posted on October 3, 2001 05:27:45 PM new
I purchased a CD on half.com about two months ago. My credit card was charged, but the CD didn't arrive. After waiting a couple of weeks, I went through half.com's convoluted email system to send the seller a note asking if the CD had been sent. He said it had, and agreed with me I should have received it by the time of my email.
I waited the 30 days required to file a Buyer Protection Report. About two weeks later (after hearing nothing), I got an email from a half.com person asking if I'd received the CD. I said no.
Today, I received a note saying my credit card was being issued a credit. So far, so good. However, the note I received contained this statement, which made me shake my head:
Buyers are limited to filing one Buyer Protection Report per month with a lifetime maximum of three Buyer Protection Reports. There is a $750 per item limit on the Buyer Protection Policy.
OK, I understand that folks would take advantage of a system that relies on the honesty of the buyer to say a package wasn't received. But, when most of your inventory is sent media mail, which is pretty notorious for being slow, how can honest buyers live with a policy like this?
I'm a young guy and can only make two more Buyer Protection Reports while I'm alive? Get real half.com.
posted on October 3, 2001 05:37:43 PM new
I have sent out about 8,000 packages in the last 2 years and had 5 turn up missing and never found. Unless you have some really unusual circumstances like a mailman who is dumping his route in a field and burning it that should be enough protection.
posted on October 4, 2001 03:47:05 AM new
I have yet to have a single item not show up for my bidders/buyers in over a 1000 sales.
One lost item to me was covered by the seller who sent another. The package opened and the item was "replaced" by some piece of junk at the hands of a postal mishandler. He had insurance on the package so I hope he collected.
I think the policy is set to prevent fraud and to limit eBay's liability. Sellers need to use good packing and labeling and anything costly needs to be sent with insurance. eBay is not really responsible for the failure of sellers and package carriers. I wouldn't even use the policy for anything less than $25, I'd do a chargeback with my CC.
[ edited by mballai on Oct 4, 2001 03:57 AM ]
posted on October 4, 2001 02:54:32 PM new
Marblehed - It seems to me that after three such problems, however long it takes for them to occur... then Half.com no longer wants your business! That's how I'd take it, anyway.
I agree that it seems rather short-sighted of them. But probably the odds are good that it will rarely happen again, anyway. (And who knows, perhaps they will change their policy, later?)
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
