Hi all, I recently purchased an MTG Core 2020 box from the big eBay seller Cardrushinc. Received the box in a padded USPS envelope. Of course, the box had all 4 corners dented in and the outter box generally smushed.
Luckily, I was buying the box to open, not to keep it sealed. But it bothered me that they just put it in an envelope because the box will get all sorts of damage in transit.
I reached out to the seller just to let them know about the situation. I did not ask for monetary compensation or a return. They replied saying that “in order to provide these items at the prices they offer, they must ship via the cheapest method.” Okay, I get it, they need to keep cost down, but they are basically shipping out damaged boxes.
Anyone else ever dealt with this seller? Is this how they roll? Is it not reasonable to expect a sealed box to be shipped in a box? I’ve bought sealed MTG products from other volume sellers on eBay and I’m pretty sure they all came in a BOX.
That’s inexcusable and lazy. I use recycled cardboard all the time to make cardboard splints or to form box like packaging. It costs me nothing but the tape used to hold it together. They could have use recycled newspaper to wrap it several times and then used pieces of cardboard to form a hard shell.
There is an interesting little documentary on Netflix about shipping with boxes or padded envelopes. The argument is making padded envelopes is easier, better for the environment, cheaper, and they take up less space. But your typical padded envelope can’t be recycled with regular recycling, so it’s usually tossed in the trash. It is estimated some where between 10-15% of plastic is recycled. Whereas boxes are believed to be recycled at about a 90% rate. It is a big debate with Amazon on what should be used. A few years ago you would order a toothbrush and get it in a box big enough you could fit 50 toothbrushes in. Amazon is trying to work on selecting more strategically what shipping supplies to use now. They are also trying to get manufacturers to have the product already in a box that is able to shipped and protect the item without having to package it. Just pull it from the shelf, stick a label on it and ship it.
@zap2 the most significant cost in shipping in boxes is in the time it takes. It also takes up more space to have those extra packing materials. There is also an added and measurable cost to shipping that way both in added weight and postage cost as well as cost of materials. With modern product the margins are razor thin so the few times I have ordered newer boxes this way I have both expected received them this way with only an intent to open. I am surprised @yz2428 that you have bought single new release boxes and received them any other way honestly.
With any desire or need for a nice condition single box I surely wouldn’t be buying a stock photo recent mass produced release, sorted by low price on eBay. I either would go buy a box in person that I can see and check or pay a premium to request a nice condition one shipped in a box.
Wrap in newspaper: 15 seconds, free.
Cut two pieces of cardboard to be slightly longer and wider than box. You can cut them at the same time: 20 seconds, free.
Place newspaper wrapped box in between pieces of cardboard and use two small pieces of tape to hold cardboard together forming splint. 20 seconds, maybe a couple cents worth of tape.
Place splinted box in mailing envelope. Boom.
@zap2, cardrush has 1,000 unique feedback in the past 30 days all of which are positive which I think lends some to way they ship being reasonable and often expected.
Plus take everything you said. They have probably 100 sales a day if they get the same feedback and repeat customer rate I do. I’m unsure what portion are boxes but you again are taking a razor thin margin item where they may get a couple bucks worth of profit and trying to get them to add a minute per packing of each of those items that they are already selling with a stellar feedback rate. Those items you mentioned again take space to store as well and newspaper IMO is unprofessional and also not unlimited for high volume sellers. They’d likely opt for tissue paper which again comes down to time, cost, and space.
Again this is all my opinion but I think the seller did exactly what I’d expect and be perfectly happy with. I’d say expecting any more without inquiring up front at that price point is expecting too much. To each their own.
@gottaketchumall,
I look at it like this. They are basically saying, “Yeah sorry we shipped you damaged goods, it’s because we make too little and have too much business to do a proper job. We sacrifice quality for quantity.”
Rather than finding a solution to the problem(damaged goods) they just make an excuse and keep doing it.
@zap2 the problem is that there isn’t a solution to that “problem” that doesn’t involve them losing an already super thin profit margin, a significant amount of time or one that causes them to raise the prices. @gottaketchumall hit everything perfect. You have to understand that they’re making literally $1-2 off each of these boxes. On top of the fact they’re probably spending 10 hours or more a day packaging, listing and responding to inquiries. If you’re looking for the cheapest product, you’re going to get the cheapest service. If it’s that big of a deal to you, buy local.
^Further it comes down to what the product is. To most people it seems the box and wrapping is just that. Box and wrapping. Chaff to be cast off on their way to get to the good stuff. Their packing method sufficiently protects the cards inside hence the product for most customers. Even OP in this instance.
An atypical consumer (which as collectors I would argue we all are) seeking extra information and potentially having a harder time finding what they want, or paying more, is to be expected. It’s like going to a buffet as a vegan or celiac sufferer and having a surprised Pikachu face when there are no options for you to dine on. A collector or a vegan/celiac is going to have to do extra work or spend extra time/money to get the atypical product quality they desire.
I understand all of that but it’s not going to change my mind about shipping someone a damaged box. I know I might sound hard headed here but there’s simple solutions in my opinion.
Some retailers give discounts on boxes that have damage. Imagine if they received a pallet of boxes from the manufacturer or distributor and they all had dented corners or other damage and they were told the same thing. It’s just bad business. Maybe it’s the nature of the industry, maybe it can be solved. In any case, I’ll take the undamaged box over the damaged ones.
And yeah, I’ve never ordered from them so not a big deal for me. Just doesn’t seem right.
I know deriums also ships (at last they used to) single MTG booster boxes in padded bags, I don’t think it’s uncommon especially for higher volume sellers.
It is usually typical of a consumer that has no or minimal experience dealing in volume to expect more than they actually receive. I know because i was once someone like this. I would challenge anyone here to deal with the volume of product these sellers do and then realize all the added time and effort it takes (unpaid) to do the same that they are expecting be done for them. I would guarantee your mindset would be changed. Ebay sellers or small owner operated business’ suffer the wrath of consumers in these ways because said consumers expect them to compete on the same level as big business. Its not until one reaches this higher level that they then can afford to put more of a priority on these aspects of business because the profit margin is higher and can be accounted for in a more comfortable manner.
It’s been said many many times on this forum that “its the sellers responsibility to ensure the item Purchased arrives in the as described condition of its departure”. Its the sellers responsibility to make sure it is safe in transit. If they state somewhere on the website or in the items description that product is suspect to damage during transit to decrease prices then no complaint can be made. But otherwise it’s pretty jacked up they are so lazy and careless about the stuff they are selling. It’s not the consumers problem they only made 2 bucks profit. In my opinion whether it’s a large company or some small time dude they should put the time into packaging stuff securely so people dont get damaged goods.
Leave the seller bad feedback, Maybe if they get a bunch of negative feedbacks they’ll change.
I agree this is completely ignorant on the sellers behalf. Sure margins are thin for them but that is no excuse to ship a collectible item poorly. If it was a coffeemaker in a box or something that got dinged up but the actual coffeemaker was fine that is a different story.
gottaketchumall, on this end, i see your point. yes, i paid $97 on a box of new product. yes, their margin was probably $1-$2, or whatever, but like many people already said, it’s about customer service and quality of your service. when you say that it is ok for damaged merchandise to be sold because i paid a “shit price”, at what point do you draw the line? that’s what i have an issue with. everyone in business deals with margins, and yes, i have not purchased a ton of sealed new mtg boxes, only started recently, but my experience with a few other sellers were all very positive. they were selling for market prices just as low. even for a single mass produced box, they would send in a box, maybe without additional padding, but those boxes were in much, much better condition. just because you have volume and are pressed for time doesn’t mean you lose your core value and forget that you are providing a service.
that’s not an excuse. stop using volume as an excuse to have shit service. it’s like if i were a parent and i did a shit job at parenting my kid and i blamed it on the amount of responsibility. it’s not ok.