Moldy Package - Not Opened for Weeks After Delivery.

[lucid-inspirations]

Hi guys:

I have a buyer who purchased a new Barbie Doll that was shipped more than 4 weeks ago.  It was  shipped via the Global Shipping Program.  It was delivered 3 weeks ago.

Buyer messaged me today stating that she just opened it because she was on vacation, and the dress is covered with mold (and attatched pictures).  Buyer claims that the package was dry with no water damage to the box.

My initial thought is--if you let a package sit in Australia (were the temperature has been over 80 F and nearly 80% humidity) for 3 entire weeks--then yeah, darkness, heat, and humidity can definately cause mold.  Cardboard is not airtight or watertight afterall, so humidity can enter.  This seems to be to be the buyers fault. 

Though this items was shipped vis GSP.  I supposed it's possible when eBay / Pitney Bowes repackaged the item some moisture could have gotten inside.  So perhaps I'll file a GSP claim.

What are your thoughts?

[missjen831]

 The gsp is responsible for this. The buyer files an SNAD against you and then you have to call customer service & tell them it’s a GSP sale. You don’t file a claim against the GSP, customer service is supposed to close out the request in your favor while refunding the buyer. 

[emerald40]

JMO but a Barbie doll should not get moldy after 3 weeks just exposed to 80 degrees heat.

It can get pretty hot and humid where I live, and none of mine have turned.

Do not see how it is the shipper's fault?

[emerald40]

Why would it be the shipper's fault?

My containers are not air tight either, and none of my Barbie dolls have turned.

Has to be more to the story.

[d-k_treasures]

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wrote:

JMO but a Barbie doll should not get moldy after 3 weeks just exposed to 80 degrees heat.

It can get pretty hot and humid where I live, and none of mine have turned.

Do not see how it is the shipper's fault?

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Maybe the GSP worker spilled a beer on the barbie while they were repackaging her ... 

[emerald40]

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wrote:

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wrote:

JMO but a Barbie doll should not get moldy after 3 weeks just exposed to 80 degrees heat.

It can get pretty hot and humid where I live, and none of mine have turned.

Do not see how it is the shipper's fault?

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Maybe the GSP worker spilled a beer on the barbie while they were repackaging her ... 

____________________________________________________________________

If so then the buyer would have smelled it.

But seriously, why would the shipper be at fault?

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[a_c_green]

Given the GSP's role in the delivery, it does sound like this claim would fall under their jurisdiction, not yours. 

Having said that, though, I really don't believe the buyer's story. This sounds more like a creative way to exchange your better doll for their moldy one. Regardless of the climate, I doubt that the package really had enough time to breed all that mold. The other buyer's possessions should presumably also be deteriorating just as fast. 

[lookng2015]

As an Aussie I can honestly say I NEVER had a mold issue even in temps over 100 degrees.

MAYBE if they live in sub tropical North Queensland.

[lucid-inspirations]

"Just exposed to heat 80 degree heat", in a nearly 80% humidity enviornemnt, inside a dark enclosed box for 3 weeks.  This is not even including the 1 week it took to get there.  

You mentioned it can get pretty hot and humid where you live and this hasn't happend to you.  Do you let packages sit unopened for 3 weeks after delivery in periods of high heat and humidity?   Serious question, as (1) it's literally freezing where I am now, and (2) I open all packages same or next day.

[lucid-inspirations]

Thanks for the feedback especially as an Ausie. I must ask though if you sometimes leave packages for 3 weeks before opening them in that 100 degree weather. I've shipped to Australia plenty of times via GSP and never had difficulty. This is the first, and the non-opening of the package for 3 weeks after delivery appears to be what's different from my other sales to Australia.

Oh, the package was delivered just west of the Port Phillip Bay.

[lookng2015]

That would be Victoria, not known for it's sub tropical humidity LOL

Rain maybe but not humidity & high temps. Sounds like she may have left it somewhere it got wet?

Are you positive the pics are the doll you sent her?

[emerald40]

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wrote:

"Just exposed to heat 80 degree heat", in a nearly 80% humidity enviornemnt, inside a dark enclosed box for 3 weeks.  This is not even including the 1 week it took to get there.  

You mentioned it can get pretty hot and humid where you live and this hasn't happend to you.  Do you let packages sit unopened for 3 weeks after delivery in periods of high heat and humidity?   Serious question, as (1) it's literally freezing where I am now, and (2) I open all packages same or next day.

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When we go on vacation for a week or 2, we board the pets.  So we turn off the air conditioner.

I have my dolls in plastic tubs in the spare room which can reach 100 degrees in the summer when the windows are down and the house closed up.

In all the years I have been collecting dolls of all kinds, nothing has ever turned moldy.

[mg152]

It could’ve gotten wet along the way & dried in all that time. It’s a GSP issue & they will refund.

[emerald40]

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wrote:
It could’ve gotten wet along the way & dried in all that time. It’s a GSP issue & they will refund.

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According to the OP it was delivered 3 weeks ago.  So that is 3 weeks after the GSP had possession of it.  

Buyer should have had her mail held.  Not sitting on a porch exposed to the elements.

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[rixstuff]

One of my first purchases on Ebay was a cream sweater.  It was wrapped in purple tissue paper which Im sure my seller thought was a nice professional touch.  EXCEPT... the mail carrier left it on the porch in the rain.  The Tyvek package got soaked and the purple tissue paper left purple splotches all over the sweater.  It never did come out.  Sigh.