posted on December 10, 2006 09:20:39 PM
Last week, I received a coffeemaker I won on eBay. It was advertised as brand new in its original, unopened box. And that’s how it was shipped. A shipping label with my name/address was adhered to the original, unopened box. No shipping box was used.
A couple of months ago, I received an electronic blood pressure monitor I got off eBay. Like the coffeemaker, it too was shipped without using a shipping box. A shipping label was slapped on the original box. Since the monitor was a former "display model", it was shipped loose in its original box with exactly 5 styrofoam peanuts inside to "protect" it.
Those are just two examples of several I’ve recently received like this. The coffeepot is a present and needless to say, I was not happy to see it sitting on my porch like it was when I got home. I can remove the labels & postage with my hair dryer but can’t do much about the dents.
In regard to the monitor, the box arrived pretty beat up and when I saw the 5 peanuts, I was pretty furious when I emailed the seller.
I almost emailed the coffeepot seller immediately after I won the auction telling her (or him) that this was to be a present and to please pack carefully but I didn’t want to come across as dictating how to pack properly.
Are these sellers just being lazy or am I being anal in thinking these should have been placed inside another box to ship in?
posted on December 11, 2006 03:26:24 AM
The sellers were just lazy in both cases.
I see nothing wrong with telling the seller it was purchase as a gift - but may not have matter to him/her anyway.
At the very least they could have wrapped brown paper around it.
[ edited by ladyjewels2000 on Dec 11, 2006 03:26 AM ]
posted on December 11, 2006 03:35:23 AM
I always use another box to ship a factory boxed item. I would just assume (and you know where that gets us) that everyone does. I guess we have to educate the sellers, over and over again. You were very right in expecting the items to be in another box! I once received some Wade figures packed in a ziplock bag box..they made it but I have no idea why!
posted on December 11, 2006 05:07:45 AM
The blood pressure monitor seller and I exchanged a few unpleasant emails. She was very defensive saying she's never had anyone complain with how she ships. No apology whatsoever. If I remember correctly, she had high feedback.
I haven't yet emailed the coffeemaker seller but I will.
posted on December 11, 2006 06:19:53 AM
I'm sorry to say that even when you write and suggest how to pack difficult items, sellers tend to do it their way (usually not adequate). If buyers don't read, apparently sellers don't either. Another sloppy and poor packing job arrived over the week end -- ends sticking out of the box, heavy iron andirons tossed into some peanuts and some crumpled newsprint. A miracle they didn't break, just got a bit smooshed.
It doesn't seem to matter how long they've been on eBay either. Quick and dirty appears to be the norm, even with high FB sellers (I especially like the ones who claim their wives are excellent packers, and you find they sell magazines!!). Overall, I too am pretty disgusted with shoddy packing.
posted on December 11, 2006 06:30:54 AM
I would email gentle suggestions to the coffee maker seller, they may just not realize that what they did is not correct. I actually, as a seller, have learned specific ways of packing certain items from buyers. I try very hard not to be defensive and pack the way they suggest. I always use lots of bubble wrap but sometimes they would rather have things double boxed that I would not usually double box. (I use oversize boxes with excessive bubble wrap but will double box if they don't mind the extra weight and postage). However, if they demand way too much I just pack my regular way and insure at my expense.
posted on December 11, 2006 06:53:39 AM
Hi
I agree that the seller should have used an outer box for shipping. You can email the seller and tell her how you feel but I don't think it will matter, there is nothing they will do now that you received the item.
I ordered child's building blocks, NEW, UNOPENED, as stated by the seller, well it arrived with a piece of scotch tape holding the flap closed. I emailed her telling her this was a gift and I can not give it in the condition it is in, because it is not sealed as stated in the auction. She said, they all are like that, and thats what she calls SEALED?.......well to get my money back (43.00) I had to pay 8.50 to ship it back to her.
As a seller I do worry when I shop on ebay but usually most of my purchases are good, but there is always one out of ten where the seller does not show like they care once you pay.
posted on December 11, 2006 07:24:56 AM
boxes are expensive if you have to pay for them,unless you go to stores and ask for their boxes.
Boxes to contain a coffee maker would cost a few dollars and add more to shipping.
Your seller is cutting corner and/or making money on shipping.
If you want to get a coffee maker as a gift,there are plenty in stores,no need to buy on Ebay and pay shipping.
posted on December 11, 2006 07:58:02 AM
I've learned the hard way, when at thrift shops and yard sales, to assess the difficulty of shipping an item I'm considering buying. If it's an unusual shape or weight, I may pass it up unless I KNOW it'll go for a good amount on eBay.
posted on December 11, 2006 08:32:51 AM
Good point,once I sold a silver trombone,I have a hard time finding a box?? and wraping it well.
UPS no longer accept antique musical instrument.
posted on December 11, 2006 09:13:04 AM
You were justified in expecting the box to be protected (as well as the porduct) when buying a new in box item. If there are no outer boxes available for the size of the item (like the coffeemaker) the seller could have cheaply and easily used newspaper or plain brown wrapper.
jmho
posted on December 11, 2006 10:06:59 AM
NOT once have I ever bought a box to ship in, I routinely go around to collect boxes at places like Dollar General and Walmart is a treasure trove of empty boxes late at night after midnight. I never use a dirty box ever always clean and sturdy boxes.... You can find boxes of all sizes and if you don't want writing on the outside I just separate the side seam and re-glue it with inside on outside. I also never send anything in original box it gets another box around it and peanuts or bubble wrap. On slightly large objects I have been known to build my own box from a very large one. I don't consider it a hassle as I want to send things like I would like to receive them. I use to sell race car sets that had very long boxes and I would always get a very large box and use it to build an outer box to fit just so it was covered and with extra cardboard pieces on long flat sides, even packing inside of box so nothing jiggled at all. I probably go overboard on packing, but hey keeps the headaches down.
************** Check it out
posted on December 11, 2006 10:30:58 AM
I once sold a large vintage item in it's original box. In the auction I stated that though the box was stained and damaged in places, it was sturdy and the item could safely be shipped in it. I offered the choice of shipping in original box or re-boxing at a higher shipping cost....
the buyer emailed that they couldn't understand why shipping would be higher if another box was used......!!!!!!
so maybe the moral of the story is the seller thinks they're saving the buyer money on shipping.
I'm not defending them, that was a ridiculous way to ship anything but how did they know the coffee pot was a gift? It wasn't broken , was it?
posted on December 11, 2006 01:19:19 PM
Not with the post office,the content is not damaged.
If you argue the box is part of the content,then the post office would ask-where is the outside box?
Why not just find a gift box and pack it yourself .
posted on December 11, 2006 03:36:14 PM
Years ago I sold on eBay a vintage aluminum 6-foot-tall Christmas tree that came in its original box. I figured the buyer wanted that box as intact as possible so I fashioned a shipping box made from other boxes. In fact, when I used to sell a lot on eBay, I never, ever used the original box as a shipping box. And I never, ever purchased boxes. Boxes are plentiful and free if you take the time to look.
In my opinion, sellers who don’t take the time to properly package the merchandise are either thoughtless or lazy or both.
posted on December 11, 2006 04:52:17 PM
I am sorry you think so-
coffee maker is a dime a dozen in stores,why buy on Ebay.
If the box is damaged,then just put it in a gift box,no big deal.
File claim with USPS,you should read the USPS packing guidelines.
As for running around looking for free boxes,not everyone is hardworking ,there are plenty of slobs on Ebay using pizza box,female sanitary napkin box ,recyled envelopes.
Also not everyone is a full time Ebay seller.
You should mention in your feedback this seller is not a good packer.
[ edited by hwahwa on Dec 11, 2006 04:56 PM ]
[ edited by hwahwa on Dec 11, 2006 04:58 PM ]
[ edited by hwahwa on Dec 11, 2006 04:59 PM ]
posted on December 12, 2006 11:39:29 AM
I find myself strangely agreeing...
Oh wait, that should be "Strangely, I find myself agreeing with stopwhining."
If I buy a coffeemaker on Amazon, I sure do expect it to be shipped inside a shipping box. At best I will have only gotten a small discount off retail.
If I buy a coffeemaker on eBay, for considerably less than I would have paid on Amazon, I would check with the seller to see how it's to be shipped.
Not all online shopping is equal, just as in real life.
If I go to a flea market and find a coffeemaker, new but sans box, I expect to pay quite a bit less than the new in-box price.
If you keep in mind that eBay is an online flea market, your disappointments will be fewer.
posted on December 12, 2006 05:38:57 PM
Since this was advertised and pictured being new in an unopened box, I expect to receive the product in a new and unopened box. If this was advertised as being used, then let the dice fall where they may.
So what that it's eBay and not Amazon. The seller wrote the description and took the picture. So now you're telling me to disregard what they wrote and pictured and hold them to a lower standard when they don't follow through? Get real.
I emailed the seller about this and she emailed back saying they didn't use an outside box because they "knew" it would get here fine. Typical response from a seller who owns no responsibility.
posted on December 12, 2006 05:49:14 PM
this is just one reason why ebay and sales are going down the tubes. I personally have no objection about things I buy on ebay. I've learned to ask ask ask before buying and to not be disappointed if I don't ask. To learn not to assume anything!
I think there's a lot of disappointed buyers out there that have shopped ebay.
as a buyer though I'm with dixie - I would assume that the "brand new in original box" would be shipped inside of another box.
it's sad isn't it?
I won't even touch parkman's thread about bootleg dvd's. "happy that the seller refunded the money on the bootleg dvd's."
posted on December 12, 2006 07:18:54 PM
What I am trying to convey is this-
Ebay is a venue and each seller has his own way of running his auctions,there is no standard procedures stating how we should list,pack and ship.
Some are better than others,and most are not professional retailers.
Next time you may want to remind the seller that it is a gift and you dont want the box to be damaged .
posted on December 13, 2006 12:23:28 AM
Ha! Dixielou, that's exactly what I described in my last post..an aluminum Christmas tree and I had to make a box for it!
They paid so much for it (and I got it for FREE) that I just ate the extra postage.
On the other hand, why do people spend SO much on silly things and then quibble about a couple of extra bucks on the shipping?????
posted on December 14, 2006 11:54:30 PM
I had the same thing happen to me today. I bought a widget from a a semi-seasoned seller with a decent feedback. Shipped a fragile unique widget in the retail box with postage slapped on the out side of it. It arrived dented, ripped and the item inside, well, . . Not in good shape. I sent the seller a stern but polite email. We'll see what happens.
posted on December 15, 2006 06:14:48 AM
I once received a vintage mannequin, which are made of plaster, wrapped in plastic trash bags.
The seller said he aways shipped mannequins that way??
posted on December 15, 2006 06:59:22 AM
Irked:
you said:
"NOT once have I ever bought a box to ship in, I routinely go around to collect boxes at places like Dollar General and Walmart is a treasure trove of empty boxes late at night after midnight."
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if you insist on d/diving after midnite, pls be at least smart enuff to carry your .357.
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imho, there is only one place to scavenge for boxes, that is much safer, daytime better; and no one can ever make light of midnite dumpster diving...TRY THE LIQUOR STORE...first, boxes such as seagrams and crown boxes come in many sizes, are double lined, and are rated at about 200lb in2..and if there's a problem with post office not accepting, then cut them down sides and turn inside to out. i take 2 seagram gin cartons to build a great sleeve in which i ship table lamps. and VO cartons have very stiff built in dividers-perfect for all but a very large glass stem..
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and, while i deal with a smaller post office than most of you, my postmaster is always giving me their "plain brown wrapper" boxes, in which USPS items are shipped to them. ex., the carton that they ship the #04 p/m boxes is a great size at about 7 x 24 x 18 in..
just a couple of thoughts to keep you out of harm's way..
posted on December 15, 2006 07:20:15 AM
Fluffy - You said
"Strangely, I find myself agreeing with stopwhining."
But Stopwhining has not posted unless it with another ID. Is it who I think it is???
