How or if to answer.
Summary: A participant shared a buyer's request to notify a mailman of their RV trailer location. Responses varied, with some suggesting writing a note on the package and others advising against adding such instructions due to potential delivery issues. Some suggested politely informing the buyer that it's their responsibility to notify their carrier. The discussion includes different views on customer service and the potential risks of fulfilling such requests.
Buyer sent this message.
Can you tell my mailman that I live in rv trailer at redacted address given by buyer?
Should I answer.
sure would , what is the mailmans name and #
Ignore
Or say, I think that you are the one that is supposed to tell your mailman where you live.
Or ask the buyer just exactly how am I supposed to contact your mailman?
a_c_green
·2 weeks agoI might reply with "Best I can do is write a note on the package. I would definitely recommend that you talk to your carrier and/or your postmaster."
I can't believe this would be the first time that he's asked, and I would think the carrier(s) would know about him already, but a little polite pushback (above) should be okay.
sin-n-dex
·2 weeks agoI would answer "I apply the shipping label with the address you've given on checkout, it will be shipped there."
C.
iamalwaysright
·2 weeks agoHey go easy on the guy. Maybe he lives "in a van down by the river!"
pickapaper
·3 weeks agoWonder why that buyer doesn't put that information as part of his address label, i.e.
John Doe
123 Central Road
In RV Trailer
Anytown USA 12345
fullers_uk
·3 weeks agoSure looks like a cancel order with the reason "Address Problem", no info communicated between the buyer and seller counts when it all goes wrong and ebay get involved.
bennotbill
·3 weeks agoI've had the occasional request like this. Usually from someone living at a flat stuck on an address.
I just write a note to one side of the parcel. For example - "through the side gate around the corner".
Anything that helps to get the parcel to where it's supposed to go.
chapeau-noir
·3 weeks agoI used to do business with someone in India (fabric broker) whose address included "By the mailbox". I figured they worked out of a booth in the local market and their booth was by the mailbox. No problems with mail delivery.
christworks
·3 weeks ago@stainlessenginecovers is correct. The moment you agree to write something on the box on behalf of the buyer, you are then taking responsiblity should there be a delivery issue.
There are no rules that require a carrier to follow directions written on a package. They are required to deliver the package to the address on the package. Some carriers may happily go the extra mile, but many will not.
As a seller, I don't write any delivery instructions on packages. On that note, that is how I would respond to the buyer. I'd also make clear that neither me nor anybody at my local USPS can speak with their carrier. I might tell them they could call their local post office.
If had not had purchased the item, I actually would probably block them so I don't have to deal with drama two weeks later when they don't get their package.
warrenshobbies
·2 weeks agoHow would anyone know what you wrote on a label?
christworks
·2 weeks agoThere would be a record of it in messages from the buyer. That's one way.
If a seller were to agree to write on the label, and the carrier was confused and it went to the wrong place or sent back, the buyer can open an INR and claim the seller must have messed up what they were supposed to write on the label. Who do you think eBay will side with if there is a record from the seller stating they will write on the package?
Would you trust doing this if it was a $500 item on the line?
warrenshobbies
·2 weeks agoWhy would I need to reply? They leave a note, i add what they need. I have regular customers that have asked for every order to have something written on the label. it's never been a problem. it's part of the customer service I am able to provide as a small business.
christworks
·2 weeks ago@warrenshobbies In the OP's case, which is what my original comments are about, the buyer sent them a message. It was not a note attached to the order, which may or may not even been seen by the seller.
If a buyer sends a message with a request, if you want to provide good customer service, as you boast you do, you would respond something to that message.
Regardless, you do it however you want to do it. If it isn't an issue for you, great. But, if were to become an issue for the OP, are you going to be there to refund him? Of course not. Neither am I. Which is exactly why I would never recommend writing anything on the shipping label or box that could cause the package to be delayed, mis-sorted, mis-delivered, or sent back to me.
bdmh-enterprises
·3 weeks agoI agree, they want you to write it on the box. I live in semi rural Maine and you wouldn't believe the number of people that have family/friends/whoever just roll up into the side yard and live there in the RV. Probably what this buyer is doing.
chapeau-noir
·3 weeks agoWrite it on the package underneath the address label.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoIf you write it underneath the address label, nobody will see it. 😉
chapeau-noir
·3 weeks agoDefined:
adamcartwright
·2 weeks ago"Under neat that" takes this over the top.
chapeau-noir
·2 weeks agoCake Wrecks is joy on a stick.
12345jamesstamps
·3 weeks agoMaybe buyer meant put on package 'rv trailer'.
I have had some buyers who have address with: 'in the back' and so on after the street or apartment number.
To be clear...not everyone lives in a house.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoI would answer:
"I will leave a note on the package for the delivering mailman saying you live in a trailer."
mamacassidy
·3 weeks agoI agree with this. I don't think the buyer actually wants you to contact their carrier. Just add a note to the package.
winterpalace25
·2 weeks agoThis is exactly what I would do, and have done.
caldreamer
·3 weeks agoObviously, they had problem with packages being misdelivered in the past. I assume customer wants you to write on message on package "resident located in RV trailer".
golfingaddict
·3 weeks agosnarky answer
I will ship to the address you provide with payment.
Contact your carrier and tell him/her the address you provided.
Your seller.
salty answer,
I have no way to contact your carrier. I will ship to the address you provide on your payment.
Your seller.
eoma689485
·3 weeks agoHi [Buyer Name],
Thanks for reaching out! Because carriers change schedules and privacy policies restrict what sellers can submit, I am not able to contact your local post office or mail carrier directly to leave delivery instructions.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
mam98031
·3 weeks agoI wouldn't respond with a salty answer just because you deem it a silly question.
hartungcards
·3 weeks agoAnd I wouldn't respond with a silly answer just because you deem it a salty question.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 weeks ago@mam98031 You wouldn't- simply because you coddle and baby all. Stop it. The world and those in it need to learn how things work.
@bashort I would respond with 'mailman do NOT look at ANY notes left on a shipping label so it will simply be delivered at whatever address you gave when purchasing"
mam98031
·3 weeks agoI know you don't like it when I provide information that may be helpful to some when they post questions or concerns here in various threads. You make that abundantly clear from your responses to some of my posts. That however is not going to deter me to become a poster that offers very little actual, tangible help for a situation some may find themselves in. And I know that because I do try, I don't always succeed, but I do try to post with respect for others that may see things differently than I do.
I also keep in mind that I'm running a little business as a seller here on Ebay. An emotional response is rarely the right thing to do. I know that some don't see it that way, they take everything as a personal affront to or on them. These buyers don't know the sellers. Most of the salty or pushy responses are generated because it isn't a face to face conversation. Most would not talk, in person, to another human being the way they approach them in an message. They feel embolden because they are anonymous.