Buyer said item delivered to wrong address. Recovered item same day and it is damaged ?

[czchslvkplyby]

Hello all. Long time seller, first time posting an issue. So I shipped a vintage rifle barrel to a buyer who made me an offer. I rolled it up in Plastic wrap followed by a wrap in bubble wrap to tightly fill a 2” x 2”x 30 mailing tube. I had a few inches of excess bubble on each end and taped it down tightly to protect both ends. Also added a bit more bubble to each end. 

  I used staples to attach the plastic caps to the ends. Afterwards I taped over these ends with 4 layers of High quality HVAC tape. I also spirally covered the whole tube with heavy duty shipping tape. Because I know how packages get tossed around. 

   The buyer stated that they had not received it although it showed “delivered to individual “ in tracking. This was priority BTW. They then took the initiative to contact USPS and found it had been delivered to a wrong address. The postal worker was apparently able to recover it the same day and get it to the correct recipient.  
   The buyer said that the tube was bent, and that the barrel had been dropped by the incorrect recipient. They showed only pictures of the tube damage. This is where we are at today. No claim filed yet. But some things don’t sound right. 
  Can the recipient trace and recover the package without it being 7 days since shipment ? 
I thought only the sender could get this kind of attention from Post Office. 
  Shouldn’t there be a received damage sticker from USPS ? Why did the wrong recipient open and damage item without being held responsible, I thought that was a federal offense. 
   Something smells funny. Any thoughts y’all ? Thanks

[itscalledapostingid]

I have had incoming packages delivered to wrong house, called the post office and they sent the carrier out to retrieve it and delivered to my door within one hour on two different occasions. So yes that part can happen.

[m60driver]

How can someone other than Clark Kent bend a rife barrel?

[joseh1445]

People that want to get a discount, or cheaper price play this mind game.  So they get a partial refund.  Look at the buyers Feedback, "Left for Others".  Maybe this buyer has done the same thing to other people.

In my case, I don't give partial refunds.  I just ask my unsatisfied buyers to return item, and that I will gladly pay for return shipping and issue a full refund.  After I get my item back, I place this buyer in my Block Buyer List.

Good luck on your selling journey!

[sextons-sweet-deals]

just my thought! 

sounds like the buyer is experienced at potential lies and scams. I'm not sure how the carrier can backtrack and locate the miss delivered package.  

Your questions are valid. Why would the buyer send photo of tube after opening?

member "m60drvr" post says it all!

I wonder if your item fell under the new April 3rd price increase and the buyer is trying to get a cut on shipping. 

[frodobagginskennedy]

sorry you are not satisfied with purchase.  Please return for refund

Rinse 

Repeat

[mr_lincoln]

@czchslvkplyby   In the case of a Buyer claiming damage I send a simple message and wait,

"Thank you for contacting me, please provide pictures of the item and package for my records."

I do not mention damage since until I see pictures there's nothing to respond to.  If I get pictures of damage I advise them process a return claim using the Arrived damage selection.

There were a number of these claims that mysteriously got fixed  Those that were real damage were returned for a refund.  On 2 higher value items that could not be fixed for resale I filed claims with USPS and was paid for the original selling price of the item.

Mr. L

[1tuna]

it sounds like you did a great job packing the barrel

misdelivered items and so forth have no bearing on the fact that the buyer is not happy

I am unsure if the errant neighbor unpacked it  now or dropped it

the bottom line is the buyer got the package and wants to return it

it would end better ff you just said YES I will take it back

you cant win this battle  with return abuse

I bet it comes back unopened..at least I hope it does

[krazzykats]

Agree with the hobbit.  Rinse and repeat.

[maxine*j]

As to calling the local Post Office and having a carrier retrieve a misdelivered package, I think that depends on where you live in the U.S.  I live in a small town, have the local PO's direct phone number, know the carriers by name, and, yes, I did this once and got my package.  In larger cities, and when people can use only the 1-800 number?  Perhaps not.

In any event, I would simply tell the buyer to return the item for a full refund, because you never win INAD cases these days, no matter how dodgy the buyer's behavior or story is.  It isn't right and it isn't fair, but it's the reality.

-

[house*of*paws]

Hi @czchslvkplyby

[I’m on my phone … so my thoughts won’t be in sequence.  Sorry.]

A buyer can easily get information from their post office about where their package was delivered (if PO uses GPS).  They also can obtain a print-out of shipping/delivery info if a ‘fake tracking number scam’ is suspected.  [I did recently.]

I don’t know how the buyer could know WHERE the damage occurred.  I think it was more likely done in transit.  [If the tube straddled across two boxes … and something heavy was dropped in the center … the tube (at least) could get dented.]

‘Stickers’ are not always placed on damaged packages in my experience.

I get so many deliveries that I’ve occasionally opened a package before realizing it was misdelivered.  [I leave it in my neighbor’s carport with a ‘sorry’ note attached.]

Sadly, the seller is responsible for the condition of the item until it reaches the buyer … regardless of postal mistakes.  Only you can decide whether to consider a partial refund, a full refund following return (at your expense), or a full refund without return … depending on the cost of item & shipping.  

I’m very sorry this happened.  It’s a bummer.  🙁

[albertabrightalberta]

---

@czchslvkplyby wrote:

 
   The buyer said that the tube was bent, and that the barrel had been dropped by the incorrect recipient. They showed only pictures of the tube damage. This is where we are at today. No claim filed yet. But some things don’t sound right. 

  Shouldn’t there be a received damage sticker from USPS ? Why did the wrong recipient open and damage item without being held responsible, I thought that was a federal offense. 

---

@czchslvkplyby 

You've already received advice on handling the claim should one be opened. If the buyer doesn't open a NAD dispute, there's nothing you have to do.

You said the following: The buyer said that the tube was bent, and that the barrel had been dropped by the incorrect recipient.

and 

Shouldn’t there be a received damage sticker from USPS ? 

Why would there be a "received damaged" sticker if it was the wrong recipient who did the damage? There wouldn't have been damage when delivered. 

Also, though you state that the buyer sent you pictures of damage, there's no obligation on his part to do so.

I agree this sounds suspicious but if a claim is opened, accept it. Once you receive it back, you can determine if there was damage caused by p.o. or by the buyer and can either report the buyer or file an insurance claim.

[ccc-coins24hrslive_1 · Accepted solution]

Hello Broken & Bent Rifle Barrel & All Others - I just happened to see this post of yours while i was looking for posts on the "Great Promotion Tools" offered by ebay that are keeping me and many others broke !! (lol) 

I am a very experienced Seller having been doing so since i could crawl one way or the other in most part by being an owner/operator of an amusement park and Amusement related annexes of the like ....

I am only offering some insight to what may be occurring here. And even if my take is wrong here on this particular situation ... it is an accurate display of a type of scam that does happen ... Please folks im just trying to help with some insight from experience .... Be me Right or Be me Wrong > God be with us all !!

Hello czch !!! So I have read your post and hopefully all has been resolved - favorably. I have seen lots of ways folks try to pick sellers pockets on a purchase. This is my thoughts of what might be going on here. 

1st - If im correct this buyer is not so savvy in as  he could do what he is attempting to do much easier & faster ... But lets get to what he is actually doing and trying to get out of this ... and thats - getting your money !!   It sounds to me that this was not a "premetitated" action,  but once he knew that it was out of his hands - a "bell" went off in his head ..... "Hmmmm" he said to himself - Since it was delivered to wrong person first - I can say this was damaged by the wrong recipient ... and get some cash back ... >> cash back from you !!  This "bell" has gone off in many of our heads at one time and is not only acted upon for ill reasons, as i believe is being attempted here.

czch - (( Note )) : To do this item "damaged" scam - it does not matter how well you packaged the item or any other truths - remember ... this is most likely a scam .   About the USPS procedures  ... Yes , the USPS and its Carriers are supposed to bring any  "noticed damage"  of a parcel to the *recipients attention ... even in this case the *Wrong Recipient* ,  giving recipient such an opportunity to Refuse or Accept Delivery As-Is .  *If any Damage was noticed by the USPS before a delivery attempt - the parcel would be marked, noted , tagged and recorded.   ( example = getting a regular letter delivered in a sealed plastic usps envelope letting you know letter was damaged in its processing).  Anyhow in either example above or any other protocol scenario ... this is a *rarity* when coming to the larger parcels ... such as this case .  Please lets remember to put logic and to the side ... We are dealing with a "thief of opportunity" ( the buyer) ... and lets not forget the good ole USPS 🙂 .

(lastly on opening a letter or such)  - As far as opening a package or letter thats not mine - i have done this on accident several times before as im sure have many other folks ... especially if a person gets volumes of mail ... not so hard to do) ...

(Back to the case) ... If i received a damaged item . wether or not i noticed such damage when accepting / receiving parcel or 14 days later - I would just simply return it via ebay policy "not as pictured or described" ... no need to contact seller ... especialy in this case = who needs a "bent" gun barrel ?? - Only one person could use that - a scammer trying to get a better deal / money back.  If i was pulling this scam i would message you letting you know - and wait for you to respond back. If i didnt here from you within a day or so I would re-contact you . *Either way when i did get to you its then i would try and manipulate the price as per the "damaged goods received" letting you know i would keep it.  This is a highly successful scam for many reasons. I may also "open a case" to see if you would resolve it with the "partial refund" option.

If i was unsuccessful in renegotiating the price or no offer of a partial refund was given from you - i most likely would just cut off communications with you and keep it - as its what i actually wanted and its not "damaged" .  If im wrong in this particular case and the scenario went as the buyer had said ... so be it ... I have  been wrong before , and proud of it !!  (even though in this case i have limited information) ...

But , in any matter this is a great example - of an easy scam without getting ebay or anyone else involved ... nothing ventured - nothing gained.

I know i have been a bit long winded but i try and cover all the questions in something when i make a reply.  Remember , I believe that in this case it was a scam of "hind sight and opportunity"  ... where in most other scams of this nature they are deliberate and premeditated. If you have done nothing by way of responding back to this buyer - my advise would be "two" pronged. If feasable offer him a bone in the amount of 5% cash back , maybe a bit more and let him keep. (only you can decide what its worth to be done with this) . Or simply tell him to return it for a refund. Even though you probably dont have this type of  "ebay given power " > when telling the buyer to send back for a refund - you can add that you will inspect the item - and if so damaged contact and notify "your ebay seller Liazon" and deduct up to 30% as to be determained for any damage that has been done. > Its okay to fight fire with fire .. and he has no way of knowing that you cant do this (at this time anyhow) . 

All said i hope this helped or has given you some insight. There are so many available scams out there its mind boggling. In most cases it involves "returns" ... and in most cases ebay is of no help. As per a return is automatically "refunded" when the postal worker scans the item has been delivered back to you ... and then when you open your return to see a "rock" instead of the original item sent. 

*However, in the future there is a way to protect yourself from this return type scam (and most others) with your "partner ebay", and this is where the threat of deducting up to 30% is real. 

If you are not aware of this protectant offered by ebay .. and are interested in this - please just message me.

THANKS TO ALL for reading and not hanging your hat on every word i scribbled 🙂 - C. G. 

P.S. By the way folks - i think this may have been my first response to another member !! - P.S.S. - I am going to open a discussion on all the great promotion tools ebay offers and how they keep you broke !! (Thats what i was looking for and had bought me to this members post) Stay tuned !!  🙂

[czchslvkplyby]

Thanks for taking the time. I should let you know that they never asked for a return. Just sent me pictures of a tear in the tube. If they had, I would offer a refund of course. I think they just wanted to vent. I am more concerned that someone is able to open a package not addressed to them and not be held responsible. I worked at a place years ago when UPS dropped off a very expensive item by mistake. My boss decided to keep it. Well there was an investigation. I would be glad to get it back and get paid for the resulting damage from postal negligence !

[czchslvkplyby]

Thanks no just the tube was bent LOL. Probably after removing the item. Buyer has not asked for a return. Just complaining I suppose. Everybody likes to complain about the price of food, gas, etc. To me it is just negative energy that would be better dealt with by deflecting, or absorbing. Passing it on to the next guy just keeps it alive.