I have been trying to understand the logic behind some of the responses I received to a post about having to refund buyers for items not delivered. If the shipping service were to be my employee then responsibility would be on me but if I contract a service and they do not deliver the item for whatever the reason why is the seller responsible.?
They are totally independent and offer a service and get paid to do fulfill Thier claim for that service. They are responsible for handling the item safely and carefully but they also are solely responsible for making sure that item gets delivered to the address stated on the label . You don't sign a contract but you do pay for what they say they offer and that's as good as a contract .
The seller packaged the item securely and makes sure it's what the buyer ordered and as described. The seller uses the shipping service that the buyer has chosen. You can offer two shipping options that's up to the seller but if the buyer wants something else all they have to do is request it. Once shipping is picked and paid for the seller has one last obligation and that's to make sure the shipper gets the item from there that item is their responsibility.
Some have said that it's the sellers responsibility if it's not delivered even when tracking shows it made it to the buyers post office . You are the seller and you must prove delivery !! Well that would be impossible if the item is nowhere to be found . So the only way to ensure delivery would be to deliver it yourself otherwise any problem is your problem . How is that fair or sensible?
I'm told if you are the shipper you the only one who can file a claim against the shipper . It's your sale and you have a receipt. True and the buyer also has a digital record of that sale and banking records. So why can't the buyer claim non delivery ? It had made it to its final destination before delivery .
Many sell to make ends meet . They don't have an established buisness or do it just as a hobby . Every expense has to be factored into the price . Myself I try to get the best shipping supplies at the lowest price possible. I even recycle bubble envelopes and make boxes according to the items size . This all makes it cheaper for the buyer when it comes to shipping because I can't always offer free shipping. Every buyer has been thankful for saving them s couple Bucks. The only ones who don't like that are the shipping services.
So every bit of time a seller has to devote to fighting for a refund from the shipper due to thier negligence or mistake takes time and money away from what's keeping food on the table and the lights on.
Another replied . Anc this is the one that keeps me going and makes my point about getting unfair one sided policies changed .
" It's a one rule policy and that's that. Live with it because they don't care and won't ever change it" !! That's exactly how things get worse and hey if you are ok with just handing your money over because that's just how it is that's on you . I'm not good with that and never will be. So if it takes me years to make sure I eBay is an all user friendly platform then that's what I will do . You would think that is what eBay would want and the policies might not hurt your bottom line bad enough now but it will. Then I'm sure you might have a different opinion on the issue.
"Just deal with it .you can't change it '' has never bennifited anyone except those implementing the policy or rule.
"Sell somewhere else if you don't like it" . Yes I could do that but would not be able look at myself in the mirror and say I at least did everything I could to make a positive change but ran out of time . I respect myself way to much to run away from things that affect me and many others as well.
