posted on June 2, 2002 04:23:17 PM
Hello everyone, I have been learning from your message board for a while but have not posted as all my questions have been answered by reading the messages on this board. Until now. I have a buyer who paid some pretty good money for some widgets that I had around the house-RPG stuff that I used 20+ years ago and recently found that there was a market for them. He asked for global priority flat-rate envelopes($9 each - he is in australia, I'm in US)-It took 3 of them for $27 plus purchase cost of $59 for a total of $86. He has not recieved anything and I am beginning to doubt that he will. His emails have been very friendly and I have no doubt about his sincerity. My question is what would be an amount to refund? ... He is out $86 and I am out a possible $59 if I refund the purchase price. $86 is too much to stick a buyer with when they have been very pleasant to deal with and even though he stated that he would take full responsibility for GPM(flat-rate)(can't be insured or DC-d) I will of course refund something. I'm writing a novel here so I'll end this. Thanks if anyone responds.
Mark
posted on June 2, 2002 04:55:27 PM
The first time I ever mailed anything GPM (a magazine) it took about 30 days to reach the UK. Anything can happen with International mail, unless the packages were damaged or rifled I'd say they're probably just late. In my case I had already refunded the customer even though I wasn't obligated to when he notified me of delivery (he promptly returned the refund).
This is the very type of dilema that International eBayers should consider when they judge sellers who state "U.S. only" too harshly. There's more than just customs forms to consider especially if they pay by credit card and the possibility of a chargeback rears its ugly head.
posted on June 2, 2002 05:12:13 PM
Hello,
Do you have the numbers that were on the global priority envelopes? If you used the ones the post office provides you may be able to track them that way. Some worldwide post offices may scan them in when delivered. I have used the $5 and $9 global priority mail to mail to UK, Japan, Aust, and Germany with good luck so far. I have had bad luck mailing to Portugal and Italy with regular airmail over 1 ounce. Portugal and Italy do not have the global priority mail so I guess I know why now.
Good luck.
posted on June 2, 2002 06:07:33 PM
All I have is from the PO receipt with a "customs label #". This buyer has purchased from the US before and recieved GPM's in a few days and this shipment went out 2 weeks ago. Although after reading jsbrock maybe I should wait before calling this lost. I know I can call the PO but today being Sunday I thought maybe some more experienced shippers may have some productive input on what I should be asking them.Thanks , Mark
posted on June 2, 2002 06:31:04 PM
For someone not accustomed to sending a message to a board it is very easy to show no personality. My wife still loves me...I think.......
posted on June 2, 2002 06:54:43 PM
I am a Canadian seller, and I have sent about 25 items to Australia, and have found that although some arrive quite quickly, most take a long time, up to 4 weeks. My advise would be to wait at least another week if the buyer is willing, it saves a much more complicated situation developing once you start refunds etc. I realize that it may be different from the U.S. but you are also dealing with the Australian Postal service, which may be very different from ours.
posted on June 2, 2002 07:15:56 PM
It sure is great to read a thread like this. A seller that is willing to refund and not complain. The sun does shine someplace. I have had no problems with GP but I have only done it three times. I guess this is not a testimonal for GP but they did receive them. A couple quite quick and the other about two weeks and that was to Spain. I wish you good luck. With all the inventions and such wouldn't you think we could send packages to another country and insure them and know they will be delivered.
