Ebay question, my first time selling in awhile...

[2angelsinheaven]

I sold a pin last week and shipped it Parcel Post on Tuesday morning, the buyer contacted me to tell me that they have yet to get the pin. They are in NJ and I'm in FL... so I would assume it may take a few days but expected they more than likely would have received the pin this weekend.

Well as a heads up how would you handle this if it does not arrive in Monday's mail... they did not purchase insurance and it was sent via regular post service mail which they paid for.

I haven't sold anything in over a year and everytime I shipped before it was registered/priority mail due to the size.

Hopefully it gets there just looking for ideas incase it doesn't as I assumed it would have been there by now.

 

[inaminute]

Parcel post is the slowest method and can take a long time to arrive. Did they request parcel post? Was the shipping method stated in the ad? Did you use delivery confirmation?

At this point, I'd ask the buyer to give it a few more days.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I once sent a pin first class mail (at least, it was supposed to be first class; I think the LBE ended up with the parcel post stuff) that took 3 weeks to go from Richmond to Raleigh, which is a 3 hour drive away.

It may be frustrating but just give it a little more time.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just a heads up for future sales...be sure to get delivery confirmation every time you send any auction item.

It's like 60 cents and will protect you when this happens. You then have proof you sent an item to their address, can track it and can prove that the item was delivered to that address. No, it is not signature confirmation, which is even better, but it will protect you from having to refund their money if they say they never received it.

(Ebay/Paypal will always favor the buyer in a dispute where there is no proof that an item has been sent)

Hope it is resolved soon! And I agree with other, parcel post is the whole reason it is called 'snail mail'... they can take forever.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I looked it wasn't parcel post it was first class mail, regular stamps that I used. I thought they were the same...lol.

 

[inaminute]

First Class is better, but did you use delivery confirmation? The reason I'm asking is that the buyer can claim they never received the package. If they paid via PayPal, you'll have no choice but refund their money if you can't prove the package was mailed.

I'd still ask the buyer to wait a few more days. Maybe ask them to give it until Friday. If it doesn't arrive by that time, you'll have to decide whether to refund or not.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

When I ship something on Ebay, I don't give any other options for shipping except for Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. And I pass that cost on to the purchaser.

 

[N.Bailey]

It's been a long time since I've sold anything on eBay, but the last time I did, you could print the mailing address from the USPS website and by printing from that site (It makes postal workers' jobs easier and my post office confirmed that), you were given free delivery confirmation. Did they do away with that, or are people just not familiar with it?

Never, ever, ship without delivery confirmation whether you get it free or have to pay. It's the only way you have of protecting yourself, even though the USPS doesn't really track the delivery. It's still protection for you, so it's worth it.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

It's been a long time since I've sold anything on eBay, but the last time I did, you could print the mailing address from the USPS website and by printing from that site (It makes postal workers' jobs easier and my post office confirmed that), you were given free delivery confirmation. Did they do away with that, or are people just not familiar with it?

Never, ever, ship without delivery confirmation whether you get it free or have to pay. It's the only way you have of protecting yourself, even though the USPS doesn't really track the delivery. It's still protection for you, so it's worth it.

This option is still available, I just used it last week.

 

[inaminute]

you could print the mailing address from the USPS website and by printing from that site

I never pay for delivery confirmation (except .13 for first class packages) and I print from my PayPal account or directly through the USPS site.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I did not know about that. Although in my auction it does say that I am not responsible for lost packages. She says she will wait until Monday/Tuesday.

 

[poohandwendy]

I did not know about that. Although in my auction it does say that I am not responsible for lost packages. She says she will wait until Monday/Tuesday.

Yes, but if the buyer files a dispute and you cannot prove you sent it, it won't matter...Ebay/paypal will back the buyer. Because anyone could just say 'not liable for lost packages' and never send the items. You have to protect yourself by getting proof that you sent the item in the first place. Kwim?

 

[ReggieB]

I was in a similar situation at the beginning of the year, but I was the buyer. The pin took about 10 days to get to me. It was sent 1st class, I wish I could remember where the pin was sent from. The seller, when I contacted her to say I hadn't had the pin told me that it could take up to 10 days, so I shouldn't worry. She was right! I thought that was an awfully long time for something to arrive by mail. I post parcels back to UK which are quicker than that!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

OP I hope you don't mind but I have a Question that's similar---Last Saturday I purchased an oil lamp on Ebay and paid the same day---On Monday I received an email saying the buyer printed out a receipt and gave me a tracking number--I paid $9.40 for Parcel Post and added $1.30 for the insurance but everytime I check the USPS tracker it only says the receipt was printed nothing about where my package is at. How long does PP take? She lives in Connecticut and I in Kansas---And why can't I check on where the pkg is when she said she mailed it??---The lamp is worth a lot more than I paid so will the insurance cover me for the value of the lamp or just what I paid for it???

Sorry for all the ??? but I buy from Ebay a lot and haven't ever really had a problem and hope you more experienced could help!!

 

[poohandwendy]

OP I hope you don't mind but I have a Question that's similar---Last Saturday I purchased an oil lamp on Ebay and paid the same day---On Monday I received an email saying the buyer printed out a receipt and gave me a tracking number--I paid $9.40 for Parcel Post and added $1.30 for the insurance but everytime I check the USPS tracker it only says the receipt was printed nothing about where my package is at. How long does PP take? She lives in Connecticut and I in Kansas---And why can't I check on where the pkg is when she said she mailed it??---The lamp is worth a lot more than I paid so will the insurance cover me for the value of the lamp or just what I paid for it???

Sorry for all the ??? but I buy from Ebay a lot and haven't ever really had a problem and hope you more experienced could help!!

Sounds like they got delivery confirmation, which does not track it along the way, only tells you when it received at the post office and then when it was delivered at the destination address.

Also, keep in mind that the seller 'printed' out the receipt, but that does not guarantee that they immediately took it to the post office.

Parcel Post is pretty much the s-l-o-w-e-s-t way to mail things and usually the least expensive...I would not be super concerned until 10 days from the day it was received at the post office (unfortunately)

Hope that helps

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Thanks Poohandwendy!

 

[poohandwendy]

No problem

 

[katerkat]

I once shipped a package parcel post from Mississippi to Jacksonville, got in my car, went to WDW for a week, drove *past* Jacksonville to New Jersey....and the package still arrived in Jacksonville afer I got to NJ. Oh, and my Christmas presents arrived at my house exactly one month after I sent them - and two weeks after Christmas. Parcel post sucks - I never offer it on auctions anymore.

 

[N.Bailey]

OP I hope you don't mind but I have a Question that's similar---Last Saturday I purchased an oil lamp on Ebay and paid the same day---On Monday I received an email saying the buyer printed out a receipt and gave me a tracking number--I paid $9.40 for Parcel Post and added $1.30 for the insurance but everytime I check the USPS tracker it only says the receipt was printed nothing about where my package is at. How long does PP take? She lives in Connecticut and I in Kansas---And why can't I check on where the pkg is when she said she mailed it??---The lamp is worth a lot more than I paid so will the insurance cover me for the value of the lamp or just what I paid for it???

Sorry for all the ??? but I buy from Ebay a lot and haven't ever really had a problem and hope you more experienced could help!!

In addition to what Wendy said, I do believe your insurance only covers the amount you paid, not the amount that the item is worth. I could be wrong about that, but I really don't believe I am.

 

[Pugdog007]

In addition to what Wendy said, I do believe your insurance only covers the amount you paid, not the amount that the item is worth. I could be wrong about that, but I really don't believe I am.

True - when mailing you have to insure for a specified amount - and I'm sure the seller would insure for the amount you paid. Just like regular insurance, the more you insure an item for the greater the cost.