Shipping problems (1 Viewer)

[OzDigger]

What shipping problems have you guys had? Comments from dealers and ebay sellers are also invited

Now, if the parcel doesn't arrive you can usually arrange something with the dealer or file a claim on eBay for "item not received".

However, when something arrives damaged, then things can get tricky because it's under the "item not as described" category and the buyer usually has to pay the return freight costs. Which is often not economical for buyers in another country. Perhaps some sellers take advantage of this situation to get rid of some of their shop soiled stock

Anyway, lately I had several boxes arriving dented and scuffed from overseas because the seller didn't bother to put any cushioning material around the model boxes.

I rarely buy something with the intention of selling it. However, that doesn't mean I won't care if something I paid hundreds of dollars for arrives with the corners dented in because of careless freight handling. Together with scuff marks etc on boxes caused from rubbing against the other model boxes packed with it.

And you certainly can't blame the freight company if something is damaged because it is the responsibility of the sender to ensure the items are adequately protected.

Here's a USPS link concerning parcel preparation: http://www.usps.com/send/preparemailandpackages/preparingpackages.htm

 

[VIRIATO]

I remember 2 problems on E-Bay. Both for items that arrived damaged. For the first problem the seller refunded me in full and I sent the item back to him.
For the second problem, I discussed it with the seller and we came up to this deal: I kept the damaged item and the seller refunded me for half the price I had paid him ( one figure was broken, the other one had paint chips ).
Outside E-Bay I once got two Britains Deetail soldiers broken and the seller just sent me two new ones, I didn'd have to send back the broken ones. Also another Britains Deetail mortar once arrived without the mortar spring ( to shoot the plastic bombs ), seller sent me another one and I also didn't have to send back the incomplete one.
Good communication has been the key for solving these problems, till now I think I have been fortunate in dealing with honest people, but I also have been honest myself.

 

[Dickbuttons]

I had one problem -- where the seller didn't pack a figure correctly and when I rceived it the head was broken off. I emailed im and he appologized. I decided to have the figure repaired rather than return it, and the seller not only agreed but refunded to me the cost to have the figure repaired. The moral to the story is when you buy soldiers from sellers who aren't familar with soldiers, try and "beg" them to pack them carefully.

 

[redhugh]

Invariably stuff gets roughed up and damaged on route and the protective packaging is the difference between something getting completely smashed or unscathed.
I have had some boxes handed to me which you could really only laugh at, concertined, gouged , and amazingly the models were fine, all due to the protective packaging. Others have minor damage. I haven't be motivated so far to send stuff back, and attempt to fix what ever minor damage has occured en route.Sometimes the cost of postage outweighs the cost of the item! In the few cases where stuff has been smashed , like a building which , didn't cost much in the first place, I spent an enjoyable afternoon with my wife and a tube of glue fixing the 3d jigsaw piece back together. Its not all bad

 

[OzDigger]

As you said, much depends upon the purchase price. For example I throw away any Forces of Valor boxes as they're not worth the storage space.

The worst package I have received was a Dragon 1/72 scale diecast Landing Craft that comes with a D-Day diorama base and a few GI's. The seller didn't put the boxed model in a larger box for shipping and just stuck the postage on the model's box It was well dented by the time it arrived but as it only cost me $8 on eBay plus actual postage costs it wasn't a drama.

However, when you pay "handling fees" well above actual postage costs, even at a lower sale price, you do expect some of that handling fee money to go towards packing material rather than all of it into the sellers pocket.

I'm sure some eBay sellers consider P & H charges as being an opportunity to rip some extra money out of the buyer.

 

[Gideon]

Packing a box is pretty serious business. Trust me, I know this very well. I try to pack as bullet proof as possible. In the past 2 years of constant eBay and website sales - having shipped over 5,000 packages I can count on one hand many showed up damaged.

Nothing annoys me more when I buy something and see that a poor packing job was done. I view it as outright disrespectfull. WHen someone spends money on something they deserve it in one piece and the best packaging job that can be done.

I just sent out some rare Nostalgia figures to Malta. Each figures rifle secured with a peanut, individually wrapped in toilet paper, secured with platic wrap, carefully boxed and packed in a small carton and then placed into a larger box with peanuts all around. I am a bit a-retentive when it comes to packaging. And, to think my shipping cost rating is 4.5 on eBay really p's me off.