Question
As a seller with more than 1500 pos. fb, I know the importance of sending the item sold in a pristine clean condition and also that it must be properly packed to avoid breakage and shipping damage. Sometimes things get damaged regardless of how well we try to keep that from happening.
Well, I purchased a couple of what I thought were lovely little pieces of pottery from one seller. (A newbie). They arrived in decent time, and he kept me informed of when he was to ship and then when they were shipped. The shipping was a bit costly for the small items. $25.00 for less than 5 lbs. Priority. When the items arrived today, I opened the box and found that one of the little pots was smashed to pieces. The seller had put a very flimsy layer of bubble wrap loosely around the pots, with only a small piece of tape to hold the bubble wrap in place. Neither the top nor the bottom of the pots were protected at all. I got all of the pieces of the broken pot and the unbroken pot out of the package. then I photographed the broken pieces and sent it along with an email to the seller. I did not pay for insurance, but the seller did not offer it or I would have. The seller then told me that if I returned the pots, he would issue a complete refund. Well, I wish to keep the unbroken one and would like only to be refunded for the broken one. So I wrote to him and asked him if he wanted me to send the pieces back. He then wrote and told me that he would issue a refund for the broken one. I then noticed that there was some type of what looked to be food residue in the pots. I washed and bleached the unbroken pot and it is lovely. I then wrote this to the seller: " Thank you for getting back to us so promptyl. I will send it back to you on Tuesday for a refund. That is the soonest we will be going to town. I just hate that it got broken in shipping. Also, you might wish to check on other items you are selling. They both have what looks like food residue in them. I washed the other little pot and put bleach in it to disinfect it, but I would suggest that you send them out clean.
I will notify you when I send the other pot to you.
This is what I got in return:
WILL GIVE YOU A FULL REFUND. THANKS FOR THE NASTY EMAILS. IN FUTURE DON'T BID ON ANY THING I SELL. WHEN THE PACKAGE IS RETURNED I WILL GIVE YOU A FULL REFUND. DON'T EMAIL ME ANYMORE
I have not yet left fb, and would like to leave a pos fb for the little pot that arrived in good condition even though soiled. But I shall wait to receive my refund before issueing any fb whatsoever.
What do you think a good course of action would be? I hate that this happened, but I think he was out of line, since this was NOT my fault. Do you think I was too harsh with him? I really was trying to give him advice as they were both quite soiled.
What do you think??
Thanks,
LL
Answer
Just move on. Send it back and get your refund. Don't leave any feedback. Sellers like these are not worth spending any more time over.
Answer
From my experience, helpful hints to sellers, especially new sellers, are seldom appreicated.
Answer
Your right, no fb should be given here. I really hate to neg anyone, but I will if I do not get a refund.
Thank folks.
LL
Answer
However well-intentioned comments & suggestions are - they usually fall under unsolicited advice. IMHO, it's better to not offer anything unless asked - and even then it's best prefaced with are you sure you want my opinion?
With the response you received, it seems to me like the seller knew full well the pots were soiled and reacted defensively as though you called him on it - however nice your words may have been.