ebay refund...how long do you wait?

MrNearMint

I bought and paid for an item on December 18, it was shipped on the 20th. The tracking still says in transit and I'm pretty certain I wont be getting the card. I've contacted the seller twice, once to ask if he has any idea about when I'd receive it (to which he did reply), and once to tell him I probably won't be getting the card and maybe we should be thinking about moving forward in the next stage which would be issuing a refund (no response on the second message).

At this point, should I even bother contacting him again or should I just open a case? Or am I jumping the gun and should I just wait longer?

Thanks in advance.

PMKAY

If there is tracking why do you think you won't be getting the card?

MrNearMint

For a few reasons. Because this is the second time in two months that this has happened (but with different sellers). Also, because the tracking info hasn't been updated since it's original departure which was on the 20th. It is (or was) the holiday season when I bought both cards and I'm guessing they both were either lost or stolen in the mail.

The first card that this happened with was shipped I think on November 17th and the tracking STILL says in transit. I've already received a refund from that seller but I'd rather have the card.

MULLINS5

At this point I'd contact your local post master and give him the details, along with tracking numbers.

You're not jumping the gun on the refund, but I'd wait at least 30 days. Just me. If you opened a case at this point I don't think you'd be out of line.

I've had this happen to me before. It really sucks. Best of luck.

Gemyanks10

Honest question, at this point is it the sellers fault or the post office's fault that the item didn't arrive yet? I'm not being a "wise guy" or starting an argument with this question either. I have recently had two different bad experiences in the last few weeks with cards and both times, the post office dropped the ball.


Bad Experience #1: I shipped some PSA graded cards to Probstein123 on December 11 in hopes that he would receive them and list them in time for customers to do some Christmas shopping. Rick always e-mails me when he receives my package to let me know that he received my items securely and that he would list them at the start of his next round of auctions. After about a week of not hearing anything from him after I had shipped, I checked the tracking of my shipment. Granted I only live an hour and a half north of him. I checked the status and it showed delivered and signed for but the zip code of where it was delivered and the zip code of where his office is located was off by one number. For instance: his zip code is 00000..the package showed being delivered to 00001. I called Rick and he said that the person that showed signing for the package didn't even work for him and to contact his local post office. I contacted his post office, and the guy was very helpful and knew who Rick was, and he told me he would look into it. 3 days went by and the postmaster called me back and stated that my package was mis-delivered to "another business" and that it was found and was redelivered to Rick. Rick received my items and listed them, and they ended last week. I don't feel they sold for half as much as they would have if Rick received them when he should have and the Postmaster's story was bizarre and I don't feel they told me the whole story, but the fact Rick received them was enough for me.

Bad Experience #2: I bought some items from BBCE for Christmas for a friend of mine, shipped out on December 22 (I knew they wouldn't be delivered in time, but got very busy with work, and didn't have time to ship them up until this point). Tracking showed them departing their last location on December 23rd...no updated tracking for over 10 days, and finally reached my friend's house (who is a board member), yesterday. When the package showed up to his house, it had been "resealed" by a postal facility in Memphis Tennessee and contents out of the package were missing. I bought 3 different items..loose wax packs of one set, a wax tray and a factory set. Only the factory set remained when the box showed up at his house, and inside the box was a "care letter" from the USPS saying that the box was damaged, items were lost and to file a claim, which I did yesterday.

Basically, all I'm saying is that the USPS has been very lame and unorganized and almost carefree lately. I hope you receive whatever cards you purchased and I hope all works out for you. I usually don't post about my problems with cards, but they definitely struck a nerve with me the last month, and thank god I purchased insurance.

Jimmy

MrNearMint

<< <i>Honest question, at this point is it the sellers fault or the post office's fault that the item didn't arrive yet? I'm not being a "wise guy" or starting an argument with this question either. I have recently had two different bad experiences in the last few weeks with cards and both times, the post office dropped the ball.


Bad Experience #1: I shipped some PSA graded cards to Probstein123 on December 11 in hopes that he would receive them and list them in time for customers to do some Christmas shopping. Rick always e-mails me when he receives my package to let me know that he received my items securely and that he would list them at the start of his next round of auctions. After about a week of not hearing anything from him after I had shipped, I checked the tracking of my shipment. Granted I only live an hour and a half north of him. I checked the status and it showed delivered and signed for but the zip code of where it was delivered and the zip code of where his office is located was off by one number. For instance: his zip code is 00000..the package showed being delivered to 00001. I called Rick and he said that the person that showed signing for the package didn't even work for him and to contact his local post office. I contacted his post office, and the guy was very helpful and knew who Rick was, and he told me he would look into it. 3 days went by and the postmaster called me back and stated that my package was mis-delivered to "another business" and that it was found and was redelivered to Rick. Rick received my items and listed them, and they ended last week. I don't feel they sold for half as much as they would have if Rick received them when he should have and the Postmaster's story was bizarre and I don't feel they told me the whole story, but the fact Rick received them was enough for me.

Bad Experience #2: I bought some items from BBCE for Christmas for a friend of mine, shipped out on December 22 (I knew they wouldn't be delivered in time, but got very busy with work, and didn't have time to ship them up until this point). Tracking showed them departing their last location on December 23rd...no updated tracking for over 10 days, and finally reached my friend's house (who is a board member), yesterday. When the package showed up to his house, it had been "resealed" by a postal facility in Memphis Tennessee and contents out of the package were missing. I bought 3 different items..loose wax packs of one set, a wax tray and a factory set. Only the factory set remained when the box showed up at his house, and inside the box was a "care letter" from the USPS saying that the box was damaged, items were lost and to file a claim, which I did yesterday.

Basically, all I'm saying is that the USPS has been very lame and unorganized and almost carefree lately. I hope you receive whatever cards you purchased and I hope all works out for you. I usually don't post about my problems with cards, but they definitely struck a nerve with me the last month, and thank god I purchased insurance.

Jimmy >>




No offense taken.
I agree with you about the usps. I think in both of my cases (and yours), the usps lost/stole the cards.

I was suspicious of the sellers at first because this happened to me twice in two months and also for the fact I got a good deal on both cards, but at the end of the day the seller is the one who has to either provide the item or a refund, so it wouldn't make sense for them to screw around.

I definitely think this is a problem with USPS, but what's to be done about it? The seller basically has to bite the bullet. Sad to say.

I also believe that when things like this happen, it should be the sellers responsibility to call the local post office and research why the card is missing.

mtcards

I sent an item that was "stuck in transit" for about 3 weeks at the same location before it finally arrived and was delivered.


I would not open a case. Most people dont know this, but everytime a case is opened, regardless of why, it hurts the seller and could get them banned/suspended. I would simply ask for a refund with the agreement that if the item does show up, you return the money or return the item. It isnt the sellers fault that the USPS is only a step above trained elephants at a circus, he shouldnt get dinged by having a case opened. The only way that should happen is if he refuses to give the refund. If he sent it insured, hopefully he can get his money back as well

PMKAY

<< <i>I sent an item that was "stuck in transit" for about 3 weeks at the same location before it finally arrived and was delivered.


I would not open a case. Most people dont know this, but everytime a case is opened, regardless of why, it hurts the seller and could get them banned/suspended. I would simply ask for a refund with the agreement that if the item does show up, you return the money or return the item. It isnt the sellers fault that the USPS is only a step above trained elephants at a circus, he shouldnt get dinged by having a case opened. The only way that should happen is if he refuses to give the refund. If he sent it insured, hopefully he can get his money back as well >>




I don't think a case opened hurts a seller - I think it hurts when the case is escalated.

CDsNuts

I don't think a case opened hurts a seller - I think it hurts when the case is escalated.

Incorrect. Any opened case regarding an item not being received or not being as described counts as a "Defect" against the seller's performance. If they have a defect rating on over 2% of their transactions, ebay generally crushes them in some way.

Lee

MrNearMint

Thanks for your input guys.

I won't open a case, and I really don't want to. I'm a very reasonable and patient person (I think) which is why I asked before I made a move.

I already made a deal with the first seller who refunded me. If I receive the card I will either give him the money back or send the card back, most likely pay him the money because I really want the card lol. In both cases I'd rather have the card.

I think I'll continue to be patient and wait a month or so, then I'll politely ask for a refund.

Thanks again.

zep33

Here's some screwed up tracking for an item that just arrived today

It started weird and ended weird - When I saw it on a truck to be delivered 2 states away, I contacted the seller. He called the PO and they told him the zip code was wrong and they'd get it to me this week (should have been here last Friday so this wasn't too bad).

It also shows him creating the label almost 5 hours after it was picked up

Notice there are no departure scans for the last 3 stops, no "out for delivery" today. And I've never had a delivery say "parcel locker" in the 12 years I've lived here although I do have one.

His label was perfect and there was no wrong zip code like they had claimed.

read the rest from bottom up


January 6, 2015 , 3:02 pm
Delivered, Parcel Locker
WEST YARMOUTH, MA 02673
Your item was delivered to a parcel locker at 3:02 pm on January 6, 2015 in WEST YARMOUTH, MA 02673.

January 6, 2015 , 7:03 am
Arrived at Post Office
SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA 02664

January 3, 2015 , 5:21 pm
Arrived at USPS Facility
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07097

January 2, 2015 , 2:43 pm
Arrived at USPS Facility
VERNON ROCKVILLE, CT 06066

January 2, 2015 , 8:54 am
Out for Delivery
VERNON ROCKVILLE, CT 06066

January 2, 2015 , 8:44 am
Sorting Complete
VERNON ROCKVILLE, CT 06066

January 2, 2015 , 4:13 am
Departed USPS Facility
SPRINGFIELD, MA 01152

January 1, 2015 , 2:49 pm
Arrived at USPS Facility
SPRINGFIELD, MA 01152

December 30, 2014 , 5:54 pm
Departed USPS Facility
WARRENDALE, PA 15095

December 30, 2014 , 4:26 pm
Arrived at USPS Origin Facility
WARRENDALE, PA 15095

December 29, 2014 , 10:03 pm
Shipping Label Created
DAYTON, OH 45424

December 29, 2014 , 9:54 pm
Departed USPS Facility
DAYTON, OH 45401

December 29, 2014 , 9:24 pm
Arrived at USPS Origin Facility
DAYTON, OH 45401

December 29, 2014 , 5:47 pm
Picked Up
DAYTON, OH 45424

MrNearMint

wow, that is pretty messed up. Thankfully you got it though.

dytch2220

<< <i>I sent an item that was "stuck in transit" for about 3 weeks at the same location before it finally arrived and was delivered.


I would not open a case. Most people dont know this, but everytime a case is opened, regardless of why, it hurts the seller and could get them banned/suspended. I would simply ask for a refund with the agreement that if the item does show up, you return the money or return the item. It isnt the sellers fault that the USPS is only a step above trained elephants at a circus, he shouldnt get dinged by having a case opened. The only way that should happen is if he refuses to give the refund. If he sent it insured, hopefully he can get his money back as well >>



I would not open a case if the seller is communicating and willing to work something out. If they are not communicating with me or aren't willing to come to some kind of agreement then I surely would open a case without any guilt.

CollectorAtWork

This is the seller's responsibility. May not be fair but that's how it is. You will need to open a case within the ebay buyer protection window if you don't receive the package by then. It used to be 45 day (regular not business) but may now be 30. I'm not quite sure.

TopographicOceans

Wait 3 weeks.

Sometimes 1st class mail gets mixed in with parcels that go by truck.
These trucks will sit a location for a certain amount of time before moving on.

This is why the USPS won't process an insurance claim until at least 3 weeks has passed.

CeciliaGuante

<< <i>This is the seller's responsibility. May not be fair but that's how it is. You will need to open a case within the ebay buyer protection window if you don't receive the package by then. It used to be 45 day (regular not business) but may now be 30. I'm not quite sure. >>



This is why I laugh when I see listings which say "Insurance is available if you would like to purchase it". No thanks, chief, because if it gets lost or damaged in transit, it's still your responsibility.

mtcards

Just to add to the part about seller "defects". Any seller star rating under 3 is considered a defect, which is why ebay can generally mash your nads if you dont sell a high volume and have one or two bad buyers. I had a guy give me a 2 star rating because he didnt consider the packaging I used to be worth the shipping he paid for, even though it got there in time, as described and the package (which I have mailed hundreds of the same with no issues) actually cost $2 more to ship then what I charged him. I had another defect when someone hadnt received their package in a week because of holiday shipping, even though tracking was uploaded the next day and showed received at the PO....guy opened a case. I sit at 1.5% defect rate because of the those events even though, technically, I did nothing wrong, have a defect rate higher than some of the crooks on ebay

itzagoner

got the same bs rating last year because a buyer didn't like my card saver and thought his precious card should have been sent in a top loader. never mind the cardboard sandwich and bubble mailer, dude.

ain't sold on eBay since end of last June. don't miss it one friggin bit.