posted on March 21, 2007 02:26:16 PM new
I sent some large skeins of yarn to a buyer. Put them in a box, taped both ways and inside a plastic bag. She says that there is a hole in the box, and the yarn is gone, but the band from around it is still there. She wants a refund. Am I responsible for damage by the postal service? It was mailed from Canada to the US, so there is no way of knowing which postal service is responsible.
posted on March 21, 2007 03:11:32 PM new
hi amber,
greetings from the canuck in kentucky
i don't actually believe your buyer's story but if you take PayPal, you probably are responsible because your buyer, if they stick to that stupid story, could open a snad (significantly not as described) dispute.
on the other hand, you might be able to call her bluff, by asking for pix of the empty box, etc. and saying you'll need to report the theft to the usps. that usually shakes loose all but the most intrepid scammers, as it's a felony here to mess with the post office. good luck with this one!
posted on March 21, 2007 04:48:44 PM new
Thanks vintage, I did as you suggested, and she has sent 5 pictures of the box, definately ripped, and writing on it from the post office. I feel bad because this is her first eBay transaction, but I am not sure what I should do. I am going to call Canada Post tomorrow, but who is responsible, them, USPS or me?
posted on March 21, 2007 05:01:06 PM new
If you didn't insure the parcel, the postal service it not responsible.
How did buyer pay? If she paid through PayPal, I am afraid you are responsible and can refund now or wait until the case is elevated through PayPal chargeback. You might see if you can work something out with buyer (share the loss).
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posted on March 21, 2007 06:06:43 PM new
If the item fell out of the package and not stolen,it may end up in a place in San Francisco where all mail which cant be delivered are forwarded.
Your buyer can fill out a form and give it to the local post office and they will forward it to San Fran and see if it is there.
But it will be like looking for a needle in the haystack.
Another thought,if this is a package originated from USA,the US customs will reimburse you up to certain $$,Mikes4by4 is the one who knows more about it.
I dont know if Canadian customs have similar arrangement
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Lets all stop whining !
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posted on March 21, 2007 06:11:06 PM new
I believe the value for lost International parcels is $100. Shipment must originate in the U.S. I'm not sure about Canada.
posted on March 21, 2007 06:39:19 PM new
What a shame! Whenever I ship breakables, I always tell the buyer that if the box arrives beat up in some way, or worse, to take a photo BEFORE opening the box, then pictures inside the box. I'd never think to do that with something unbreakable like yarn!
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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." --Mahatma Gandhi
posted on March 21, 2007 07:47:11 PM new
I am going to call the post office tomorrow and see if anything can be done. I know I package well, about half my feedbacks mention good packing. I even had one recently that said my package could have taken a direct nuclear hit! Oh well, if the post office won't do anything, all I can do is refund I guess.
posted on March 22, 2007 09:06:12 AM new
This one reason that I changed my TOS to include insurance on EVERY item. I really hate doing that but it's the only thing that gives the seller some protection.
You might also contact customs - it could be that they wanted to search the box and forgot to put the yarn back.
posted on March 22, 2007 09:26:58 AM new
ladyjewels: The box wasn't opened, it was torn. It looks as if something sharp pierced the box and caught the yarn and pulled it out hard. The band from the skein was still in it. Canada Post are going to investigate. My problem with insurance is that postage from Canada is so high, it's hard to sell anyway, and to add insurance makes it even more. Some people want it of course, but I don't feel that I can insist on it. I have reckoned that I have mailed about 20,000 packages, mostly to the US in the last 10 years with different auction sites, and this is the very first time a box has been torn and some of the items missing, so I think that is not bad. Had a few go missing completely of course.
posted on March 22, 2007 09:47:22 AM new
I understand how you feel. I hate to add insure to everything as well as I live in Florida and sell many things to California and such.
Maybe you should look into DSI - they are a lot less expense and you can do it in bulk. I don't have the right software on my computer but if you do I think they charge about 50 cent an item under a $100 or something like that. I use them for real expense items and just pay as I go.
