posted on December 17, 2001 07:10:19 PM new
I will give the short story of it. payment took a long time. item was recieved and stated that the box was cut several inches across and the item was sticking out it, says it was delivered that way.her 12 year old son was the only one home and picked up the package from the porch, right after the carrier left it. her son OPENED the box. I feel her son cut the item inside when he opened the box, she mailed it back to me. I talked with the post office in her home town, and they say they would not have left a open/cut package with them, and if it was it would have been retaped, and stamped on the box that it was opened, and cut. I have taken the item in the box, showed it to 3 different postoffice supervisior's and all have said the same thing, {would not have left the package with it open and with no stamps on it. andwhen they looked at the way I tape the out side of the box, that are saying the same, {that the kid did not know how to open it, so he just cut it open in anyplace. and when he did, he cut the item inside. I do not mind taking care of MY problems, BUT in this case, I have to go with my gut and say that the package and item was cut after the postoffice left it off. as she has changed her story to me 2 times so far. what do you all think,sorry this is so long,
posted on December 17, 2001 08:04:40 PM new
First off, it is a given that the USPS would NOT have accepted the package in that condition for shipping, so you're off the hook for that. You do not mention the value of the item, whether the item was insured or what your stated policy is regarding claims/insurance. IMO, if she is asserting that the box/item were cut prior to delivery, her beef is with the USPS and not you. She is dealing with you because she feels that you are more likely to refund her money than the USPS. From what you stated, it does appear that her son is the likely culprit and she is trying to pull a fast one on you. I would have refused the return of the package and told her to file a claim with the USPS. Unfortunately, if insurance was not purchased, the USPS won't pay. I state in my TOS that insurance is mandatory on all transactions and that all claims will have to be filed in accordance with the rules set forth by the carrier. To date, I have had only one person take issue with my policy when he claimed an item was not delivered and demanded an immediate refund, filed a fraud claim with eBay and threatened a civil suit. All alot of blustering in an attempt to intimidate me. The USPS, eBay and the FTC all supported my policy.
What it does come down to is whether it is worth trying to avoid a negative feedback by bowing to her demands. Only you can answer that. I do know that the first Neg hurts the worst and after that I just chalk it up to the price of being in business.
posted on December 17, 2001 08:50:08 PM new
Hi, The item sells for 79.99 or more, she bought it at cost for $59.99, that is the listed auction price I had for it, I wanted to sell it. {last one for this item} As for this item I sell, I include self insurance for it in the shipping price. she asked if the shipping amount could be reduced, so I did. when I told her the new amount, it was stated shipping will be xxx dollars, no mention of insurance.in all of my listings,I put buyer option for insurance,{except for some items it is in the price allready} if you do not pruchase it, We will not be responsiable for lost, stolen, or damaged items caused by the post office. She is expecting a full refund, I MIGHT have givin it,{even with out having the ins, I,m not a sucker, but I try to make the buyer happy, with in reason.} if the postoffice had showed me proof, that there was damage to the box {cut and open} but that is not the case here, I do not feel that even if there was PO insurance on it, that they would pay, the PO down here {who looked at the box} didn't think so. If she wants to neg, she can go right a head and do it, as she has told me 2 different stories now as to what happen with the box.
posted on December 17, 2001 09:03:31 PM new
I normally say refund and make people happy, but in this case I think there is enough evidence for you to refuse to refund. You do have the item back though, correct? If so you will still have to send it back to her (I'd send it so that she has to sign for it-- that way you have proof that you returned it). You'll be out the shipping, but it is less of a loss to you than if you refund the full amount.
Good luck anyway.
posted on December 18, 2001 07:23:37 PM new
Well, here is a update, she has filed fraud charges against me, which I have responded to, and I have mailed the jacket and the shipping she paid, for the jacket to be returned to me, in todays mail. I have sent it with a returned reciept, hopefully she will sign and keep the jacket, have to wait and see. She also has left me feeback on ebay, ....... Complaint : GRINCH STOLE MY X-MASpaid for item shipped & insured shipped uninsured & damaged....... I have not left feedback for her yet ?? but I will in a calm factural matter, and I will respond to her's also. I guess the fun is just begining. happy holidays from the Grinch.<BR> can someone tell me what happens with the fraud deal, I know nothing about how it is handled, or anything, new for me. Thank you
posted on December 18, 2001 09:03:04 PM new
She filed a fraudulent fraud report. eBay SPECIFICALLY states that items lost or damaged in shipment are not covered under their fraud protection policy. I'm still not clear whether this item was sent under the representation of being insured. If you did indeed state that you self-insured, technically you are responsible for handling the claim. You COULD, however, require a notarized statement from her stating that the box/item was damaged when delivered AND require a signed statement from her local carrier/PO that the item was delivered damaged. Failure to do so would result in an invalid claim and falsified documents would result in mail fraud charges being filed. The USPS has lost a ton of money and is cracking down on scammmers like her. eBay will NOT do anything to you, you did nothing wrong.<br />
[ edited by bkkofaz on Dec 18, 2001 09:03 PM ]
posted on December 19, 2001 06:08:31 AM new
Hi, Thank you for your help, The item was mailed with no insurance from me or the post office, as she wanted the shipping reduced. I will not budge on my shipping charges in the furture, you try to be "nice" and it comes back and bites you. Never again. Thanks so very much for all of your help.
posted on December 19, 2001 06:09:41 AM new
Hi, Thank you for your help, The item was mailed with no insurance from me or the post office, as she wanted the shipping reduced. I will not budge on my shipping charges in the furture, you try to be "nice" and it comes back and bites you. Never again. Thanks so very much for all of your help.
posted on December 19, 2001 12:29:23 PM new
Hi, Thank you for your help, The item was mailed with no insurance from me or the post office, as she wanted the shipping reduced. I will not budge on my shipping charges in the furture, you try to be "nice" and it comes back and bites you. Never again. Thanks so very much for all of your help.
