The Energon Pub

........before reporting an item as not received on ebay and filing a dispute with paypal. I purchased a 20th Anniversary OP on 11/17. I paid with paypal so payment was received instantly. The seller stated the item would be shipped USPS Priority mail. I have contacted the seller three times now with no response. The seller had good feedback, am I being too impatient?

edit: okay, I went back to ebay and reviewed their dispute policies and timeframes. It's a little premature to be reporting this as not received, but your opinions would still be welcome. I have never had a bad ebay expierience before.

Well, E-Bay isn't the most trustworthy place.
I'd file ASAP, because from the 17th to the 4th a month later is too long for priority, unless the seller is in a different country.

Sherade wrote:Well, E-Bay isn't the most trustworthy place.
I'd file ASAP, because from the 17th to the 4th a month later is too long for priority, unless the seller is in a different country.

I'm in Oklahoma, the seller is in Massachusetts. I had also purchased an Energon Starscream from a guy in that neck of the woods a day before and I received that item in three days also priority mail. My main concern is the lack of communication.

Something sounds fishy. My last ebay purchase was paid for on a Friday and I had it in hand via priority mail from Hawaii to Georgia on the following Tuesday. Even regular mail wouldn't take this long.

You can always retract a grevience, normaly if you place one a seller will start kissing your ass right away.

Still, I know it seems like it but an auction ended on the 17 in ebay terms isn't that long ago. I'd say try to contact the seller again, mention how many times you tried to reach them, and if they don't reply soon or the item doesn't show, you may have to take someother (unspecified) action.

I know you want your item, and rightfully you should have it, but alot of stuff I ordered around that time is showing now. They'll play the ThanksGiving delay card, but when the item does arrive, contact them again and tell them that it has arrived, and you will leave feedback AFTER they have.

I just had a seller try raising the items cost AFTER the auction ended, took forever to ship, and it arrived partly damaged, oh I'll have fun with this guy, but I'm not gonna leave a word of feedback till he does first, and if I don't get mine, right before the statuet runs out, he'll get a negative, and rightfuly so.

Liege Evilmus wrote:You can always retract a grevience, normaly if you place one a seller will start kissing your ass right away.

Still, I know it seems like it but an auction ended on the 17 in ebay terms isn't that long ago. I'd say try to contact the seller again, mention how many times you tried to reach them, and if they don't reply soon or the item doesn't show, you may have to take someother (unspecified) action.

I know you want your item, and rightfully you should have it, but alot of stuff I ordered around that time is showing now. They'll play the ThanksGiving delay card, but when the item does arrive, contact them again and tell them that it has arrived, and you will leave feedback AFTER they have.

I just had a seller try raising the items cost AFTER the auction ended, took forever to ship, and it arrived partly damaged, oh I'll have fun with this guy, but I'm not gonna leave a word of feedback till he does first, and if I don't get mine, right before the statuet runs out, he'll get a negative, and rightfuly so.

What he said.
But it proves e-bay isn't super-great.

Yeah I know it hasn't been that long, but at the same time I know ample time has past for me to receive the item. I'm a reasonable guy, there's been a holiday in there, and people get sick, there could be any number of emergencies, and if the seller would just email me and let me know the item was delayed but on it's way I would be satisfied. Guess time will tell.

Sherade wrote:

Liege Evilmus wrote:You can always retract a grevience, normaly if you place one a seller will start kissing your ass right away.

Still, I know it seems like it but an auction ended on the 17 in ebay terms isn't that long ago. I'd say try to contact the seller again, mention how many times you tried to reach them, and if they don't reply soon or the item doesn't show, you may have to take someother (unspecified) action.

I know you want your item, and rightfully you should have it, but alot of stuff I ordered around that time is showing now. They'll play the ThanksGiving delay card, but when the item does arrive, contact them again and tell them that it has arrived, and you will leave feedback AFTER they have.

I just had a seller try raising the items cost AFTER the auction ended, took forever to ship, and it arrived partly damaged, oh I'll have fun with this guy, but I'm not gonna leave a word of feedback till he does first, and if I don't get mine, right before the statuet runs out, he'll get a negative, and rightfuly so.

What he said.
But it proves e-bay isn't super-great.

I don't like that sellers wait for you to post feedback before they do. Once they have my money and have shipped the item, shouldn't they go ahead and post? Their part of the transaction is over. But no, they wait and make sure I say something nice before leaving something nice about how fast I paid. So if the item shows up wrong and you leave a negative, you know you're getting a negative back even if you paid ASAP.

I've never had that happen mind you, always had good experiences. I just wonder about this every time I buy something, pay as soon as it's over, but get no feedback until I've left mine. I know its just C.Y.A. but its annoying.

Anyway, wasn't trying to hijack your thread. I agree with LE's idea of mentioning taking further action and seeing what happens. You'll probably get some excuses but you never know, the post office actually does lose things sometimes.

The whole sellers take forever thing, well thats just sellers sucking, you get kinda use to it, it sucks thoough.

As for the feedback issue, yeah, Ebay should revamp that on the sellers end. Once you send payment, your part is done. It's wrong that they hold your oppinion of THEIR service over your head.

Thats why I started sending emails that the item arrived and for you to leave feedback first. They don't like it, but screw it, I'm not gonna have what they did held over my head. If they listed packed and shipped the item prompty, no problem.

But if they burned me, I'm not gonna fake a smile just to get a good reveiw when I did my part right!

Totally agree with you on the feedback thing, as soon as they get their money they should be leaving feedback. What really annoyes me is when I get the item leave them positive feedback and they never return the favor. I usually send a freindly reminded that I left positive for them please do the same for me.

They realy need to do something about seller feedback!

You should not wait more than 30 days and no matter what, file an unreceived claim before then.

GetterDragun wrote:You should not wait more than 30 days and no matter what, file an unreceived claim before then.

Well it will be another week before 30 days gave past, should I just go ahead and file an unreceived claim now just to try to get a response from the seller?

The other thing that could have happened is they got the zip code wrong on the package contact your local post office and see if they have received a package address to you.

OptimusPrimeRib wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:You should not wait more than 30 days and no matter what, file an unreceived claim before then.

Well it will be another week before 30 days gave past, should I just go ahead and file an unreceived claim now just to try to get a response from the seller?

As long as it is before 30 days you are ok. You need to file this, even if the person did send it or tells you they did. If you receive the item after you file it, you just click on "claim resolved" or something like that. If you don't file it, you could lose your money.

I would sent the seller some messages to contact me. You can always get their telephone number, but that creeps me out. After about 2 weeks I would file the dispute.

If someone is selling on ebay they should always be checking their account.

You should file a dispute through paypal so the money you paid would be held by paypal until the dispute is resolved. Filing through ebay wouldn't help alot since ebay doesn't hold the money. I strongly suggest you to file it now. You won't be able to file a claim after 30 days. Simply open the dispute through paypal to get the seller an attention which forces the seller to communicate with you. If no further response, simply escalate the dispute and get your money back.

I just concluded an escalated dispute/claim case thru Paypal, I'm posting the censored details below for you to consider timing of actions:

************ Initial Dispute thru Paypal **************

From Buyer: "MR. A" on 11/22/2007 00:27 PST

Hi "SELLER":
As I have communicated to you in numerous emails, your package never arrived, and you weren't able to provide any proof of delivery and/or tracking number for this shipment, thus I'm filing formal complain with Paypal and eBay to dispute these eBay auction transactions. My initial purpose of these complaints is to get full refund of $59.98 from you as the seller, as well as advising both Paypal and eBay on your inability to fulfill seller's responsibility to ensure the purchased goods get into the hands of the buyer (myself).

The Facts:
11/05/2007 The above 2 eBay auctions (#xxxxx- transformers alternators windcharger misb & #xxxxx- transformers alternators smokescreen misb ) were won by me on Nov. 05, 2007 and payment of $59.98 via Paypal was promptly made on the same day.

11/16/2007 I sent my first inquiry email to the seller to request for shipment status and tracking number [I did not receive direct answers].

11/17/2007 I sent another email to the seller, explained to him what "tracking number" is and continued to demand for shipment details [I did not receive direct answers].

11/19/2007 I sent another email to the seller, stating I will continue to wait for package until 11/21/2007, if not then I will start filing disputes/complaints [no response from seller].

11/21/2007 I sent another email to the seller, indicating the package still hasn't arrived yet and I will be making formal disputes/complaints.

I kept all communication emails with the seller as well as my Paypal payment receipt email, they are available upon request for reference and decision making. Please review this dispute case and issue requested full refund promptly. Thank you!
Sincerely,
"MR. A"
(eBay ID: xxxxxx)

************ Escalated to Claim thru Paypal **************

From Buyer: "MR. A" on 11/26/2007 21:51 PST

Very poor communication from seller, and he can't provide proof of delivery/tracking number. This case is very clear cut, I paid promptly for the purchase, sent numerous emails demanding for shipment status and tracking number, and never received a direct answer. Please help me get full refund for this transaction, I'm through with this seller.

*** Please see my original dispute post for more detail info, I can provide any necessary information to help with investigation ***

Thanks!

******************* RESULT **********************

On 12/05/2007 Paypal has concluded investigation and refunded full amount to my account. Case closed. Negative eBay feedback will be left for seller.

Please note: When filing a "Discpute" thru Paypal, it's merely a mediating tool to facilitate communication between buyer/seller to resolve any matters among themselves. If communication isn't working or plaintiff feels no resolution could be reached and there's no need for further communication, then she/he could escalate it to a "Claim" thru Paypal, this is where Paypal steps in, collecting all facts and make judgement calls. Paypal will require both parties to fully cooperate by responding to investigation related questions/requests in timely manner, if plaintiff is slow at reply, the case will usually ruled in favor of the seller. I never received any email from Paypal for investigation questions, because the facts I provided were just too clear who's right and who's wrong. Hope this post will help you mainly on understanding "timing" for communication and filing complains.

Good luck with your case.

Cheers,
Coolpop

I'd wait till Saturday.

That would be a full 3 weeks from purchase. If it doesn't show in Saturday's mail, or before, begin the dispute process.

I ordered a bunch of crap right before Thanksgiving and some of it just showed up yesterday.

Even considering Thanksgiving, 3 weeks is plenty of time.

Liege Evilmus wrote:The whole sellers take forever thing, well thats just sellers sucking, you get kinda use to it, it sucks thoough.

As for the feedback issue, yeah, Ebay should revamp that on the sellers end. Once you send payment, your part is done. It's wrong that they hold your oppinion of THEIR service over your head.

Thats why I started sending emails that the item arrived and for you to leave feedback first. They don't like it, but screw it, I'm not gonna have what they did held over my head. If they listed packed and shipped the item prompty, no problem.

But if they burned me, I'm not gonna fake a smile just to get a good reveiw when I did my part right!

I faked a smile, and left positive feedback for a transaction gone (kinda) bad and still got no feedback whatsoever. Ebay is *really* on my list of "not been on there in a while" website list.

Screw that, file a claim NOW!!!

Get Ebay involved. Make the seller answer or get kicked off there. I both sell and buy on ebay, NO WAY should you wait that long for priority mail. You pay an inflated price for them to ship it so they better ship it fast.

File now, dont wait.

Just a quick update to my dilema, the seller finally responded today after my forth request for the status of my item. All she had to say was, "Hello John, Your Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime Robot has been shipped!" What the hell, no apology for the lack of communication, no explanation for the delay, and she didn't even tell me when it shipped. It sounds like it just shipped today. I guess I'll wait a few more days to see if it shows up, I've still got about a week before 30 days is up. Still even if it shows up tomorrow I feel cheated. I paid promptly for priority mail shipping, and while I may still receive the item through priority mail, to whole point was to get it more quickly.

If you paid for priority shipping and it was only just shipped, I'd say you deserve a partial refund.

Bumblethumper wrote:If you paid for priority shipping and it was only just shipped, I'd say you deserve a partial refund.

I plan on bringing that up if I ever actually get the darn thing. The seller stated in their item decsription that she makes no money on shiping and if the shipping ends up being less than what was charged she will refund the difference. Although I guess that she could argue that she did send the item priority mail, just not when I would have liked for her to.

if the shipment is outside the state, how long should it take?