Ebay transaction problem... (need some advice)

[Nintendo Penguin]

So, I sold this item and the auction clearly said $12 for shipping. (which is about right) The guy who bought it, refused to pay the shipping and made an issue out of it swearing I was ripping him off. The item is from 1965 and pretty collectible, so good packaging was a must. He wanted it just wrapped in brown paper and sent on its way... something I did not want to do because it is fragile. I told him I would not change my shipping policy and that was that. I finally had to send a non-paying bidder warning to get the guy to pay. This guy was a total ass every step of the way.

 

All of this took about a month. I don't want to go into a long story on this part, but Hurricane Rita hit Lake Charles, LA. We have some property down there, so I had to take a trip while all this was going on. Because of all the business with our property in Lake Charles and because it took the guy over a month to pay, I honnestly overlooked shipping it. He sent me an e-mail asking where the item was afer about two weeks. I apologized to him explained that I had forgotten with all that was going on. As a gesture of good faith, I refunded his shipping costs and sent the item out immediately.

 

He claims the package never got there. Out of convienence I sent it USPS, so there is no tracking number. (I screwed-up here!) He still says he didn't get it and filed a claim with Paypal.

 

What do I do now? I did send it, but don't have a tracking number. I think he is just trying to screw me. I guess it is his word against mine? I don't know what to do.

[Albert]

I am sorry to have to say this, but you are very likely going to get screwed out of your money here. Without any proof of delivery, PayPal will side with the person claiming the merchandise did not arrive. The buyer probably knows this and is taking advantage of it. I have shipped thousands of packages in the US and I don't think I've ever had one not arrive. So I seriously doubt this guy's story, and given how much of an asshole you said he was earlier, I'd bet good money that he is intentionally taking advantage of the situation.

 

Knowing that the guy was already difficult to deal with, you should have either shipped via UPS or FedEx Ground (where you always get detailed tracking information) or used Delivery Confirmation with USPS. If you print your postage yourself you don't even have to pay extra for Delivery Confirmation. Without it, though, the seller has you by the balls. I hope the item he purchased was not very expensive.

 

..Al

[Nintendo Penguin]

Thanks Albert... you kinda confirmed what I was affraid of.

 

Lesson learned for me. Thankfully I am only out $50. I could have been a lot worse. Still though... it really sucks to be out $50! I could have bought a new GameCube or PS2 game for that!

 

I think I will wait till the possible moment and leave him negative feedback on ebay. (serves this guy right!)

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I have had 2 packages lost that have been sent to me. I haven't had any that I have sent out lost. This is out of probably 5,000-6,000 packages.

Edited October 31, 2005 by mcgrail0007

[Breakpack]

Yeh,Im having a problem with an Ebayer claiming not to have received a package.I should have D.C. ed it.But I refunded his money,so he better not bitch about it (he already sent me a couple of smartass emails).

Edited October 31, 2005 by Breakpack

[Albert]

Yeh,Im having a problem with an Ebayer claiming not to have received a package.I should have D.C. ed it.But I refunded his money,so he better not bitch about it (he already sent me a couple of smartass emails).

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This really is a problem with the way PayPal is setup right now. It's far too easy to take advantage of buyers if they don't use any type of delivery confirmation or tracking. I guess PayPal would catch on if you tried to do this several times with an account in a short time frame, but you could certainly create new accounts easily enough. I've only had this happen once to me, and it was an international transaction for which tracking is not generally available (unless you use outrageously expensive options like UPS or FedEx). So there was nothing I could do--PayPal took the funds out of my account and I was out $100.

 

..Al

[Trade-N-Games]

When people come into my store and act like assholes or bitch about something i tell them to get the hell out! If someone on ebay does the same thing dont sell the item to them take a negative give a neg and move on. If you have perfect feedback who cares, look at feedback systems flaws.

If the guy was really like this i am sure he has many Negatives from sellers or dishing them out himself.

[Nintendo Penguin]

I am going to call PayPal later today. Hopefully something with this transaction will go my way, but I doubt it.

 

I have a feeling I am already screwed, but I have to try.

[Teknik_SE-R]

my buddy works for a shipping company and processes mis shipped products. He told me to alway always put an address slip inside the packaging, that way, if they open the package at his shop, they have a place to ship it. and they will do so for free

 

also do you have your receipt for the shipping? it may help but I doubt it. I think you are just going to have to eat the cost cuz unelss you bought the ins, or confirm, it can't be pinned on the customer OR the shipping co.

 

of the few things I have sold, I required ins. and I will always require it if the product costs over $10. some might think it is an unnecessar expense to the buyer, but since I charge exact cost for shipping +/- a dollar (total incl ins), I think it is fair, I deem it necessary, and anyone who argues against it won't get my product. when they bought it, they agreed to the terms.

 

yes there are flaws to the system, just like every other system. take the civil law system... don't even get me started. "the coffee was hot" ..."No F&cking way!"

Edited November 5, 2005 by Teknik_SE-R

[Nintendo Penguin]

TRANSACTION UPDATE! VENGENCE! WILL BE MINE!

 

So the guy and I left each other negative feedback... as I expected! One little problem though... he called me a "thief" and some other nasty things which really pissies me off!

 

It is completely untrue, if anything, the reverse is true. Anyway, a lawyer friend said this is defamatory and I would probably have a good case for a libel suit since it is clearly not true... he was refunded, and I have the records to prove it!

 

I e-mailed the buyer and told him he has one week to start the process for a mutual feedback withdrawl or my lawyer would be in touch with him! He might continue to be an ass, but once he gets a letter in the mail from a lawyer threatening a lawsuit, I think he'll cave!

 

Of course this is going to cost me some money, but I think it is well worth it. I will still have my pride and the asshole that strung me along for months will not have gotten away with anything! It irritates me to have to spend more money on this whole ordeal, but at least now I won't feel like some chump that got taken advantage of! Score one for me!

[RecycledGamer]

TRANSACTION UPDATE! VENGENCE! WILL BE MINE!

 

So the guy and I left each other negative feedback... as I expected! One little problem though... he called me a "thief" and some other nasty things which really pissies me off!

 

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Looks like eBay will remove the comment entirely if you provide a judgement indicating libel.

 

From the Feedback Forum rules:

 

Feedback that meets any of the circumstances below is feedback abuse and may be subject to removal.

 

- eBay is provided with a valid court order finding that the disputed feedback is slanderous, libelous, defamatory or otherwise illegal.

 

Best of luck dealing with this joker. I know how you feel.