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TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: moodymand on January 06, 2014, 10:41:51 PM

Title: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 06, 2014, 10:41:51 PM
I sold a pony on ebay 14th December to a buyer in Italy, and shipped from UK to Italy on 19th December (I don't normally take that long to get to the PO but it was a busy time!!) It was sent via Royal Mail standard Airmail.

The buyer messaged me today to say the item has not arrived. I understand it still might, as it was the Xmas period and things are slow, and in any case I can't submit a claim til Fri 10th Jan as you need to wait 20 working days from date of postage.

If Fri 10th comes around and they still have not received the pony, I will start the claims process. I have not had to do this in a long time - what evidence do I need of the pony's worth? Is printing off my ebay ended auction page enough or do I need more? (It's actually a Nirvana pony and I don't think it comes up on ebay often, so I don't even know if I can find much evidence of its value!)

Also, since it was sent regular airmail and there's no proof of receipt or signature on delivery, who's to say the buyer isn't trying to pull a fast one? I'm a cynical person... ;) I regret not insisting it be sent via International Signed For. :/

Thanks for any advice.

Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: ponylady on January 06, 2014, 11:00:48 PM
There is nothing stopping your buyer from being from dishonest, unfortunately. If it was not sent with delivery confirmation, eBay will side with them. It has to show it was delivered  :huh:

As far as the claim process with Royal Mail. I believe this link below should help you.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/royal-mails-claims-process-for-loss-damage-and-delay

So with that being said Italy has one of the worst postal systems in the world. I am pretty sure your buyer is aware of that, so it taking that long is not unheard of.
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 06, 2014, 11:22:38 PM
thanks Ponylady. I hope they are aware of it and I hope they are willing to take that into consideration, sit tight and wait a little longer. Everything was going so well for the start of my 2014, now comes a spanner in the works :lol:

Taken from the link you gave me, regarding evidence of worth of the item:
"This evidence must show what it cost the claimant to acquire, purchase or manufacture the original item (or repair in the case of damage)"
So as the responsibility to chase up claims falls on the seller, hence I am (or will be) the claimant... that means I must show evidence of what it cost ME to purchase the pony?? That was years ago, I have no record of that now. Darn, Royal Mail like to get you on the little details. :/
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: LadyGuinevere on January 07, 2014, 12:57:09 AM
I think the ebay auction or paypal receipt may well suffice, however you may not get the full amount depending on how much the pony was, as standard airmail only covers up to a certain amount. It looks like the max is £20 :(
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 07, 2014, 02:49:40 AM
Yeah, that's another thing. The auction ended at £23.07 though, and I don't mind refunding the little extra myself and being a few quid out of pocket if I can get the full £20 compensation back. I suppose that's why I didn't push for ISF. Too complacent... I've sold so much lately and not had a problem. The destination should have been a red flag, because I remember reading a thread or 2 about Italy's crappy postal service a few months back! Ah well, live and learn, we hope.
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: Teddy on January 07, 2014, 03:05:08 AM
Wow, I really hope the pony shows up soon and that you have an honest buyer! There is a reason alot of sellers refuse to ship to Italy, though. ;) Good luck and keep us posted!
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 07, 2014, 03:09:56 AM
Thanks Teddy. They said they will "wait a week more". I was kind of hoping they might be an Arena person, but I feel this may not be the case...


ETA: I just checked their feedback (shoulda done that sooner I suppose)
They have left a LOT of negs for non-arrival of items.
Quote from a seller: "Left bad feedback as I was trying to trace item."

I have a perfect 100percent score of over 500, if they spoil that I am going to be hopping mad! Especially since I refunded them overpayment of shipping as I had overquoted - how many sellers do that??
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: ponylady on January 07, 2014, 03:30:49 AM
Can you maybe post this buyers ID? I am dealing with someone in Italy myself, just want to make sure it's not the same one.
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 07, 2014, 03:49:00 AM
Sure, it is lio3933
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: ponylady on January 07, 2014, 04:13:00 AM
Hmmm..Interesting  :wonder: It is not the same one but after looking at the amount of negs. they have left, I decided to add them to my blocked list. Guess what they were already there  :blink:

It makes me wonder why now??? *off to go figure it out*
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 07, 2014, 04:19:23 AM
Oh no... My day is quickly going downhill... LOL
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: hilamb on January 07, 2014, 03:24:55 PM
I hope the item arrives! :hug:
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: MiRaja on January 07, 2014, 03:54:56 PM
Sounds like someone is abusing their country's notorious bad reputation for the post by being equally dishonest!

This is exactly why I refuse to ship to Italy!  I also refuse to ship to China, because post going in disappears so easily, and I've had several attempted scammers using China addresses. 
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: Ringlets on January 07, 2014, 09:52:29 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about this situation hun :hug:  I've sold  many items to Italian buyers with no issues (except once) but I always send with tracking now unless its an item which is automatically covered by RM's included insurance (which unfortunately now is only £20 instead of the £46 it was before April2013 *siiigh* ).  Its a shame that you'll have to refund someone who very possibly is not being honest (or they have an extremely dodgy PO depot!) but you will be able to claim back the £20 (and in some cases more..) by using the ebay sale or paypal reciept  as evidence (as LadyG mentioned)
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on January 07, 2014, 11:14:37 PM
How unfortunate - thanks for the warning!  :(
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 08, 2014, 12:51:01 AM
Thanks all :hug: I have a feeling this is going to end with me refunding them. Which I have no problem doing - I just get the impression they're not going to be happy to wait around until the claim goes through and I get the money back (which knowing RM, is not exactly a priority for them). That's if I even do get the money back. So I'll probably have to refund them before the claim goes through, to avoid a neg. :( MiRaja unfortunately I am thinking the same as you. It's sad that someone would do that!
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: Navi on January 08, 2014, 01:26:34 AM
I've shipped things to Italy that have gone missing, even WITH tracking, which is why I won't ship there anymore. I'm sorry that you've had trouble here though. I hope it works out and your PO refunds you!
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: MiRaja on January 08, 2014, 06:02:40 AM
I believe in the US, that the post does not and will not insure packages going into Italy.  Also, Internat. tracking for packages originating in the US is dodgy to begin with. 
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: SeashellnBubbles on January 08, 2014, 06:54:49 AM
I'm in the midst of a Canada-Italy problem right now as well. Paid $45 for priority tracked shipping on NOVEMBER 25...item still hasn't arrived (thankfully it's an arena member) but touched down in Italy on the 4th. I really don't get it. What's the point of paying all that money and the item STILL takes forever to get there?!
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: ThriftyPony on January 08, 2014, 01:27:42 PM
I almost always have trouble shipping to Italy! If you read the list of items banned for shipping into Italy from other countries, it pretty much covers everything you'd want to ship there. :/ I think a lot of things get caught up in customs and never make it out...? Hope you find a good resolution.
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 08, 2014, 10:01:00 PM
Thanks all. I'll keep you updated on what happens with this buyer...
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: Navi on January 08, 2014, 11:39:25 PM
I almost always have trouble shipping to Italy! If you read the list of items banned for shipping into Italy from other countries, it pretty much covers everything you'd want to ship there. :/ I think a lot of things get caught up in customs and never make it out...? Hope you find a good resolution.

Yeah, they have a lot of stuff banned - including non-wooden toys (for some reason), which makes me feel kind of silly for trying to ship plastic ponies. Oh Italy.
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 09, 2014, 03:47:43 AM
What, really?? That's ridiculous. I should have looked further into this if I'd have known I'd have excluded Italy from my auctions. I think I have done a private transaction from here on the Arena to Italy no problem, though.

Ah well, I will know better next time I eBay anything. (It won't be ponies because I have now officially sold off my entire collection - save six commons that remind me of childhood good-times :) )
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 13, 2014, 10:45:40 PM
Well, the week is up and he says the item still has not arrived. I am thinking with the amount of time it will take Royal Mail to process my claim if I open one now (and that is assuming I even get the money back from them) by that time I am going to have one irate buyer on my hands, and we already know he likes to dish out the neg feedback... so I am thinking the best thing for me right now is to just refund him, and know better next time to send tracked (or just not ship to Italy!!)

It's a bummer but I will know better next time.
Thanks for all your help guys <3
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: SeashellnBubbles on January 13, 2014, 11:11:49 PM
I can't believe PayPal and eBay don't investigate people like this. It's absolutely ridiculous that they can out and out steal from people and face no concequences. I mean, logically, if so many items didn't reach him, why would he continue to purchase off eBay? It's completely illogical!
Title: Re: Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)
Post by: moodymand on January 13, 2014, 11:23:56 PM
I know, it's not really fair at all. I just read the thread about eBay sending out messages to all buyers located in Argentina urging them to wait longer for packages to account for a problem with their postal service, and the temporary monitoring of negative feedback left by those buyers. I think they should perhaps do the same for Italy...!
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