Would you tell a seller if an item was damaged by poor packing and you *didn't* want compensation?
jonathanb
Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭✭✭
If you buy something and it arrives damaged, then you return it, or get a partial refund, or something. Fine. That's not what I'm asking about.
In this case, I bought a group of items, and all but one of them arrived just fine. The last item was packed poorly, so that it came out of its holder and rattled around the box during shipment (I found it loose on the bottom of the box), and picked up scratches that it clearly didn't start with.
The catch is, I don't care. It's a shame in the abstract to have the item scratched, but I was personally buying some of the other items in the lot, and this was an "extra".
It was totally the seller's fault that the item was scratched, but I don't want him to do anything for me. At most, I'd like him to pay a little more attention to the packaging so that the same thing doesn't happen to someone else in a situation where they really do care.
Question: Should I tell the seller?
On the one hand, they're not going to pack the next one better if they don't know there was a problem in the first place. On the other hand, if I do tell them I sort of "put them on the hook" and they might feel obligated to do something when I really truly don't need anything done for my sake.
FWIW, the seller is well known to folks on the board, and well regarded. And no, I won't identify them -- that's not the point here.
Thoughts?
In this case, I bought a group of items, and all but one of them arrived just fine. The last item was packed poorly, so that it came out of its holder and rattled around the box during shipment (I found it loose on the bottom of the box), and picked up scratches that it clearly didn't start with.
The catch is, I don't care. It's a shame in the abstract to have the item scratched, but I was personally buying some of the other items in the lot, and this was an "extra".
It was totally the seller's fault that the item was scratched, but I don't want him to do anything for me. At most, I'd like him to pay a little more attention to the packaging so that the same thing doesn't happen to someone else in a situation where they really do care.
Question: Should I tell the seller?
On the one hand, they're not going to pack the next one better if they don't know there was a problem in the first place. On the other hand, if I do tell them I sort of "put them on the hook" and they might feel obligated to do something when I really truly don't need anything done for my sake.
FWIW, the seller is well known to folks on the board, and well regarded. And no, I won't identify them -- that's not the point here.
Thoughts?
0
Comments
At the end of the conversation you realize, your car is a cash for clunkers candidate (1996 Impala SS) anyway so don't even bother having him pay for the slight damage.
-In your case, as was mine above, I'd bring it to his attention though. You will feel better.
peacockcoins
<< <i>Curiously, how do you KNOW the scratches occurred during shipment? Fantastic images that you saw before it was shipped? >>
a) Yes, the pictures were pretty good, although we know that anything can get hidden in a picture (see seanq's thread from yesterday).
b) Regardless of the picture, there was an unprotected sharp metal piece sticking directly in the path that the item would have had to take on its way to the bottom of the box. If somehow the totally fresh scratches managed to come from something else, they *should have* come from the sharp metal piece.
(I don't have pictures, but it was a medal in a small hinged/latched case. The only way out of the case was out the side opposite the hinge -- and that side had the latch, which was sharp.)
I bought a PCGS slabbed coin/insured.........arrived slab broke in half ...............can I file a claim with USPS?
Anyone file a claim for damaged item?
SNMAN
<< <i>Why bother him. >>
As a seller, I'd want to know, rather than having a customer (even one who wasn't seeking compensation or a return) silently feeling that way.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
I would absoluetly tell him. As a shipper myself, I would certainly want to know if something I packaged had not survived the sometimes rough treatment packages get during delivery.
The purpose would be to give the seller an opportunity to prevent the same thing happening to someone else, who might be less forgiving under the circumstances. I would simply advise the seller diplomatically that the packaging protection had failed, and try to describe the manner in which it failed, let him know I wasn't seeking any damages and thank him for the overall transaction.
Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum
<< <i>Why bother him.
Sometimes a gentle nudge does bring out the reason why what we do can help others without hurting ourselves.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
(edited for spelling)
......I collect old stuff......
<< <i>Why disclose this to be a member then ask the question why not just have done it by email or PM? Ummm why say anything at all, no matter how good your intentions you are telling someone they haven't the ability to package coins for shipping, then making it a public issue, then that the person is a member here. Real bad taste in my opinion only. >>
Just to be clear, I have no idea offhand if the seller is a member here. There was a recent thread saying that the board had reached 30,000 members (or some other huge number), so it's possible that they are a member, at least nominally. They certainly aren't a regular poster, though.
What I said was that the seller was known to and respected by the members of the board. That's different, and important. If the seller was some random person cleaning out their attic, then I would never consider saying anything since the would probably never be in the situation again.
Of course, that doesn't always work. But it's the best I can do.
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As a customer, a small percentage of my 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is dependent on me.
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Worded wisely, he'll probably thank you.
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