Do you complain about how ebay item was shipped?

ToadMan

I purchased a lot of 30 cards. It wasn't anything expensive, I think my total was like $7. Today I open the mailbox and there's a 800 ct box and i can hear the cards moving around inside. I slit the tape on the edges and open the box. I see each of the 30 cards in top loaders w/ no tape on them just sliding around inside. no paper, paper towels, plastic bags or anything, just the cards.

I feel like the cards could easily have slid out of the top loaders and been damaged.

Another purchase was a small starter set of 1960 Topps. These cards were just put into a bubble mailer w/o any else..

Sometimes I just shake my head and can't believe how people package the items... maybe it's just me.. and i'm just over thinking it.
Thanks for letting me vent.

sportscardstop

Were any of the cards damaged? If they were, I would definitely say something and ask to return the items.

My thinking is I don't care how you package and ship my item, as long as it arrives in the condition that was described in the auction. If something happens to the card, then the card will be going back to the seller. You could always just message the seller and let them know that it wasn't packaged correctly and find a nice way to give them advice on how to properly ship.

ToadMan

That's the thing. The cards were fine. Nothing was damaged. I've given advice or suggested a better method to package/ship the cards, but never heard a response. That's why I just feel like I'm just huffin' and puffin'.
No harm no foul.

MrNearMint

I've never really complained, but once I left positive feedback and added that the card couldve been packaged better. It was sent loosely in a bubble mailer, no cardboard, no bubble wrap or anything, I don't even think it had a graded card sleeve.

It can be irritating receiving an item that was packaged poorly, but some people probably just aren't aware.

digicat

I don't appreciate people packaging up the items I paid for in a careless manner. Once it's paid for, it becomes my property, and it's the seller's obligation to package the items in a manor that keeps them safe in transit.

If it's bad, I'll complain, even if the card arrived safe. If it got damaged, then I'll complain and ask for a refund.

elsnorto

In cases where I have received an item that clearly was not packed with any thought or care, yet the item somehow arrived undamaged, I will typically e-mail the seller with some constructive criticism. If I don't hear back from them, I generally won't leave feedback. If I do hear back and they seem sincere, I will leave positive feedback.

Snorto~

TonyC

Honestly, I received a lot of 55 cards wrapped in a grocery bag inside a bubble mailer this week.

No soft sleeves, no toploaders, no protection of any kind. 55 cards in a grocery bag.

Needless to say some cards were damaged.

jeffcbay

If I see a seller scan or take pictures of cards without any protection (without penny sleeves or Card Savers) I just don't buy them. Simply because I'm left to assume they will ship them that way.

thedutymon

<< <i>If I see a seller scan or take pictures of cards without any protection (without penny sleeves or Card Savers) I just don't buy them. Simply because I'm left to assume they will ship them that way. >>



Morning Jeff,

That seems a bit shortsighted IMHO, I always take all cards that I sell Raw out of any sleeve or ridged holder to scan them, I don't want the glare or dullness if you don't. I then send 100% of my items in the protection they were in (Sleeve/Ridgid holder...whatever before scanning) and then slab them between two oversized pieces of cardboard in a Bubble mailer. Seems a bit general to assume just because somebody try's to get an accurate picture of the item their going to shortshift on the packaging!

Just my 2cents

Neil

jeffcbay

<< <i>

<< <i>If I see a seller scan or take pictures of cards without any protection (without penny sleeves or Card Savers) I just don't buy them. Simply because I'm left to assume they will ship them that way. >>



Morning Jeff,

That seems a bit shortsighted IMHO, I always take all cards that I sell Raw out of any sleeve or ridged holder to scan them, I don't want the glare or dullness if you don't. I then send 100% of my items in the protection they were in (Sleeve/Ridgid holder...whatever before scanning) and then slab them between two oversized pieces of cardboard in a Bubble mailer. Seems a bit general to assume just because somebody try's to get an accurate picture of the item their going to shortshift on the packaging!

Just my 2cents

Neil >>



I also know what it takes to pick up a raw card from a scanner, and it usually involves damaging the edges of the card, so that's another reason why I avoid it. No offense, I just skip to the next card for sale.

itzagoner

it has become increasingly apparent that there are a vast amount of eBay sellers who somehow stumble upon a card collection or just decide to empty out the closet, and they are not well-versed on the subject of protection.

i have received a hoard of PWE's or similar packaging with cards wrapped in tissue paper, paper towels, newspaper clippings from the Sports page (clever), and G-D knows how many toploaders with cards loosely moving about inside and no tape over the top.

so many times i've received a nice vintage card dangling out of a holder and i continue to be stunned that there haven't been more wrecked like a '65 Topps Koufax i once had to send back because a top corner got mangled on the way.....until then it was a dead nuts centered beauty.

the other side of the explanation goes like this: the people who have limited packaging skills also happen to be the same people who've sold me some amazing cards at very fair prices.

i'll live with it. when i first started reading about shipping complaints here, i shook my head and vowed to be better at it than those who just don't get it about cards.

now, when someone like that gets exposed here, i go check out what else they have for sale.

japhi

<< <i>I don't appreciate people packaging up the items I paid for in a careless manner. Once it's paid for, it becomes my property, and it's the seller's obligation to package the items in a manor that keeps them safe in transit.

If it's bad, I'll complain, even if the card arrived safe. If it got damaged, then I'll complain and ask for a refund. >>



This. As an Ebay buyer that reads feedback I'd like to know if the seller is careless with shipping. IMO, anything that makes the transaction negative or neutral should be reflected in feedback. That's the whole point of the feedback system and it's too bad we've gotten to a point where people feel guilty leaving a neg or neutral. The fact that some sellers have 35K transactions without a neg is a reflection on how poorly the feedback system works. Anyone that's run a business knows it's impossible to transact 35K times without a number of negative client experiences.

larryallen73

As a lifetime card collector myself do any of you ever step back and think that maybe we take these pieces of cardboard a tad to serious at times!?

itzagoner

<< <i>As a lifetime card collector myself do any of you ever step back and think that maybe we take these pieces of cardboard a tad to serious at times!? >>



yeah. of course. i bounced into the kitchen the other day to show off my new card to my wife and she looked at me like i was on something too strong.

i agree with Snorto. he has a good take on this. i've offered similar advice to a few sellers and they occasionally responded with gratitude.

the last thing i want to is run somebody off just because they, uh, ruined a piece of cardboard.

olb31

Oh yeah, this really irritates me. I would send the cards back.

LarkinCollector

My two cents:

If cards arrived safely, positive feedback w/ note that indicates poor packaging (to let others be aware). Short message to seller indicating packaging defects.

If cards are damaged, return item to seller or send scans showing damage w/ expectation of full refund including shipping. Positive/negative feedback left based on meeting my expectations.

digicat

<< <i>As a lifetime card collector myself do any of you ever step back and think that maybe we take these pieces of cardboard a tad to serious at times!? >>



Maybe it just looks that way since this is a "sports card" website and not a "life's issues" website? Sure some folks bring the serious "life issues" onto this board some times, but I think a vast majority of folks keep it to sports and sports cards.

mygotta

Cards are very delicate. I have received cards poorly packaged but came in good shape. But I agree, even in certain holders, anything can happen. I have made the mistake of sending PSA holders in a regular envelope (thinking I was saving money on shipping), but instead I was informed by the buyer that they were cracked and smashed by the time they received it. So that was my lesson. Thankfully they were cheap $10 cards.

dontippet

<< <i>In cases where I have received an item that clearly was not packed with any thought or care, yet the item somehow arrived undamaged, I will typically e-mail the seller with some constructive criticism. If I don't hear back from them, I generally won't leave feedback. If I do hear back and they seem sincere, I will leave positive feedback.

Snorto~ >>



I do something similar. Many people don't understand the condition sensitivity of sports collectibles and I kindly let the seller know that they should protect their sports collectibles better when shipping. It is usually well received, but one time I had a seller go ape on me when I did this for a 99 cent item. He thought I was asking for a refund, which I was not. After it was all said and done, I gave him negative feedback for his absolutely terrible customer service.