Ebay purchase, seeking advice

[Meathead]

On Sep 5, I won the following item:

Budweiser Sign

I immediately paid with PayPal. The box arrived on Sept 19, with broken glass spilling out of several openings. The jerk who packed it used cardboard from a 50 year old campstove box, and taped it together to create a makeshift box. There was virtually no packing material, and the box was so worn, numerous holes (not created by the shipper) existed along virtually every edge. I was furious. This pinhead took no care whatsoever to protect the item from damage.

I sent him a rather blunt email, and of course he blamed it on an employee, stating, just send it back "and I will take care of it." I left on a five day trip and then returned to bring the package to a UPS store for the return. They indicated the return must be initiated by the sender, so I wrote him another email stating he needed to initiate the claim, and that I would be out of town for the next three days. Of course, he sent UPS on the dates I was gone, and when I returned, I contacted him once more. I obtained the claim information, contacted UPS myself, and the item was picked up on Oct 8.

Having not heard from him since, I sent another email. He replied, "Hi Eric. I'm still fighting with UPS over it. I just got it back a couple of days ago and I'm waiting for UPS to respond. Thanks, Bill."

What is my best course of action. I have to admit, each transaction I've had on ebay has been a good one up until now. Even my damaged items have been handled well. I was a bit naive in this case, hopeful that his good rating was deserved and worthy of some patience. As such, I did not immediately file a PayPal claim and have missed the deadline.

Not wishing to let this guy string me along any further, what would you recommend for a course of action.

[BigBearSteve]

Sorry to say you're in a tough spot.
The only recourse is small claims court. (If it's worth your time)
The paypal claim period ends at 30 days.
I'd just keep badgering the guy until he gets tired of hearing from you

[Meathead]

It's actually 45 days, but still seems remarkably short. Ebay has a 60 day limit. I have started that process...

[luckydog]

I think you can still file for a refund with Paypal, check out their claim resolution section.

I'm sure ups will tell them the item was not packed correctly and they won't pay the claim.

the guy should just take the loss and refund your money.

[BigBearSteve]

Is it 45 days? I haven't had to file one for quite some time.

[birdbrain]

if you paid with a cc through pp you can still back charge through your cc. but id do it pdq

[outdoorenth]

I hope the Ebay process works out, if not, as birdbrain suggested you can still do a chargeback through your CC. Make sure you don't let your CC time run out. I think most are 60 days after you receive your statement with the charge on it.

[Meathead]

Unfortunately, it came from an existing Paypal balance.

Here's what the box looked like when it arrived:

[birdbrain]

i can't believe UPS even accepted that

[compirate]

It says "Fragile"! Sheesh, some people gotta have everything!

[luckydog]

I know our UPS place won't take anything that isn't doubleboxed or in orginal box with orginal styrofoam inserts

[Meathead]

Does anybody know when my ability to leave feedback expires?

[Meathead]

Well, I've opened a dispute a week ago with no response. I think ebay allows 60 days to leave feedback, or the privilege is removed, but I'm not sure (especially since a dispute has been opened).

Unfortunately, ebay's dispute policy is identical to Paypal's, "item not received or significantly different from description." It does not cover items received damaged and the seller declines to refund money. Now he has the broken item and my money, despite having purchased insurance.

80 characters in the feedback line is too short for what I want to say. Suggestions for condensing a scathing negative???

[birdbrain]

90 days. make sure you mention Hitler and Stalin!! maybe Nixon also

[Meathead]

Well, the jerk finally replied,
"Refund has been submitted. Thanks, Bill"

I checked my email and my Pay Pal account, of course, nothing. I gave it a few hours in case he replied before refunding. Nothing. I sent another email through the "Resolution Center," a fancy title for "you're on your own, Sucker."

I have another item not received, only a couple of bucks, but I've learned my lesson the hard way. I opened a Paypal dispute.

I have the feeling I've lost my $200.

[luckydog]

if its coming from his checking or c.c. it may take awhile to show up.

[Sid]

Unfortunately playing the good guy in these cases just gets you screwed over

Hope that the refund does make it's way to you

[new in town]

Good Luck with your Recovery.

[alstonj1]

well you've learned a valuable lesson the hard way .I use American Express when i pay via paypal and I've had a few disputes all of which where handled by American Express and paypal bent over backward to oblige .American Express even froze the disputed charge till the outcome of the dispute .So i never leave my home page with out them...

[Meathead]

Well, I don't believe it. I got a payment through PayPal this morning for the full amount. Unfortunately, he didn't send it as a refund, so PayPal took their cut, but a refund nonetheless.



I'll need to keep in mind next time the 45 day limit for PayPal. In fact, I've learned PayPal will refund you if it doesn't fit the parameters "item not received or significantly different from description." If you've returned the item for damage, and you purchased insurance, yet haven't received a refund, PayPal will review your case.

45 days can seem like plenty of time, but when you're busy, it can come and go in a flash.