posted on February 27, 2001 02:59:06 PM new
Well I got another broken item today in the mail, I must be the unluckiest person, maybe I should stop buying via eBay!
This was blatantly stupid too! It was an item that had a loose figure inside that hung from a wire. No cushion, no packing inside the item to protect the figure from swinging around! How idiotic is that?
I just shipped the exact same item that I sold and put tissue paper inside to protect the figure. I really didn't think I needed to tell a seller how to package this item, but guess I should have.
I also note that the item was not insured either. I mentioned this when I notified the seller, can't wait to hear what they have to say about this.
posted on February 27, 2001 03:12:42 PM new
Sorry to hear that your item arrived broken, I know it can be dissapointing.
Was this a newly seller? Remember, all sellers on eBay are not professionals. Some just log on to sell an item or two, left-over stuff, etc. Often they are packing and shipping for the very first time.
I remember the first sale we had on eBay. The winning bidder asked if we needed any advice on packing or shipping matters. And, we did! It was a very appreciated gesture.
I wrote her a letter a couple of months ago [3+ years after her transaction] to touch base and say "thanks" again for helping with our first sale. She was thrilled to hear from us, and was delightfully shocked to see the amount of feedback we built after her sale!
posted on February 27, 2001 04:59:28 PM new
Total feedback is 115 with a couple for slow shipping, which ironically was not the case with our item - it got here two days after the auction ended!
I would just think common sense would tell someone if you have an item that bangs around inside of something and it's an integral part of the item, you package it to protect it?
I don't know maybe it's just me, but I think I would have known to do that even when I was a newbie.
On their behalf I must say they were going on vaction today and must have had to package it quickly to get it out the door before they left, but that's no reason to skimp on packing.
posted on February 27, 2001 10:59:50 PM new
Sorry that your item was broken in transit.
I have had the opposite problem of over enthusiastic packing – a lot of people put so much of the tape that is designed to seal cartons on the bubble wrap that the item is in that it is difficult to remove it all without damaging the item.
A few pieces of scotch tape would be sufficient – the bubble wrap is not going anywhere if the carton is filled with peanuts or any other suitable material.
Cheers, Jim.
All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegcaps awound?
[ edited by JimFouch on Feb 27, 2001 11:27 PM ]
posted on February 28, 2001 06:54:12 AM new
I had a not new seller (400 feedbacks) just put the item in the box.....nothing but the wooden item, which of course is still subject to getting broken. Some people are just lazy......what other reason can it be for not at least putting in newspaper to protect the item from bouncing around in the box.?
Normally, any items I receive are packaged perfectly, and I make every effort to do the same. An email to the seller about their packing habits is in order....
posted on February 28, 2001 07:18:30 AM new
My sister is an eBay seller, and I'm her designated fragile item packer. We've shipped lots of china and delicate glassware and nothing has ever arrived broken. We double box everything fragile and are liberal in our use of bubble wrap.
My sister's buyers often mention her exceptional packaging in their feedback.
It makes no sense in the long run for a lazy seller to pack carelessly. Look at all the trouble that ensues: tons of e-mails from irritated buyers, returned items, returned checks, insurance claims - all of which probably take more time to handle than packing the item carefully would have taken.
I buy on eBay, and I always check seller feedback before I bid to see if the seller has negatives for poor packaging. This is a pretty good indicator of what to expect with your transaction.
So, while making allowances for new sellers, at some point a seller has to learn how to do it right. Too, the argument could be made that eBay is probably not their first experience with mailing things - most of us have mailed Christmas or birthday presents to people. Why not take the time and care to pack well for paying customers that one takes with friends and relatives?
