posted on September 15, 2001 12:48:58 PM
I have a buyer who is complaing that she has not received her item yet. She paid via BP on the 7th, I mailed the 8th, yes planes were not grounded then, nor on Monday the 10th. She is also upset that I am listing, and expressed that in her email.
She said she would 'give it until Monday' to see if it gets to her
We have gone to the P.O. and mailed items, even knowing that they were not going to get there 'fast enough' , the planes were grounded, they are up now, here in my area, they said they are up to 40%.
I took a wussed out approach to it, and replied, and said I would refund her now, but she said she would give it till Monday.
I am concerned, do bidders think its 'tacky' to be listing now? There were some days this week, where I had to do something, I don't know the answer to this.
And people are bidding, albeit not a whole lot, but they are.
I don't know what people are thinking, I feel I am going to get more of these emails, 'that their item is not there yet'..
and not sure how to respond.
posted on September 15, 2001 01:00:16 PM
As to the mail, you handled it with grace by offering a refund. I would have sent them my Delivery Confirmation number, and suggested they track it that way.
As to posting, I have listed a few things since Monday, even though I think the overall business is way down. I did it to show that the terrorists have not taken control of my life, and as urged by many of our leaders to continue operating normally.
You might pick a good quote from the President or someone you like about not letting the attack paralyze America and send it to the complainer with a gentle, kindly note of explanation. Though I think this particular buyer sounds very hard to please,
they too are entitled to their opinions. By the same token you are entitled to deal with the recent events in your own way, and to get on with life.
posted on September 15, 2001 01:11:39 PM
Thank you litlux. I don't know. I guess there are going to be people out there, that you'll never please no matter what you do.
I was uneasy about listing, I didn't do it until I think Wed night, or Thurs, after what happened, but I needed to do something.
Unfortunatly I did not use DC. I should have.
I just feel I'll be getting more email with complaints about items.... our P.O. was backlogged when we went in this week... so even now, I am not sure, if you mail out, it may take longer, as they would be shipping the backlogged ones first?
Also there were signs in our P.O that Express was not going to be guarenteed, it said, in light of Sept 11'ths tragedy.
posted on September 15, 2001 01:18:10 PM
Near the Sea, check out this link and you'll never have to pay for DC again... http://www.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi
[ edited by juanfan19 on Sep 15, 2001 01:18 PM ]
posted on September 15, 2001 01:25:23 PM
Planes are up now, but so far not accepting mail.( except Fedex) Planes and mail were diverted. The first day the PO was concerned with securing the mail. Whether she should have gotten her package depends on where you are, where she is and what class of mail it is
posted on September 15, 2001 01:53:51 PM
No I didn't know that... I sent from Seattle to TX, on Saturday the 8th via Priority Mail.
I guess it *should*? have gotten there by Tuesday *before*? all what happened?
If not, then its stuck somewhere, and she is giving me until Monday for it to appear.. then I refund
Wow thank you juanfan19, gonna check that out, anything like that free, I'll love it!
posted on September 15, 2001 05:30:55 PM
I actually bid this week ~ not looking for bargains but just deciding that this attack will not destroy the lives of canadians nor americans~ life will go on~ I think we will think differently but I bid to cheer up some people as I always feel better when people bid~ sometimes not for the money but just the idea of selling something that I found and will now find a "good" home. So I continued to bid and buy but I must confess I am finding it more difficult to look at auctions ( always a stress release for me!) as time goes on ~
I think listing items and going about " business" is very very important to your country right now ~ if it is seen as the American people can carry on~ this is very important ~ rather than the economy failing for people unable to continue ~ this would appear that something vital has been lost ( which it has ) but appearances can grow into reality. So I will continue to bid and list ~
posted on September 15, 2001 06:38:38 PM
If you refund her and it shows up, then what? Will she re-refund you or un-refund you? It's your call, but I personally do not refund until I've filed the form to trace lost mail. Following this procedure has resulted in a number of "lost" packages suddenly being found.
Sorry, but I'm cynical today, and I have no patience or respect for people like this buyer who can't understand what has happened this past week. It's too early to be making demands even if it were a normal week. I'd be polite, but firm. Still, it's your call. I wish you luck. I wouldn't want you to be out the money and the item.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:47:15 PM
If one insures an item with the P.O. they will not even take a claim till 30 days are past. I have had priority mail take 3 weeks to be delivered and at other times I have
had an item go to Protland O. from Portland M. and to the buyers P.O. box in 2 days.
I personaly would not refund any money to the buyer until the 31st day from shipping
as it could sometimes take that long to get there and in light of what has happened may even take longer.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:53:21 PM
I have to agree that it's way too soon for the buyer to be complaining. I have had priority packages take as much as 21 days to arrive from Iowa to Texas. And with everything that is going on who knows where it is, it may have been grounded somewhere between here and there and may arrive any day.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:53:48 PM
I would first ask her if she went to work this week. I would then remind her that ALL mail was going to be delayed. I got a nex day mail letter today which was supposed to arrive on Wed. I would tell her that the Pkg was sent on the 8th, period. Did she take Ins? I now have a line in my TOS that says not responible for lost or misdirrected mail and I offer optional INS. And by the way I was at work 10 miles away from the WTC and across the street from an oil refinery and I am listing on Sunday as usual.
posted on September 15, 2001 08:53:31 PM
Hi (buyer), yes I listed items this week, thank you for stopping in to look at them. I understand when some folks don't feel comfortable dabbling in commerce at a time of national crisis like this but as you and I well know....... our hearts are just as aching as everyone's......
We just need to keep our lives as 'busy' as possible, as normal as possible, and our spirits unbroken. We are conducting the very business of commerce that Evil tried to put a stop to. It never will.
