SELLERS should be FORCED to DISCLOSE if a SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED

[trainer-phoenix]

I'd like some feedback on a problem I've had in which I think there is an obvious solution.  As I do not have a lot of experience with Ebay transactions, I thought the community may help refine my own thoughts.

The Problem:

I purchased a $60 Pokémon card from Japan, and after waiting for a few weeks a notice was left on my door about a failed delivery attempt from USPS.  While looking at redelivery and pickup options, I learned that this post office is only open 10am-5pm Monday through Friday.  Because I work as a medical assistant, my hours are 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.  A back and forth between the seller revealed that their policy is anything above $30 must require a signature.  There was no mention of this in their listing or through messages.  This is obviously a huge inconvenience for me since I must either take a day off of work or compensate someone else for going to the post office with a signed slip from me, serving as my representative.  I am unable to take off of work once the schedule is posted, so I will be using the latter option.  The price of this card dropped $31 before it left Japan, on the sellers own listings, which the seller could not compensate for due to their own purchase cost of the card.  I agreed that was reasonable, but being unable to receive my delivery is certainly adding salt to the wound.  This is the first time I have had a package held at the post office after a failed delivery and I find the situation stressful as well as extremely unplesent.

The Solution:

Ebay should make it a requirement to disclose if a signature will be required for small value purchases.  This would add clarity to listings, put the option into the hands of the seller, and protect the buyer from being placed in an inconvenient predicament.

Thoughts?

[dqdistribution]

their policy is anything above $30 must require a signature

That's crazy. But you do choose the sellers you buy from, you can just not purchase from them?

[trainer-phoenix]

The problem is that they never disclosed their policy to me so I expected the card to be delivered like normal.  Ebay's policy is anything over $750 requires a signature so I did not expect that from a $60 card.

I would not choose to buy from seller that could not deliver my item.  I will never buy from the seller again, but that doesn't help me because I already purchased this item.

[spark-chaser1]

With international shipping, Sig Confirmation is often required due to customs regulations. That is out of a seller's control. 

Anyone purchasing internationally should automatically assume the possibility of not only signature confirmation, but in some cases, added customs charges/ duties as well.

[klhmdg]

Its the sellers issue. Foreign sellers have many issues but this is the first time I have heard of this one. 

eBay has enough requirements for sellers and no way to police most of them.

Leave appropriate FB for this seller. 

"seller requires signature on all deliveries over $30, beware"

For the next 12 months it will be seen by any who look.

[lamber9347]

While this is unfortunate and your frustration is understandable, you must realize that when ordering items online there will be instances of these types of issues. This was an Int'l transaction, and many sellers will require a signature for that reason, even though it wasn't disclosed in the listing. I know someone who lives in a townhouse in a gated community, so packages often get returned to the post office for pickup. They are in a similar boat as yourself work wise but must make accommodations when they choose to do online ordering. Not every situation is ideal for everyone, and we all need to learn how to find solutions that work best for our individual needs. Best of luck to you....

[gone.c-33]

I can also personally attest that I have had to sign for packages shipped from outside the country, even if I didn’t have to pay for customs.

[trainer-phoenix]

Can you explain "often required?"   All the cards I have purchased are Japanese cards, and all of them got placed directly into my mailbox.  Star Platinum is a seller specifically from Japan, and I received their card without a signature being required.  So are you saying that customs regulations allows some sellers to ship without a signature and not others?

[trainer-phoenix]

Thank you for your feedback.  I have had other out of country items from ebay without a signature, so I am confused as to how this was not the sellers choice.  If I knew that I had to be home during my work hours, I would avoid purchases with that limitation.  I guess on Ebay my option going forward is to message the seller ahead of time?

[spark-chaser1]

In this case, yes, the seller DOES have a policy with Sig confirmation with orders over $ 30...  I can see the frustration with that. 

But what I  can see happening with the OPs proposal  is  the problem arising out of  buyers assuming when a shipment arrives with SigCon, it will be because  the seller required it in all cases. 

What is out of The seller's control can't much be helped by the Bay when it comes from international regulations.

[wastingtime101]

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@trainer-phoenix wrote:

Thoughts?

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I agree with you that sellers should be required to disclose if signature will be required on delivery.

But it's not a rule so per eBay policy the seller didn't do anything wrong. As you've already accepted, you'll have to make arrangements to retrieve that package and hopefully the PO will release it to someone whose ID does not match the name/address on the package. You don't have a lunch break that would allow you to go pick it up?

On this page:

https://www.ebay.com/mye/myebay/v2/purchase

Click the "tell us what you think" link on the top right to submit your FB directly to eBay.

[lamber9347]

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@trainer-phoenix wrote:

Thank you for your feedback.  I have had other out of country items from ebay without a signature, so I am confused as to how this was not the sellers choice.  If I knew that I had to be home during my work hours, I would avoid purchases with that limitation.  I guess on Ebay my option going forward is to message the seller ahead of time?

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I was going to suggest that to you. Since the items you enjoy collecting are many times likely to come from other countries, it would be in your best interest to simply send them a message in advance. That would give you a leg up in that you specifically asked them prior to purchasing. It would show that you are being responsible as a buyer. I think you are now set for success moving forward....

[trainer-phoenix]

For clarity to others looking for a solution on this same problem, I only see one solution available.  The post office leaves a little pink slip on the door, and on the back you can sign your name and write the legal name of another person.  That person may go to the post office on your behalf and receive the item.  This is my only shot, but I have to find a willing person.  I don't have a lunch break that allows me enough time to travel to the post office, wait in line, and travel back.  I would even be willing to waive the signature at my own risk, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

[spark-chaser1]

I'm still trying to guess all these years what triggers customs in the US and/ or the originating country to add SigCon to ashipment, but I can receive one type of shipment 12 times without needing a signature, but then all of a sudden, the next 3 not only need a Sig but require a duty to be paid on top of the original shipping cost.

I'm afraid there's no good answer other than to expect the unexpected any time you ship internationally. There is no hard and fast rule to anything.

[spark-chaser1]

I can give you one example of a typical order I get... Tea.

I order from a  particular seller in Asia. He does NOT require SigCon, he actually despises putting it on any of his orders. 

But, without fail, on every third random order or so  I have to go to the PO to pick up my shipments on Saturday for my orders arriving during the week, as I can't- and won't- take time off.

It really IS a pita, but there it is. No idea why SigCon is on the order, but I KNOW the seller never placed it there.