albertabrightalberta
I tried to find a post matching a similar situation, but I got overwhelmed! I apologize if this has been answered before. Also, I've included some backstory.
I won an auction for a Coach purse marked "new without tags", and "in excellent condition...stainless". Shipping was to be Priority Mail. When I loozed up the tracking number, it was mailed a few days after seller said it was mailed. Also mailed first class and not Priority. Contacted seller, she apologized, figured first class designation was a mistake.
Item finally arrived by first class mail and not Priority Mail. Purse is not in "new without tags condition" as there are multiple stains. Seller has no return policy. Contacted seller first and sent pictures. Seller responds, says she can't see the pictures and has no idea what stains I'm talking about (they are obvious). She has offered to possibly refund the shipping cost. I'm not satisfied with that, should I continue to communicate directly with seller, or just open a case on eBay through the resolution center? 
@terrasmile wrote:I tried to find a post matching a similar situation, but I got overwhelmed! I apologize if this has been answered before. Also, I've included some backstory.
I won an auction for a Coach purse marked "new without tags", and "in excellent condition...stainless".
That bag is certainly NOT "NWOT" or "excellent condition" or "stainless." (JMHO but when will sellers realize that buyers aren't blind and are going to see that kind of filth!? Do sellers really think buyers are going to turn a blind eye?)
Shipping was to be Priority Mail. When I loozed up the tracking number, it was mailed a few days after seller said it was mailed. Also mailed first class and not Priority. Contacted seller, she apologized, figured first class designation was a mistake.
If the seller advertised priority mail, that's how it should have been sent. Priority mail, although usually about the same speed as first class, is more expensive and sellers aren't allowed to downgrade shipping from what was advertised.
As for when it was mailed, it's possible that it was sent as promised and that USPS just didn't scan during the journey.
Item finally arrived by first class mail and not Priority Mail. Purse is not in "new without tags condition" as there are multiple stains. Seller has no return policy. Contacted seller first and sent pictures. Seller responds, says she can't see the pictures and has no idea what stains I'm talking about (they are obvious). She has offered to possibly refund the shipping cost. I'm not satisfied with that, should I continue to communicate directly with seller, or just open a case on eBay through the resolution center?
No, a refund of shipping is not appropriate if that's all she's offering. I think she should refund the shipping cost just because you didn't get what you paid for but if she doesn't offer a refund on a major portion of the selling price (to allow for cleaning of the bag), then just file a SNAD dispute and request a return.
If you return it, seller will have to pay return shipping and upon receipt, your refund will be for the full amount you'd paid.
My responses are in RED within your post.
@ellis61 wrote:
@green-night wrote:
@ellis61 wrote:With regard to the shipping, Priority Mail and First Class are shipped the same way ... I've never seen a difference in their shipping times. So, no need to get upset about that.
I would be upset if the seller charged Priority and shipped first class regardless if they arrive in the same time or not. Sellers should not downgrade the service they advertise.
I guess I live my life a little differently. I don't get upset over small insignificant things ... as for these two services, unless there is a high volume period at the post office, First Class is not a downgrade to Priority Mail. Simply, First Class is under 1 pound, and Priority Mail is over 1 pound ... Priority Mail has insurance, and First Class does not (but that's for the seller's protection, and not the buyer's protection).
So, from the standpoint of a buyer, there is no difference.
First class mail IS a downgrade based on PRICE, not necessarily service.
To ship a 1-lb. first class package would cost $4.30.
To ship a 1-lb. priority rate package would cost between $6 and $8, depending on the distance between the seller and the OP. (As a handbag seller, I very much doubt that the bag in question weighs less than 1 pound. If properly stuffed and packed, it would have weighed 2-3 lbs. So if the seller purchased a first class shipping label, she not only overcharged the buyer but she ripped off the post office.
@ellis61 wrote:
@missjen316 wrote:So you are saying you would be ok if a seller charged you $18 for large flat rate box and then turned around and shipped first class for $2.61?
OP has a legit complaint. She was charged for a specific service she didn't get.
In this case, I would be paying $18 for 1-3 day shipping. Is this simply an issue for you of how much the seller is paying? Should a buyer get upset if the seller buys the postage using Commercial Plus rates? What if they discover that it will fit in a Medium Flat rate rather than a Large Flat rate?
As far as a buyer is concerned, First Class Parcel and Priority Mail are the same ... exact ... shipping. They are handled by the same people, carried on the same trucks/planes, tracked the same way, routed the same way, delivered the same way, and the delivery times are the same.
That is not to say that there isn't a difference. There is. For an under-16 ounce package, Priority Mail is simply First Class Parcel with (a) added insurance and (b) complimentary packaging supplies ... that's the only difference ... and both of these are seller issues, and not buyer issues.
Now, I have had a couple of sellers advertise Priority Mail and then ship it out FedEx Smartpost. In that case, yeah, I was not happy because SmartPost is upwards of a 12 day service.
It doesn't matter that items are "are handled by the same people, carried on the same trucks/planes, tracked the same way, routed the same way, delivered the same way, and the delivery times are the same." If the seller advertised priority mail, that's how it's to be shipped. The seller cannot downgrade to a less expensive service than what was advertised.
