eBay question - who's responsible

[mulebennett]

This has happened to me a few times now through my hundreds of eBay transactions.

I'm the seller, buyer wins auction, sends money, I ship out item (buyer does not buy shipping insurance), one month later buyer e-mails me saying she hasn't gotten the package, I assume post office has lost it.

Since she didn't pay for insurance, is it her fault? I mean, it can't really be all my fault, considering I received payment and shipped out. I don't think I should be out the money, buyer doesn't think she should be out the item.

What happens? Am I liable, or is there something I can do? I don't want to have to refund, because that completely screws me, and I don't want a negative feedback. Help.

[Kneel B4 Zod]

I'm not sure who's technically at fault, but this is why you should always get a confirmation # from UPS/FedEx/whoever.(and charge your buyer for it).

[mulebennett]

damn. learning lesson. well, hindsight is 20/20... what do i do now?

[Yeti]

what did you do the other times it happened?

[mulebennett]

i was always the buyer, and i got the money back, but the seller never responded to my e-mails so i filed a claim with paypal, and they took the money from the seller and gave it to me (a la robin hood)

[Luisgallo]

It is your responsability.
At the same time you have a contract of shipping with whoever you used to post the item.
But you have to assume the buyer is honest and he cannot get screwed!

[Kneel B4 Zod]

[ QUOTE ]
damn. learning lesson. well, hindsight is 20/20... what do i do now?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would probably try to negotiate something with the buyer so you don't get negative feedback. maybe they'll take 50% of their money back or something like that. if not you'll have to decide if negative feedback is more important than keeping all the money (how much is it?).

[mulebennett]

it's only $15, but it's all about the principle. i'm a student, not a baller, and i sold some of my stuff that i don't use to make a buck on ebay. now i'm screwed, i guess.

the auction ended on 2/10. i shipped the item out 2/16, she asked me where the stuff was and i responded on 2/23, now it is 3/8 and she still doesn't have it.

i guess i'll just cut my losses and be incredibly pissed at the post office for screwing me over.

can i go talk to the post office or something? i don't even think i have the receipts anymore, since it was a month ago.

[the_doantster]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure who's technically at fault, but this is why you should always get a confirmation # from UPS/FedEx/whoever.(and charge your buyer for it).

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed.

If your shipping through usps, it's an extra .50 cents or so, and you can just add it to the shipping cost listed in the auction.

[mulebennett]

well, i'll do this from now on. should i check the USPS website about shipping liability? and should i check with eBay about who's responsible in the case of non-insurance-paying buyer?