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oni424
Teacher
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Posts: 417
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  • Posted: March 11, 2013 10:20:55 pm
  • Kind of a rant, kind of a complaint, kind of a cautionary tale.

    After getting a few Canadians paying and claiming the never received the books, getting the money returned to them, and then seeing them resell my books, I stopped selling Canadian / international.

    I used to ship first class with insurance to cover loss or damage. After getting PayPal charge backs from people who stated they didn't receive their books, even though the post office verified the books were delivered, I switched to priority with delivery confirmation. ( both ways I used oversized thick card board and secured the books to the center to protect the books)

    Today I got an email from a customer who told me the books I sent out were damaged. Not only was the flat rate envelope completely crushed in the corner, but the envelope was opened and the books had been rifled through , separated from the card board, and smashed again. The corners of all the spines were completely blunted more than a half inch.

    Now needless to say, the purchaser did not pay for insurance as he has bought from me again. He has stated he has received several packages that way this week. These were $20 comics, but a few of them. I believe him 100% that he did not do this, as the cut in the envelope was less than half, not enough to actually take the books out, just enough to see what was in it and push them back in.

    Now, do I have him return them and refund, do I have him peruse it with the post office even though I clearly packaged the books safely, or do I just leave him hanging since he did not pay for the insurance.

    I average $800-$900 a month in sales and have over 500 positive feedbacks. I have never had a problem with damaged books.

    What to do, what to do?
    Http://www.comicsheatingup.net
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weeksie*
Grasshopper
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Location: in the 'Wack, Canada
Posts: 203
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  • Posted: March 11, 2013 11:05:46 pm
  • Have you asked the buyer what he wants? As a frequent ebay purchaser if there is a problem, and it is usually the postal service not the seller, I think it is best to understand that no one wins in this situation, but both parties can usually come to an agreement that works to keep a happy and repeat customer.
    Looking for TMNT v1 first prints #3,5,6 Whoo Hoo!!!
    not selling anything
echo
Comic Guru
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Location: PA
Posts: 585
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  • Posted: March 12, 2013 1:57:23 am
  • If the buyer said they didn't get the product they got a refund from you, how did that happen? 2 times I bought comics from ebay and never received them and I never got a refund. Both the sellers simply said, "well I sent them" and it was case closed I lost money and no books. I wonder how they decide that, I never had any negative scores ever.
echo
Comic Guru
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Location: PA
Posts: 585
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  • Posted: March 12, 2013 2:00:21 am
  • I have no clue what to do in your situation. Many times when I was buying comics off ebay I'd get them, sometimes like 20 where the package was smashed in the corner and put a crease in all the comics in the corner. I never complained or did anything, it sucked but it wasn't ever the sellers fault. It actually happened to me many times. I figured since I'm getting them so far below cover price it still worked out ok. But it's the stuff we can't control.

    I would suggest you yourself getting insurance every single time even if they don't pay for it.
oni424
Teacher
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Posts: 417
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  • Posted: March 12, 2013 9:00:22 am
  • The Canadian customers especially would file a dispute with PayPal. Under the old USPS system tracking was not included so there was "no way" I could prove they were delivered.

    The customers filed the dispute PayPal have them the money and I was out of luck.

    I had to up price for postage to $5.50 this year as priority is now $5.05 and both PayPal and eBay charge fees on it. In order to cover the insurance I would have to charge $7 for shipping which would deter sales for single books.
    Http://www.comicsheatingup.net
    www.facebook.com/comicsheatingup
weeksie*
Grasshopper
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Location: in the 'Wack, Canada
Posts: 203
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  • Posted: March 12, 2013 9:37:47 am
  • Being a Canadian buyer I expect shipping to be high, it does deter me from buying alot of stuff, but If it is a must have item shipping is a secondary factor. A few sellers still offer lower priced books at media mail shipping prices, but most sellers selling higher priced books will send them with tracking and insurance. I would prefer my item to be protected, and realize that shipping prices will reflect that.I also see alot of sellers refusing to ship to Canada, that is too bad, because sometimes I would be willing to pay $25- for shipping to have that special book shipped to me,But this is just one CNucks opinion.
    Looking for TMNT v1 first prints #3,5,6 Whoo Hoo!!!
    not selling anything
oni424
Teacher
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Posts: 417
My Collection
  • Posted: March 12, 2013 10:59:33 am
  • It is not the Canada sucks but there are a group of buyers who know that you can dispute transactions with PayPal if there is no tracking number. Most of these guys are the ones who refuse the higher shipping price. There has been a scam with this in both sports cards and comic books for a while.
    Http://www.comicsheatingup.net
    www.facebook.com/comicsheatingup
oni424
Teacher
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Posts: 417
My Collection
  • Posted: March 12, 2013 11:01:15 am
  • Google Canadian eBay scam.
    Http://www.comicsheatingup.net
    www.facebook.com/comicsheatingup
dough boy
I have no life
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Location: Kansas City
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  • Posted: March 12, 2013 1:05:18 pm
  • My question is if this person has admitted they have received several packages this week then I would put the onus on them to go to the PO and file a formal complaint.

    The thing that sucks is that eBay doesn't let you add insurance after the fact...but you don't know the total value until everything is all said and done.

    I always ship priority mail flat rate. It is not like I am price gouging (I charge $5.75 on eBay and I get $5.06 after fees to cover the $5.05 in online postage). if people want a cheaper service I will not do it...I recommend they buy more to spread the cost...
    Favorite Quote: "You're not just some guy in a bat costume are you? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! - Justice League #1, 2011"

    Hunting for (mainly reprints/variants) - Please help! - See My Profile
echo
Comic Guru
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Location: PA
Posts: 585
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  • Posted: March 13, 2013 12:14:16 am
  • Just a random question about something you mentioned. I'm starting to sell my comic books on ebay, how do you ship the issues? you mentioned using cardboard, can you buy it precut or do you cut boxes down? is it better to use the padded envelopes or the more flat ones with no bubble wrap inside?
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