Help, ebayers...opinions wanted

[AlleyKat]

I'm new to selling on ebay and just sold a somewhat expensive item, stating in the auction that it would be insured and a signature would be required.

I mailed the item on Wednesday via FedEx, making sure the item was insured for my stated amount and specifying several times that a signature will be required. I paid for the services requested, watched the employee slap various stickers on the box, paid for everything and left.

I just checked FedEx's site, see that the package was delivered today and noted TWICE on the delivery stats that NO SIGNATURE WAS REQUESTED/REQUIRED! The box was left on the doorstep.

I immediately called customer service, asked if getting a refund on that service will be a problem, explaining that I requested that service, and that I have the paperwork showing such.

I literally have no feedback yet and now have to worry that I appear to be a liar.

Should I contact the winner and ask if they have the package in their possession, letting them know I'm livid because of FedExs' ignorance?

Is this something FedEx is "famous" for? If so, I'll be using another carrier to ship expensive items!

 

[happygirl]

I'm new to selling on ebay and just sold a somewhat expensive item, stating in the auction that it would be insured and a signature would be required.

I mailed the item on Wednesday via FedEx, making sure the item was insured for my stated amount and specifying several times that a signature will be required. I paid for the services requested, watched the employee slap various stickers on the box, paid for everything and left.

I just checked FedEx's site, see that the package was delivered today and noted TWICE on the delivery stats that NO SIGNATURE WAS REQUESTED/REQUIRED! The box was left on the doorstep.

I immediately called customer service, asked if getting a refund on that service will be a problem, explaining that I requested that service, and that I have the paperwork showing such.

I literally have no feedback yet and now have to worry that I appear to be a liar.

Should I contact the winner and ask if they have the package in their possession, letting them know I'm livid because of FedExs' ignorance?

Is this something FedEx is "famous" for? If so, I'll be using another carrier to ship expensive items!

What did FedEx say when you called and complained? I would email the buyer and explain the situation to them. It wouldn't be a big deal to me as a buyer,

 

[Lisa_M]

I wouldn't say anything to the buyer. Just assume they got it until they tell you otherwise. I'm glad you had it insured because if they file a Paypal claim you will have no chance at winning because you didn't ship through Paypal.

 

[OK!]

I'd just contact the buyer to ensure that he or she has received the package OK. I don't know why Fed Ex does that sometimes...the day the iPhone was released this past summer, I was out at my parents' house, waiting for one of the phones we got to be delivered. I was there until about 3 pm, well within earshot of the front door, but heard nothing. However, when I checked tracking online, it said it had been delivered. Apparently, Fed Ex just chucked it up on the porch and left; they didn't even bother to knock. Everyone in the Western world knew that the new iPhones were shipping/being delivered that day...it would have been SO easy for someone to just march up to the front of the house and steal it, and we wouldn't have known it'd even been delivered in the first place! Grrrrrrrrr.

 

[AlleyKat]

What did FedEx say when you called and complained?
I would email the buyer and explain the situation to them. It wouldn't be a big deal to me as a buyer,

The representative only saw the same info. I saw online as the physical paperwork is at my local FedEx office(I have copies).

She said a refund for that service would be no problem but that's not my main concern.

I'm worried I'll appear to be a liar, stating in the auction and in a personal email to the buyer that a signature would be required. I made mention that someone should be home to sign for the box, as stated.

I literally have no feedback and don't want the first one to state I can't be trusted!

 

[JR6ooo4]

aslong as you ave your shipping receipt showing you paid for insurance and signature was required... you are trouble free.

If it never shows up, or if your buyer might be so unscrupulous to falsely claim that it never did, it is the shipper's responsibility to refund the buyers money.

You apologize to the buyer for their trouble (just as customer service) and send them a copy of the shipping receipt for their claim, not yours.

Mikeee

 

[AlleyKat]

I wouldn't say anything to the buyer. Just assume they got it until they tell you otherwise. I'm glad you had it insured because if they file a Paypal claim you will have no chance at winning because you didn't ship through Paypal.

Would you please explain the part I bolded?

 

[JR6ooo4]

In all my auctions, buyer pays shipping and I pay insurance. It is insurance for both of us and it is cheap.

Mikeeee

 

[AlleyKat]

In all my auctions, buyer pays shipping and I pay insurance. It is insurance for both of us and it is cheap.

Mikeeee

I hear that, loud and clear!

I mailed some books today but did not insure them. I will now insure everything, no matter how inexpensive the item is!

 

[spacemermaid]

I've been an Ebay seller for 10 years now, and I've "seen it all" when it comes to buyers trying to get items for free. (To be fair, I've also had so many wonderful, honest buyers who when I see they've won another of my auctions, I breathe a sigh of relief to know that it will be a pleasant, trouble-free transaction!). My advice is to not email the buyer about the FedEx faux pas; if it got there ok, they'll most likely leave you good feedback upon receipt. Now, I don't like to assume the worst from people, but I think that emailing them first may open yourself up to problems, especially if the buyer is less than honest, sees that you're a new seller, and decides to try & take advantage. If the buyer is upset that there was no signature required to accept his/her item, you should scan or photograph the FedEx receipt to show them that you did indeed request/pay for that service. If for some reason the item went missing somewhere between you and the buyer, the insurance will reimburse you; FedEx is really good about reimbursement should the item be lost or damaged. So you're safe money-wise; really, the worst they could do is leave bad feedback, which isn't fun but at least you won't be out any $. Good luck with this, and may you have many happy years as a seller!

 

[LadyZolt]

I'm glad you had it insured because if they file a Paypal claim you will have no chance at winning because you didn't ship through Paypal.

Would you please explain the part I bolded?

Yeah, me too -- how do you ship something "through PayPal"? I've only used PayPal as a buyer and a seller, but haven't done either in a long time and when I did ship, I shipped post office insured or UPS and paid or got paid through PayPal. But what is this shipping through PayPal?

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yeah, me too -- how do you ship something "through PayPal"? I've only used PayPal as a buyer and a seller, but haven't done either in a long time and when I did ship, I shipped post office insured or UPS and paid or got paid through PayPal. But what is this shipping through PayPal?

When you are payed through paypal it gives you the option to print a shipping label. you can choose your carrier as well. Makes it a little quicker and verifies the shipping address also.

Mikeeee

 

[LadyZolt]

When you are payed through paypal it gives you the option to print a shipping label. you can choose your carrier as well. Makes it a little quicker and verifies the shipping address also.

Ah -- cool! I hadn't experienced that yet, but it makes sense. That way both seller and buyer know PayPal is in the loop. Thanks for the reply!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[Daisy14]

Thats the reason why I never utilize this "extra" service that they offer. Very often they ignore the signature required line. Moat items I ship are worth in excess of 100 and wuite often reach the 3-400 dollar range, I insure everything, ship it ground and they always get there... my 2 cents...

 

[N.Bailey]

Is it possible that you could scan your receipt and send that to the buyer? While I don't think the buyer will think you a liar, you could send the scan to them with a statement to the effect that you're upset at how this situation played out, but you just wanted to let them know you did exactly what you said you would.

 

[AlleyKat]

if they file a Paypal claim you will have no chance at winning because you didn't ship through Paypal.

what is this shipping through PayPal?

When you are payed through paypal it gives you the option to print a shipping label. you can choose your carrier as well. Makes it a little quicker and verifies the shipping address also.

Mikeeee

Seems to me to be six of one, half a dozen of the other....

 

[gm]

Even if you do not use paypal shipping. You can add the tracking# on the paypal payment.

I also would not tell the buyer. I would assume they received and are happy. Unless they come and specifically ask you why than you explain that you are checking into it with fedex as you had paid for the service and fax them a copy to show if needed. I dont think it will go that far.

 

[hbkfan637]

I wouldn't say anything to the buyer. Just assume they got it until they tell you otherwise. I'm glad you had it insured because if they file a Paypal claim you will have no chance at winning because you didn't ship through Paypal.[/QUOTE]

If the buyer files a claim, all you have to do is enter the tracking information in the dispute. If it shows that the package is delivered, you should be OK... Actually, if the item is worth over $250(?), I think PayPal requires a signature for you to be protected. I don't think it matters that you didn't ship through PayPal.

I've been an Ebay seller for 10 years now, and I've "seen it all" when it comes to buyers trying to get items for free. (To be fair, I've also had so many wonderful, honest buyers who when I see they've won another of my auctions, I breathe a sigh of relief to know that it will be a pleasant, trouble-free transaction!). My advice is to not email the buyer about the FedEx faux pas; if it got there ok, they'll most likely leave you good feedback upon receipt. Now, I don't like to assume the worst from people, but I think that emailing them first may open yourself up to problems, especially if the buyer is less than honest, sees that you're a new seller, and decides to try & take advantage. If the buyer is upset that there was no signature required to accept his/her item, you should scan or photograph the FedEx receipt to show them that you did indeed request/pay for that service. If for some reason the item went missing somewhere between you and the buyer, the insurance will reimburse you; FedEx is really good about reimbursement should the item be lost or damaged. So you're safe money-wise; really, the worst they could do is leave bad feedback, which isn't fun but at least you won't be out any $. Good luck with this, and may you have many happy years as a seller!

ITA. Just assume everything went well unless you hear otherwise. I never had to deal with a lot of scammers since I sold toys and t-shirts but I heard a lot of horror stories from the eBay forums and they always suggest doing what the pp said.