Poor Packaging - Unreasonable?

[Daria]

I recently won this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250095717632&fromMakeTrack=true

Fast forward to today and I get my package. To begin with the game was shipped in it's box, not flattened out as I'm used to seeing SNES boxes shipped. It was also shipped in an envelope. Not even a bubble mailer. The box in addition to the advertised wear and tear is now unsurprisingly squashed and covered in creases.

I sent out this response to the seller:

Hi, I recieved my package today. However the item was recieved in damaged condition due to poor packaging. I suggest a reimbursement for the cost of shipping ($6.00) as the box was a major factor in my decision to buy this game from you. I do realize that the item I bid on was not in great condition to begin with, however, it is now much worse. Thank you for your time and understanding.

I didn't request a box when I bought the item, but I didn't expect him to just throw it all in an envelope either. So is this a reasonable request? Also... why are some people so damn stupid?

[Bratwurst]

The seller is in the wrong because this is a common sense issue and they are obligated to get the item into your possession in the condition it was advertised in. Paypal in all likelihood will side with you if you made an issue of this and were ready to provide pictures.

Still, in the future I would suggest a personal policy of asking every seller for every auction about the particulars with regards to shipping because it just saves a whole lot of time and tears.

[GillianSeed]

Yeah, it's hit and miss. Unless you settle on a few dealers you know and like, you pays your money and you takes your chances.

I ordered two Sega CD games from two different sellers recently, both of which were advertised as being in near mint condition. One arrived in a sturdy bubble mailer with extra wrapping, and he made sure to secure the disc by placing some bubble wrap inside. The other was sent in a flimsy mailer, with the disc rattling around loose inside and one of the hinges was broken.

Since people are loath to leave negatives these days, I tend to pore over a seller's feedback looking for phrases like "well packaged" if I'm concerned about an item arriving in good condition. Needless to say I don't see anything like that in his feedback.

[Daria]

Paypal in all likelihood will side with you if you made an issue of this and were ready to provide pictures.


That's good to know. Thanks.

[Daria]

He sent a reply:


hey im sorry that happen but all i can do is half of the shipping price.

I'm going to insist on the $6 though. It's the principle of the thing, I paid $6 for shipping and he fucked it all up.

[walrusmonger]

how much was his true shipping cost? ask him to give you the difference, don't bother him for $6 when you know it cost him money to send it.

if it only cost $1.50 or $2 to ship ask for $4.50 or $4. If it cost more than $3 to ship, accept the $3. I know he did something stupid, but show it to the masses in his feedback.

[Griking]

Why not ship it back to him and just ask for a full refund?

[Daria]

Why not ship it back to him and just ask for a full refund?

Good idea. I'm shooting him back this reply:


Well I can do the $6 to make up the cost I paid for shipping. Or you can refund me the full cost of the auction $19 plus $3 to cover my shipping costs and I can mail the package back to you. Let me know how you'd like to proceed. Thanks again.

[Kitsune Sniper]

No.

Report his ass to Paypal and get ALL your money back. Idiots like him shouldn't even be selling games to begin with.

[pooch]

That's good to know. Thanks.

I am not sure if you can reimburse yourself by item not arrived in condition stated. I filed a dispute with paypal a few years ago because the game was damaged during transit. However paypal said this is noted about this seller and that's it. There was not dispute form or reimbursement of any kind.

[Darth Sensei]

I won a paypal dispute nearly identical to this as the disgruntled buyer.

[Felixthegamer]

It never hurts to ask/request, in a nice manner, to have games shipped in a certain manner. What may be common sense to most of us here, is not always common sense to sellers. Seeing as they are selling more games, I would say it was a lazy and/or cheap way out though. Get whatever you can back. By the way, their feedback seems a bit low. I am not sure if you know or not, but you can go to www.toolhaus.org and see all the negatives left.

[Cornelius]

Frankly, I think getting half the s&h back is pretty good. The guy made a mistake and proposed reasonable compensation. All you are going to get for your 'principle' is a lot more trouble and maybe $3. Guess I'm a little more pragmatic. I also happen to think that it is likely if the seller had posted his story here then they would have gotten replies supporting their side.

I'm curious for those that have been through a paypal dispute: If the op were to win the dispute, they do have to return the item, right? Would the seller be required to pay for shipping to get the item back?

[Daria]

See I've never done a paypal dispute before. I generally never complain either. I've gotten games shipped poorly before but I usually write it off and eat the difference. I tend to be very non-confrontational, and I regret it afterwards. So this time, even if it is a hassle, I'd like to stand up for myself and see how it turns out.

Worse comes to worse I don't get any money back and I'm left with an overpriced game. Big deal. I gaurentee though next time this guy ships a game he'll do it correctly if for no other reason than he wants to avoid another bitchy customer like myself. :P

And yeah I'm definately going to start sending out instructions on how I'd like my games to be shipped. Some sellers are insulted by it, but I'd rather insure that my games arrived in the same condition that I bought them in.

[Bratwurst]

I'm curious for those that have been through a paypal dispute: If the op were to win the dispute, they do have to return the item, right? Would the seller be required to pay for shipping to get the item back?

Nope. You get to keep the item and the money- you might be morally obligated to return the item, but who ever does? I know as a buyer I get incensed when a seller suggests I return an item on my dime in order to get a refund for what was the seller's fuckup in the first place.

Now generally I am pretty easy going about this, and if I got a boxed game in a bubble mailer without having cleared the shipping details beforehand, I'd chalk it up to my own carelessness. Getting something in a paper envelope with no padding whatsoever though, that's a criminal offense to common sense.

[Daria]

Now generally I am pretty easy going about this, and if I got a boxed game in a bubble mailer without having cleared the shipping details beforehand, I'd chalk it up to my own carelessness. Getting something in a paper envelope with no padding whatsoever though, that's a criminal offense to common sense.

See I'm the same way. The same week I bought this game I also boguht a minty Phantasy Star 4. Again, didn't request a box. Stupid but I didn't think about it. Game arrived in a bubble mailer, little squashed but it was my fault. I shot the seller a pm and explained in the future he may want to be more careful with his shipping but didn't request any rembursment. Point is I didn't hassle him because I felt I was careless.

[nebrazca78]

The seller is in the wrong because this is a common sense issue and they are obligated to get the item into your possession in the condition it was advertised in. Paypal in all likelihood will side with you if you made an issue of this and were ready to provide pictures.

Still, in the future I would suggest a personal policy of asking every seller for every auction about the particulars with regards to shipping because it just saves a whole lot of time and tears.

Absolutely the seller's fault. He shipped in a bubble mailer instead of a box to save money and your item was damaged. Turn the screws.



I didn't request a box when I bought the item, but I didn't expect him to just throw it all in an envelope either. So is this a reasonable request? Also... why are some people so damn stupid?

They just are. Prepare to deal with this for the rest of your life.


Yeah, it's hit and miss. Unless you settle on a few dealers you know and like, you pays your money and you takes your chances.

Since people are loath to leave negatives these days, I tend to pore over a seller's feedback looking for phrases like "well packaged" if I'm concerned about an item arriving in good condition. Needless to say I don't see anything like that in his feedback.

I say whip out the red pen whenever necessary. Negative feedback and Paypal claims are all most of these dregs understand.


No.

Report his ass to Paypal and get ALL your money back. Idiots like him shouldn't even be selling games to begin with.

Yes Yes Yes.


See I've never done a paypal dispute before. I generally never complain either. I've gotten games shipped poorly before but I usually write it off and eat the difference. I tend to be very non-confrontational, and I regret it afterwards. So this time, even if it is a hassle, I'd like to stand up for myself and see how it turns out.

Worse comes to worse I don't get any money back and I'm left with an overpriced game. Big deal. I gaurentee though next time this guy ships a game he'll do it correctly if for no other reason than he wants to avoid another bitchy customer like myself. :P

And yeah I'm definately going to start sending out instructions on how I'd like my games to be shipped. Some sellers are insulted by it, but I'd rather insure that my games arrived in the same condition that I bought them in.

Make people pay for their indescretions or they will keep doing it. They eBay seller culture of "the buyer is wrong" needs to change.


Frankly, I think getting half the s&h back is pretty good. The guy made a mistake and proposed reasonable compensation. All you are going to get for your 'principle' is a lot more trouble and maybe $3. Guess I'm a little more pragmatic. I also happen to think that it is likely if the seller had posted his story here then they would have gotten replies supporting their side.

I'm curious for those that have been through a paypal dispute: If the op were to win the dispute, they do have to return the item, right? Would the seller be required to pay for shipping to get the item back?

You MAY be required to send the items back. I have filed a few winning claims and have never had to send the items back though.


Nope. You get to keep the item and the money- you might be morally obligated to return the item, but who ever does? I know as a buyer I get incensed when a seller suggests I return an item on my dime in order to get a refund for what was the seller's fuckup in the first place.

Now generally I am pretty easy going about this, and if I got a boxed game in a bubble mailer without having cleared the shipping details beforehand, I'd chalk it up to my own carelessness. Getting something in a paper envelope with no padding whatsoever though, that's a criminal offense to common sense.

No buyer should have to ask for proper shipping. I think it's sad that people have resigned themselves to expecting poor service unless they ask for otherwise.



See I'm the same way. The same week I bought this game I also boguht a minty Phantasy Star 4. Again, didn't request a box. Stupid but I didn't think about it. Game arrived in a bubble mailer, little squashed but it was my fault. I shot the seller a pm and explained in the future he may want to be more careful with his shipping but didn't request any rembursment. Point is I didn't hassle him because I felt I was careless.

If you use eBay a lot, get used to confrontation and turn the screws. If you see yourself as an eBay vigilante it might make you feel good as well. I love busting bullshit sellers.

[coreycorey2000]

I think a bubble mailer is fine for shipping unless a box is requested. The difference in shipping cost can be $5 or more. I received a box for Bubble Bobble Part 2 and it was shipped in a bubble mailer. It was in great shape. If the item is under $100 I have no problems having it sent in a bubble mailer. But then again I'm cheap and don't want to pay high shipping.

[Griking]

You can ship a single game in a box via first class mail for around $2.50. Besides, the seller charged the buyer $6.00 for shipping

There's was really no excuse to ship the boxed game in just a bubble mailer or an envelope.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Hell, PRIORITY MAIL costs $4.05 for up to a pound, nationwide. Delivery Confirmation's fifty cents more. $6 shipping is what I charge for most games, if the buyer wants Priority - $4.55 is for shipping, the rest is for bus fare and PayPal/eBay fees. And you get free boxes at the post office.

I hate sellers who really charge two or three times more shipping than needed.

Edit: Oh, and Griking - most sellers know about that price for shipping, but they choose to use Media Mail instead - saving something like ten cents in the process. Jeez.