Suggestion to sellers !!!!!!!

[John S]

I, TOO, GOT SCREWED BY A BUYER. What to do. Merely send all items insured, even for $10, or ask for receipt of delivery (even cheaper).
This way when the b....rd says he did not receive item and wants his money back tell him to pound sand. You have the receipt item received............... My lesson only cost me $60..........what did your lesson cost..............!!!

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Thats all well and good unless you get the situation that happened to me last week. I sent a handsewn shelter half via USPS Priority mail with delivery confirmation. The delivery showed online when he got it, but they delivered an empty box with a stamp "damaged in transit, delivered empty" - it still showed up as a delivery in their system, whether the goods were there or not it wasn't their problem anymore since I didn't pay extra for insurance. For now on, everything I send with cost extra since I will be adding max insurance as well as delivery confirmation.

[Mint Julep]

Wow, I've never sold an item and sent it to the person without receiving payment FIRST. I only accept USPS money orders or official bank checks, which I hold upon receipt and allow the person to confirm delivery and satisfaction before I deposit the check.

I don't know of any business that would ship you an item without paying for it first. Why should I?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I always receive payment first, as I believe the original poster does since he mentioned the customer wanted his money back - that implies a pre payment arrangement.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Shipping or mailing accidents happen.

But there are also lads who prey on us with lies, fraud, and deceits.

Such as a lad banned on another board after numerous complaints from multiple folks that:

1. pre payment was not received, send a second payment
2. goods were reported as sent but never received (only to show up for sale elsewhere by the same lad
3. goods that were purchased were reported to the sellers as not received
4. the same goods were sold to multiple buyers
5. goods that were advertised as one thing, arrived being different items and quality and condition different than posted.

Most lads are honest.
But the Glowing Screen and the Internets are too tempting, and prosecution too rare, for some lads to ignore.

Not a plug for UPS, but they have free minimal insurance. And USPS offers insurance Although I have heard unfoudned rumours it is very had to collect on a claim from UPS or USPS.

And I do not how it works, but UPS and USPS do not always "deliver" packages to my hands. If not home, I find many boxes on my front door step from both services- even the USPS "Delivery Confirmation" and "Adult Signature Required."

If I were a vendor, I would "protect" myself with shipping insurance and add it to the S & H cost of doing business. But I am not a vendor.

Besides, recently I bought a thin paperback booklet for $19.95 and paid $10.95 for postage. The priority mail stamp on the envelope read "$2.18."

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[Mint Julep]

Curt,

I had a musket damaged during UPS shipment. Fortunately I had taken out insurance. What gave me the biggest headache was the local UPS office held the musket for nearly 6 weeks so "insurance investigators" could inspect it. Turns out his little strip mall office wasn't supposed to accept weapons for shipping. He paid and I actually got two checks out of it. But I had to threaten to get an attorney before he released the musket. And, I had to call him to find out where it was, he didn't call me.

[Janine Delcamp]

My recent problem w/ was with a seller who sold me a coat that he said was a size 40 and it turns out to be a size 50! I pm'd him as soon as I got it and pointed out his error and he said he'd refund my $$, and I'd then send back the coat, but the rat then disappeared from both this forum and the Authentic forum. I have his addy, but no recourse for getting my money back. I tried selling the coat, but no takers. Now I have a coat I could fit 2 of me in and I'm out $120! Next time I go thru PA I'm going to set a trap for this rat. So, buyers beware too!

[John S]

I should have pointed out I DID get paid for the item ($60), but FAILED to insure or get delivery receipt, just mailed it. Buyer, real quick (when he received it) saw no form of delivery verification was attached, then emailed me he NEVER got item and wanted money back. I could not PROVE he got it, but what do you think ????? I sent his money back (with a Voodoo curse).