Advice on this transaction - toy collectors

[SirPeale]

I collect Transformers.  Have since I was a kid.  I had a few boxed Alternators that I bought in a case so I could just get one out of the collection.

The idea was to sell them off so I could fund the purchase of figures.  I found a buyer in Canada quite quickly, who agreed to my prices.  I wrap them individually, block pack them into a box, and firmly fill the box with peanuts.   Should have survived *normal* handling with out an issue.

I open my email to find a scathing email.  Guy claims that the packaging on the toys was crushed, and since he wanted to add them to his boxed collection,  they were now worthless to him.
















Insurance was purchased for on this.  Was sent via USPS.

I'm betting I don't have a prayer of getting a claim though, do I.

[shmokes]

Wow . . . that seems like a fight.  That really sucks.  I suspect that you are gonna be out of luck on this one.  Still, I'd put in the insurance claim, but I wouldn't be surprised if they don't include package damage in the things they cover.

[somunny]

What did the box they were packed in look like?

[ChadTower]

Geesh.  I've seen your packing - it takes a half hour to unpack it.  They must have really done a number on this.

[danny_galaga]

ace ventura delivered it 

[SavannahLion]

USPS? That's a surprise. I expect that kind of abuse from the UPS.

Sent to Canada? Ask if customs opened the packages. More than once I've sent/received packages across borders and the packages often arrived opened, unpacked and in a few cases missing parts. Ever since 9/11, customs have gotten really bad. I've received packages that wouldn't even be considered packaged. They're supposed to reseal the package back to its near original shipping state but...  I still yet to see this so-called customs seal.

[ark_ader]

I had to put on packages that I sent UPS - Please do not use this package as a football in the warehouse! as the packages looked like a giant gorilla processed them.

The insurance is not the point.  I shipped Dinky toys international and if the plastics break - then the toy is devalued.  I definately feel for the recipient, and the sender.

I hear that UPS has a better customer relations department:



I'd complain to USPS and then swap to UPS!

[ChadTower]

I had to put on packages that I sent UPS - Please do not use this package as a football in the warehouse! as the packages looked like a giant gorilla processed them.

You do know that writing things like FRAGILE on a package just causes employees to throw it around, yes?  Ask any UPS employee - they all say it right out.

[Jdurg]

Also, Customs is the worst department on Earth when it comes to fragile items.  They will jump on and dick around with boxes labeled "fragile" or "this end up", or anything else that would indicate something of value in there.  I think part of the hiring process to work in Customs involves answering the question "Are you a complete and total ass-hole who cares only about yourself?"  If you answer "No", they won't hire you.

[SirPeale]

What did the box they were packed in look like?

Nearly brand new.  Definitely pristine.

Guy says there weren't any peanuts in the box when he opened it.  It must have been opened.

[ChadTower]

Nearly brand new.  Definitely pristine.

Guy says there weren't any peanuts in the box when he opened it.  It must have been opened.

Are we confident he is being honest?

[shardian]

Wow, that really sucks. How does USPS handle claims when a 3rd party (Customs) is allowed to open and handle your package halfway thru? This would definitely be some good info for the rest of us.

[ChadTower]

I'll be surprised if they don't say "once out of USPS hands our obligation is fulfilled".

[shardian]

I'll be surprised if they don't say "once out of USPS hands our obligation is fulfilled".

Considering you are paying them to deliver the product safely to his door AND paying insurance at that, then they are more than liable for ANYTHING that happens in between.

[ChadTower]

Considering you are paying them to deliver the product safely to his door AND paying insurance at that, then they are more than liable for ANYTHING that happens in between.

This is from USPS.com, if it helps.  I wonder what "rifling" means.

Insurance is provided against loss, damage, or rifling for Priority Mail International parcels. Compensation varies according to the fee paid. For parcels delivered to the addressee in damaged condition or with missing contents, payment is made to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

[Hoopz]

I can't see where this is Peale's fault or where the liability rests with him.  When a 3rd party is obligated to inspect the items, he has no control over what they do. 

And I would think that the buyer would have more experience having items inspected than Peale.  Not being derogatory towards Canadians but they are probably more used to buying items from the US and having them shipped in than vice versa.

I'd tell him you will check on the insurance claim and let him know what they say.  I'd make it clear that it's in their court whether or not he is compensated.

[shardian]

http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc9_007.htm

According to that, the buyer would be required to express suspicion of damage when he accepted the package. Given that the package was insured, he would have to sign for it. It depends on if the package showed signs of damage on the outside though. If customs removed all the packing peanuts, then the outside would have looked fine while the boxes inside would have banged into each other relentlessly.

Either way, it would be hard to prove that customs removed the packing materials and did not replace them.

[ChadTower]

If I worked Customs mail inspections I would be so tempted to drop extra random stuff into packages.

"So, yeah, I got the toys okay... they seem fine... but WTF is up with using bologna as packing material?!"

[SirPeale]

Well, the guy left me negative feedback.  This wasn't an eBay auction, it was a Transformers message board, tfw2005.com.  I hope this doesn't haunt me with any possible future transactions.

[CheffoJeffo]

And I would think that the buyer would have more experience having items inspected than Peale.  Not being derogatory towards Canadians but they are probably more used to buying items from the US and having them shipped in than vice versa.

In all my years (several US packages a week), I have only ever had one package opened by customs (that I am aware of, anyway) and it was resealed with red "customs" tape.

[shardian]

Well, the guy left me negative feedback.  This wasn't an eBay auction, it was a Transformers message board, tfw2005.com.  I hope this doesn't haunt me with any possible future transactions.

Well either way, the guy is being an ass. That is pretty crappy to leave negative feedback on someone who is trying to make right. Has he even described the condition of the outer packaging? Shown that it was opened by customs? Etc, etc?

[ChadTower]

In all my years (several US packages a week), I have only ever had one package opened by customs (that I am aware of, anyway) and it was resealed with red "customs" tape.

This goes back a few years but I had a few that were obviously opened by Canadian customs and not marked as such.  Maybe it depends on where it's coming over the border.

[SirPeale]

Well, the guy left me negative feedback.  This wasn't an eBay auction, it was a Transformers message board, tfw2005.com.  I hope this doesn't haunt me with any possible future transactions.

Well either way, the guy is being an ass. That is pretty crappy to leave negative feedback on someone who is trying to make right. Has he even described the condition of the outer packaging? Shown that it was opened by customs? Etc, etc?

He hasn't said anything about the original package.

Here's the feedback: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1872944#post1872944

[ChadTower]

What did the box they were packed in look like?

Nearly brand new.  Definitely pristine.

 

Did he say something about the outer box or not?

[Hoopz]

And I would think that the buyer would have more experience having items inspected than Peale.  Not being derogatory towards Canadians but they are probably more used to buying items from the US and having them shipped in than vice versa.

In all my years (several US packages a week), I have only ever had one package opened by customs (that I am aware of, anyway) and it was resealed with red "customs" tape.

I wonder if it depends on carrier, declared value or item, addressee, or if it's purely random?

[ChadTower]

Probably any or all of the above combined with anything that may make the package suspicious or if the Customs agent just wants to see what is in the box.

[ahofle]

So was he just lying in his feedback?
"The Alts were crushed in transit, no bubble wrap, no peanuts, just shopping bags. The Alts were a snug fit from top to bottom... no room for bubble wrap to go around."

He says there was not even any room for bubble wrap. 
Either way, pretty bad situation for both of you.  I know I'd be pissed if I received those toys in that condition.

[SirPeale]

Lying?  No, I don't think so.  I wrapped each item in a bag, then placed them into a box.  I then filled the box *firmly* with foam peanuts.  There was no way stuff was shifting around in there, and everything would have been fine with NORMAL handling.  This had to have been abused.

I'm guessing that either the box was damaged in transit and reboxed, or damaged in transit and just retaped.

[ChadTower]

Get a picture of the outer box.  That will tell you exactly what happened.

[2600]

Lying?  No, I don't think so.  I wrapped each item in a bag, then placed them into a box.  I then filled the box *firmly* with foam peanuts.  There was no way stuff was shifting around in there, and everything would have been fine with NORMAL handling.  This had to have been abused.

I'm guessing that either the box was damaged in transit and reboxed, or damaged in transit and just retaped.

I noticed you didn't say that you put peanuts on the bottom of the box, then placed the items in the box.

[RayB]

From what I see in the photo, just plain GRAVITY crushed it. There's ZERO structural support along the front where it's just flimsy clear plastic. If you were sending only ONE, it would be fine, but to stack them up, of course they got crushed. Peanuts or bubble wrap would have done nothing to prevent this. They needed to each be in sturdy cardboard boxes.

[SirPeale]

From what I see in the photo, just plain GRAVITY crushed it. There's ZERO structural support along the front where it's just flimsy clear plastic. If you were sending only ONE, it would be fine, but to stack them up, of course they got crushed. Peanuts or bubble wrap would have done nothing to prevent this. They needed to each be in sturdy cardboard boxes.

They weren't stacked. Single layer in a large box.

[SithMaster]

Tell him they are supposed to be like that.  Battle damaged.

I checked the negative feedback and he does indeed seem like an ass.  If he is going to complain about the condition then get the refund from usps instead of being lazy and just leaving negative feedback.

"We are going to look like burnt out toaster ovens."