Is buyer obligated to return uninsured damaged item?
I shipped item edia mail and it was damaged with water USPS admits fault (have aletter from USPS admitting fault)
20 comments
I shipped item edia mail and it was damaged with water USPS admits fault (have aletter from USPS admitting fault)
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoIf the buyer wants a refund, they have to file a claim for item "Not as described." In eBay "Not as described" cases, it doesn't matter whether the package was insured and it also doesn't matter what the seller's return policy is. And it's up to the seller whether they want to provide a return label and get the item back, rather than just issuing the refund without return. Here's a link to eBay's buyer protection policy, which they call the "Money Back Guarantee":
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
aeparts1
·2 years agoThe letter you have from the PO says you had insurance on the package, shown in item #5.
The PO suggested you file a claim in the letter. File the claim, refund the buyer, let the buyer keep the damaged item.
Not sure why you say it was uninsured, when the PO says something different.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agoâ¹the plastic should be inside the package or you should be using waterproof outer packaging. This is a no Brainerd. If you use kraft paper bubble mailers or paper boxes, your books or cds should be in plastic. The original shrink wrap will usually suffice.
Otherwise vinyl outer mailing bags. EBay supplies offers these.
johnrj1226
·2 years agoHere is YOUR return policy - if you had insurance on your item USPS would refund you if you filed a claim
inhawaii
·2 years agoIf it was not insured, it doesn't matter who HOW it was damaged ... water, fire, run over by a bulldozer.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agoUSPS is not responsible for uninsured packages. Were this package insured, USPS would not pay a claim for water damage because your packaging did not protect against water damage.
It is your responsibility to package in a manner which survives shipment. No other carrier would pay an insurance claim for water damage.
If your packaging is not water resistant, you will need to use water resistant inner packaging, like plastic bags.
gorbals5167
OP2 years agoWhat you are saying makes no sense to me, the water damage occured while in USPS posession ( see letter above) so should I wrap my mail envelopes in plastic.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@gorbals5167
"so should I wrap my mail envelopes in plastic."
What I believe @tobaccocardyahoo is saying, is that you should strongly consider wrapping your items (books, especially) securely in a plastic overlay BEFORE wrapping them again with the outer packaging.
It just ensures a little extra protection for situations such as the outer packaging becoming dampened or damaged.
For my own shipments, I wrap each item in a plastic bag, which then becomes sandwiched between 2 pieces of cardboard, which then gets rolled in a double layer of newsprint; and, finally sealed inside the outer mailing packaging, which is generally thick grocery bag paper.
Quite a few of the feedback replies which I receive have commented favorably regarding the extra security steps that my mailings receive.
A little extra security costs little or nothing.
gorbals5167
OP2 years agoI thought I did pretty good, contents were 10 CD box set ( Led Zeppelin The Complete Studio Recordings ) unopened with original heat shrink cellophane wrap, I then placed in closed cell white foam envelope and taped shut, then wrapped in small red bubble pack. It would have to be submerged in water to get so wet. In letter from post office , carrier states " Package was on top of my case in a plastic bag ( I assume to protect other packages from getting wet ) I scanned as received damaged and delivered ". How the heck does post office let something get so wet. My fault not knowing media mail is uninsured.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoWell, basically yes.
I ship my stamps in a postcard slip inside a paper envelope.
Larger items go in the eBay poly envelopes that eBay gives us discount coupons for.
Even the occasional boxed item goes inside one of the poly envelopes.
It snows here in Canada, and it rains here on the BC coast.
.....nor any drop to drink.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoIf you are willing to abandon the damaged item, you don't have to pay for the return shipping.
The buyer keeps the damaged item and gets their refund.
If you are demanding the item's return, it has to be back with you before the buyer gets the refund.
Your claim with USPS has nothing to do with the Buyer's eBay claim for Not As Described.
Settle your customer's problem as soon as possible.
Deal with USPS as soon as they are willing.
janet9988
·2 years agoIts up to you.
You can just just refund the buyer and not require the return.
The USPS letter means nothing.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoSeller can request a return for a refund.
Buyer should return if you feel it is worth selling again.
A picture saids a 1000 words...is it damaged? Of course, buyer needs not to send a photo.
But you got a letter from USPS.
I do like positive feedback of course...I love positive feedback in fact.
Just me...with the letter from USPS...I would refund buyer immediately and say sorry for the incident.
And send USPS letter to the buyer by email.....so to get OK feedback or no feedback..
Would seller make money reselling item that got wet.?
It does happens. Some dumb people ship items that are liquids in the mail system.
Perfume is like the worst people do mailing bottles in the USPS.
gorbals5167
OP2 years agoIt went from CA to AZ during some heavy rains so that explains the damage, what really bugs me is usps cannot be held liable because it was shipped media mail, buyer agrees not my fault, lesson learned.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoMy budget allows me to buy plastic bags that seal....crapy weather we have had this year so far.
Don't supermarkets give free plastic bags for putting vegetables in them....and it's not against the law to take one...for those who will say it's against the law.
toomuchstuffagain35
·2 years agoAccording to the USPS letter you did have insurance on the item?
gorbals5167
OP2 years agoYes I tried filing online but system will not take tracking number due to lack of insurance, I will try filing by mail even though I now know media mail is uninsured.
mail
mondex
·2 years agoThat letter says there was insurance on the package (item 5 in the listed points). But you're messages seem to indicate there wasn't insurance - is the letter inaccurate? You can insure media mail. It carries no inherent insurance unless you pay extra for it, but if so then they are liable.
Unrelated side note, one time I sent an expensive book priority mail express (at the seller's request). It was tightly bubble-wrapped inside a box inside the express envelope. Even though it was sent overnight and arrived the next day, it was somehow utterly soaked. It looked as if someone had literally submerged it in a pond, not just been rained on. The book was still mostly okay due to the packaging, but partially damaged and the guy kept it and got some of the money back from an insurance claim.
inhawaii
·2 years agoSeller/shipper (you) should be aware what methods of shipment have or don't have insurance and for how much.
lakefor94
·2 years agoBuyer is obligated to return the item if they file an eBay return claiming item was received damaged and you/seller accept the return and you/seller provide a prepaid return label IF you want the item returned before refunding.