eBay Seller Info - Standard Postage - Beware

[AirKaris]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post this as a word of warning to sellers out there.

I sold a card on eBay to a buyer in the Philippines, the buyer selected standard postage when I had the option for insurance for registered/insured postage.

The seller contacted me saying the card never turned up. They logged a claim with PayPal and as I had no proof of postage - as the buyer chose not to purchase this type - I was given no option but to refund the full amount of the auction plus postage.

I spoke to both eBay and PayPal about this, I have never had a negative feedback in over 10 years using eBay, this counted for nothing and I still lost.

Pretty crap I reckon seeing that the seller chose this method of postage at their own risk.

So to sellers out there, be aware, if you don't send registered and the user lodges a claim - you're screwed.

(and on a personal note - I will not be selling to the Philippines any more!)

Sorry for the venting - just had to get that off my chest!

 

[tak35bne]

I know the feeling, happened to me recently, sold a brand new Gortex bivvy bag to a fella in Sydney, lost the bag and the $130 dollars.

---------- Post added 12-04-2011 at 09:21 AM ----------

Just thought I would add that even with Registered post if something happens you will loose unless you can provide written proof the item was sent, now I thought the receipt when paying the postage would be enough but no it is not. With every registered post article I now fill out this small form called a 'Lodgement Receipt' that the post office stamps. This form is kept as a record of the postage and can be scanned and sent as written proof the item was lodged. For eBay sales I have to print the invoice and attach the completed lodgement receipt to that invoice. It is such a pain it turns you off eBay altogether.

 

[nathanblack]

AK don't be too offput by Philippines. I have family there. I can almost be sure that its not the buyers fault or scam. The postal system sucks. We have sent numerous postcards that never arrive, birthday cards that arrive late and in one instance a fedex gift. The gift was a photo album worth basically nothing, went through customs. Declared value $10. Long story short, you pay customs an inspection fee, a storage fee, and tax/duty on the full amount (gift value + freight). God knows what tax rae because we ended up with a bill in excess of 5,000peso ($125) for a $10 gift. Grrr.

The card has probably been stolen by post or will eventually get delivered. Not that it helps you.

 

[AirKaris]

I posted another item this morning to the US and asked what sending the same item registered would be - just a standard $1 padded envelope... 22 freakin' dollars!? Is that right???

 

[tak35bne]

I posted another item this morning to the US and asked what sending the same item registered would be - just a standard $1 padded envelope... 22 freakin' dollars!? Is that right???

Sure is, I sent two sketches last week, registered with tracking and insurance, just over 25 dollars in postage.

 

[scottietwenty3]

When every I've sold on ebay I have only every sold/post to here, recently when I listed some cards and I decided to say I would post to here plus Canada, NZ , UK & US. I'm sure there many other other countries without doddgy postal workers but Vietnam & Phillipines for example would never be on my to post to list not unless it was registered and insured at buyer's expense and for lower value inserts it is not worth it. Sure things can go wrong including are own back yard but the risks as opposed to posting to the Phillipines are polar opposites. :v:

 

[AirKaris]

When every I've sold on ebay I have only every sold/post to here, recently when I listed some cards and I decided to say I would post to here plus Canada, NZ , UK & US. I'm sure there many other other countries without doddgy postal workers but Vietnam & Phillipines for example would never be on my to post to list not unless it was registered and insured at buyer's expense and for lower value inserts it is not worth it. Sure things can go wrong including are own back yard but the risks as opposed to posting to the Phillipines are polar opposites. :v:

Yes - I'm going to change my selling ways - only going to sell to Australia, NZ and North America.

Am I able to state in my auction that if registered post is not purchased by the seller I assume no responsibility for lost or damaged items and by bidding they agree to these terms?

 

[hairyangryfella]

Not a new story... you're only covered if you can prove delivery, and of course these services cost highly.
Sending to anywhere is risky, though with higher concentration of people in smaller areas this increases the risk.

 

[scottietwenty3]

Yep hairyangryfella is spot on your only covered by PayPal if you use a trackable method and you can prove delivery - so basically registered post. You could state in your auction something like - cards over X value will be only be sent registerted post at extra cost to buyer of X amount.

I just figure that postal workers helping themselves to others property (mail) would be few and far between here or Canada, NZ , UK or US. I did notice a thread in this section of the forum saying an Aussie Post worked was sacked after beign caught (and I did say in this thread earlier I'm sure it happen's in our own backyard) it would be very isolated though I'm sure. So there is always a small risk I suppose it just think the risk to post it to those countries as compared to say Phillipines/Vietnam for example is very minimal as opposed to high risk IMHO. For me it's all about not posting to high risk countries or if I was to and extra cost to buyer it must be registered and insured that way if it goes astray and can refund in full (including postage) and not be out of pocket with PayPal or Aussie Post.