same buyer if he leaves you two neg fedbacks,net is still one in your overrall rating.
time is also another good test -ignore him and if he is persistent,then it is likely he is telling the truth.
posted on August 17, 2001 12:58:39 PMWho is responsible in between ?
the post office. at least in theory, and from a common sense standpoint. i'd first ask my post office clerk about it and see what s/he has to say. what about the package show evidence of tampering? can the buyer send you a shot of it? if so, print and take it to your post office when you ask them about it.
posted on August 17, 2001 01:05:06 PM
ranalot
How much is your time worth? Gee whiz! For ten bucks just send another necklace and get this lunatic off your back! And consider it a cheap lesson to offer insurance, or at least delivery confirmation, on your packages!
Forget the principle. You'll be consumed with it for no good reason. Get on with the things that make you happy!
rarebourbon
