Question For eBay Sellers

[braves_43]

Thank you, that's what I was hoping the opinions would be. I did not respond to the claim yet, I wanted to get some thoughts first. I am going to do just that and recommend the buyer contact his local PD and/or post office to report the package stolen.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by braves_43

Thank you, that's what I was hoping the opinions would be. I did not respond to the claim yet, I wanted to get some thoughts first. I am going to do just that and recommend the buyer contact his local PD and/or post office to report the package stolen.

I would suggest you simply respond to the claim by entering the tracking number and add a simple message stating "USPS tracking indicates the package was delivered on (insert date)"

Adding additional text or advice or conversing with the buyer inside of the claim can occasionally backfire.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I would suggest you simply respond to the claim by entering the tracking number and add a simple message stating "USPS tracking indicates the package was delivered on (insert date)"

Adding additional text or advice or conversing with the buyer inside of the claim can occasionally backfire.

Agree that too much conversation is a bad thing. I always include tracking and haven't had a problem yet but if I do have a problem I am assuming that tracking history covers my side. Let us know how this turns out as you know what they say about assuming.

[braves_43]

Well I responded to the claim before seeing the additional responses here about not divulging too much information or not offering advice and my response was probably a little too wordy than it should have been but I don't believe I said anything damaging. Besides what you all recommended, I suggested that he contact his local police department and/or post office.

His response was, "The local police or Post Office can't and won't do anything about this. I would prefer the cards but will accept a full refund but nothing less."

Apparently he didn't even try and he's sounding more demanding now. It's just a $30-something dollar lot of cards but I'm standing my ground. I don't do a large volume of sales on eBay so the few sales I do complete, I'd prefer to keep the money, lol.

My response to his last response above was simply, "I'm sorry, but USPS tracking indicates the package was delivered on January 6th, 2017 at 5:25 PM."

Something similar happened to me a couple months ago which is why I am not backing down on this one. I sold a $40 PSA graded card and shipped the same way to Illinois. A couple weeks later the same thing happened - buyer opened a claim stating the item was never received. Tracking on that one showed that it was scanned "Out for Delivery" but never scanned as "Delivered." I contacted the post office out in Illinois and they apologized and said that due to the cold temperatures their carriers were having issues with the batteries in their scanners dying on their routes. I figured I was screwed and refunded that guy even though I felt that was a complete scam. I was telling that story (not complaining at all, just making conversation when I was there to ship more cards) to the postal worker at my local post office a few weeks ago and she said that was not handled properly at all by the post office in Illinois and that was a poor excuse. She got their postmaster involved and they were actually extremely helpful and were following up on it for me, however, I haven't heard anything in several days about a possible resolution. The effort was still nice.

I'll let you all know how this one shakes out...

[savedfrommyspokes]

Whatever you do, absolutely stand your ground. I would not send another message to the buyer. Strictly go through ebay only....they will side with you. I would give ebay a call, point out the tracking information shows as delivered and ask them to resolve this case immediately. If the buyer then leaves some sort of unjustified bad feedback, call back and speak to a live person at ebay and they will remove it.

[egri]

To add to all of this, I'd block the buyer from your future auctions. He's too much of a hassle.

[Buythatcard]

I had this happen several times over the years. If tracking says that it was delivered, eBay will usually favor on the Sellers side.

Of course, if tracking details says that it is in La La Land for several weeks and has not reached its destination, you will have to refund the Buyer. That is why you should always take out insurance.

I am going thru a similar claim as we speak. Buyer opened claim yesterday saying he never received item and he wants a refund. First of all, he just paid on Saturday. Card was mailed next business day which was Monday. He opened claim on Thursday (less than 3 days after card was sent). When I checked tracking details, it said that it was delivered to his front door on Weds.(2 days after I mailed it)

I responded to Buyer who of course did not respond and I also responded to the actual claim. You need to do this so that eBay can look into the individual case.

If they don't go in your favor, immediately call them and protest. Just as I will do.

[braves_43]

Originally Posted by egri

To add to all of this, I'd block the buyer from your future auctions. He's too much of a hassle.

Yes, he's definitely getting blocked, just like the last guy in Illinois. Not worth the hassle at all.

[aloondilana]

You are lucky the buyer didn't say he received an empty package, then you would really have to fight it out.

[1952boyntoncollector]

when people say 'its just 30 or whatever dollar's then its not 'just' 30 dollars...if it was you would just send the money back since its so little, or the guy wouldnt complain because its so little..... its obviously not 'just' 30 dollars with the time and effort going on so i would back off that type of statement. and just acknowledge its a real issue you are concerned about.

did you purchase insurance on the cards or not..... i know i would not have because afterall its only 30 dollars

[braves_43]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Whatever you do, absolutely stand your ground. I would not send another message to the buyer. Strictly go through ebay only....they will side with you. I would give ebay a call, point out the tracking information shows as delivered and ask them to resolve this case immediately. If the buyer then leaves some sort of unjustified bad feedback, call back and speak to a live person at ebay and they will remove it.

All communication has been through eBay via the Resolution Center. No private eBay messages have been exchanged. I will see how this plays out for a couple days and then call eBay if I need to. I will certainly call eBay if I receive unjust feedback.

[Zach Wheat]

This exact scenario happened to me, except I was on the other side. I was the buyer. The transaction value was $700. The card was shipped insured with tracking but for whatever reason signature confirmation was not requested. I never received the card, although tracking indicated the card was delivered to my address.

As a buyer, if this happens to you, the case will not be decided in your favor since tracking indicates the package was delivered. However, if you go through eBay help and talk to customer service they will initiate reimbursement if you open a case with IC3.GOV - where internet crimes are reported and provide proof you have reported this crime to the postmaster.

eBay will send you a link where you can upload documents proving you've filed a case. On an exception basis i.e. read once or possible twice - you will likely get your money back.

As a buyer always ask for the seller to require Signature Receipt upon delivery to prevent this.

Z

[ValKehl]

[QUOTE=Zach Wheat;1626981]This exact scenario happened to me, except I was on the other side. I was the buyer. The transaction value was $700. The card was shipped insured with tracking but for whatever reason signature confirmation was not requested. I never received the card, although tracking indicated the card was delivered to my address.
...
QUOTE]

Zach, it is my understanding that for anything insured for more than $500 (was $200 not too long ago), the USPS carrier is required to obtain a signature upon delivery, regardless of whether or not the shipper has purchased signature confirmation. In fact, there is a specific USPS insurance form to be used for values of "$500 and under." Some years ago, when I was shipping a high value card, I asked the USPS clerk if there was any reason for me to purchase signature confirmation in addition to insurance, and the clerk's answer was "not really." If the intended recipient claimed non receipt, when I then filed an insurance claim, the USPS would have to produce the signature obtained upon delivery - the USPS tracking showing the item was delivered would not be sufficient to deny my claim. If I am wrong about this, or if this is no longer the way the USPS handles insured high value shipments, someone please let me know.
Val

[varska]

As I understand it, sig confirm is supposed to be automatically included in Priority Mail shipments insured over 500, but the reality can be different. I recently shipped a high value card insured for about 4000 and the buyer told me that the mail carrier just left it in the mailbox. Fortunately the buyer received the card and there were no issues.