interesting thread, I hope you don't mind me opening it up again. Sometimes even with superb packing the item comes damaged, what truly helps is that most of the members of this site will back there items up, buyer or seller. I sold a Jolida 102B, it was working when it left me, factory boxed etc. When it got to the buyer, tube socket 3 was flaring, The seller sent it back and I promptly refunded him. I just purchased a beautiful CDP, it was fantastically boxed in original carton, yet it is stuck on Reading... What did the seller do? Offer me my money back or he called around to see who can repair it and offered to work together to get it repaired. I shipped it to Canada for repair and we will amicably figure it out. This rarely would happen on flea of the bay. |
I recently recieved some expensive speaker stands from an up and coming speaker builder who shipped these things in a single thin ply box with about zero protection around these stands. They snapped in half where they were only glued together. Easily the most horrendous packing and build job EVER! The mfgr did nothing to help and there was $1000 in insurance paid. UPS wanted to inspect the contents before shipping but the mfgr said everything was fine and signed off on the disclosure. I was the one who needed to file a claim and then after the outcome the mfgr would go from there. There was no way I was going down this road with UPS and they already told me the mfgr signed off for all the packing. I ended up re-gluing and then screwing the pieces back together. These stands are not your ordinary stands. They hold some expensive crossover parts and the wire that is attached to the crossovers were the only thing holding these stands together. The mfgr new this would be a pain in the A$$ and took the stand that it was not his fault and to let him no what the status is after filing.
This dude has no clue how UPS works and is building and shipping speakers in the DIY market and it will always be the burden of the buyer if anything goes wrong.
I understand exactly what Etmerrit is talking about and when we take special care in shipping items we expect the same in return. Hurry up and get it out the door usually doesn't work out to well. |
One thing sellers/shippers can do to protect themselves from rutheless shippers is to use shock detection devices called "shockwatches". These are little accelerometers that trip if the package is exposed to a "G" rating over a certain amount. Once tripped, its obvious (they cannot be reset). One type uses a ball bearing suspended by four springs in a clear plastic case. You can stick these on the inside box of a double box, for example. If a G force higher that the rating is experienced, the ball pops out of the springs and you have a jumble of parts. You want to scare the heck out of a UPS clerk, just point out the shock watches on the box.
When we used to ship very expensive semiconductor manufacturing equipment we used these, and they were indispensable for filing claims with shippers later, esp if there was "invisable" damage or no obvious damage to the packing materials.
I have also found that over-insuring tends to make shippers handle packages more carefully. Not sure fire, but insuring an amp for $1000 generally gets UPS attention because they do not wnat to come close to paying that claim. |
Jmcgrogan2,
With all due respect, I am responding to Polk432 here. If Etmerritt33 feels I have "hijacked" his thread then I am sure he can speak up for himself. With all due respect, no one's name is attached to any thread. This is an open forum.
Your "shove-off" is noted. |
Sabai, wow, you basically hijacked Etmerritt33's thread over a couple hundred dollar tweak? Maybe next time you should just start your own thread. I mean I feel bad for anyone who gets screwed, but that's life, it happens to buyers and sellers.
If you have that much to say, start your own thread, don't hijack another's. |
Polk432,
I threw in the towel. The cost of shipping the item back plus the fact that I can get screwed even if I do puts an end to this. I was caught in this bind before with PayPal. They reversed themselves and the seller ended up with the returned item and the money. I'm too old to play these games anymore for a couple of hundred dollars. |
Sabai, I wasn't being funny. If you win the case paypal pays you back then goes after the seller. The whole police dept. would be loaded before I got through with that seller. I wish you and/or anyone else that is in the same situation the best of luck. Sounds like payback time. |
Polk432,
I appreciate your sense of humor. |
Send some pot to the local police station in his area with his return address on it and a note stating that the cops will never stop him. |
Polk432,
I just read where I will have to pay for return shipping to the seller. That means upwards of $100 not including the $46 in shipping I have already paid -- for a $200 item. I decided to end the dispute. It does not make any sense to throw good money after bad. I was caught in a similar bind a while back and PayPal requested the seller put the money back in my account. He did not follow through and there was nothing to stop him. Then PayPal reversed themselves on a technicality. The seller ended up with the goods and the money. Which could well happen again in this case. The heck with it. This is not worth all the hassle. |
Polk432,
I forgot to mention that the seller is also claiming that the tampering must have been done by customs. But the package was only opened for inspection by customs when I arrived to pick it up. |
Polk432,
Thank you. His ID is joe0506jj.
For me it is the principle here. I don't like to lose $246 -- but it is not the end of the world. The issue is that seller misrepresented the offering then tried to put the blame for damage on the courier -- and me. This is the kind or sleazy dealing that I do not appreciate at all.
If I am at fault in a transaction I take responsibility and I pay up. I was the seller where there was a very minor blemish on a small tweak that I had honestly not even noticed. The buyer was trying to make it into a federal case. I quickly paid up. I never let a buyer walk away unhappy. |
Sabai, sorry to hear of your loss. You seem to know how things should be packed. I hope you can recover some of your loss. Positive is meaningless if you file a claim, at least for something sold on ebay. Please list the sellers ID, so that if he lists anything cheap I'll be the first to buy it then leave negative feedback. I'd get others to do it too. Sellers like him piss me off and ruin things for sellers that care. I am usually 99% in favor of the sellers, but not irresponsible ripoffs. Best of luck. |
I had a recent near-death experience with a pair of speakers that arrived within a fraction of destruction. The box was dropped from a height. I was lucky -- thanks to my insistence on TRIPLE boxing.
I was not so lucky recently with another poor-packaging shipment. The Ebay seller finagled a positive feedback from me with the promise of a refund. He ended up with the positive, the goods and the money.
This time round I hope I'll be lucky -- waiting on the PayPal claim. |
FWIW, for larger or more fragile more costly items that are more problematic to ship safely, I usually try to hold out for a seller that is closer to me whenever possible in order to minimize shipping risks involved. Ideally, I will wait for something to come up within driving distance so I can pick up and avoid shipping totally. I know this is harder to do for those who live in more remote locations, but still a worthwhile thing to consider for those who might benefit. |
Sabai,
Hope you get some restitution with this mess, only thing you can do in the
future is get ALL information up-front as much as entirely possible, covering
ALL necessary areas and probabilities, esp with high buck, heavy gear.
I had a horrible experience years ago shipping a pair of VAC monoblocks
that got destroyed from a FORKLIFT, went through the double boxes,
across the faceplates and crushed ALL but one KT-88, to say I was pissed
would be an understatement.
Luckily the buyer was an understanding dude and accepted the situation,
we got past it jumping through various hoops and bullshit.
Tbg,
Something needs to be implemented with this stupid email system between
members, it's ridiculous and I'm pretty darn sure people don't feel cozy
posting their private contact info publicly. |
Tbg,
I have submitted negative feedback to Audiogon. It has not appeared. I don't imagine it ever will. I am awaiting the decision from PayPal.
I find it rather humorous that the seller rated his offering at 7/10 on Audiogon but once I submitted my report to him and PayPal he started referring to it as mint. The condition of the unit magically improved after I reported damage and tampering. |
Rx8man, yes, that is why I dislike the new Audiogon procedures.
Sabai, your only real recourse is negative feedback but that is quite limited in Audiogon. All that I can say is that I have had only two instances were packing was totally inadequate cause damage. One I noticed and refused it. The other I just got a broken piece and ended up repairing it enough to use. |
Polk432,
OK, I'll go ahead and post the details here to warn others -- in case it might help.
I bought a Quantum Symphony tweak about a month ago from joe0506jj. He had one negative feedback but the positives looked legit. He was shipping the item from Australia to me in Asia by EMS courier. The item arrived at the EMS office here a few days later but since I live in a remote area I could only pick it up a couple of days ago. According to the seller, since it took me a month to complain my complaint has no validity. I explained to him that I live in a remote area and it took me that time to pick it up. I didn't mention being holed up with bronchitis which added to the delay this time. I have to wait for pick-up of all the audio equipment I have shipped here so a delay of several weeks is normal for me.
The item arrived in a single flimsy cardboard box -- 1mm to 2mm thickness -- that was placed inside a thin plastic postal envelope with no padding. There were a few pieces of Styrofoam popcorn in the box but the AC adapter was sliding around freely on top of the black box. The adapter was cracked. In the ad photo there was scotch tape around the adapter and I assumed it was to keep the spec label attached to the adapter since this is an old item -- rated 7/10. But now I suspect the tape was possibly to keep the adapter from falling apart because there was an all-the-way-through crack in the adapter on the side that never appeared in ad photos -- where the two halves of the adapter join together.
Also, the jack in the back of the box was not aligning with the hole in the black box. I found this odd. I shook the box gently and the contents were rattling around inside. I took a close look. It was clear the back of the unit had been removed and replaced back-to-front. The item had been tampered with in some way. I plugged the AC adapter in the wall and the light in the front of the unit did not come on.
I emailed the seller immediately. He said the item was mint when he shipped it -- not 7/10 as stated in the ad. His response was everything from "you're kidding me" to "are you nuts". In fractured English he responded "To have someone like you insisted on $200 10year old packed in a box filled with styrofoam and yet you insisted "must be double box" You obviously have no common sense of commercial ..."
The seller started to make outlandish statements. He said because I live in a third world country that must be the reason for the damage -- the post office must have abused the package. Next he said the tampering must have been dome by EMS. I pointed out to him that the package was flimsy and that in all the years I have been receiving EMS packages I have never had a single problem. We have FedEx and DHL here and I have never had a single problem with them either. Of course, the seller needed to find SOME reason to dismiss the validity of my report. Anything he could make up would do.
When he started to write insults I filed a PayPal dispute. He upped it to a claim. That's it for now. The $246 will not kill me if I lose it. That's not the point. The point is that he is saying I am responsible for the damage and the loss and that if I had wanted it double boxed I should have asked. Does this mean sellers are not responsible for proper packaging and that the onus is on the buyer in this department?
When I ship audio equipment -- and I ship all lover the world -- I make sure to double box and to put ample foam, bubble pack and/or Styrofoam peanuts in the boxes. I never ask the buyers what they want. They sometimes ask about boxing and I let them know the item will be carefully double boxed. In all the years I have never had a single problem with buyers regarding packaging. |
When buying or selling are we able to communicate directly without having to "publicly post" our email or private number for the world to see?
Ever since the web format changed it's not possible, which is really dumb if you ask me. |
This is turning into an excellent thread to help newer members understand the risks associated with buying and selling online, and steps they can take to avoid problems. The collective experience here is impressive. Unfortunately, we are mostly "preaching to the choir," since the folks on this thread are not the ones causing the problems. IMO, the collective quotes below are priceless as a guide to staying out of trouble when buying and selling on this site; I routinely take hours to carefully pack and also to document the entire process with digital pics so if there are any issues with shipping I have good documentation. If you read my feedback it reflects the extra effort I take. It is the sellers obligation to properly package all items to withstand the stresses of shipping. A little extra thought and effort, plus a few dollars in extra shipping materials, could have prevented all of this hassle. I go out of my way to OVER package and make sure the item will arrive in perfect shape.
If you must use foam peanuts, the ONLY appropriate place is between the two boxes. I place high value on original manufacturer packaging, yes it adds to the buying cost, but it's worth it. If you tried to save some dough by buying something cheaper that doesn't have all of it's original packaging....well, you learned the hard way. I do not accept damaged items. If it's well packed in original shipping container and damage occurs, the seller should be able to collect on the insurance. DO NOT ship it back without contacting the seller, or the insurance he purchased would become invalid. The buyer needs to have some responsibility here. I think they need to thoroughly inspect the item within 48 hours of delivery. I usually look for items with original packaging and members with excellent feedback to help eliminate this issue. When i ship i make certain the item can be used as a football in a really ROUGH game, or dropped 20 feet. Because both have happened to stuff i got. And yeah the idiots who stick a heavy item in a box of loose peanuts wins the idiot award every time. Best for the buyer to confirm details of how gear will be shipped with the seller beforehand just to be sure. I put fragile labels everywhere, with heavy insurance, things get thrown harder. I witnessed it numerous times from the conveyors, the trucks, to the doorstep. Pack well or pay later. The buyer has to assume some liability in this transaction and checking the gear out promptly should be expected. UPS generally only pays damage claims on electronics if the item is shipped in the manufacturers boxes and uses all he manufacturers packing materials. So, any buy is risky unless picked up and the seller demo's the item before your cash is in his hand. If I do not have the original packing materials I pay FedEx or UPS to pack the items in order that if I need to place a claim they can't claim that the item was improperly packed. there is nothing wrong with the buyer taking an interest in how an item is going be packaged, especially something heavy, big, and/or fragile. never ship big speakers solely in the manufacturer's packaging. Put them on a pallet and have them trucked. It's both parties responsibility but the buyer is the one most likely to suffer in the case of a problem, so a smart buyer will make sure everything is in line with the seller to best assure safe shipping and perhaps insurance before the item is shipped, ideally before even paid for. If a seller would not cooperate with me on this, then I would look for another seller. You'd have to more than a few screws loose if you just stick something haphazardly in a box and send it on its merry way. The bottom line is that the buyer does have to take some responsibility in the transaction. You gotta do your own homework or be prepared to gamble a bit. Audiogon terms clearly state it's the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in the condition advertised. I've learned through bitter experience not to take pp funded via a credit card. The seller has NO PROTECTION. You don't even get the gear back. in fairness, weird stuff does happen in shipping--i.e. meticulously packaged gear from reputable sellers which arrives mysteriously broken. I think some of these problems should just be looked at as part of the discount inherent in buying used equipment. If you're not buying from professionals, then you shouldn't expect professional level service. At best you should expect well intentioned, talented amateur level quality. It's important to remember that even for simple tasks repetition leads to increased competence. I will caution that original packing is not always all its cracked up to be, esp if:
1. Its old.
2. It's been shipped back and forth across the country 20X
3. It's been left in a damp basement and the corrugated has started to soften up. As a practical matter as part of negotiation include details of your expectations about shipping. I feel little sympathy for those who try to save extra money by buying items without proper packaging who later get a shipping *surprise*. Cheaper is not always the best way to go. In summary, as a buyer it is best to; 1.Buy from experienced sellers, or accept the potential for additional risks, 2.Communicate directly with the seller and take an active role in how your new item will be packaged and shipped, and 3.Be available to inspect the item upon arrival and promptly contact the seller if there are problems. |
I have so often commented about UPS, but will reiterate. I cannot imagine how they stay in business. They are more expensive that FedEx Ground and only note the "shock in their system" to account for damage done in their shipping.
This case really sounds like seller's incompetence in packing, however. I certainly have experienced this. Once when I still used UPS, I went out to their office to pick up a turntable. I took one look at the package with holes and open flaps and refused it. I am not sure that is even an option anymore. The seller was outraged. I told him to learn to pack. |
Sabai, post the details, and I hope you used paypal and put in a claim. I would not buy a thing from anyone on here that are making excuses for an item being old, shipped 20X, old original boxes etc. Those people are irresponsible sellers with no ethics or just trying to get rid of junk at the expense of someone else. Conveyor belts travel at 25 mph so you need to double box even if using original packaging and re-enforce the inside and outside of the inner box on all sides top and bottom. |
Elberoth2,
I think this will be the same outcome in my case. I live in a remote area and it took weeks for me to to have it shipped over and to arrange pick-up. The seller is not interested at all in hearing the reason for this delay -- of course. If he hears it then he will have to respond to the issues -- item damaged on arrival -- poor packaging, which he denies -- and item tampered with -- back removed and improperly replaced -- for who knows what reason. He actually did respond to the latter point -- by claiming the shipper must have tampered with it !! My only recourse may be to try to post the details on the forum. |
Swampwalker...lol!! You are right of course, I guess I've been fortunate in that I've never received any original packaging that was in such horrible condition and I take proper precautions when storing my equipment boxes. It does make you wonder though, just what kind of people own some of this high price gear. Not just boxes, I've seen equipment with huge dings, dents, scratches, discoloration, etc. I'm constantly amazed how folks can spend so much money and care so little for these items. I guess the answer is to some a couple grand is not so much money. ;) |
Its rather simple, if your a buyer pay with paypal.If damaged you go to PP site and request a refund..your done except shipping it back.Seller deal with insurance claim.Once you have proof through a tracking number PP refunds 100% of the time..as a seller I only have authorized UPS pack and ship,if damaged they deal with it,again Im out of it |
Cheaper is not always the best way to go. No way to argue w that, since it's true but I will caution that original packing is not always all its cracked up to be, esp if: 1. Its old. 2. It's been shipped back and forth across the country 20X 3. It's been left in a damp basement and the corrugated has started to soften up. Not trying to be negative or trolling, just wanted to point out that there a constraints on the utility of original packing. I once bought a CDP w original packing that was so worn out, the entire carton had to be covered in packing tape to keep it from decomposing on the spot. Luckily it was overpacked into a new carton w 2" of peanuts in between! |
Sabai - I'm not positive your negative feedback will ever be posted. I have similar experience once, gave the seller a well deserved negative feedback (for the first time in 8 years !) but he instantly disputed it.
AudiogoN took the sellers side (even though I supplied them with a detailed explanation and images), claiming that over 3 weeks has passed since the seller had shipped the unit he had no control over what was happening with the unit in that time. They did not even want to listen when I told them that I'm from Poland (which makes the shipping take longer) and showed them the paper with the date unit was delivered to me. |
06-29-12: Onhwy61
Question -- as a buyer do you pay more for items that include the original packaging? Also, for expensive items, doesn't it make sense for both the seller and the buyer to obtain the manufacturer's packaging even if it adds a few hundred dollars to the price of the transaction? Excellent question Onhwy61 and one I brought up before which was never answered by the OP. Were these damaged items shipped in original packaging? As a buyer and seller, I only buy/sell items with original packaging. Yes, it adds more to the price as it should, but it is worth it when considering the shipping risks that are undertaken. Yes, I know that original packaging doesn't guarantee shipping success, but it makes success much more likely AND helps when having to file a damage claim. I feel little sympathy for those who try to save extra money by buying items without proper packaging who later get a shipping *surprise*. Cheaper is not always the best way to go. |
Most packaging is more than adequate. It's just too bad that the shipping giants are allowed to get away with the harsh handling of packages. Time is money, and they have no time to be careful. They only see $$$, and their carelessness then becomes our fault. |
If you know how to pack, you can use original packing and still add to the inside then double box it or box it better than the original dealer did. If someone ships something to me packed with a careless attitude, I'll put in a claim, send it back and buy another one from someone else. It's simply being responsible on the sellers part. |
I think some of these problems should just be looked at as part of the discount inherent in buying used equipment. If you're not buying from professionals, then you shouldn't expect professional level service. At best you should expect well intentioned, talented amateur level quality.
It's important to remember that even for simple tasks repetition leads to increased competence. If someone has never shipped a tube amplifier and they don't have the original packaging, then what are the real chances of them doing it right the first time? At best I say it's a hit or miss proposition. Now if it's the third of fourth time they are shipping one I would imagine they've worked out the kinks.
As a practical matter as part of negotiation include details of your expectations about shipping.
Question -- as a buyer do you pay more for items that include the original packaging? Also, for expensive items, doesn't it make sense for both the seller and the buyer to obtain the manufacturer's packaging even if it adds a few hundred dollars to the price of the transaction? |
Yep, it's all in the packing. My Allnic arrived from Korea, well packed and no problems, sooner than a microwave oven we ordered at the same time through Amazon. The microwave box was bashed, and the oven was bashed. It wasn't in a shipping package, it was just the manufacturer's box. The UPS guy- maybe he assumed I wouldn't notice the bashed in box, but he was not happy when he had to show up a couple days later to retrieve.
Maybe, as buyers, we have to converse with the seller about how they are packing- it shouldn't be our responsibility, but it could save some grief. |
Loomisjohnson,
I had two mishaps recently. In one case some very expensive speakers were shipped without one of the large foam cushions. Luckily, the triple boxing I arranged saved the day -- by a fraction.
In the second case, the packaging was simply inadequate -- a small unpadded thin cardboard box inside a thin plastic post office envelope. This was inviting damage -- and the damage was done. The seller called me nuts today and has refused to take any responsibility. He says it took me a month to report this so my report has no validity. Well, it's true. It took me a month -- because, as I explained to the seller, I live in a remote area and I have to make travel arrangements for pick-ups. Having had bronchitis for the past two weeks did not help matters.
I finally picked the unit up and immediately reported to the seller why it took so long. Of course, since damage was being reported, he said the long wait made my claim invalid. This conveniently allowed him to avoid the issues -- the cracked AC adapter -- the back of the unit being taken off and replaced front-to-back -- the DOA unit. I call this seller "the seller from hell" in my negative feedback -- which is being looked over by Audiogon. We'll see if they post it. |
in fairness, weird stuff does happen in shipping--i.e. meticulously packaged gear from reputable sellers which arrives mysteriously broken. been on the wrong side of that myself. however, it never ceases to amaze me how many dimwits will simply throw an expensive piece in a box without any cushion or padding, or (my irrational pet peeve) without bothering to wipe off the dust and jelly stains. in a more advanced culture, say singapore or qatar, these people would be horsewhipped or beheaded. |
I just left negative feedback -- the first time I have ever felt it necessary to leave anything but positive feedback. I am waiting to see if Audiogon posts it. |
Leave these Turkeys bad feedback!! |
Turkeys there are many on Audiogon.Did these turkeys have good feedback.I would have kicked ass on such turkeys!! |
I am going through a similar thing at the moment with an
Audiogon seller. The item was not double boxed. It was
packaged with a few Styrofoam popcorns that did not provide
any protection for it. The AC adapter was cracked on arrival.
And the contents were rattling around inside the black box.
The main unit was obviously tampered with -- the back was
removed contrary to the manufacturer's warning and it was
replaced back-to-front. The item will not power up. The
seller denies all responsibility. |
Sorry, meant to say it's the SELLERS responsibility in the 7th sentence. You also have a right to get your gear back before paying back paypal after they reimburse the buyer. Always sell items as is. |
I know what I am talking about. I have over 100 psoitive feedbacks on ebay and no negs. I had a buyer return an item and strip parts off of it. I had a police report made and paypal sided with him. Then ebay suspended him. I later replaced the parts and sold the unit for more money than I would have gotten in the first place. It is still the buyers responsibility to get the unit to the buyer in the condition described unless the seller is a ripoff. I will never rip off anyone even though I feel buyers are more crooked than sellers. Only someone without the means to even be in this hobby would have such a careless way of doing business. It's either right or wrong. Rant all you want. Like that's going to help boost your sales! |
A couple of random thoughts and one rant, to wit: It is the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in good shape, unless the shipper is clearly at fault. Actually, Audiogon terms clearly state it's the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in the condition advertised. Period. The end. Whether the shipper or the seller messed up, it's the seller's responsibility to make the buyer whole. After all, we are not dealers selling new product here, we are hobbyists selling used gear. Would that that were true, buddy!!! Always use paypal tied to a credit card and have the credit card company get a chargeback for you. Obviously, you've never sold something via paypal to a sleazebag who suffered buyers' remorse, or worse yet, shorted the speaker terminals or some such abuse, and then did a charge back. I'm just one of those hobbyists like Jmcgrogan2 and I've learned through bitter experience not to take pp funded via a credit card. The seller has NO PROTECTION. You don't even get the gear back. Remember the U-tube video of the FEDEX driver THROWING a plasma TV over a fence to make a delivery. I once saw my usually friendly, reliable UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the length of the van so he didn't have to pick it up!!! When packing, you have to think hard about the physics involved. Take Newton's First Law (an object at rest tends to remain at rest and an object in motion tends to remain in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force) and multiple by the 20 or 30 or even 50 THOUSAND pieces AN HOUR that a UPS or FEDEX facility handles and divide by the 6' drop onto concrete that the packaging is supposed to withstand. The result in that the likelihood that a delicate piece of electronics or a high end TT gets to its destination intact is totally dependent on the packer really truly making the darn thing bomb-proof. FRAGILE stickers are challenges to the drivers. Reinforce corners. Put heavy speakers on pallets. Suspend items w foam blocks all around. Fill voids w peanuts or bubble wrap. Make sure the item cannot shift even one mm cause once it starts to move, it's all over. (see Newtown's First Law quoted above). PRAY. Sacrifice the fatted calf (or the nearest republican). PRAY again. End of rant. Swampwalker out. |
|
You as a buyer should share none of the blame. It is the sellers responsibility to get the item to you in good shape, unless the shipper is clearly at fault. Always use paypal tied to a credit card and have the credit card company get a chargeback for you. When I buy gold it's the sellers responsibility to make sure it is shipped to me on time and undamaged. When I sell back to them, it's my responsibility to get it back to them. Sellers need to learn to pack items (even over pack it) bomb proof so that problems do not arise. They need to be responsible. |
I have had much more transactions that didnt swap feedback and of hose numeroys deals from delicate tables to 600lb pallet shipped speakers I had only 1 issue and it wasnt end of world. Its clear the vast majority here do a fantastic job and as buyers we have to verify with conversations or photo evidence packing is acceptable if dealing with newer or less experienced sellers. If you get a bad package shipped to you then you share some of the blame, its that simple. Rant as you wish here but this thread will be lost in days, then what?
You gotta do your own homework or be prepared to gamble a bit. |
One of the reasons why I usually use Fedex, rather than UPS. The US mail is close to the worst, I ordered a sealed copy of Janis Ian's 'Between the Lines' circa 1975 from a third party vendor. My wife found it left tucked against the mailbox on the street during torrential rainstorms yesterday. This is why the USPO should go out of business. |
Sounds like the buyer just changed his mind. I would not respond after that long. |
I knew you'd come around Foster_9. :)
The bottom line is that the buyer does have to take some responsibility in the transaction. S/he needs to verify any issues in a resonable amount of time. Even after 6 weeks I offered to help the buyer recover some insurance money, but I guess he stopped responding once he figured out I wasn't just going to take the unit back and refund his money. I mean c'mon, 6 weeks!!! I'm not a dealer lending out equipment to demo. |
Double boxing is the minimum you should insist on. I asked my shipper to do this when he shipped a pair of speakers to me overseas.
The box arrived with one corner badly compacted. It was obviously dropped. I did a prayer. I opened the 2 boxes and discovered one speaker was improperly packed with a large foam buffer missing. The speaker had fallen on the impact to within a whisker of the bottom of the box. The double box saved it from being damaged. |
Ok Elizabeth, Mitch2, and Jmcgrogan2, the more I think about it, 7 days is the right amount of time. The more I think about it from the seller's point of view your're right. I take back what I said Elizabeth. I got lucky with this seller. |
