Hi all, I'd appreciate your opinions on this: In January, I bought and paid for a parts assembly for a UK made lantern from a UK seller (not our old friend of whom much has been written here). He duly reported that he had sent off the parts to me (without tracking; as the shipping stated without tracking). To date it has not yet arrived and on enquiry he assured me that he had posted it, but was not able to provide proof of shipping, saying it was too long ago although he did give me the return address. He is currently auctioning a few similar items and I asked him whether he would close the auction early for me if I were to put in a bid. He declined saying there was considerable interest in the items but wished me luck if I decided to bid anyway and that he would ship to me only with tracking in future. Do I have any just cause to feel aggrieved that he does not want to assist me? Should I give him a negative rating? Can he reasonably expect that I should carry the whole loss? What do you think the honourable? equitable? thing to do would be for him and for me? -Phil in South Africa
Certainly open an item not received case. Otherwise you could be time barred from doing so and end up with no product or refund. You can always close it again if the item turns up. I wouldn't go for a negative rating just yet in case its simply delayed in the post. Once bitten twice shy - Find an alternative supplier.
Hi James and thanks for your input. Yes, I can open a dispute with Paypal within 180 days of the transaction. If seller does not come to the party I will do that, but I'd rather settle amicably before rolling out the big guns.
Thanks, Stuart, I've told him that I'm not happy with the situation and that I can open a dispute. I'll give him a day or two to respond before I proceed. As I see it, if he cannot produce proof of shipping, he's pretty much scr**ed, and a dispute will tie up his funds for quite a while...
Some times I have opted for non signed/tracked service even when seller has preferred signed/tracked service in order to save few £'s/€'s in shipping costs. I have done that mainly for cheap items. In those cases I have mentioned for seller that It's my bad if item is lost since I have chosen cheaper shipping option. Once item that I bought from UK was mis-shipped to Australia and arrived to me 30-40 after I bought it. On meantime I contacted to seller just to ask if he has shipped the item. He told the shipment date and he mentioned that he will send new item to me. After original shipment came to me from Australia I contacted to seller and asked if I would send one article back to him. He answered that just keep both of them.
Phil, I can't tell from your post but am guessing the shipping was from the UK to SA? I've had stuff that's been shipped from the UK to the US run the gamut from the sublime to ridiculous. I've gotten stuff as soon as 4-5 days and had other parcels same size and weight take 8 weeks. No rhyme or reason to the process that I can discern. Give him a couple of days then open a case. I've found that querying the sender means the parcel shows up the next day.
In the mean time the seller has updated all his items to say no shipping to South Africa. I've also had the experience of parcels arriving the day after a query to the seller. But from mid-January to now, 4 1/2 months, is excessive even by South African standards. I've not had a reply from him since Monday so I will open the dispute tomorrow.
If you pay for goods online you are entitled to receive them. The seller has an obligation to ensure that you receive the goods you have paid for. Tracking and insurance is for the benefit of the seller not the buyer. Some sellers seem to belive that if the buyer opts for a cheaper shipping method that is not tracked/insured then it is the buyer taking the risk of losing the goods. Not true. If the seller can't provide proof of delivery and hasn't insured the goods it's his loss and not yours. You have allowed more than enough time for the package to arrive and it has not done so. The seller should refund you in full.
I totally agree with sidders. It's down to the seller not the buyer. I sell a bit on eBay, not lamps but other stuff and would never dispose of proof of sending until I have confirmation of receipt.
Even proof of sending is not enough. eBay requires proof of delivery before they will side with the seller.
For that reason many sellers only send with registered and/or tracked service. That will add cost quite much for items which value is only few €/£/$'s.
Well, I've opened a dispute on Paypal, and I'll update on any progress. Thank you all very much for your help so far.
Reese, you and I must both be psychic or in communication with the shipping deities because I received the parcel in the mail today, intact, unopened, undamaged. I have closed the dispute, but I did berate the seller for his unwillingness to accept responsibility or help out. Thanks again to all who shared their knowledge and experience with me.
The small dog is Topaz, a champagne labrador that had his first birthday on the 3rd of May this year and currently weighs 42kg or about 92 lbs. He's little 'cos he's far... almost like the pics of people with their hand on the top of the Eiffel tower.
