eBay

robby752 · ‎10-12-2019

Seller Protection

Hi guys, I recently started selling vintage posters that I inherited from my grandfather. Most are prints or vintage lithographs of advertisements for traveling as he owned a travel agency for 50 years (1954-2004). I have had no problems until now. I ship using the usps priority mail tube boxes and bubble wrap and have not had any issues at all shipping from where I live in Kansas to New York, California, or even as far as Hawaii.

Now I shipped two posters to one buyer who has good ratings on two separate orders for two worth about $50 each. He has messaged me the yesterday claiming the item was damaged and my shipping practices are wrong. He included pictures of a box that looks completely stomped on and mentioned that the year was incorrect yet my listing pictures clearly identified the date on the poster.

So naturally I called ebay support because it seems quite strange that I haven't had any issues and suddenly the box is destroyed and the items not as described but he has not filed a claim.

This is where it gets weirder:

Today (day 2) the second poster arrives and he has sent no pictures yet but claims his wife text messaged him the box is even more destroyed than the first. So that is either one horrible coincidence or the postal service employee must be damaging them. Aren't all packages shipped usps priority inspected by the post office before they are delivered or accepted?

Since it is saturday and usps was closed when I got the message, I had to use their contact us form to say the issue.

Then I called paypal to tell them I might have issues with those two transactions if I have to protect myself in some way. But the customer service at paypal did not understand what I was saying.

I am not sure where my safety net is here because if he does file a claim, and wins (since I don't exactly know how to go about this), then I will end up losing the money and have to pay for return shipping and even then might get a completely damaged poster.

Otherwise, everything else has been okay and usps just delivered to my house this morning another 100 of their special poster (tube) boxes. So I certainly need some advice before I send another because I have read some horror stories. Also I just realized usps priority insurance really only supports $50 in damage (which is fine for this but I will need to put insurance on the future ones I send since the value is much more).

Thoughts?

dippitydoo · ‎10-13-2019

Hi robby....just an idea, how about going to the hardware store (or Home Depot) and getting plumbers PVC pipe cut in the length you need? Pretty much indestructible in the mail!

-Dippitydoo

robby752 · ‎10-13-2019

Not bad at all

fashunu4eeuh · ‎10-13-2019

@robby752 wrote:
Perfect! Well I am definitely less knowledgable on the shipping/selling market than I thought. I actually had those on auction and let 2 of them go for under $100 which I should never have done such a low price.
But U-Line appears to be much better than anything else. Do you or anybody reading this know anything about these poly-mailers? Would you trust something of the sort with antique books from the 19th century? I only inherited rare items and I realize my keywords and descriptions are short. I should probably get the lithograph/posters figured out before I move forward with the other items. But it looks like poly bags (sp?) I can pack like crazy with maybe peanuts and stuff to protect other items I am going to list.

Thanks

Hi again, i use the poly mailers for my less expensive clothing items, and they work great for items that won’t break. I would not use them for antique books. For that, i would wrap the item and put it in a sealed plastic bag, then into the box with padding around all sides of the inner package. It is getting into the cold season now and sometimes packages end up on a wet porch or exposed to the elements. So extra care needs to be used for antique items especially.

I buy my poly bags and other shipping supplies from ebay seller threerb, and have for years. His items have never failed in transit for me. I’m a little bit paranoid about getting a bad batch of cheapo mailers or subpar tape, etc. so i stick with him. I want quality supplies that can stand the rigors of shipping.

Don’t get discouraged by the eBay learning curve. You will master this in no time. You are obviously a conscientious person with a good heart. I love selling on eBay. It is hard work, but worth it to me. Like you, i inherited my items. Like you will, became an informed seller thru research and determination. So best of luck to you and many happy hours of selling!

tina287barbieplanet · ‎11-24-2019

My situation is a little different. I sent a near mint Barbie coat, $34.00, I took lots of pics, they said it had grease spots I didn't mention in the description. It's totally a lie.
A feedback specialist read their message, threatening bad feedback if I didn't "do something about this". Probably wanting money and keep the coat. I suspect she sells online.
EBay says it's extortion. They've protected me so far. But, now she's opened a case...I hope they continue to protect me. I'll see the Devil ice skating before I willingly give in to a criminal.
I'm worried after reading this.

tina287barbieplanet · ‎11-24-2019

Wouldn't that weigh/cost more? I'm thinking that the letter carrier won't be thrilled carrying around a bunch of pvc pipes. Especially if he's scheduled to pick them all up.

tina287barbieplanet · ‎11-24-2019

Thank you for saying that. I have been targeted by someone trying to extort me, now they're trying to get money from me. They opened a case when I wouldn't buckle.
I'm honest as the day is long, I was thinking about just giving up. Now, I'm gonna get back to it. One monkey won't stop my show.
Thank you! Blessings. ~tina

tina287barbieplanet · ‎11-24-2019

EBay has surely been good to protect me. Only one began to go sideways on me, I asked for a supervisor and got help. I hope they continue to protect me in my case.