Asking advice for Ebay sale situation
doog71
Posts: 405 ✭✭
So I sold a card about a week ago for $1350.
Immediately the buyer (some good but low feedback) asked if I could send it out right away. "That's a lot of money for a card so can you please rush?" He asks several times in different messages in about a 6 hour period. I tell him I can get it out in a day.
I go to ship and see it's a P.O. Box. I trust UPS more than USPS for several reasons on a high dollar card. The only times I've had issues with shipments of high dollar cards in the past have been when shipping to a P.O. Box. Maybe just coincidence, who knows. So I contact him and ask if he has a physical address.
That was 3 days ago. I've messaged him 5 times in the last 3 days and haven't heard a reply back. In the last one I even asked if he still wanted the card and offered to cancel transaction if he'd like. Still no response.
I don't want to get a neg for slow shipping, but I'm worried about sending to a P.O. Box and that he isn't responding. Would you just ship it out to the P.O. Box and not worry about it?
Thanks for any advice.
Immediately the buyer (some good but low feedback) asked if I could send it out right away. "That's a lot of money for a card so can you please rush?" He asks several times in different messages in about a 6 hour period. I tell him I can get it out in a day.
I go to ship and see it's a P.O. Box. I trust UPS more than USPS for several reasons on a high dollar card. The only times I've had issues with shipments of high dollar cards in the past have been when shipping to a P.O. Box. Maybe just coincidence, who knows. So I contact him and ask if he has a physical address.
That was 3 days ago. I've messaged him 5 times in the last 3 days and haven't heard a reply back. In the last one I even asked if he still wanted the card and offered to cancel transaction if he'd like. Still no response.
I don't want to get a neg for slow shipping, but I'm worried about sending to a P.O. Box and that he isn't responding. Would you just ship it out to the P.O. Box and not worry about it?
Thanks for any advice.
0
Comments
Send it!
Mullins wants his card!
Jk.
I get really paranoid about sending cards if all the right things aren't in place. I personally would probably cancel and relist.
It's strange because the card's value has actually gone UP in the time since he bought it.
I've been doing Ebay long enough (almost 20 years) to know when something doesn't smell right and this smells strange. But say I send the card to the P.O. Box, what could he do that would be shady? I'm assuming it's his verified Paypal address because when I went to print a label that's what came up.
Thank you for any more input! Really not sure what to do here. If I cancel and refund his money, is there anything he could do? I know on Ebay it's a "legally binding contract" to send the card once it's bought and paid for.
Always go with your first instinct
I agree, I'm just concerned of what will happen if I cancel and relist. Neg feedback, and whatever other action one can take if they're mad enough. (As I mentioned, the card has increased in value pretty significantly since the sale.)
A lot of people including myself have PO Box's where all our mail go to. Before I had a PO Box my mail would get stolen all the time. I've purchased well over 200 things on eBay without a problem. 100% feedback.
Each situation should be a judgement call but to completely eliminate people based off having a PO Box sounds ridiculous.
If someone has a PO box.
What can they do differently vs a home address e.g.
Don't understand.
If someone has a PO box.
What can they do differently vs a home address e.g.
It's much more about trusting UPS more than USPS and UPS won't deliver to a P.O. Box. Usually I wouldn't have an issue but it's a high dollar card. What I'm most concerned about is no response after 3 days of messages.
Ship it.
I've been selling on eBay for 16.5 years. Sent hundreds of cards to PO Boxes... never a problem. Just ship to confirmed PP address and do so with tracking (or sig conf over $750)... you're covered.
Much more secure than my house. I got somebody else's mail yesterday.
If buyer has paid send it usps registered. Insured best and require a signature confirmation.
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
I do appreciate your feedback to my concern here. I think I'm going to go against my gut and send it with full insurance and signature confirmation. I think I'm covered that way.
My spidey sense says to tap the brakes here.
I agree. While I would not personally think twice about shipping to a PO box, it does seem bizarre that he messaged you 6 times the day he won the item and is now radio silent.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Thanks for the replies so far. MrNearMint, I'm concerned if I cancel the sale that the buyer either won't respond or will not agree to the cancellation and will leave a neg.
It's strange because the card's value has actually gone UP in the time since he bought it.
I've been doing Ebay long enough (almost 20 years) to know when something doesn't smell right and this smells strange. But say I send the card to the P.O. Box, what could he do that would be shady? I'm assuming it's his verified Paypal address because when I went to print a label that's what came up.
Thank you for any more input! Really not sure what to do here. If I cancel and refund his money, is there anything he could do? I know on Ebay it's a "legally binding contract" to send the card once it's bought and paid for.
If it's $1350, it has to be sent with signature confirmation per PayPal regulations.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
IM probably wrong but I think the extra caution is because it is not a "physical address"..
I have also had problems with P.o. as some young guy uses a (fake/not his) id and runs with it kind of situation.
It is probably harder to prove who actually opened the box vs an actually homestead.
Ive heard of people stealing cc info and opening a false P.o. to mail the items to.
Miss quote edit.
First of all, I've packaged up the card, paid the insurance and signature confirmation, printed the postage slip...but haven't been able to bring myself to put in in the mail.
It has now been about a week since I started messaging this buyer - I have tried approximately 10 times asking him if he had a physical address, even asking if he still wanted the card because he wasn't responding, and have still not gotten any response. He messaged me a few times right after winning asking me to get it sent immediately. He did pay the next day. That's the last contact I had with him.
The reason I was sketchy on sending to a P.O. Box is just because the only times I've had issues with Ebay sending has been when it's been to a P.O. Box. It's probably just a coincidence. I know there are pluses to sending to a P.O. even over a physical address.
Maybe I've just talked myself into this, ,maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I'm genuinely concerned that it's been a week and not only has he not responded to me, he hasn't checked in about why the card hasn't shipped.
I really do want to get this to him. I'm just going to have to force myself to drop it in the mail.
Here's an update - any more advice is appreciated.
First of all, I've packaged up the card, paid the insurance and signature confirmation, printed the postage slip...but haven't been able to bring myself to put in in the mail.
It has now been about a week since I started messaging this buyer - I have tried approximately 10 times asking him if he had a physical address, even asking if he still wanted the card because he wasn't responding, and have still not gotten any response. He messaged me a few times right after winning asking me to get it sent immediately. He did pay the next day. That's the last contact I had with him.
The reason I was sketchy on sending to a P.O. Box is just because the only times I've had issues with Ebay sending has been when it's been to a P.O. Box. It's probably just a coincidence. I know there are pluses to sending to a P.O. even over a physical address.
Maybe I've just talked myself into this, ,maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I'm genuinely concerned that it's been a week and not only has he not responded to me, he hasn't checked in about why the card hasn't shipped.
I really do want to get this to him. I'm just going to have to force myself to drop it in the mail.
Since you've waited this long, you may as well wait it out at this point and wait till he responds. Worse case scenario is that he files a claim or you cancel the transaction.
One thing I've learned over the years~pay attention to that inner voice. At this point, you have both the card and the cash.
I find it very hard to believe someone who emailed you multiple times after winning the auction to request that you get it mailed ASAP because it's a high dollar card has suddenly fallen off the face of the earth.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I would NOT send the card if he's hasn't responded to any of your messages. I would take the negative (if he happens to leave it), state "I do not ship to po boxes" on all your future sales and move on.
I would not, however, state you don't ship to PO boxes in your auctions~there are plenty of trustworthy buyers who have PO boxes as confirmed addresses.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Just curious, why is it an issue shipping to a po box if it's a confirmed address?
The po box seemed to be the op's original problem.
Just curious, why is it an issue shipping to a po box if it's a confirmed address?
Just because the only times I've had a serious issue over a high dollar card I was shipping to a P.O. Box. The posters here have calmed my fears about P.O. Boxes for the most part. At this point it's a combination of factors, the most of which is a complete lack of communication from the buyer.
Just one of those things with almost 20 years on Ebay feels really strange to me. Wish I could shake it and just be done with this.
KC
Does not add up. Buyer sends you multiple messages like a stalking girlfriend the night he wins it, but when you contact him about a PO box crickets? What does that tell you? You got paid so you are not out anything. I would send him a message saying you are not sending the card to him - don't give him a reason or details about the PO box or anything. See if he responds back to you, and if he does then figure out your plan.
KC
+1
https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/
...but haven't been able to bring myself to put in in the mail....I'm genuinely concerned....
Don't send it!
Does not add up. Buyer sends you multiple messages like a stalking girlfriend the night he wins it, but when you contact him about a PO box crickets? What does that tell you? You got paid so you are not out anything. I would send him a message saying you are not sending the card to him - don't give him a reason or details about the PO box or anything. See if he responds back to you, and if he does then figure out your plan.
KC
+1
+2
All I can figure, since he paid for the card, is either he ended up in the hospital (or worse). He was pretty active on his Ebay account up until August 27, around the time he purchased this card. Then nothing since.
I suppose there's a chance he re-connects on his account one day and is mad that I refunded his $ and he negs me. No big deal, BUT I'm wondering is there anything else he can do if he's upset enough (beyond leaving negative feedback)?
I doubt there is anything he could do in terms of retaliation... besides tracking you down and beating you to a bloody pulp.
GOOD LUCK!!
>
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Just ship the damn thing out. What do you really care about it at this point? Cover your a$$ by mailing it with signature confirmation and
be done with it. End of story.
I've had a PO Box for 19 years and never had a problem mailing/receiving any items there.
USPS will sometimes drop packages in mailboxes and on door steps for anyone to grab and dash. Some new and temp. postal employees will
not follow the appropriate rules and just leave packages without getting the required signature. That never happens if you have a PO BOX.
Try getting a package at a post office that requires a signature. You have to show an id (if the postal employee doesn't know you) and sign for it.
They don't just hand the packages over to anyone. A PO BOX is way, way more safer than a physical address.
Maybe the guys' phone got turned off, disconnected, changed numbers.
Maybe the guy ended up in the hospital and doesn't have anyone picking up his mail at the PO yet. Since he's paid, it's not your problem. What do you care. He paid, you ship.
Perhaps the guy died since then.
I don't understand why a seller would require a buyer to get back to them on a payment they've already made. I'm assuming the buyer's PO BOX is his confirmed paypal address. If it is, then mail the item out and be done with it.
Why worry. You got your payment. He has to sign for it upon pickup or maybe he never does because he's gone.
The fact that he emailed you a bunch of times initially to ship out right away, really means nothing.
I honestly think the guy is in the hospital or tipped over.
UPS is terrible. I had a 24" monitor sent to my home. I was home but still sleeping when UPS came. I didn't hear the knock.
Now usually they'd just leave it on my back porch. Not now. They put a sticker on my door and it says it will be available
about a mile from my house at an Andy's Quikmart Gas Station. So now I have to drive over and get my box.
That kind of totally defeats the purpose of having something mailed to your home. What if I couldn't drive, didn't own a car, or was
unable to walk over there because of a physical problem? Now UPS is making me do half of their job. WTF.
I get over to pick it up two days later. My sister ordered it for me online but had it delivered to my house. The jerkoff at Andy's
refused to give me the package even though I showed him my drivers license with photo id. My address matched up with the address on
the box. The problem, my sister who has the same last name, her name was on the box as the recipient. The Andy's guy says, she has to pick it up.
She lives across town and doesn't even own a car. Long story short. The Andy's employee is/was wrong. The UPS site clearly states just the
address has to match. So I'll be heading back there a second time on Monday. Thanks UPS, your service sucks balls.