When selling an item, AND you decide to ship it...

[V6UnderPressure]

Perhaps this can be a Sticky. Unfortunately, I have been on the sad end of bad transactions lately. There needs to be come clarification on here as to who is responsible for a bad transaction. Before I begin, let me tell you that I have over 2000+ transactions under my belt pertaining to ebay, tb.com and many other automotive boards.

First off, let me tell you that pictures speak a thousand words. If someone takes pictures of one side of something, and not the other, chances are it is damaged. Be sure to get pictures at all angles so that all/any damage is visible. Also, what may be in excellent condition to you, may only be in good condition to someone else. And what may be in poor condition to someone else, may be in good condition to you. Do not go by those descriptive words. They are about as useless as suntan lotion to an eskimo. Recently, I purchased an intercooler that was stated to be in excellent condition. The seller only took a picture of the front, and failed to leave out the two huge dents near the top rear. This may have been in excellent condition to the seller, but not to me. If you say it is in "perfect condition", it had better be.

Secondly, there seems to be some misunderstanding as to whom is responsible for an item that is received damaged. I have seen many people who prefer local pickup only when selling their parts. Some of which, need to be pursuaded to even consider shipping the item. If you are the seller, and you finally agree to ship (EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO), it is now YOUR responsibility to make sure that item arrives safely. When I have received damaged items from these people, I've gotten this famous response, "I told you I didn't want to ship them!". LOOK! The minute you decide to ship the item, the responsibility is all YOURS. If you didn't want to ship the item, you could have said "NO". Since you decided to ship them, it is 100% your responsibility to make sure that the item is packed well, that is has insurance (if you don't want to take the chance), and that it arrives there damage free.

For those who are not aware, it is the shipper who needs to file an insurance claim if an item is damaged. Yes, the shipper can ask for extra money for insurance. However, even if the buyer doesn't pay extra for insurance, it is still the shipper's responsibility if the item is damaged. In short, no matter what it is in the best interest of the seller to purchase insurance whether the buyer paid for it or not.

Lastly, I know that the cost of shipping has gone up people. This was obviously evident during the rising gas prices. However, trying to ship cheap will only hurt you in the end. Let me give you an example. Recently a front mount intercooler was purchased and the seller wanted to charge quite a bit to ship(he wanted to send the intercooler and pipes in two separate boxes). Being experienced in shipping, its cheaper to send one big box, then two separate boxes of the same size. I convinced the seller to do so(again, he AGREED to do so, and its now his responsibility). The seller now tried to cram the pipes and intercooler in the smallest box possible(to save money on shipping) by placing the intercooler in the middle and the pipes surrounding it. In the process of shipping(which I am sure you all are aware)boxes get dropped from trucks, dropped from conveyors etc. This is why we need padding. The pipes were damaged from the box being dropped and the intercooler dropping on the pipes.

In short people, I have had a few bad transactions on here (one I am currently waiting on a refund) and the image of TB.com members to me is going down the tubes when I have to deal with things like this. Especially when you have been dealing with these members all the way back to 2001. Why screw it up now? Good luck to you all in your transactions! Have a nice day!

 

[Grumpy]

Since you decided to ship them, it is 100% your responsibility to make sure that the item is packed well, that is has insurance (if you don't want to take the chance), and that it arrives there damage free.

I ship EVERYTHING with insurance. I don't give it as an option. I always pack it up so IF it does get the "lets play football" with this box it will take a few "passes" You version of nice and theirs??? tuffest thing to figure out BUT DIGITAL cameras rock and pics say a 1000 words

 

[Team Banana]

I ship EVERYTHING with insurance. I don't give it as an option. I always pack it up so IF it does get the "lets play football" with this box it will take a few "passes" You version of nice and theirs??? tuffest thing to figure out BUT DIGITAL cameras rock and pics say a 1000 words

My nephew is a fedex driver, he picked a package up that I wrote fragile on.
He said that that means "don't handle with care "and told me not to do that anymore.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

I am currently battling a paypal claim and im the bad guy.

I sold a power seat track on ebay for 53.00 and when the item was sold, insurance was included in the shipping quote, as Dan says "lets play football" began 6 days after the guy received the package.

So, instead of the guy contacting me telling me that the item was damaged in shipping with a "crack" in the motor case. He contacts paypal and tells them that the item "was not as described" ... then automatically jumps it up to paypal saying he is not responsible for contacting usps.
I dont have photos showing the damage, i dont have the oversized box with all packaging materials...

Mother fkr it was damaged in shipping, so i declined his request for a 76.00 refund and we are battling it on paypal. He refuses to contact usps about the damaged shipping goods, so i will be sitting back with a empty paypal account till he contacts usps, and paypal is reviewing the case right now.

This is what i feel, once the item sells and leaves my front door, its his package, its his item he purchased on paypal, he doesnt get to keep the item, and his 76.00 and my 22.00 to ship it to him.

It is a 2 way street, both parties should make the extra step to make sure insurance is paid for on the item.

I sold a TTA THDP for 783.00 about a month ago... Want to guess if i purchased insurance on it


Post those pictures of the dents on the IC, it will give everyone a idea of the horrible damage to it.....

BW

 

[VADER]

I didnt read everything above, but I know if you make an ins claim through USPS, they want the box it was in. Once I bought sometihng on ebay, paid for ins, it came damaged, I discarded the box, asked to make a claim, post office wanted the box, and wouldnt do anything, neither would the seller, so I paid for ins I couldnt use

 

[V6UnderPressure]

This is what i feel, once the item sells and leaves my front door, its his package, its his item he purchased on paypal, he doesnt get to keep the item, and his 76.00 and my 22.00 to ship it to him.

It is a 2 way street, both parties should make the extra step to make sure insurance is paid for on the item.

I sold a TTA THDP for 783.00 about a month ago... Want to guess if i purchased insurance on it


Post those pictures of the dents on the IC, it will give everyone a idea of the horrible damage to it.....

BW

Hey Brian, I will post pics of the pipes here in a second. However, I have to disagree with you on the minute it leave your door step that it is "his package". If that was the case, at that point in time, you have his money and he doesn't have his package. You have an obligation to be sure that they item he paid for gets to him safe and sound. If thats the case, you can throw the item on your doorstep and say "come and get it".:biggrin: Plus, when I have received damaged items and called the shipping service (i.e. fedex, ups, etc.) they tell me that the shipper has to file the claim. If you don't file the claim, the buyer is left high and dry. So the seller in ALL instances, needs to get insurance to protect both the buyer and himself. In a perfect world, both buyer and seller would agree on providing insurance, but the buyer does not have to.

Anyhow, he should have contacted you first. And he won't get his refund until he ships the item back to you. It's a two way street yes, but if you ship, you are relying on the shipping company to get it it there safe and sound. Insurance needs to be purchased to protect yourself. Personally, I ship everything UPS now anyways. USPS requires a separate form to be filled out for insurance. UPS automatically gives you $100 in insurance and I think its $1.50 for every $100 thereafter. A much better deal for peace of mind. Plus they cut you a check within two weeks. Food for thought.

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Here are pictures of the damaged pipe I received along with the damaged intercooler.

 

[Just a Six??]

Why not just take a LOT of Pics & be Honest about the product! Then add an extra $500 ins for the $5 it costs in case they do play football. Thats what I do & it seems to work for me?

Altho, I just delivered something to someone in the US & he & his Dad looked at it & said what if I'm not happy after the shop see's it? I said you get your $$$ back. First time ever they looked at it then wanted the $$$ back but I did not argue for $75. Not worth it IMO. He still has the product & I dont think I'll ever see it but thats OK I know I played it FAIR! I can sleep at night!

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

I dont see how i can make the claim to usps when i dont have the item, i dont have the package, and i sure as hell dont have photos of the damaged goods.

How can i make a claim for a item i dont have my hands on?

So what happens when he ships it back with no insurance? What if it gets lost, and or damaged beyond repair with no insurance.. Does this mean i am out the shipping to him, and the 53.00 it sold for on ebay?

This is where i come up with the attitude, once it leaves my doorstep, its up to the buyer... This guy wouldnt even deal with me about it, just went straight to paypal.

I disagree So the seller in ALL instances, needs to get insurance to protect both the buyer and himself. In a perfect world, both buyer and seller would agree on providing insurance, but the buyer does not have to. with this

Your a idiot if you dont think your responsible for buying insurance on something you might be worried about getting damaged in shipping.

I would agree with you if your shipping bricks, or stones, but if the item can get damaged or lost in shipping, YOU are at fault for not paying 3.00 for insurance on the item to make sure it was "covered"

Why take the chance and not insure it? Why is it solely the sellers fault for not getting insurance on it? Why couldnt you say, hey heres 3.00 make sure its insured?

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Wow that intercooler is totally smashed, you might have to send it out for scrap metal

 

[V6UnderPressure]

I dont see how i can make the claim to usps when i dont have the item, i dont have the package, and i sure as hell dont have photos of the damaged goods.

How can i make a claim for a item i dont have my hands on?

So what happens when he ships it back with no insurance? What if it gets lost, and or damaged beyond repair with no insurance.. Does this mean i am out the shipping to him, and the 53.00 it sold for on ebay?

This is where i come up with the attitude, once it leaves my doorstep, its up to the buyer... This guy wouldnt even deal with me about it, just went straight to paypal.

I disagree So the seller in ALL instances, needs to get insurance to protect both the buyer and himself. In a perfect world, both buyer and seller would agree on providing insurance, but the buyer does not have to. with this

Your a idiot if you dont think your responsible for buying insurance on something you might be worried about getting damaged in shipping.

I would agree with you if your shipping bricks, or stones, but if the item can get damaged or lost in shipping, YOU are at fault for not paying 3.00 for insurance on the item to make sure it was "covered"

Why take the chance and not insure it? Why is it solely the sellers fault for not getting insurance on it? Why couldnt you say, hey heres 3.00 make sure its insured?

Because guess what, when the buyer pays you, he pays for the item, and he pays for shipping. Let me clarify "HE PAYS FOR SHIPPING". He PAID YOU to SHIP it to HIM. So why do you say the minute it leaves your doorstep, its on him? No its not, because you didn't deliver it to him did you? You are relying on the shipping company to deliver it for you. Unless you are going to drive it to his house by yourself, you are putting your trust in the delivery company. And guess what, if you put the trust in them to deliver it then you'd better put insurance on it. You are wrong there. I don't know what kind of issue you are having with USPS in that the guy isn't cooperating. But every time I have had a paypal claim, all they had to do was ship the item back to me and provide tracking, and the refund got processed. Then you can receive the item and evaluate from there.

Also, I don't know what you are inquiring about the "intercooler scrap metal comment" but let me tell you. I paid 700 for this intercooler in which I was told was in excellent condition. In the condition it is in now, it is no way worth 700 bucks. I currently already have a precision intercooler, but I have since gone away from alky and wanted a set of unmolested pipes. His pipes were perfect before shipping which is why I purchased them. Guess what, now I have two sets of molested pipes, one with smashed ends and one with alky holes, not to mention a dented intercooler with bent fins all over the place in which I was told was in excellent condition. And, a bent bracket which you can see in the pic which also by the way has a crack because of the bend. All this because the seller was a damn penny pinching cheapskate who wanted to shave a couple inches off the size of the box to save some change on shipping.

Looks like we are not on the same page. The thing is, people here think that they can get away with this stuff because they are far away. This just isn't the case. Eventually, it will catch up with them, and I assure you I will be one of the first to prove this.

Oh ya, forgot to mention that I was told by the seller that he would send the refund. Then guess what, he disappears off the board for a while and I havent heard from him in three weeks and hasn't posted in three weeks. Why would you run away if there was nothing wrong?

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Out of curiosity Brian, did you call USPS and try to file a claim? If so, what did they say?

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Why not just take a LOT of Pics & be Honest about the product! Then add an extra $500 ins for the $5 it costs in case they do play football. Thats what I do & it seems to work for me?

Altho, I just delivered something to someone in the US & he & his Dad looked at it & said what if I'm not happy after the shop see's it? I said you get your $$$ back. First time ever they looked at it then wanted the $$$ back but I did not argue for $75. Not worth it IMO. He still has the product & I dont think I'll ever see it but thats OK I know I played it FAIR! I can sleep at night!

AMEN! It really isn't that hard.

 

[bison]

My experience with USPS on claims is that even if the sender had insurance on the item the inspector at the post office will still need to see the item to justify the claim. Both parties will still be involved to get a claim through. They want to deny all claims. They sure arent on your side. NEVER send anything Parcel Post! It will get kicked around and smashed for sure.

 

[V6UnderPressure]

My experience with USPS on claims is that even if the sender had insurance on the item the inspector at the post office will still need to see the item to justify the claim. Both parties will still be involved to get a claim through. They want to deny all claims. They sure arent on your side. NEVER send anything Parcel Post! It will get kicked around and smashed for sure.

I agree with that 100%. Even though I refuse to ship Fedex because of their horrible claim service, I actually am less comfortable with USPS from an insurance standpoint. It seems there are more steps to follow when providing a claim. From all my experience, I now ship EVERYTHING UPS, no matter how small it is. They make claims easy and cut you a check within 2 weeks. Once all of you learn from your shipping experiences, I guarantee you will all start using UPS for all your shipping needs.<--yah, sounds like a sales pitch, but you get what you pay for(i.e. parcel post)

 

[1BADTT]

After reading this I thought I'd share my experience about doing business with gn4u2c. Plain simple...don't buy from him or u risk getting screwed! He was selling a door seal new in the GM package unopened !!! He even got upset about posting pics of it in the "sealed new package" upon my request. Well after seeing his attitude towards posting some pics I said well it gotta be new in the sealed package & paid for it. Well when it arrived it was not in a sealed GM package & it was torn in 2 diff places. Contacted him & he said how could've that happed?? Thanx to that, if I don't see quality pics I don't buy anymore on this board. Another thing is the iTrader rating needs to be like on e-bay so that these mfs can't take retaliation when u leave them neg feedback. If u do honest business u don't have to worry about a neg feedback...Here's the link to his thread were I bought the seal from:

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/parts-sale/261225-hr-parts-engine-mount-new-gm-n-o-s-more.html

BTW Bison, this could've happened to u cause u wanted this seal in the same thread.

 

[GinoRin]

I ship EVERYTHING with insurance. I don't give it as an option. I always pack it up so IF it does get the "lets play football" with this box it will take a few "passes" You version of nice and theirs??? tuffest thing to figure out BUT DIGITAL cameras rock and pics say a 1000 words

I agree 100%. I always sell with pics, and won't buy without them usually. Also, EVERYTHING gets shipped with insurance, I have heard of too many horror stories. Its worth the extra couple bucks for peace of mind.

 

[d0n_3d]

Scott you are 100% on everything. This definitely NEEDS to be a sticky. As far as posting stuff for sale (I'm talking stuff that is usually worth over $100), WE NEED PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As a buyer, I don't want to buy SH!T if I don't even know what the hell I'm buying!!! It's like going on a blind date with a fat chick man...........

 

[bison]

BTW Bison, this could've happened to u cause u wanted this seal in the same thread.[/QUOTE]
PA is close enough for a road trip:biggrin:

 

[rcantu]

Has anybody had to make a claim using the insurance? It seems next to impossible to make a claim. I know with Fedex, they want an original receipt to show the value. Well that was a few years ago. I mean if i say I shipped a Picaso and paid insurance then it was lost, then how do you prove that. I just feel the "insurance" shippers offer is full of it.

As far as doing pics for products there are some things that can't show up well in pics. I can take pics of things that show all sides and it still won't show all the issues. Of course the dents and misshapen items above are an exception. I'm just saying not all pics show things.

To me shipping price is negotiable as well as item price. I've noticed buyers here asking for "shipped" price and don't realize even if things aren't heavy then still can cost dependent on distance and dimensions. I just shipped a 3 point engine brace that cost me $42. Shipping rotors and calipers really killed me on shipping cost. So if the seller wants to ship in 1,2, or more boxes just negotiate the price. Of course it's reasonable that they pack them so parts don't rattle inside. I don't care to ship but when I have to I will pack it to the best of my ability so the buyer can't say it was my fault.

Even face to face transactions I've had people ask me for a refund like I'm some sort of store. For electronic items, if I can I will power them up and do a video of it. Some people can't boil water and I don't want to be blamed that it doesn't work after it leaves my hands.