posted on December 19, 2003 11:59:03 AM new
Okay, here are the facts.
I purchased some vitamins - "buy it now" ($39.99) - from a Powerseller on eBay December 06, and paid immediately with PayPal. The s/h stated in the auction was $10.00.
I received the package today: Priority box turned inside out and postmarked December 15, with $2.81 MEDIA MAIL postage on the box. Package was mailed from Fort Worth, TX.
The seller has not left feedback for me yet (wonder why?!).
Any suggestions on what feedback I should leave?
Thank you...
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If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
[ edited by wgm on Dec 19, 2003 11:59 AM ]
posted on December 19, 2003 12:07:02 PM new"...The s/h stated in the auction was $10.00."
Aye, there be da rub (as Ralphie says, laying on his back with his little paws in the air, & his tender sweet belly just acheing for a kind carress...)??
Did the auction state what shipping method ye were getting for yer $10?
Or did you ASSUME p-mail?
Didja ask before bidding??
Around 12mos ago, I came on these boards & complained about this very same sleezoid tactic & got hooted & hollored & hounded out da door!
posted on December 19, 2003 12:09:32 PM new
No, I didn't ask prior to bidding; however, I feel it is reasonable to expect bottled vitamins to not be shipped MEDIA MAIL.
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
posted on December 19, 2003 12:14:20 PM new
Did you get the item and service that you expected?
If so, don't worry about his lowhanded way of making money.
It happens everyday,and you can't stop it.
So just rate on item and performance!
posted on December 19, 2003 12:15:43 PM new
I didn't ASSUME Priority Mail. Many sellers use services other than the PO, so I really didn't expect one method or the other. I knew they were too heavy to go First Class, so figured Parcel Post would the very least the package would be sent.
Exactly, toasted - this is where my issue lies...
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
posted on December 19, 2003 12:28:09 PM new
dad - yes and no. I think how long they took to ship the package pretty much stinks.
The s/h cost did not bother me - had the package arrived via any other method, I would not complain about it.
toasted and dad - I appreciate that the two of you posted in a respectful manner, whether or not you agree with my complaint. Shame more can't do that.
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
posted on December 19, 2003 12:53:05 PM new
Don't you love these sellers. I had this happen a few months ago. Ordered a plush item. Shipping was $7.00. They ship it via media mail in an inside out priority mail box. The item itself was also ripped. I was not happy.
These folks are the reason our media mail packages are being opened and inspected by the Post Office. Pretty soon we won't have it as an option at all.
I finally decided it was not worth it do get bent out of shape. The seller had since then gotten other complaints of broken items. They were NARU shortly after that.
So it all works out in the end.
I would definitley not leave a positive. None at all, neutral or negative. If you leave a neutral they will leave a neg.
posted on December 19, 2003 01:01:04 PM newwgm: trying READING...it's fundemenbal!
And ye might get a clue that I agreed with you -- duh!
The point about ASSUME is: everytime I complain about these underhanded shipping techniques employed by many sellers, folks here jump all over me about how ya have to email the seller,blah,blah,etc,etc!
All of my auctions state the SHIPPING FEE and the SHIPPING METHOD -- thus eliminating any possibility of buyer confusion. If they don't like my shipping fee, they donna have to bid -- but they can't say I twern't up front 100% & honest with them
Of course this seller deserves a NEG -- NTM a report to the PO for illegal use of goverment property!
posted on December 19, 2003 02:15:43 PM new
You agreed to the s/h fee ( and indirectly the shipping method ) by buying the item without asking.
Has anyone ever tried turning in an ebay seller to the post office for misusing Media Mail? Might be a good way to get rid of an ebay competitor that lowers prices under honest sellers because of misused Media Mail s/h.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on December 19, 2003 02:22:51 PM new
You knew the shipping costs up front and agreed to them by bidding. You received your product and I'm assuming it was as described. Because so many buyers leave negative feedback for the silliest of reasons, sellers are holding back on leaving feedback first. Retaliatory feedback is a real problem for eBay sellers. Eventually, the seller will get caught by the post office and will have to deal with. Until then, I'd leave a positive feedback and not join the "I agreed to the terms, but don't really like the terms so I'm going to neg you" club. Besides, do you really want the neg that will most probably come in return?
posted on December 19, 2003 02:48:51 PM new
UMMM lets see shipping vitamins by media mail a no no, using a priority box inside out a no no. 2 wrongs don't make a right. Seems to me this seller doesn't respect his buyers and I see he was NARU so good for the people that complained they should get a bonus...
What I would suggest next time don't assume what way your package will be shipped. If not in the TOS then ask or not bid. It will happen only once to you and next time you will look. I think most of us has had that happen to them only once, if it has happened twice shame on the buyer for not reading and asking.
posted on December 19, 2003 03:03:03 PM new
As I have said before, I have NO issue with the s/h charge - it is the METHOD of shipping I have an issue with. Had the package arrived USPS Parcel Post, FedEx Ground, UPS Ground, etc. I would NOT be complaining.
I agree that it is wise and responsible to ask up front if there are concerns as to a seller's s/h - and I would have had I had a problem with the AMOUNT. In all honesty, it never even occurred to me the seller would ship Media Mail! I sell also, and abide by the USPS Media Mail guidelines and regulations; and I guess it is my fault that I expect other sellers to operate within the parameters of the law.
You are very correct, giftsforall - it is sellers like this that is making MM difficult for the rest of us.
I have decided to not leave feedback right now; feedback from me should be the least of this seller's worries right now.
Thank you all for your input
edited to add: this seller makes a mockery of what eBay suggests Powersellers stand for.
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
[ edited by wgm on Dec 19, 2003 03:04 PM ]
posted on December 19, 2003 03:27:36 PM new
Personally, I would contact the postal inspection service and file a complaint about mail abuse. There may be fines involved for the seller... I dunno.
Other than that, if you got what you paid for leave a positive... unless that bugs you then leave a neutral... unless that really bugs you ... then leave a neg.
posted on December 19, 2003 03:30:20 PM new
I would not leave a neutral or negative. It's not deserved because you agreed to the shipping cost when bidding. It also invites a retaliatory neg or neutral. I also think that shipping vitamins media mail is unhealthy. So I would leave a positive that says, "Received product as described. Vitamins were sent by slow media mail though". This way you warn others and satisfy your own dissatisfaction.
posted on December 19, 2003 04:30:01 PM new
Write to PayPal and ask where your item is -- because it wasn't shipped in 7 days, wouldn't that seller have no defense? That would be one way of teaching that "PowerSeller" a lesson.
I wouldn't, however, post anything positive just yet -- and I wouldn't e-mail them to indicate you received them.
Of course, that would be a bit sleezy and I wouldn't want it to happen to me -- but then I don't wait 9 days to ship my items to my customers either.
Let us know what you do.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on December 19, 2003 07:00:27 PM new
Feed back is NOT mandatory, you won't change the world and you will be bitten back if you leave anything other than pos. Just go on..........
posted on December 19, 2003 11:31:55 PM newI received the package today: Priority box turned inside out and postmarked December 15, with $2.81 MEDIA MAIL postage on the box. Package was mailed from Fort Worth, TX.
Send an e-mail to the seller asking where your package is. Then bring your package to the PO and have them inspect is for fraud. Then file with PayPal for a not as described item. Way too much to pay for shipping. Shipping costs are to be resonable and at $10.00, resonable would be priority with DC and insurance. People here say, well you ASSUME. It's a wonder why more and more buyers are leaving ebay because of triple fraud like this.
posted on December 20, 2003 05:19:31 AM new
Wgm, if its your buyers account, who cares about the retailatory neg? People can read what went down on this trans.
Like you, I would be annoyed with the transaction and would ultimately feel better leaving a neg.
As the buyer,you completed transaction, paid promptly, and got your package shipped late and illegally. (Even the law has room for 'reasonable' assumptions, so I dont think your thinking was flawed at all.)
This was pretty much a RIPP OFF despite the fact that you RECEIVED the product. I dont think thats all it is about all the time.
posted on December 20, 2003 05:35:59 AM new
EXACTLY, neroter! Thank you! That is entirely my point - not the amount of shipping I initially paid! Like I said, she could have used any reasonable method and I would not have complained. Contrary to what some here think, Media Mail is NOT a reasonable shipping method for bottled vitamins - no way, no how.
I did email the seller, stating I had received the package in a Priority box turned inside out and postmarked with Media Mail. I asked her if there was anything she had to say before I left feedback - this was yesterday evening and I have yet to get a reply.
I have to go to the PO this morning and mail the last of my Christmas rush packages, and will ask there what recourse I have.
I rethought feedback, and will ultimately leave a negative...but am getting everything else in order before I do. I also filed a report with eBay.
It is my buying account, so a retaliatory negative really won't phase me (even though it will be the first one LOL )
One of the things that has really gotten me, though, is that this seller is a Powerseller. On my selling account, I have received numerous invitations from eBay to join Powersellers - apparently I qualify to be a "silver Powerseller". I haven't joined and have no desire to at this time because I feel the Powerseller program, just as the feedback system, is seriously flawed. On the invitations for PS, eBay makes it sound so prestigious to join (which in all actuality it should be), and goes on to say (paraphrasing here) that PSs are an elite group that show exemplary standards.
I have worked with other PSs, and have had some buy from me as well - and there are some super ones out there. They deserve the title of PSs - this seller does not. Additionally, I have worked with sellers who aren't PSs, and some of them provided customer service that was beyond excellent.
Ultimately, I do the best I can and my customers appreciate it - right now that is more than good enough for me. I don't need a PS logo (or to be grouped with sellers such as this one) to say I do a good job.
geez - not enough copy and tons of grammatical errors!
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
[ edited by wgm on Dec 20, 2003 05:36 AM ]
[ edited by wgm on Dec 20, 2003 05:37 AM ]
[ edited by wgm on Dec 20, 2003 05:38 AM ]
posted on December 20, 2003 06:00:16 AM new
Since you don't care about the neg...I'd bring the whole package to the Post Office to see if they want to investigate fraud. If they make you turn the package and contents over to them I would do so and then file a claim with PayPal "item not received" - then I would email the seller and tell them what has happened.
WISH I HAD A BUYING ID!!
PS is a nice goal but as noted before it doesn't mean diddly about integrity!! "Elite silver" means the select "few" who are able to maintain a $3000 sales level for 3 months with adequate (not exemplary) feedback ratios..there are good PS and there are crook PS. Sounds to me like it's time to call this jerk to account!
posted on December 20, 2003 06:10:41 AM newPSs are an elite group that show exemplary standards.
Judging by the level of venom and meanspiritedness demonstrated towards PowerSellers (or those who are suspected to be PowerSellers) hereabouts, it would seem that eBay has successfully sold this myth to some people.
In reality, PowerSellerdom is no more exclusive than having a Platinum MasterCard.
posted on December 20, 2003 06:16:26 AM new
Don't you think that running to the Post Office with package in hand and then lying to Paypal stating that the item was never received is rather childish? Sounds like something my teenage daughter would have done to get back at someone she's mad at. Or better yet something you'd see on Judge Judy. If you are that bothered by this, contact the seller. Let him know (I'm sure he already does know) that how they sent the item violates USPS regulations. Also let him know that his next buyer might not be as gracious as you and might go to the USPS with the violation. Could be that a buyer has never called him on it before. I've received packages sent in inside out Priority Boxes. I've also been surprised that the sellers didn't know you can't do this.
Make this a learning experience and move on. It's Christmas time!
posted on December 20, 2003 06:38:21 AM new
Oh I would tell PayPal EXACTLY what happened and think they would find in OP's favor because item was not as described OR technically not received if taken back by Post office..it would be worth it to put the screws to the crook who commits two acts of postal fraud in one fell swoop! I always believe honesty is the ONLY policy!
posted on December 20, 2003 10:53:49 PM new
Cheryl, seems as though WGM has given this seller a chance to redeem themselves. If they are a PS, I seriously doubt they don't know the postal regulations as yet.
Since they chose not to reply to WGM's email when called on this should WGM sit back and do nothing then? Because its Christmas??
Somehow thats not right.
I agree with what Neglus said. Fix this guy's a** for once or he's just gonna keep doing it. (At the very least he could / should feign innocence or an apology. Yet he chooses to hide. What does that tell you?)
posted on December 21, 2003 06:22:52 AM new
In all due respect, jackswebb - I don't understand your post. In the past I have seen on other threads where you state how messed up the feedback system is. One way to straighten it out is to be responsible in leaving feedback, not to give in and play the game. I don't feel that accomplishes anything - sorry, just my opinion. The feedback system will never change if people continue to leave positive feedback out of fear of receiving negative feedback. I tend to agree with your posts, but not this one
I took the package to the PO yesterday - they took photos of the bottles inside, but gave them back to me. They did keep the original box and packing material.
I also filed a claim with PayPal, so will see what happens there. I tried to file a complaint with eBay, but according to eBay policy, I have to file it between 30-60 days after the transaction ended. So I guess I have a few more weeks before I can file there.
Still no word from the seller. I did check the negatives/neutrals she has received - all for the same complaint, only not mentioning the method of shipment. And, as expected, she does retaliate with negatives..."my shipping and HANDLING is stated in the auction". She, along with some here are missing the entire point - it's not the COST of the s/h - it's the illegal method used to ship. Sort of like talking to a brick wall. LOL
After the eBay complaint is on file, I will leave negative feedback.
Thank you everyone for posting your opinions. Things will never change with the mentality to just accept it and go on...
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
If going to the PO made you feel better than I guess it was the right thing for you to do. Why did you file a claim with Paypal. The post office gave you your product back. Getting your money back would be getting the product for nothing. Am I missing something about the Paypal thing? I understand the media mail thing and the inside out Priority box. Sorry if I seemed so negative yesterday. It was just an awful, awful day. One of those where just about everything went wrong! I suppose you have to do what you feel is best.
posted on December 21, 2003 06:59:54 AM new
Cheryl, the claim with PayPal is not to get my money back. I was totally truthful with PayPal, just as I have been here.
In all honestly, I am really p!ssed now about this, especially since the seller has chosen to just ignore. I filed under PayPal's Buyer Protection, complaining about the misuse of shipping charges.
And here we go again LOL It's not the charges I am upset about, but that was the intitial selection I had to make on the complaint form. It did drill down and give me a place to explain what my complaint is.
I want it on record with everyone involved in the transaction what a lowlife this seller is - and PayPal was involved as my payment method.
__________________________________
If you had one phone call to make before you died, who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?
