eBay

joeanddarra · ‎06-16-2017

Hello,

I have a buyer who notified me the item she purchased, an iPod, arrived missing.

The package was damaged - it looks like it was sliced open.

The iPod was rolled in several layers of bubble wrap - the bubble wrap was still in the package.

When I track the shipment via USPS, there is no note regarding damage.

I don't sell very often, and I've never experienced anything like this, as a buyer or a seller, so I am not sure what to do.

I've been in touch with her all week & phoned the USPS. ( The information they gave me wasn't very helpful )

She told me she will give me until Monday to refund her payment.

What am I required to do?

I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thank you.

joeanddarra · ‎06-16-2017

I agree. I know I shipped an iPod, as promised, packaged securely, without delay. The buyer paid for an iPod and received an empty package. I want to figure out what happened. I was concerned but after her first message tonight, saying she hadn't heard from me, and she was giving me until Monday to take care of this, I felt a little unsure of things. $120 bucks may not seem like a lot to some, but it may be a lot for the buyer. I don't know why she purchased the iPod. Did she plan to give it to a family member as a gift? I don't know but I would be upset too if I received the package without the iPod. I want to do what's right but I also don't want to be taken advantage of. I sold the iPod for my 11 year old so she could use the money, along with money she has saved, to purchase a new one. The whole thing is just unfortunate.

megadestroyers · ‎06-16-2017

Just cuz I can, I'll agree with lycan.

"Scammer" can be such a collective term, ensnaring those (in this case, buyer) who apparently come off as knowing little about the return process. These "trapped" souls know of nothing easier than reaching out via an email. Simple Simon type stuff. And, when that doesn't work, anger/frustration tend to build.

"Scammer" or reincarnation of Mother Teresa, it'll wash out, in the end. The seller, having come here for help, is ironically spared the finger-pointing, accusatory soapbox derby activity basically questioning why he would ONLY send bubble wrap, and no IPOD.

llllady · ‎06-16-2017

@joeanddarra wrote:
She shared pictures. The package looks like it was sliced open & the iPod removed from the roll of bubble wrap. The roll of bubble wrap was still inside the package. I asked if the package was marked damaged and she said no. I asked if she reported it to the post office and she said no.

Your buyer is clearly acting like someone who is trying to stay off the radar of both eBay and the USPS.

Sorry, but if someone was going to steal something, they're not going to go through the trouble of removing the item from bubble wrap and leaving the bubble wrap behind.

FWIW, I've never received a damaged package from the USPS that didn't have a damage label on it.

Make sure to file an online report with the USPS. She may have done this before, and it will get her on their radar.

“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent” ― Madeleine K. Albright

Great! 45.8% down over the same time last year with 2x+ items listed. Are you impressed? I'm certainly not!

emerald40 · ‎06-16-2017

@megadestroyers wrote:
Just cuz I can, I'll agree with lycan.

"Scammer" can be such a collective term, ensnaring those (in this case, buyer) who apparently come off as knowing little about the return process. These "trapped" souls know of nothing easier than reaching out via an email. Simple Simon type stuff. And, when that doesn't work, anger/frustration tend to build.

"Scammer" or reincarnation of Mother Teresa, it'll wash out, in the end. The seller, having come here for help, is ironically spared the finger-pointing, accusatory soapbox derby activity basically questioning why he would ONLY send bubble wrap, and no IPOD.

Mega, did you see the other thread where a seller sent something through a forwarder and is now having a problem. We were discussing this earlier on another thread why I do not feel it is as safe as some think.

Sorry for the hijack.

ersatz_sobriquet · ‎06-16-2017

I just don't like to educate them, mega.

emerald40 · ‎06-16-2017

@megadestroyers wrote:
Just cuz I can, I'll agree with lycan.

"Scammer" can be such a collective term, ensnaring those (in this case, buyer) who apparently come off as knowing little about the return process. These "trapped" souls know of nothing easier than reaching out via an email. Simple Simon type stuff. And, when that doesn't work, anger/frustration tend to build.

"Scammer" or reincarnation of Mother Teresa, it'll wash out, in the end. The seller, having come here for help, is ironically spared the finger-pointing, accusatory soapbox derby activity basically questioning why he would ONLY send bubble wrap, and no IPOD.

Just curious, but if the OP was a scammer why would she bring it here for all to see?

emerald40 · ‎06-16-2017

@ersatz_sobriquet wrote:
I just don't like to educate them, mega.

I agree this board can be a two way sword to both help and hurt sellers.

megadestroyers · ‎06-16-2017

"I just don't like to educate them, mega."

One of my first replies to the OP (quick! What does OP stand for?) was to state it was NOT the sellers responsibilty to educate the buyer.

megadestroyers · ‎06-16-2017

"Mega, did you see the other thread....."

Yes. Sorry my explanation on a possible off-shore return scenerio might play out to a sellers advantage was so..................exhausting. Hope the O2, IV fluids, and defibrillator all helped.

Your plane ride, where to next?

wolf*song · ‎06-16-2017

Yes, it is, and I'm sorry you're going through it. It's nice to see you're thinking things through, though, instead of panicking and claiming you're being ripped-off.

Whatever happens, you'll learn a lot. I just hope it doesn't cost you 120 bucks. 😞

I'd do business with you anytime, you seem to have integrity, and I dig that. Zen, man. 😉

nowthatsjustducky · ‎06-16-2017

This thread got me wondering...

If an iPod is reported stolen, can Apple brick it so that the thief does not get to benefit in any way from their crime? Or can they only do that with phones and tablets?

If it works, sell it. If it works well, sell it for more. If it doesn't work, quadruple the price and sell it as an antique.

-- Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #80

megadestroyers · ‎06-16-2017

"Just curious, but if the OP was a scammer why would she bring it here for all to see?"

Experienced scammers, those that have been around the throne of a now suddenly deceased Nigerian king a time or two, might not, having very skillfully applied his or her craft through many months of trial and error practice sessions.

Ironically, to a novice scammer, just getting his feet wet in the now suddenly dead kings bath tub, might find no better tudor as to the application of his newly aquired craft than...................right here.

OP (quick! What does OP stand for), please understand by my thoroughly out in left field response to emeralds question (it would be rude not to respond), I am in no way, insinuating or implying you came here for anything less than very honorable reasons.

CLEAR!!!! Pump those fluids!! Where's my O2?!?!?

Clever isn't just a trait reserved solely for the honest.

megadestroyers · ‎06-16-2017

"If an iPod is reported stolen,......"

Just to let you know, you ruined it for me!!! Was hoping for a "if a tree fell in the forrest" kind of approach.

emerald40 · ‎06-16-2017

@nowthatsjustducky wrote:
This thread got me wondering...

If an iPod is reported stolen, can Apple brick it so that the thief does not get to benefit in any way from their crime? Or can they only do that with phones and tablets?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472

Apparently you can.