Hello everyone, I have a very long, confusing, and irritating story to share with you.
In early July, I purchased 3 cards from an ebay seller which were supposedly PSA graded and shadowless. When I opened the package, they turned out to be unlimited and ungraded. I immediately messaged the seller asking for a refund, but got no response. I next opened a claim with Ebay, and they allowed me to send the cards back for a full refund.
Unfortunately, I asked my friend/roommate to ship it off the next day and they did. However, they just sent it in an envelope and didn’t get a tracking number. So this is obviously a huge problem, as no tracking means no proof of reciept. I called Ebay customer service a few times, but they were not helpful.
At this point, it’s been a week and a half since I sent the cards back. The seller definitely has received them, and is being dishonest. Any attempts to communicate have been useless. Today, Ebay told me my claim would expire soon, so I cancelled and opened a PayPal claim instead. Now I’m at the same point - PayPal wants me to return the item and provide tracking - however it’s already been returned.
The question is - should I just sent an empty bubble mailer to the seller just to get a tracking number, or should I give up?
One, mail your own darn packages.
Two, if you don’t then instruct your shipper better.
Three, if you instructed your shipper properly and he didn’t do it…shoot him.
Seriously though, if you are 100% positive the seller got the envelope, like you see the cards listed, then empty envelope all you wish.
Damn roommate was rushing and didn’t read the elaborate note I left him about how a tracking number was crucial…lesson learned for next time I guess.
If you send an empty envelope, all the seller has to do is record himself opening the package from you and showing no cards inside. Send that video to paypal or ebay and youre toast.
The guy obviously knew he was sending the wrong items to begin with, im pretty sure his eye lit up as he received a return package from you without tracking.
Because you did not send the return with tracking, you have no proof the seller got his items back. I think you’re SOL in this instance unless you can scam the system.
On the other hand, what if the package never made it back to the seller? Just playing devils advocate here, but if you send him a tracked package with nothing inside, and he really didnt receive his cards back, youre being just as dishonest as the seller
I wish this guy would just respond to me! I even tried texting him and as soon as I told him who I was, he stopped responding…
At this point, I think I’m just gonna call it quits, unless I can get him to admit receiving the cards. I could always try calling him, but that may be a bit too far
Send the empty envelope. Even if the guy records it eBay will still give you your money back, they’ll just get the money from out of their pocket instead of the sellers.
Unfortunately you just need to take this one on the chin. Im not saying the seller is in the right either but you have to understand (and I think you do) that for cases to be solved there needs to be evidence. This evidence is a tracking number and recorded delivery to the recipient. Ohh and I learnt my lessont to get an acceptance receipt when dropping it off, not that it makes a difference in a claim i think but at least I know it has been scanned (had a few lost in drop boxes before)
If your an honest man/woman you would admit that your friend made the error and leave it at that. As the saying goes, if you want something done properly you have to do it yourself! Maybe take your friend to Judge Judy or something for a laugh, you’d get some reimbursement for being on TV
Dont send an empty mailer, your just cheating yourself and karma will come back on you 2 fold.
an empty envelope with tracking would work, just put some cardboard in there so he doesn’t get suspicious and record the opening, as far as i’m concerned he scammed you, and this is the only way to get your money back
No tracking = SOL. Having someone else mail your stuff is even worse.
Also you have ZERO idea if they even got the cards, I recently had USPS lose two of my cards for 2 months! one was in envelope no tracking, the one one did have tracking bu still got lost. Both took 2 months to arrive…
I feel like your story is a lie. Are you saying you asked your roommate to get the cards from wherever you opened them, put them in something, then write the shipping address info, and then mail it? All this is a lot to ask a roommate and I feel like you would specify what to put the cards in as someone that does not ship things frequently would have no clue what they were doing. Maybe you’re not lying but your story seems to have holes in it.
Nope. I had an envelope and the cards already prepared. All I needed him to do was take it to the post office since I had class all day. I also left him detailed instructions on how to ship it.
It blows my mind 1. That you even have the capacity to think to send and empty mailer to escalate the situation, and 2. that there are people here (and quite reputable ones mind you) that are backing you up to do so.
It puts you on the same level as the seller. Like I said, not siding for the seller here at all but you need to accept your own mistakes and just move on. Plus you have already had dated contact with ebay and paypal. If they are smart enough, you be caught anyway…
I mean at this point, I’m gonna just take the loss. No point of spending more money to ship an empty envelope, and then have the seller lie to Ebay/PayPal about everything (or worse, file a theft report).
I’m done buying from low-feedback users, and from now on I’m mailing my own stuff. At least it was only $200 and not thousands.
I think that is the best plan. I know its feel shit and I know you feel cheated and dont want this seller to “win” but chances are if they keep doing this, they’ll get their own in the end.
You learn your lessons and yes, you should ship it yourself, with tracking and even hand it to the postal worker to make sure its scanned in front of you and get that acceptance receipt. I wouldnt disregard low feedback sellers though. Thats just your disappointment talking. Everyone deserves a chance and you have the system to back you up. Just amend your practices and do it differently next time.
I shipped out a $40 dollar auction the other day and although i used a tracked method just put it in the drop box inside the office (I dont use outdoor ones anymore). I also shipped a <$5 auction the same way at the same time. Well for some reason the $40 one didnt get scanned into the system but the $5 one did. I smacked myself in the head for not handing it over in person but was prepared to take the hit and eventually refund the buyer. Well it eventually scanned when the package was delivered. Phew! Reminded myself why I do certain things a certain way and Ive ebayed for 20 years! We are only human but need to own up to our own responsibilities
Why did you not print out a return label through eBay and slap that on the envelope that you had already packed up? Then your roommate would simply have to drop it in a blue box or at the counter and tracking would have already been uploaded to eBay. Easiest way to do it and it comes out of the sellers pocket as well in case of INAD.
