Another Ebay Trial & Tribulation! (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

Sent a EA029, K&C Brit tank with 2 figures from USA to Canada. Got message from buyer, tank arrived fine however the two figures were missing, there was just tissue paper in the slots in the box where they belonged.
I know 100% absolute that I wrapped the figures in paper and placed them in their respective holes as I remember I had a hard time figureing the correct way to position the one figure to avoid damage.
Now I have no reason to suspect the buyer is trying to get one over on me, I suspect that while going thru customs someone either stole them are opened the tissue to examine it and then failed to place the figures back in the box.
The reason I,m posting this is I thought a few months back ebay came out with some policy on international shipping and customs that if I had proof of mailing I was not liable.
I called ebay but I got Sarah from India who had no clue!
Any one have an answer?
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

The same just happened to me and I'm sure I packed the figure. The buyer is trying to get the missing figure from the manufacturer. Is there any time period following the initial sale when the buyer can't file a claim with PayPal although I've offered to give him a partial refund.

 

[OzDigger]

The same just happened to me and I'm sure I packed the figure. The buyer is trying to get the missing figure from the manufacturer. Is there any time period following the initial sale when the buyer can't file a claim with PayPal although I've offered to give him a partial refund.

Buyer has up to 45 days to file a claim via eBay/Paypal.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Unless it was insured you are out of luck. The only delivery conformation number that eBay will consider in a dispute is if you ship Express Mail International. Which of course is outrageously expensive so no one uses it. They will not except any other delivery confirmation number. You can have a customer claim they never received an item. You can send eBay the delivery confirmation from 1st class mail or Priority Mail International showing the item was delivered, and they don't care. Sellers have no rights at all.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Buyer has up to 45 days to file a claim via eBay/Paypal.

Ditto, 45 days is ...................CORRECT !

 

[RPZ]

Unless it was insured you are out of luck. The only delivery conformation number that eBay will consider in a dispute is if you ship Express Mail International. Which of course is outrageously expensive so no one uses it. They will not except any other delivery confirmation number. You can have a customer claim they never received an item. You can send eBay the delivery confirmation from 1st class mail or Priority Mail International showing the item was delivered, and they don't care. Sellers have no rights at all.

Hopefully someone will make a legal challenge on that RE: delivery confirmation. In a civil or criminal trial a U. S. Postal Service delivery confirmation number ought to be as convincing as any other. In this case ebay ought to be held bound under the normal rules of interstate/national commerce and reasonable conduct.

For anyone living in ebay's corporate home state a cost-effective action might be through the small claims court.

 

[Alex]

In my book, delivery confirmation and missing figures are two different things
Now for canadian customs, I have imported hundreds of figures either from the USA or Russia and I never had figures stolen by the custom guys in Canada. One FL box was missing a figure but that happened at the factory. The thing that they do sometimes is open the box and not repack the figures well. In this case you can make a claim to the canadian borders agency or insurance company.
What i suggest is wrapping your shipping box in some heavy paper and sealing the paper with some heavy tape. Then the receiver will know if the box was opened. If the labeling is clear, canadian customs won't open the box most of the time especially if it was sent by USPS.

Now in your particular case, I would really question the honesty of the receiver unless of course he is a repeat customer. I always get my packaged fully insured for total value when I sell something. It cost typically 2$ on a 100$ figure... a bargain. Any delivery confirmation won't protect you like insurance will do and the insurance of USPS is top notch.
I had three russian figures sent to me from California and two arrived with some damage in the paint. Since at that time I was not able to repair them myself, I sent them for repair and they paid for everything. Seller and i were happy.

cheers
alex

Sent a EA029, K&C Brit tank with 2 figures from USA to Canada. Got message from buyer, tank arrived fine however the two figures were missing, there was just tissue paper in the slots in the box where they belonged.
I know 100% absolute that I wrapped the figures in paper and placed them in their respective holes as I remember I had a hard time figureing the correct way to position the one figure to avoid damage.
Now I have no reason to suspect the buyer is trying to get one over on me, I suspect that while going thru customs someone either stole them are opened the tissue to examine it and then failed to place the figures back in the box.
The reason I,m posting this is I thought a few months back ebay came out with some policy on international shipping and customs that if I had proof of mailing I was not liable.
I called ebay but I got Sarah from India who had no clue!
Any one have an answer?
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Alex,

Agreed. They are two different things. Unfortunately, it's the seller's word against the buyer's and we know whose side eBay takes. In my case, the buyer sent me a message saying he's following up with the manufacturer. I happen to think the figure was in the packing box and he threw it out without looking too well. I may have to protect myself in the future by taking photos of the packing box before I seal it.

Brad

 

[gk5717]

In my book, delivery confirmation and missing figures are two different things
Now for canadian customs, I have imported hundreds of figures either from the USA or Russia and I never had figures stolen by the custom guys in Canada. One FL box was missing a figure but that happened at the factory. The thing that they do sometimes is open the box and not repack the figures well. In this case you can make a claim to the canadian borders agency or insurance company.
What i suggest is wrapping your shipping box in some heavy paper and sealing the paper with some heavy tape. Then the receiver will know if the box was opened. If the labeling is clear, canadian customs won't open the box most of the time especially if it was sent by USPS.

Now in your particular case, I would really question the honesty of the receiver unless of course he is a repeat customer. I always get my packaged fully insured for total value when I sell something. It cost typically 2$ on a 100$ figure... a bargain. Any delivery confirmation won't protect you like insurance will do and the insurance of USPS is top notch.
I had three russian figures sent to me from California and two arrived with some damage in the paint. Since at that time I was not able to repair them myself, I sent them for repair and they paid for everything. Seller and i were happy.

cheers
alex

Akex, that is exactly how my package was wrapped. I had a USPS box wrapped over with heavy paper and heavelly taped. He has since won another item from me and in my invoice I asked him what he wanted to do about the missing figures and I have not heard back from him.
Gary

 

[Alex]

by the way gary
when canada customs open a package, it is often written on it that it was checked in order to calculate amount of tax. ask him for a picture of the different labels. if you dont receive any news from him, well you have your answer !

Akex, that is exactly how my package was wrapped. I had a USPS box wrapped over with heavy paper and heavelly taped. He has since won another item from me and in my invoice I asked him what he wanted to do about the missing figures and I have not heard back from him.
Gary

 

[RPZ]

RE: Customs inspections ...
I think it is usual for customs agencies in most or all the "first world" countries t:smile2: attach a notice if a package was opened for inspection.

 

[Alex]

Here is your answer on page 6
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d5/d5-1-1-eng.pdf

They put some Tape marked opened by CBSA or stamped saying cleared customs and or form E608

 

[gk5717]

NOW WHAT? The guy who was complaining about the missing figures just gave me a POSITIVE FEEDBACK on this transaction. Does that eliminate any claim he may have? I have messaged him twice asking what he wants done with no response other than one a few days ago that he searched and could not find the figures. My only worry if he pursues this is I just shipped another item that he has since won and I guess he could make some false claim on that.
I pity anyone that would try to make a living selling on ebay.
Gary

 

[Iron Brigade]

Gary:

One good way to never have problems with International shipments is to sell only to USA buyers!

After having a problem with an eBay sale in Europe in the Spring of 2011 I have only sold items to buyers in the USA. Less problems and on average you can make just about as much money based on my experience.

"Iron Brigade"

 

[gk5717]

I just talked to a guy who has over 13000 feedbacks on ebay. He said even if a person leaves a positive feedback he can still file a claim, he just can,t leave a negative feedback.
Here is another twist, Right after the guy contacted me about the missing figures I made an insurance claim with USPS. This guy has not contacted me again, so I,m thinking he will just let it go.
Then the insurance claim came to mind! The insurance is only for $65, the automatic rate with this type of priority mail. Now when the post office comes calling it,s going to awaken the sleeping giant. I swear I can,t win for loosing!
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Gary,

It's been the practice for awhile that a seller can't leave negative feedback but a buyer can.

I know taking the hit on $65 is annoying but sometimes it's not worth the aggravation. As a seller, if a buyer complains, I just try to be unflailingly polite as it's not worth arguing with a buyer. Fortunately, this has only happened to me a couple of times.

Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Gary:

One good way to never have problems with International shipments is to sell only to USA buyers!

After having a problem with an eBay sale in Europe in the Spring of 2011 I have only sold items to buyers in the USA. Less problems and on average you can make just about as much money based on my experience.

"Iron Brigade"

Gary,

In my experience that isn't true. I find that the more bidders the better.

Brad

 

[uksubs]

Gary,

In my experience that isn't true. I find that the more bidders the better.

Brad

Totally agree Brad

 

[Iron Brigade]

Gary,

In my experience that isn't true. I find that the more bidders the better.

Brad

Brad:

Yes, I use to think that way too.

"iron Brigade"