Should Return Policy Disclose Responsibility of Return Shipping on Damage? 6 6

[Dr. Balls]

I guess I should be thankful that in all my years of buying on these boards, this problem has only now come up for me.

The basics:

Bought a book, seller ships in a regular (not padded) envelope with no reinforcement (bag and board only). Book is observably damaged. Take it up with seller, who refuses to pay return shipping. My refund is now being held hostage upon returning the book on my dime. (Paid by Zelle, which I also think should be banned here on the Boards since there is no protection - but that's another thread.)

Not that $5 is a big deal (and I see it as paying $5 to never deal with this clown again), but I think most people can relate to improperly packed books and then a seller not paying for return shipping on something that is their fault for not shipping it properly can be frustrating.

I recently had a sale where I missed a detached staple, buyer wanted a return. No problem, send it back and I pay return shipping. It was my mistake, my responsibility. I see absolutely no grey area, however, the seller in my transaction whined, moaned, balked and accused me of ripping him off on a $75 book that he gave me such a good deal on. Clearly, there are two rules of thought regarding customer service ethics.

Would like to hear if other Boardies feel this is something that should be added to the Return Policy.

Edited January 4 by Dr. Balls

[Get Marwood & I]

On 1/4/2024 at 8:27 PM, Dr. Balls said:

It was my mistake, my responsibility. I see absolutely no grey area

That's how I do and see things. We're all human. You own your mistakes.

Damage caused by a seller's demonstrably bad packaging should never result in a loss to the buyer. The rules should reflect that principle, I think. 

[wombat]

Who the hell would send a book like that?

But to your question, I would certainly hope any seller would take responsibility for that and pay for return shipping. 

[comix4fun]

On 1/4/2024 at 2:27 PM, Dr. Balls said:

I guess I should be thankful that in all my years of buying on these boards, this problem has only now come up for me.

The basics:

Bought a book, seller ships in a regular (not padded) envelope with no reinforcement (bag and board only). Book is observably damaged. Take it up with seller, who refuses to pay return shipping. My refund is now being held hostage upon returning the book on my dime. (Paid by Zelle, which I also think should be banned here on the Boards since there is no protection - but that's another thread.)

Not that $5 is a big deal (and I see it as paying $5 to never deal with this clown again), but I think most people can relate to improperly packed books and then a seller not paying for return shipping on something that is their fault for not shipping it properly can be frustrating.

I recently had a sale where I missed a detached staple, buyer wanted a return. No problem, send it back and I pay return shipping. It was my mistake, my responsibility. I see absolutely no grey area, however, the seller in my transaction whined, moaned, balked and accused me of ripping him off on a $75 book that he gave me such a good deal on. Clearly, there are two rules of thought regarding customer service ethics.

Would like to hear if other Boardies feel this is something that should be added to the Return Policy.

Sellers.... regardless of protestations, thoughts to the contrary, or declarations in a sales thread otherwise...have the responsibility to deliver the item to their buyers in the same material condition as they sold it and the buyer bought it. If it becomes damaged in shipment due to seller's negligence or faulty packing and protection it is 100% up to them to take the item back at their cost, or at whatever level of compensation overall for the item and the shipping the buyer agrees to. 

Edited January 4 by comix4fun

[Dr. Balls]

Here is the majority of the communication - editing out personal info like emails, addresses and phone numbers - other than that, it's basically the string of PMs in order from the time I contacted him about the damage. He did not ship it in a padded envelope, it was in one of those soft-sided envelopes that tear open with a pull tab. It has about as much bend resistance as a gym sock, and he's not sure why it took two weeks to ship a book during Christmas time.

I never fault people for making a mistake (I make lots of them myself), and if you own up to it and make it right - I don't give it a second thought. I was cordial and helpful towards this guy (even returning the book packed the way I would have packed it to give him an example) - but as you can see, by the third or fourth message, I'd had enough of the whining and gave him both barrels.

The customer service, quality of packing, etc is something we expect as buyers here on the boards. With a new seller, I think most Boardies here can overlook a bad pack job (albeit annoyingly) when the seller at least reciprocates with some understanding that they've made a mistake. Not so with this guy. He blames the buyer, doesn't believe the buyer, accepts zero responsibility and hasn't a single speck of contrition towards his own mistakes. In my opinion, he does not need to be selling here on the boards.

- - -

.

 

[Dr. Balls]

I didn't want to edit my original post, but wanted to add this other image from his listing that shows the inside front cover - which does not show the tearing at the upper staple (in both places) - since I am being accused of sending back the book in "literally" the exact condition he sent it in.

Original sales thread

Edited January 4 by Dr. Balls

[comix4fun]

Based on those pics, that exchange, his defiance, that packaging and his attitude....this guy shouldn't be selling anything through the mail, much less something as fragile and in need of care in shipping as comics. 

[CAHokie]

How old is this guy? CGC should take his report and do an age verification. What was his “report” even for.

Look, I get it. It’s a hard lesson but at least he could learn it with some humility. When I first got here, I didn’t understand how to ship either. I read the threads and learned. 
 

He has no reason to apologize or believe you. 

[Galen130]

I haven’t stated this in my return policy, except to state that if there IS damage on arrival, the buyer should take photos.  I give refunds once I figure out what happened, especially if it’s my fault, or file a claim with USPS.  I also let the buyer know they can keep the item if they wish.  I have yet to accomplish a return on an item…just refunds up to this point.  Of course, I package in OCD-style, so a situation like this doesn’t come up often.  I ain’t perfect, though. 👍🙂

I’m also a ‘no buyer’s remorse’ seller. 🙂

Edited January 5 by Galen130

[wombat]

My favorite part was "I'm going to reach out to CGC to see what they advise"

 

 

[MattTheDuck]

I realize we have all kinds of people in this hobby, but I still cannot understand how the seller here believes he is not ruining his reputation as a seller over $15 (or whatever the return shipping costs).  

[universal soldier]

I just spit out my water. This is just precious 

 

You are 100% in the right here, probalby will have to just move on. Thanks for the warning so they can be put on my "hell no" list.

[Dr. Balls]

On 1/4/2024 at 6:03 PM, MattTheDuck said:

I realize we have all kinds of people in this hobby, but I still cannot understand how the seller here believes he is not ruining his reputation as a seller over $15 (or whatever the return shipping costs).  

Five bucks. I sent it back First Class. I was surprised at the reaction over $5. It’s not like I sent it back Express. 

[CAHokie]

On 1/4/2024 at 8:11 PM, universal soldier said:

I just spit out my water. This is just precious 

 

You are 100% in the right here, probalby will have to just move on. Thanks for the warning so they can be put on my "hell no" list.

That's why I wanted age verification 

[Dr. Balls]

On 1/4/2024 at 6:11 PM, universal soldier said:

You are 100% in the right here, probalby will have to just move on. Thanks for the warning so they can be put on my "hell no" list.

Yeah, I don’t need to die on this hill, I just wanted to offer a heads-up to others.

Edit: He did send back the original $75. Nothing for return postage, as expected.

Edited January 5 by Dr. Balls

[Incredible Pulp]

This is terrible to hear...this seller need to be hog tied and put into a box with no padding to be shipped to alaska.

 

I'm ready to send you the $5 myself as you are a great seller here!

My  

[davidking623]

Jason is one of the best packaging experts on this board so receiving a Comic like this would wig his mind for sure , I guarantee it . On a side note I remember receiving 3 Wolverine Origin 1 comics  in a paper manila envelope back in 2001 with no bags no protection whatsoever , my mind wigged triple time seeing it and opening it as to how great of condition they arrived in in what was the worse packing job I have ever seen . Sold 1 Raw sent the other 2 in to CGC and 1 came back 9.8 the other 9.6 

[davidking623]

On 1/4/2024 at 11:13 PM, davidking623 said:

Jason is one of the best packaging experts on this board so receiving a Comic like this would wig his mind for sure , I guarantee it . On a side note I remember receiving 3 Wolverine Origin 1 comics  in a paper manila envelope back in 2001 with no bags no protection whatsoever , my mind wigged triple time seeing it and opening it as to how great of condition they arrived in in what was the worse packing job I have ever seen . Sold 1 Raw sent the other 2 in to CGC and 1 came back 9.8 the other 9.6 

I MEAN IT ! 

[Patriot6]

That poor Archie book, the real victim here 

 

Jokes aside,  wow, I'd say you could get a foot long at subway with that five dollar bill, which explained him wanting to sticky finger it, but then I remembered that the five dollar foot long is long gone. Sort of like somebody's reputation....

[Patriot6]

I was going to buy some of those, but no Canadian shipping was offered.  The one time it worked in my favour !