Another Ebay and USPS crap fest

[Mesa]

So I ordered some movie posters off of Ebay. A couple of LOTR, Indiana Jones, and even a Harry Potter because the seller had good prices ($10-$20 each for original 27x40 doublesided posters). They just arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. When I saw the poster tube, I immediately became concerned because there were two big dents in it.

Upon opening it, my concern was realized because every single poster is damaged. The dent in the tube translated to denting the rolled posters, and now all the dark areas are showing white and just aren't mint condition, which is what I thought I was buying.

It seems like someone jerk off at the post office was having a bad day and used the poster tube as a baseball bat across some hard object, because the poster tube is thick cardboard and this didn't happen from normal handling.

I contacted the seller with the following:

Hello. I got my posters today. I have a question, did you insure them? Because as I saw them sitting on my doorstep, I was a little concerned because there were two big dents in the sturdy poster tube. I have no idea how they got there, unless it was intentional by the USPS, because that tube is thick. All the posters now have a running crease right through the center of them, which I'm really not happy about. The tube looks like someone hit it across something. I plan on filing a claim with the USPS, because this is unacceptable, as they should have been protected within the tube. Please let me know if there is insurance or not. I'm not very happy that I just spent $100 on poster and they're all damaged because some jerk at post office decided to be careless.

and got the following response:

They weren't insured as you didn't request that they be. You just said to pack securely, which I did. File the complaint at your post office and see what happens. My guess is that they will decline it as the package had not been insured.
My ratio for damaged posters is about 1 in 500 as the tubes are heavy.
Unfortunately you were one of them.
Let me know what they say.

I went back and looked at the listing, and if I wanted insurance, it would have been $1.35 for each $50. After the auction ended, the seller sent me an invoice, which I paid the next day. At the time, I didn't look to see if it included insurance or not.

So I'm just wondering, what are my options? I don't want to screw the seller over, because I don't think they did anything wrong and used a sturdy poster tube, but at the same time I'm not happy with how my item were received, and I don't think I'm responsible for the damage and should just eat the cost of receiving damaged goods.

Any thoughts on how to handle it?



Further proof that USPS sucks balls, like I needed further proof.

 

[EVILFACE]

File a claim, paypal/ebay will side with you.

Insurance is to protect what the seller sent you. Seller should cover the posters or have paid for insurance himself.

 

[devilof76]

You shouldn't have to eat the cost. Neither should the seller. But the avenue for holding USPS responsible is insurance. If they have any honor, they'll reimburse you. If not, I'd say your only option if you want your money back is to screw the seller.

This is why I would never ship anything over $50 without adding insurance myself. If ebay won't protect a seller who leaves it up to the buyer to worry about their own insurance, it's the only way to protect yourself.

 

[user 1190]

It still amazes me how sellers make insurance an option. To me it protects me as much as it does the buyer. I have had people send me things and they didn't show up and it cost the seller the $ not me. Anything I sell insurance is mandatory part of the shipping cost. In addition I also require a signature for anything, that way the shipper cant drop it and then they buyer say he didn't get it. If I have a signature saying you got they cant say they didn't get it. If you don't want to pay the few extra bucks then don't buy from me.

Depending on the service you use sometimes even on a cheap item insurance is free up to a certain amount.

 

[Shropt]

It is now a requirement through ebay to have every package insured. Gone are the days where the seller (not the buyer) has a choice to insure the package.

File a complaint through paypal, you will win.

 

[user 1190]

It is now a requirement through ebay to have every package insured. Gone are the days where the seller (not the buyer) has a choice to insure the package.

File a complaint through paypal, you will win.

Link??

Never seen that policy.

 

[Shropt]

Link??

Never seen that policy.

Here's a news story but I'm sure you can find more.

https://collectibles.about.com/b/2009/08/28/new-ebay-rules-for-sellers-insurance-required.htm

This, and many other reasons, is why I don't sell on ebay anymore.

 

[user 1190]

Here's a news story but I'm sure you can find more.

https://collectibles.about.com/b/2009/08/28/new-ebay-rules-for-sellers-insurance-required.htm

This, and many other reasons, is why I don't sell on ebay anymore.

Here is what I found from ebay

• New Selling Practices policy: A new Selling Practices policy will define clear standards for accuracy and professionalism in listings and listing descriptions, and for all stages of a transaction. Adhering to the new policy will be required for eBay Top-rated seller status in October and for all other sellers in early 2010. In short:
  • Information within a listing such as item condition and seller terms and conditions need to be consistent.
  • Sellers will be expected to follow through on their stated terms through all stages of a transaction.
  • Also, comments that undermine confidence in eBay sellers or misrepresent a seller vs. buyer's responsibility in a transaction will not be allowed in listings.
  
  
• Optional buyer charges for shipping insurance removed: The insurance option creates the perception that buyers need to purchase shipping insurance as a protection on eBay, an experience they're not accustomed to on other ecommerce sites. In fact, sellers have always been responsible for their items until they arrive safely in their customers' hands. That's why shipping insurance will no longer be included in the purchase flow as either an option or requirement for buyers.
  
  Of course you can choose to purchase insurance on shipments, but not ask buyers to buy insurance separately. In some categories like Antiques, Collectibles, and Jewelry, shipping insurance for sellers is essential. When appropriate, you can include the cost of insurance in your item or shipping price.

 

[316what]

Even if insurance had been purchased, the seller would take it in the shorts on this. USPS insurance isn't worth the $$ you spend on it because they'll either take 6 months to get back to you or just immediately deny the claim.

 

[darthviper107]

I don't think the seller has a responsibility here, looks like insurance isn't required although it was offered, if you didn't pay for it then they shouldn't be penalized for it since it was offered. Your only option would be to take it up with USPS, which I doubt they'll do anything about.


And it's the same issue with online retail, they might make you a deal if something goes wrong, but they still take things up with the shipper themselves instead of making you do it.

 

[user 1190]

Even if insurance had been purchased, the seller would take it in the shorts on this. USPS insurance isn't worth the $$ you spend on it because they'll either take 6 months to get back to you or just immediately deny the claim.

Really I did an online claim when they broke a case I shipped. I had him take pics of the case in the box and of the box and the case, aattched those to the claim. The guy had a check in just under 2 weeks.

 

[devilof76]

That's something you don't hear everyday.

 

[praxitas]

I only had to file a claim once and had a check back within 3 weeks I believe.

 

[BadMoon]

I always ship insured and with a signature confirmation. Why anyone wouldn't anymore is still beyond me.

 

[p!tu]

Paypal Claim! dont ____ around! if the Seller was retarded enough no to get Insurance his bad! I learned mi lesson the hard way as a seller and not insuring my stuff. I do it now cause i want my ass protected! Which means like some have said here Paypal will side with you! which means youll be fine plus seller cant leave Negative feedback so your Double Down OK! Get your money back Mesa and get some new ____ with it!

 

[The Ween]

So, if I'm reading that right, it's the seller who has to buy the insurance? Since you can't list that, do you put that in the shipping and handling?

Also, aren't things automatically insured if you use priority? I can't remember.

 

[p!tu]

Yes ween The whole point of insurance is to protect your self. Just like tracking on packages! and yes its all part of S&H thats how i always do it.

 

[The Ween]

Yes ween The whole point of insurance is to protect your self. Just like tracking on packages! and yes its all part of S&H thats how i always do it.

So, if it doesn't show up, who files the claim?

I haven't sold much, and nothing big. I have sold baseball tickets but I'm totally protected with those and don't need insurance.

I'm a noob.

 

[RJMacReady16]

Sold some comics and DVDs recently, put them in the large manila envelopes with cardboard support and taped the piss out of them. Both packages arrived (different locations) ripped all to hell.

USPS has become as inefficient as every other government operation. It's time to start contracting our postal services out.

I offered refunds to both buyers, naturally---but never heard back from either one.

 

[BadMoon]

So, if I'm reading that right, it's the seller who has to buy the insurance? Since you can't list that, do you put that in the shipping and handling?

Also, aren't things automatically insured if you use priority? I can't remember.

Actually Ween I think if you ship priority you are covered for $100 automatically. Mesa was it shipped priority? This may cover you!