eBay damage during shipping opinions

[eileenkeeney]

Hi,

I am curious how others would handle a situation, related to a low value item, with minor damage during shipping.

I never buy insurance on low value items, because the cost of insurance, over time, adds up to far more then the value of the percent of items likely to be damaged. I know what my risk level is. I accept my risk. I am asking for advice on how to best communicate the situation to the seller.

I purchased a combination of a mini GWP pin, and a GWP map card.
The pin was the item I most wanted, but I did justify the amount I paid, based on the map being included.

The item was very poorly packaged. The pin survived, although it had so little padding, that the pin was actually poking through the package on arrival.
The card was bent.
I am very certain that the card bent during shipping. I do not even suspect that this is a case where a seller was trying to send me a damaged item (with the intent to later claim it was damaged during shipping).
There was a natural fold, in the cardboard container, used to ship the item.
The fold looked like the cardboard was cut from a sort of box that had a fold there, to be used when closing the box. The fold was then laid flat, to create a flat mailing container.
The fold in the card exactly matched this natural fold in the cardboard.
I think that the nature of the shipping container was certainly the cause of the damage.

I am wondering what I should do
1) Do nothing
2) Inform the seller, so that the seller learns something about proper packaging and is less likely to make the same mistake again.

Along with (1) or (2) above, how do people think I should handle the feedback?

a) Leave neutral feedback (I would not leave negative feedback for this sort of thing, however the last time I left a seller a neutral, he retaliated with a negative.
b) Leave no feedback.
c) Leave positive feedback.

The item was shipped quickly.
I am certain that the seller did not intentionally do anything wrong.
I actually got a good deal; due to the seller’s description, I think that other buyers (in the market for the same item) may have not seen his auction, preventing me from being out-bid.
However, I would not have paid that much for the pin alone (although this pin, does sell seem to sell for more than I paid for the pin and card combined).

 

[swilshire]

In similar situations, I have emailed the buyer to let them know that I was not satisfied. As long as they answer with a pleasant response, I will still leave positive feedback. If they are snotty about it, maybe not.

The seller may have not considered their packaging would cause damage and may offer you a refund. At that point, you can decide whether a mutual agreement could be reached.

Sheila

 

[floridagirrl2]

I agree that I would email the seller and let them know the condition of the card and why it was damaged, asking for a partial refund or replacement of the card. I realize you didn't purchase insurance, but insurance generally won't even cover a poorly packaged item--the post office expects the sender to adequately package the goods.

I would wait and see what the seller says before giving feedback. If they give you an adequate partial refund or replace the card at no cost, I would give positive feedback without mentioning the shipping problem. If they decline to replace the card or to give you a partial refund, I would give them a neutral or negative feedback, e.g., "damaged in shipping due to poor packaging, seller won't refund" or something to that effect. Be aware that, no matter how unfair it may seem, the seller can give you negative feedback as well.

That said, I once received what was supposed to be a brooch that turned out to be an empty envelope stuffed with toilet paper. The seller had not taped the envelope shut and it had gapped at the corners, allowing the pin to fall out during shipping. The package was already very late--the man who shipped it claimed his wife was the seller and was emergently hospitalized with a difficult pregnancy. I wasn't sure whether or not I believed him, but decide 5 bucks wasn't worth the hassle and I didn't leave any feedback or pursue the matter any further.

 

[ceecee]

I shipped out an item (older) and stated in the auction it had shelf wear, they insisted if was more than shelf wear. I told them to send it back for refund or I would deduct half of the price (which I did). I ordered a set of Barbie happy meal toys from a seller and they sent them in a paper envelope....big mistake 1/2 were broken. She then sent me a second set (in the same type envelope) and a few were broken too, but I was able to piece together a set!! Email and see what they say. If they give you a price adjustment I would definately leave positive feedback.

 

[HayGan]

I ordered a bunch of pins from a buyer. He packaged it very poorly and a few of the pins were damaged in transit. Plus I paid a significant amount for shipping and then he had the nerve to send it parcel post! I sent him a polite e-mail requesting a partial refund to cover the damage. He offered a refund only if I left him positive feedback first Needless to say, that I would not give feedback until I received a partial refund. I did end up leaving negative feedback for him but luckily he had already left me positive feedback. I still would have left the negative even if it had meant getting a negative myself. I look much more at a sellers negatives than positives. If it looks like buyer being irrational Iwill ignore it!

If you do end up getting a negative, make sure to post a response!

 

[eileenkeeney]

Hi,

Thank you for the advice (I almost did nothing and left no feedback at all).

The seller offered to send me another of the damaged item (the map card).

I hadn't noticed initially, but the pin had also punched a hole in the card (as well as the packaging).
I was busy noticing the fold in the card.

Anyway, since I am getting a new card, all is cool, and when the new card arrives the seller will get a very positive comment from me, indicating the special effort she went to to insure that I was happy.

Thank you.