Return help needed for used laptop lithium batteries, 38 in total, many damaged and some leaking
This all started on 3/22 when I purchased a lot of 13 Dell chargers through "Buy it now" price for $60. The final estimated delivery date was 3/29. During that time the item was never marked shipped or provided a tracking number. After waiting another week and never receiving the chargers. I messaged the seller and opened an INR case on 4/5 saying I still wanted the item. Since it was a friday I had to wait until the following thursday, 4/11 to ask ebay to step in.
After hearing nothing from friday through monday I was figuring I would end up escalating the claim on 4/11, but instead on 4/9 a tracking number was provided and had temporary relief figuring the chargers were on the way.
The package was shipped usps priority in a medium FRB. At first I noticed the box was extremely heavy and almost ready to tear near the end. When I opened the box I was surprised to find 38 used Dell batteries. They had absolutely no protection in the box and keep in mind this was shipped from PA to CA. They were obviously shipped by air not ground and had no HAZMAT battery labels on the exterior.
They are a small seller that only had a few items for sale and noticed they sold a lot of 38 used Dell batteries for $100, the same model, around the same time my claim was opened. My guess is they hit the wrong ship to button and sent them to me instead.
So here I am now with these batteries I do not need or want. I've messaged the seller twice since receiving the package but the do not respond.
My worry is, since the seller never shipped the batteries legally, and when I open a SNAD claim, they will prolly just send me a usps priority label like they used. I was reading on usps site you can only ship max 2 batteries per shipment and you cannot ship batteries that have damage. It also said they can be seized if found and the sender would be fined $250. I certainly don't want to blamed for this and/or possibly lose my refund.
Who is responsible to package them and label everything properly. I certainly don't have time for all this. Can I just drop them off at a UPS store and let the seller pay the cost?
So I'm trying to do my homework now to be prepared for when I open the SNAD claim. Any input is appreciated... TIA
See photos below , how it was received
campanaelia
OP2 years agoSo after much back and forth with the seller over the weekend they finally refunded me. They were trying to have me ship the batteries to the other buyer in the same medium FRB that they were sent to me in. I told him that was illegal and he was lucky that usps did not catch it. I actually gave him the link to this thread if he doubted me and told him I would report the package this week to usps if he keeps delaying my refund. That message was on sunday night. On monday I was refunded. I was going to open SNAD case on monday otherwise.
kalyoth
·2 years agoTime is of the essence on returns. It is the proper process so NEVER accept guilt or sweet words to cancel it. Sellers trying to get around it will delay you until its too late every time.
campanaelia
OP2 years agoThanks for all the replies. I finally, for the first time received a response from the seller this morning. He says he is planning to refund me but I still have not received it. I'll give him a few days before I open SNAD case.
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoGo ahead and start it now, he can refund through the case.
kitschy*loot
·2 years agoAt the post office they always ask if there's anything liquid, fragile, or hazardous before they accept any package. It looks like your seller either lied for whatever reason or they don't know those batteries aren't allowed to be shipped in that manner. I don't like when sellers do this and have considered reporting the package to the post office in the past, you can report them if you want to.
I have read several cases where eBay would refund without the return of the item if it was considered something that shouldn't be shipped back to the seller, so maybe once the situation is explained in a case you won't have to. I would certainly refuse to return them the same way they arrived.
Unavailable member
·2 years agoI'm surprised the post office didn't catch that. Lithium batteries aren't allowed to be shipped priority mail, they must be shipped ground and properly labeled.
simba6
·2 years agoJust file an item not as described case with eBay. I suspect your seller will just refund to avoid paying even more to get them back. You don't want to lose your money so, file the case.