Fellow sellers, please be aware that using the GSP (where it clearly states "seller is not liable for damage") does not ensure coverage. In late October I sold a high value item ($2,095) to a customer in Australia, and was shipped using the GSP. Item was relatively heavy, and was shipped in accordance with UPS shipping guidelines (double boxed, new boxes, 1/2" bubble). 1 month after receiving item, buyer oped case stating it was not functional (I will state it was functional when it left here). I did some research, and on the final tracking number when it was delivered it is noted "item damaged". I called ebay, and the woman I spoke with said I would not be liable, and it would be closed out.
The next day I received an email from ebay support, telling me that they decided I would have to refund the buyer, as well as arrange shipping of this item back to me from Australia! I informed them this was incorrect, and the reply I received back said according to Keysight (the manufacturer), the item was "internally damaged". To explain- buyer stated there was damage to the TX/RX communication, which ports are protruding from the front of the unit. The buyer also stated the control panel (front of the unit) was not functional. I explained to the ebay support random person that the photos I posted of the configuration would not be accessible if the front panel was not functional prior to shipment, and that damage was notated on the delivery manifest; as such, I should be covered under the GSP "contract". I did not receive a reply.
On 12/27 I attempted to take care of year end obligations, yet was unable to do so when I found out $2,095 was debited from my paypal account by ebay as refund to the buyer. I called ebay 12/28, and the woman I spoke with sounded as if the damage on the manifest was never a part of their "investigation". I was told I would get a reply back in 3-4 days- it has now been 26 days, and not a word. This rep again brought up the "internal damage", and I explained to her that if you were driving a car and hit your garage at 15 miles an hour, damaging your front end and radiator in the process, would the insurance company say that they wouldn't cover the radiator because it didn't hit the garage directly? (no, that would be ridiculous!). I also stated that it sounds as if ebay is treating this "internal damage" as "knowingly shipping a non-functioning unit", and would expect and request proof of this to be brought forward if this is the case.
If anyone has any information, or contact info from someone that can get this satisfactorily resolved, I would certainly appreciate it. Best of luck to all for a successful 2019, and keeping the scammers (ALL of them) away!
