Needing Ebay Advice

[Scott99]

I am new to selling on Ebay and I have a particular situation that has come up. I've been trying to handle on my own but would like to get advice from experienced Ebay sellers.

Recently I sold some bank wrapped rolls to an individual. I received a message on Ebay from the user on the day of delivery stating that the contents of the flat rate box was gone and that the post office delivered an empty box with a note on it from the post office saying "the package was empty on arrival".

I asked for a photo of the box and everything the post office delivered to him. (Which he has yet to provide to me.)

In attempts to mend what has happened, I have offered three options. A) More same-dated rolls + other obw rolls (since I no longer have the quantity he ordered). B) The remainder of the date OBW rolls + a partial refund. C) A full refund.

He seems to be very easy to work with, but I can't help but to wonder if I should risk more rolls to be stolen if he is not telling the truth or just send a full refund and be done with it. He seems to be very adamant on me sending the remainder of the OBW rolls + some doubled dies I have to compensate for not having as many rolls of a certain date any more.

Are these my only options? I know Ebay is a buyers' world so I know I am already on the losing side of this situation.

How would you handle the situation, and what measures would you take to avoid it happening again?

Thanks for any advice.

[Maineman750]

Did you insure the package ? I would definitely contact the post office and find out what steps you can take there first. If you feel the buyer may be scamming you, opening an official investigation may scare him. May sure you keep all communications through the eBay message system so that if there is trouble, eBay can see what was said.

[Peter]

I agree with Roger--always insure the package and only communicate through Ebay. If insured and packed properly you will be able to open up a claim at the point of origin. Not sure if you will need the receiving note they buyer got but it probably would not hurt to have it. Personally, I would wait until he supplies you with the information you asked for before going to the next step --more goods, refund or investigation. You have every right to protect yourself through Paypal or Ebay. I have been on both sides of this in the past as a buyer and seller with each case resolved differently, but through a mutual agreement. I tend to do refunds while investigating with higher priced items as you are still protected by Paypal, but have gotten or sent lower priced replacement coins that were lost. Out of curiosity what years were the rolls?

[coincollectingenterprises]

Best advice I can give you is inclusive of the above: *always* insure what you send and to add one other element:

weigh weigh weigh weigh weigh weigh

The buyer is not stating you sent a brick (meaning a literal brick) but that the box was empty. Therefore, content can be determined by the weight of the box. So when you go to the post office to mail it, no matter what, have them weigh the box. Second, make sure you pay for tracking.

So to recap:

Insure it
Track it
Weigh it

So if the weight changes between buyer receipt and original, you know something happened in transit.

Oh and opening a case... I'm a bit confused. The buyer is stating the box was perfectly in tact and the box was actually mailed empty? The only solution I can think of is the weight factor. And if the weight isn't recorded on the device and you're standing directly at the counter.... take a picture of the scale they use saying the actual weight.

The key to any of this is proof on your end that you shipped the product.

[Scott99]

Oh and opening a case... I'm a bit confused. The buyer is stating the box was perfectly in tact and the box was actually mailed empty? The only solution I can think of is the weight factor. And if the weight isn't recorded on the device and you're standing directly at the counter.... take a picture of the scale they use saying the actual weight.

The key to any of this is proof on your end that you shipped the product.

The weight is shown on the receipt I have. It was tracked but not insured. His claim is that a post office employee opened one end of the box and took the contents out and then allowed the empty box to continue shipment.

[coincollectingenterprises]

If that is his claim, then HE should file a criminal charge against the postal services.

[Peter]

How much is your potential lose here? If reasonable, you might want to just refund him and then block the buyer from future bidding if there are any questions about his integrity. If he still gives neg feedback after a refund you can dispute that with Ebay and get it taken off. Uninsured you will get nowhere with a PO claim and it's up to you to figure out how much time you want to waste getting him to prove what he claims by asking to see the PO note and proof that it was open. Use this as a lesson about packing and shipping methods and take steps to prevent it from ever happening again. In this case I would not be inclined to send him DDOs and replacement rolls.

I believe only the sender can file a claim at the point of origin.

[hasfam]

If that is his claim, then HE should file a criminal charge against the postal services.

Exactly my thinking. You have already done you part and you have proof. You are no longer accountable, but the PO is and the buyer needs to persue this on their end. I thought you were extremely generous by offering all those options, and I probably would have done the same thing, but the ball is really in their court now.

[coincollectingenterprises]

Thing is... I don't think he'd actually win this case with Ebay. He is stating he did receive a box. He is stating it is empty. You have proof via the weight on the receipt that you did ship a box with something in it. I'm rather curious if the box itself is a different box and if so, can that be proven?

[coincollectingenterprises]

I once had a guy tell me that the 10 pound copper penny box (small flat rate box) I sent him didn't actually make it to him AND his account on amazon had been hacked AND it was an unauthorized transaction AND his post office steals stuff all the time so it must be them ANDhis friend actually hacked his account and ordered it and stole it from his mail and apologize and would pay him back and I should mail another one to replace the one that was lost AND he changed his password on amazon so it's all safe.... one week later two more purchases of copper pennies come through, I messaged him saying I'll send it to him but he takes full responsibility if it doesn't show up - he canceled his orders.


how's that for a story? By the way, amazon sided with the buyer on the case, gave him his money back, and still gave me the money I was owed for the 10 pounds of copper pennies. First, last, and only sale on amazon.

[Scott99]

How much is your potential lose here? If reasonable, you might want to just refund him and then block the buyer from future bidding if there are any questions about his integrity. If he still gives neg feedback after a refund you can dispute that with Ebay and get it taken off. Uninsured you will get nowhere with a PO claim and it's up to you to figure out how much time you want to waste getting him to prove what he claims by asking to see the PO note and proof that it was open. Use this as a lesson about packing and shipping methods and take steps to prevent it from ever happening again. In this case I would not be inclined to send him DDOs and replacement rolls.

His refund would be about $75 but my actual cost for the rolls and shipping was about $25 so it really wouldn't be a huge loss to refund the money. Small price to pay to be made aware of what 'might' happen.

[Scott99]

You have proof via the weight on the receipt that you did ship a box with something in it.

My receipt says the flat rate box weighed 8lb. 7.4 oz.

[coincollectingenterprises]

My receipt says the flat rate box weighed 8lb. 7.4 oz.

Exactly. So assuming their is an Ebay case open, my advice is, so it is on record, scan and upload that into the case so it is available up front. I'd phrase the explanation for the upload that since the buyer is claiming it was stolen by a postal worker (include their quote text if available saying so) that you are assisting by uploading proof you mailed the product and disruption happened in transit, outside of your control.

[jcuve]

He says the box came with a note? I would insist he produce a scan/photo, if not I would start an eBay case against the buyer. Maybe also make an inquiry with the PO. I would not send him more OBW rolls - a refund is the only option. What is hit feedback score? Read the last 15-20 feedbacks and see if anyone made a comment about an issue. Check what items he has been buying.

[Scott99]

He says the box came with a note? I would insist he produce a scan/photo, if not I would start an eBay case against the buyer. Maybe also make an inquiry with the PO. I would not send him more OBW rolls - a refund is the only option. What is hit feedback score? Read the last 15-20 feedbacks and see if anyone made a comment about an issue. Check what items he has been buying.

440 - 100% with 59 positive feedback left in the last month. Mainly collectible sports cards. I have asked twice for a photo of what he was delivered and I am still waiting on it. What would I choose as the reason behind reporting a buyer?