posted on May 13, 2013 10:16:04 PM new
We sold a set of 4 coffee mugs to a buyer in Japan.
Both my partner and I had found them together. Both of us inspected all 4 before purchasing. Then we upwrapped them, inspected them at our warehouse, photographed them, listed them and sold them. Pristine condition. I would be surprised if they had even been used. We even thought of keeping them for ourselves, but I nixed the idea because we have too many mugs already.
Now I get the following email:
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Hi, thank you for sending me 4 mugs. I have received them.
your description is...
"Condition: Mint. No chips, cracks, scratches or other signs of wear. "
But 2 mugs are damaged, there are not broken pieces in the box.
I can not think your description is right.
Would you tell me your Email address because I send pictures for damaged.
I am not good at English, please easy English, sorry.
Kind regards."
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Ok, so now I have a buyer claiming that the item is damaged, but with no broken pieces in the box??? as if we would ship these damaged.
I haven't asked for photographs because I suspect (after doing some research) that they are trying to bait me into a refund with photos. They paid $107.90 including shipping, $50 for the item).
They have bought many other mugs of the same collectible line, mostly from UK sellers. I know many people like to collect one of each.
I have sent a few emails to other sellers they bought similar mugs from to see if they will share any bad experiences. I guess we'll see what happens.
[ edited by shagmidmod on May 13, 2013 10:48 PM ]
posted on May 14, 2013 08:08:31 AM new
I dont recall any scam coming from Japan,there was a case where a buyer did not receive his package,in all the years I have been selling on internet.
It would be interesting to see the pictures and see what is meant by damage?
posted on May 14, 2013 09:07:34 AM new
I sent the following reply via ebay messaging yesterday:
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Hello. Thank you for your email. I am quite perplexed by your email. We purchased these mugs after closely inspecting them for any damage, and again inspected them prior to photographing and listing them. We also inspect each item prior to packing for shipment, so I do not quite understand your message.
Please do send photos of any damaged item using the eBay photo system.
If these are not to your satisfaction, please do not use or wash the mugs. Rewrap them securely and repackage them for return. Once we receive them, we will inspect the mugs, check the security marks and issue a refund accordingly.
Once we see the photos we will send you the address to return them to.
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I have not heard from them, but I have received a few replies by the other sellers who didn't have any issues. My concern is that all of these other transactions were for singles or two pieces, not 4 matching pieces. The shipping cost from the UK to Japan ranged from $10-20 USD, while my shipping cost was $57.90 for a $50 purchase.
I discussed this claim with my partner, Cindy and she is steaming mad. She's not used this process on eBay, but she packed them with bubble wrap, divided the mugs with cardboard and an oversize box to ensure their safe arrival.
I think my email should address my concerns clearly. We'll see what happens.
posted on May 14, 2013 12:28:07 PM new
I would have, however this was an item that was categorized outside of their program. I have been attempting to update listings to meet their requirements, but it is a major hassle... largely because when I change the category from "collectibles" to "home & garden" (for example), eBay wants to charge me $1.00 for the Gallery picture. I click it off, and the next screen it reappears in the charge.
I have no idea why eBay makes things so difficult. I would love to see a fall update that reads, "Great News Sellers... we are not changing anything, but instead going to focus on fixing all the problems we have."
That would be something.
[ edited by shagmidmod on May 14, 2013 01:44 PM ]
posted on May 16, 2013 02:15:02 AM new
I just started using Global Shipping and still don't fully understand it.
However, I have one package that has not shown up in the UK. $10 item but $18 shipping. I know there is nothing I can do about it.
I also have another package that was $80 with $65 in shipping that he said he didn't get yet. This one could get messy. 1st paypal said not to ship it to him as they were investigating. They release it and I shipped. 2 weeks later ebay suspended him, the listing disappear and they said don't ship it and don't have any contact with him.
I just hope it arrives and he goes away.
Neither of these were shipped with Global Shipping
posted on May 16, 2013 06:10:54 AM new
Global Shipping is handled by Pitney Bowles,from the way Ebay described how it is done,Pitney Bowles is using a fright consolidator which takes all these small packages and ship them as one carton to a 'mail forwarding service' in that country.
That service will then open the carton and use local delivery service whethere its country postal service or private carrier to deliver these packages to your buyers.
Since one carton can hold many small packages,they will wait till it is full to ship and if it is a popular destination,it will be full quickly and they can ship fast,if it is not,then you will see delay as they wait for more packages to fill the carton.
No different than the 'Less than Full load ' concept with truck delivery.
Dont forget there is also customs,there will be a local agent to take the carton to customs office to be cleared,Since there are more than one package inside the carton,it will take longer,any package which requires customs attention will delay the whole carton.
posted on May 16, 2013 06:55:12 AM new
I used USPS for both.
So are international customer giving poor marks in shipping time?
If that the case, ebay should not allow them to leave DSR for that as it is their program.
posted on May 16, 2013 08:03:35 AM new
I have not used Global shipping as my items do not qualify for such service.
I have received a neg from an Australian buyer for a small item which takes 4 weeks to arrive,it was shipped USPS first class and it was around the time we have problem with weather.
Buyer refused or ignored my request to revise the feedback.
I also received a neg for a first class item which did not arrive in California ,too late to be a Xmas gift.EBAY said in my listing that first class mail takes 4 -6 days and it actually takes 3 weeks around XMAS time when USPS let the priority mail get on the plane before any first class mail.
She finally received the item,she refused to pay and neg me for harrassing her.
Ebay refused to remove both negs,claiming buyers have the right to express their Ebay buying experience and words of mouth is important to spread the Ebay experience.
AS to why Ebay said in my listing first class mail takes 4-6 days,he blamed it on USPS as Ebay takes the information from USPS.
Then he advised me to notify police on the buyer who refused to pay,SO MUCH FOR EBAY EXPERIENCE !
posted on May 16, 2013 08:12:02 AM new
I dont miss Global shipping,as most of my items are small enough to go first class or priroity .
I have 2 items going to China,they are expensive,so I ship USPS Global Express Guaranteed,which is handled by Fed Exp Intl,you can track it on either USPS website or Fed Exp website,in both cases it arrived promptly in China just to sit in Chinese customs for days,but it is signed for so you get online trackable signature confirmation.
The guarantee does not apply if the delay is caused by customs.
It is expensive ,going to China cost around 80 dollars but it is still cheaper than going to the local Fed Exp office to ship the package,as it would charge you local fuel charge in the destination country if you have a Fed Exp account.
