eBay

daniela124 · ‎08-29-2021

It happens far too often. Sellers try to save a dollar by using shipping boxes which are barely large enough to hold the item or they reuse badly damaged boxes... Bubble wrap of 1/4" for a laptop is not enough... so I receive most items damaged.

Computers and fragile items MUST be "double boxed" ... this means:

About 1" of bubble wrap all around the computer. Put into a box... but then put this box into a larger box with at least 2" of styrene chips (peanuts) all around. And make sure the outer box is triple layer cardboard. The difference in shipping material is only 5 dollars, insignificant to the shipping cost, especially when I request my money back.

Damaged items even when I get my money back are still nothing but a waste of time for me.

Ebay should draft a document about packaging and make sellers read it.

About every second item I receive has inadequate packaging.

bimmerpc1 · ‎08-30-2021

@daniela124 wrote:
It happens far too often. Sellers try to save a dollar by using shipping boxes which are barely large enough to hold the item or they reuse badly damaged boxes... Bubble wrap of 1/4" for a laptop is not enough... so I receive most items damaged.
Computers and fragile items MUST be "double boxed" ... this means:
About 1" of bubble wrap all around the computer. Put into a box... but then put this box into a larger box with at least 2" of styrene chips (peanuts) all around. And make sure the outer box is triple layer cardboard. The difference in shipping material is only 5 dollars, insignificant to the shipping cost, especially when I request my money back.
Damaged items even when I get my money back are still nothing but a waste of time for me.
Ebay should draft a document about packaging and make sellers read it.
About every second item I receive has inadequate packaging.

Yes, it's frustrating. Most people are used to Amazon-type packaging and think it's acceptable without realizing that 1) most amazon packages have much less distance to travel versus the normal eBay purchase, 2) amazon doesn't care if the product is damaged

Highly recommend using rigid foam, weight-appropriate kraft paper or bubble over packing peanuts. Peanuts will shift in transit in most applications, likely resulting in product movement and possibly damage.

terrycece62 · ‎08-30-2021

Although I do not purchase electronics I do collect figurines

Some figurines are very fragile and require special protective packaging when shipped

I Agree some sellers need a lesson(or two) in packaging fragile items for the shipping from seller's to buyer's location

But this is a selling platform of independent sellers who are free to choose their own types and degree of packaging when shipping items not realizing that those choices will cost them time and money

When they are required to refund buyer and end up losing the item because it is not in re-sale condition even if the pay to have it sent back to them

I have received a few broken items myself very disappointing

daniela124 · ‎09-02-2021

And it happen again.

I bought on ebay a very old piece of electronic equipment. It was a DYMEC 2401 , which was one of the earliest digital voltmeters ever build. This instrument is from the early '60. It is like antique cars and I thought I found a Bugatti in an old barn. I was perfectly aware that it was not functional and that dirt and grime had accumulated over the years, but I restore these things and you will think they are brand new after I am done.

Anyway I got it today and the seller used a box which was only 1/2" larger all around than the instrument.

Long story short, the front panel is trashed, cast aluminum handle broken off. Recasting a handle will cost me a fortune.

It is like finding an antique car and then using a backhoe to get it out of the barn, where it did survive for 50 years.

I am furious, I have only seen two of these in more than 10 years of ebay... they are that rare.

Strangely, the sellers know all about the value when they take my money, but they treat the item like garbage afterwards.

titipeo · ‎09-02-2021

I work for an international shipping company, and I'm surprised at the the type of packaging that people use when they send items across the world. I've learned long ago, that if I value something, I go out of my way to protect it. When looking for something, I'm willing to travel to get it for myself. Some sellers are known for charging a high value for priority service, only to package it very frailly and send it first class mail. You can't win.

lucaacc · ‎01-20-2022

Same happened to me. Bought an item from the US, it arrived in Europe with just the yellow-paper packaging. No solid support. It was all destroyed when I opened it (on video as always).

soh.maryl · ‎01-20-2022

What is the purpose of opening it "on video as always"?

All you need to do is open an item not as described case to start the process of being refunded.

Do some more reading in the Money Back Guarantee, please.

varebelrose · ‎01-20-2022

" I receive most items damaged"

If that is true, why still buy here? Sure, some sellers package terribly, but the vast majority understand what is needed and package appropriately.

daniela124 · ‎04-01-2022

--Do some more reading in the Money Back Guarantee, please.---

Nonsense.

I spend considerable time finding an item, just to get it trashed in shipping.

Yes I get my money back, but who refunds me my time it takes to repackage (I need new shipping material) and the time it takes to drive to the UPS store... or wait at home all day for the UPS man to pick up the package to be returned.

These days I always sent a message to the seller, describing the procedure of packaging. I always end my message with the sentence:

If the item arrives damaged due to inadequate packaging, I will demand the refund of my money including shipping both ways. This usually works.