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I originally aired my frustrations on av123 (link here) ...
After continued attempts to contact the seller with no response since 15 Jan 2008, I've submitted a complaint to eBay... I hate to do this ... it's a major bummer to me.. :(
..dane
After continued attempts to contact the seller with no response since 15 Jan 2008, I've submitted a complaint to eBay... I hate to do this ... it's a major bummer to me.. :(
Message: Subject: Item received damaged, and seller is refusing to provide mailing receipt for proof-of-insurance (USPS claim)
dear eBay,
I purchased item #<xxx> from eBay user "<xxx>" (<real name>) on <date>. I did receive the item in a timely manner, but the item was damaged during shipping (USPS Priority shipping method).
I contacted the seller quickly regarding the damage and after several exchanges we agreed that I would file with the USPS to repair the damage since I could present the item to the post office for damage verification. At the USPS office the worker accepted my claim (USPS Mailing Receipt No <xxx>) on <date>, and told me that with the busy holidays approaching, to give it 6 weeks before expecting a response.
Approximately 7 weeks later, on <date>, I contacted the USPS and learned that the claim had been closed 'due to inactivity' because it seems neither I nor the seller had received the USPS damage claim letters indicating that more information was needed by the USPS claim center to complete the claim. At that time the USPS agreed to re-open the claim and send out new letters to myself and the seller. I received my letter about a week later.
The USPS claim letter is asking for two item details:
1) proof of insurance
2) proof of repair cost
The second item I can provide (again, as it was in my original claim packet), but the first item can ONLY be provided, per a followup conversation with the USPS claim center (after receiving my letter), by providing the original mailing receipt from the USPS for the shipment of the package. This of course is in the hands of the shipper, <real name> (eBay ID: <xxx>).
I have been attempting vigorously since my first "what's my claim status" phone call with USPS on <date> to obtain the original mailing receipt from the seller, and on the same day he returned my email indicating that, "I received no letter, and yes, I still have the receipts." Excited, I replied to his note (again on <date>) asking if he could scan it and send me a PDF copy of the receipt, to which he replied,
"I'll have to dig for it, is Sat or more likely Sunday ok? I'm working nights till Sunday... I can scan it to PDF and email it to you
Sent from my iPhone"
And that is the last I have heard from him. It has now been <xxx> weeks since that last email exchange, and I have attempted to contact him multiple times, via direct email and through eBay's "contact member" mechanism.
I tried looking him up based on the return address information provided and whitepages.com, and there was no <real name> found.
I stumbled across eBay's "request member contact information" feature and since I had completed a transaction with this member I was able to obtain his mailing address and phone number, neither of which matched the return address on the item received. (package return address was in <xxx>. eBay contact information is in <xxx>)
Once I obtained the contact phone number via eBay's member information on <xxx>, I attempted to contact the seller via phone on the same day. The answering machine answered the phone and I left a very cordial message stating who I was, my cell number, that I had bought the eBay item from him (a video projector), and that I was simply trying to get a copy of the mailing receipt to complete the USPS damage claim.
I have still not received any correspondence from the seller since <xxx>, via phone or email or eBay's message center. Subsequent calls to the eBay provided phone number have all gone un-answered, and even the answering machine/voicemail is no longer picking up.
The eBay item originally cost $<xxx> (plus $20 s/h), and unfortunately the portion damaged is a part of the lens assembly (the most expensive part of the projector) and cost $<xxx> to repair (replacement part cost obtained from Optoma, the manufacturer). With the repair cost so great, I cannot afford to pay this repair bill out-of-pocket.
The USPS damage claim center MUST receive the proof-of-insurance by <xxx> via postal mail, which is quickly approaching (since I have to mail the paperwork early enough to be RECEIVED by the USPS on <xxx>).
I am really trying to follow all of the rules, steps, and procedures of the USPS claim center, eBay's policies, etc., and am getting nowhere with this damage claim.
I do not know where to go from here. A chargeback (partial or full) via PayPal would be an acceptable last route, but I would rather like to see this issue resolved in a more cordial fashion. However with the seller not responding to any further attempts at communication since <xxx>, and with my damage claim running out of time, ... I am running out of options.
In continued efforts to remain cordial, I will also be forwarding a copy of this letter to the seller.
Sincerely,
..dane
<name>
<addr>
<city/st/zip>
cell: <xxx>
work: <xxx>
home: <xxx> (central time zone)
dear eBay,
I purchased item #<xxx> from eBay user "<xxx>" (<real name>) on <date>. I did receive the item in a timely manner, but the item was damaged during shipping (USPS Priority shipping method).
I contacted the seller quickly regarding the damage and after several exchanges we agreed that I would file with the USPS to repair the damage since I could present the item to the post office for damage verification. At the USPS office the worker accepted my claim (USPS Mailing Receipt No <xxx>) on <date>, and told me that with the busy holidays approaching, to give it 6 weeks before expecting a response.
Approximately 7 weeks later, on <date>, I contacted the USPS and learned that the claim had been closed 'due to inactivity' because it seems neither I nor the seller had received the USPS damage claim letters indicating that more information was needed by the USPS claim center to complete the claim. At that time the USPS agreed to re-open the claim and send out new letters to myself and the seller. I received my letter about a week later.
The USPS claim letter is asking for two item details:
1) proof of insurance
2) proof of repair cost
The second item I can provide (again, as it was in my original claim packet), but the first item can ONLY be provided, per a followup conversation with the USPS claim center (after receiving my letter), by providing the original mailing receipt from the USPS for the shipment of the package. This of course is in the hands of the shipper, <real name> (eBay ID: <xxx>).
I have been attempting vigorously since my first "what's my claim status" phone call with USPS on <date> to obtain the original mailing receipt from the seller, and on the same day he returned my email indicating that, "I received no letter, and yes, I still have the receipts." Excited, I replied to his note (again on <date>) asking if he could scan it and send me a PDF copy of the receipt, to which he replied,
"I'll have to dig for it, is Sat or more likely Sunday ok? I'm working nights till Sunday... I can scan it to PDF and email it to you
Sent from my iPhone"
And that is the last I have heard from him. It has now been <xxx> weeks since that last email exchange, and I have attempted to contact him multiple times, via direct email and through eBay's "contact member" mechanism.
I tried looking him up based on the return address information provided and whitepages.com, and there was no <real name> found.
I stumbled across eBay's "request member contact information" feature and since I had completed a transaction with this member I was able to obtain his mailing address and phone number, neither of which matched the return address on the item received. (package return address was in <xxx>. eBay contact information is in <xxx>)
Once I obtained the contact phone number via eBay's member information on <xxx>, I attempted to contact the seller via phone on the same day. The answering machine answered the phone and I left a very cordial message stating who I was, my cell number, that I had bought the eBay item from him (a video projector), and that I was simply trying to get a copy of the mailing receipt to complete the USPS damage claim.
I have still not received any correspondence from the seller since <xxx>, via phone or email or eBay's message center. Subsequent calls to the eBay provided phone number have all gone un-answered, and even the answering machine/voicemail is no longer picking up.
The eBay item originally cost $<xxx> (plus $20 s/h), and unfortunately the portion damaged is a part of the lens assembly (the most expensive part of the projector) and cost $<xxx> to repair (replacement part cost obtained from Optoma, the manufacturer). With the repair cost so great, I cannot afford to pay this repair bill out-of-pocket.
The USPS damage claim center MUST receive the proof-of-insurance by <xxx> via postal mail, which is quickly approaching (since I have to mail the paperwork early enough to be RECEIVED by the USPS on <xxx>).
I am really trying to follow all of the rules, steps, and procedures of the USPS claim center, eBay's policies, etc., and am getting nowhere with this damage claim.
I do not know where to go from here. A chargeback (partial or full) via PayPal would be an acceptable last route, but I would rather like to see this issue resolved in a more cordial fashion. However with the seller not responding to any further attempts at communication since <xxx>, and with my damage claim running out of time, ... I am running out of options.
In continued efforts to remain cordial, I will also be forwarding a copy of this letter to the seller.
Sincerely,
..dane
<name>
<addr>
<city/st/zip>
cell: <xxx>
work: <xxx>
home: <xxx> (central time zone)
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