eBay - Wrong Item Sent, Lost in Return Post

LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 21:35
Last edited 20/06/2019 - 21:36

Got a curly one here …

  1. Bought a camera lens off eBay ($2k). Received different lens (different serial number, worse physical condition).
  2. Sent buyer msg, no reply.
  3. Opened eBay return case.
  4. Followed prompts on eBay website which gave me return address and told me to upload tracking.
  5. Put label on 3kg satchel, popped in street posting box near my house, uploaded tracking. I am in QLD, seller is in WA.
  6. Don't get refund (seller uncommunicative) so raise with eBay.
  7. eBay state item never returned.
  8. Look at tracking and no scans. Make enquiry with Aust Post.
  9. Since posted via street box, Aust Post advises that there will be no tracking until it is out for delivery - which of course hasn't happened.
  10. AP declare item lost by them (I have this in an email from them).
  11. eBay denies claim and says I should have sent insured (eBay process doesn't say this). If sending something of this value myself I would normally insure but assumed I was covered in return post by eBay process since it didn't specifically note that. eBay also says I should have sent it signature on delivery (this is not mentioned in the guided return section I was presented with, but is mentioned in their buyer protection policy in a different page). My argument is signature on delivery wouldn't change the fact AP lost the item. eBay also then said they would have given me a free label if I had waited longer - again I don't see how that changes the fact AP lost the item.
  12. eBay has closed case and appeal with no refund and refers me to AP. AP refers me to eBay.

So at present I'm down $2k. Yes, sending it insured return would have covered me but I wasn't that keen on spending $30+ on insuring the return of an incorrect item and eBay's process doesn't say you need to send insured. At the end of the day, I didn't receive what I purchased and the return was only happening because of a dishonest seller (likely stole the photos from a listing for a different item).

What are my options to get my money back? It's a whole sequence of things - dishonest seller, inconsistent eBay process, AP incompetence and I'm the one left carrying the can. I fully realise sending insured would have mitigated this issue so not looking for reminders of that, and as above, I was under the impression that I was still covered by eBay due to it being an item not as described.

I paid with PayPal from my PP balance, so no dice trying a c/card charge back either. I have enquired with Qld Fair Trading, who have said they can't help.

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Comments

  • triviums on 20/06/2019 - 21:48
    +35

    You messed up, by sending it in the street posting box.

    How does ebay know that you sent it at all? From ebay's perspective you could be a scammer. I am a casual ebay seller and whenever I send items through AP I always send it through the post office. By sending it through the post office I get a receipt proving that I handed the parcel over to AP.

    The only possible solution I have for you is to open a case through Paypal and become a scammer, which I do not recommend as you are the one that made the mistake.

    Also, why are you paying for return shipping!! If the product isn't as described the shipping cost is covered by the seller. Even if you had to cover the cost paypal covers up to $45 of the shipping cost (https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/returns)

    • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 21:56
      -5

      I knew about eBays refunded shipping costs. I have the receipt for the satchel and a photo of the package, which meets their requirements.

      And I wasn't aware there are no scans until delivery with streetboxes - I know now. I had thought it would get a scan once it arrived at the depot that evening, not knowing it had zero scans until it got all the way to WA. I also doubt that it would change eBay's position. They are hanging their denial off the fact AP have admitted they lost it. AP have stated there are gaps in their tracking process with satchels.

      Thanks for assuming I'm a scammer … I have a perfect 700+ eBay feedback score (as seller and buyer, including many high value items). The only scammer is the seller who tried to pass off a product with listing photos of a totally different product.

      • triviums on 20/06/2019 - 22:07
        +8

        I not assuming you are a scammer. I believe you are a genuine person who made a mistake during the return shipping process. However, ebay needs to assume you are dishonest person as you have no real proof you sent it.

        I really hope you have never sent items through the streetbox as a ebay seller. eBay won't cover you as a ebay seller if the buyer is clever enough to scam their way through an item hasn't been received claim. The receipt you get when lodging at the post office is the most solid proof that you sent the item. There are times when tracking isn't enough to prove that you sent the item when you post an item through the post box.

        • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:16
          -1

          While I agree with what you are saying, eBay are hinging their knock back on the fact the item was not delivered, not the fact there are no scans. Once AP stated the item was lost, they shut down the claim. My belief is even if there was a lodgement scan, eBay would still say "that's nice, but it didn't get to the seller - go see AP". Which I can understand, but then again, their process doesn't instruct the returner to take out insurance.

          As a seller, all high value items are sent with insurance. Low value items go in the street posting box.

          • dcep on 20/06/2019 - 22:36
            +2

            @LoftyAu:

            their process doesn't instruct the returner to take out insurance.

            their process require item successfully returned to seller

            • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:42

              @dcep: "their process require item successfully returned to seller"

              Yes, exactly. So whether it is lodged at a post office or not, you're still exposed to the whim of AP delivery network.

              • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 07:54
                +3

                @LoftyAu: Not really. What do you think is going to happen if it gets lost? It won't be returned to the seller and you won't get a refund. What can you do in that case? Take out insurance.

                What do you think is going to happen if it doesn't get scanned but does get delivered? It won't look like it has been returned and you won't get a refund. What can you do to prevent this? Get it scanned at a post office.

                On top of this it sounds like you didn't follow the correct procedure for an item not as described.

                You made several mistakes that were easy enough to predict could happen, now you want to blame everyone but yourself.

              • dcep on 21/06/2019 - 11:19

                @LoftyAu: AP recommends taking out insurance for valuable items,
                as they'll only refund a new satchel as compensation. Not 2 grand.

                Wait, i know what you're gonna say next :- BUt..bUt.. buT.. ebay didn't ask me take out insurance.

                Then i'll say the same thing below.

                their process require item successfully returned to seller [Onus is on buyer]

                • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 11:29

                  @dcep: "their process require item successfully returned to seller [Onus is on buyer]"

                  Not disputing that. Insurance doesn't mean the item gets to where it should be though. It mitigates loss - the same thing eBay's money back guarantee is supposed to do.

                  Anyway, lesson learnt. No more expensive item purchases on eBay.

                  • rave75 on 27/06/2019 - 15:11

                    @LoftyAu: No, the lesson to learn here are TAKE OUT INSURANCE WHEN SENDING/RETURN VALUED ITEMS + DO IT AT THE POST OFFICE. You were trying to save $30 and now you lost $2000.

              • zine21 on 22/06/2019 - 15:34

                @LoftyAu: This is not true at all. Ive had a similar issue with the seller sending me wrong/fake item and when I returned, the seller claimed he never received it. Ebay asked for my receipt that it had been sent (and it wasn't even a signature based return), but once I sent them the receipt they processed me the refund themselves. So no, it does make a big difference as to where you sent the item from and whether you have proof that you sent said item

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2019 - 21:52
    +15

    popped in street posting box near my house

    That was your first mistake.You should have lodged your parcel at your nearest Post Office especially for $2k item.

    • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 21:58
      -7

      As I said, eBay's process doesn't specify that you have to do that. Also, without insurance, I'd still be in the same position anyway if AP lost it - lodging at a PO doesn't change how a package is handled … eBay would still say "AP lost it".

      • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2019 - 22:10
        +10

        lodging at a PO doesn't change how a package is handled

        No,it does. I sold 100+ items ,all lodged at Post office and never missed or lost even a single one.

        You have less chance losing the parcel when you hand it over to the counter at post office.

        • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:14

          This is the first package I have ever sent that has gone missing.

      • DogGunn on 20/06/2019 - 22:23
        +13

        lodging at a PO doesn't change how a package is handled

        It does. You get a lodgement receipt with an entry on tracking, which is exactly what you needed in this case.
        You're shit out of luck here.

        • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:38

          "You get a lodgement receipt with an entry on tracking, which is exactly what you needed in this case."

          Not really. eBay want to see delivery to original seller, not that AP had it and then lost it. Doesn't change outcome for me.

          • rave75 on 27/06/2019 - 15:13

            @LoftyAu: Same outcome too if AP had deliver it but the seller lied and said it never arrive. Hence why to avoid this, you post it at the post office.

      • Randxyz123 on 20/06/2019 - 22:26

        Put label on 3kg satchel, popped in street posting box near my house

        Yeah see this was silly….

        Someone has nicked it haven't they?

        Also, without insurance, I'd still be in the same position anyway if AP lost it - lodging at a PO doesn't change how a package is handled … eBay would still say "AP lost it".

        Yes perhaps, but at least there would be proof you lodged it. You handed it to AusPost over the counter. It is officially their problem and they'll cover at least some of the cost.

        I don't think you can do anything…A good lesson to learn.

        Try and play dumb and tell ebay you didn't realise you had to give it to a physical AusPost. Tell them you would struggle to get there due to work.

        • dcep on 20/06/2019 - 22:30
          +2

          You handed it to AusPost over the counter. It is officially their problem and they'll cover at least some of the cost.

          50 bux

          or

          free satchel

        • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:38

          "Try and play dumb and tell ebay you didn't realise you had to give it to a physical AusPost."

          No need to play dumb, their instructions never make mention of that.

          • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 07:58
            +9

            @LoftyAu: Do instructions on food say "put in mouth and swallow"? At some point your brain has to start making some decisions for itself, and you can't blame the instructions for not being explicit enough.

            • AdosHouse on 22/06/2019 - 16:44

              @Quantumcat: Read the back of shampoo bottles these days, they tell you how to use it. Modern society is stupid.

          • juzza87 on 21/06/2019 - 08:40
            +3

            @LoftyAu: There's more than one way to get the item back to the seller besides Australia Post, you could have used a different courier who collect from you or even had a friend hand deliver it (though it would hard to prove the seller received it in this instance). You can't expect eBay to have a constantly updated guide covering every courier in Australia and the ideal shipping method (over the counter vs in the box in your case).

          • Randxyz123 on 21/06/2019 - 11:09

            @LoftyAu: Maybe they don’t but the ENTIRE point of tracking, especially with returns is so you have proof should something happen.

            Aus post are meant to scan it when it arrives from a post box but people are lazy and they don’t. Not to mention putting something so valuable and fragile in a post box is incredibly risky. Those lens aren’t exactly built like a tank.

            Stop blaming others here. You stuffed up and are down $2K. I would be contacting eBay and asking for someone senior and explaining what happened. Don’t tell them “ your instructions never mentioned it” tell them you thought the parcel would get scanned. Trawl the AusPost website and see if says anything specific about this.

            • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 11:21

              @Randxyz123: "Not to mention putting something so valuable and fragile in a post box is incredibly risky."

              I didn't just leave it flop around in a satchel. And again, that is how it was sent to me.

              "Stop blaming others here. You stuffed up and are down $2K"

              I think I was pretty clear in that if I was a seller is to get insurance. This is not about what is "good practice" when selling valuables. This is about how by following eBays Money Back Guarantee process I have still been left out of pocket.

              If eBay expects buyers to insure items because their Guarantee doesn't cover items lost in return transit, they should specify that.

              • Quantumcat on 22/06/2019 - 16:47
                +1

                @LoftyAu:

                This is about how by following eBays Money Back Guarantee process I have still been left out of pocket.

                You didn't follow the process though, the seller did not get it back and you have no proof you posted it. I don't understand how it is possible for you to continue not understanding this?

  • jelko on 20/06/2019 - 21:53

    Nothing you can do. Lesson learned.

  • bloom on 20/06/2019 - 21:59
    +11

    $2k lens by parcel post
    You got balls…

    • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 21:59

      Same way the seller sent it to me …

      • dcep on 20/06/2019 - 22:24
        +16

        scanned on pickup from seller + signature on delivery

        not like you, popped into street box, with no proof of posting, no nothing

        very different, not same at all

        • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:40
          -6

          "very different, not same at all"

          eBay don't care about lodgement, they only care about it getting to the seller. That's in their policy.

          So even if I had lodged it at a post office, and it got lost, I'd be in same situation.

          Only thing that covers me would be insurance.

          • xuqi on 20/06/2019 - 23:55
            +3

            @LoftyAu: You've still got it wrong. You need to send parcels back "Insured, registered w/ signature (added cost)" to stand any chance of getting your $ back.

            Insurance protects you against loss/damage (AP handling), whilst the registered w/ signature provides some protection against a dodgy seller who may claim they didn't receive it.

            • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 11:30
              -1

              @xuqi: "You need to send parcels back "Insured, registered w/ signature (added cost)" "

              Can you point me to where it says you need to take insurance in eBays policy?

              • xuqi on 21/06/2019 - 12:03
                +2

                @LoftyAu: Forget EBay or any policy, its common sense to do everything possible to protect your $.. Sorry for your loss as its an expensive lesson.

                • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 12:18

                  @xuqi: Sorry, the way you put quotes around it intimated it was a policy statement.

                  As stated, all high value items I sell on eBay I send insured. I figured eBay's buyer protection would protect me in this instance - it hasn't. Which is frustrating. If eBay policy had said "send it insured" I would have.

              • rave75 on 27/06/2019 - 15:16

                @LoftyAu: It implies in the word "common sense".

            • spaceflight on 22/06/2019 - 12:10
              +1

              @xuqi:

              You've still got it wrong. You need to send parcels back "Insured, registered w/ signature (added cost)" to stand any chance of getting your $ back.

              How?

              Why eBay provides you with a tracking label they have organised the delivery service.
              You can't then add insurance to it.

      • lainey13 on 21/06/2019 - 20:04

        So you sent it the same way as a super dodgy seller but it's ok because you're you and not them?

        Right.

  • plmko on 20/06/2019 - 22:21
    +1

    You got scammed, this is a loop hole through returns.

    Only thing left for you is to do a CC charge back and face the Paypal ban, but worth it.

    • LoftyAu on 20/06/2019 - 22:40
      -5

      "Only thing left for you is to do a CC charge back and face the Paypal ban, but worth it."

      Was bought with PayPal balance from other sales, not CC.

      I should have said I received a brick in the mail rather than be honest about it. I would have my money back.

      • plmko on 21/06/2019 - 10:41

        No, your fault for going through Ebay processes in the first place. Go straight to Paypal next time (or maybe try this if still available).

        But yeah as said, this is a not well known scam but I can tell you with 15 years as a power seller it is definitely a scam. I won't say how, but if you figured it out it's pretty dumb how Ebay has done nothing to change the culture.

        • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 11:06
          -3

          Yes I can see absolutely that there is a potential scam here. Only has to work once for the seller to make a neat profit.

          I will try PayPal.

        • spaceflight on 22/06/2019 - 12:08
          +1

          It's not a very good scam if it relies on Australia Post losing a package that wasn't lodged over the counter

    • AustriaBargain on 22/06/2019 - 21:36

      If the tracking that is available never reports that the package was ever on board for final delivery, then the package never actually made it back to the seller and AP really did lose it, meaning it wasn't a scam from the seller except maybe for using a generic image of their lens instead of an actual photo, but c'mon everyone does that.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2019 - 22:37
    +2

    Honestly, AP has thieved sorting parcels from time to time.
    One of them admitted to this in a crowd of my friends, ie. Sundays were Christmas day, and they all take a gift.

    My point is AP should put cameras on their staff, or some other measures to curb this ongoing, internal theft IMO.

  • xuqi on 20/06/2019 - 23:38
    +1

    "sending it insured return would have covered me but I wasn't that keen on spending $30+ on insuring the return of an incorrect item and eBay's process doesn't say you need to send insured."

    Honestly I'm not sure what you hope to achieve here? It's your $2K so personally I'd go out of my way to get it there in a verifiable manner.

    Going by your statement you were well aware of the risk but chose to go-ahead anyway. Had you walked in to an actual post office, spent the $ to insure the parcel, had it scanned you'd have something to cling to.

    Even then I'd always ensure the package was sent registered w/ proof of delivery, so someone signs for it at the other end.

    As it stands there is zero evidence the package was ever sent. Even if it was tracked at delivery, there would be no real proof (it wasn't sent as 'Registered mail, w/ proof of delivery) of who took delivery of it, so an unscrupulous seller could still claim they didn't receive it.

    • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 09:01

      "Going by your statement you were well aware of the risk but chose to go-ahead anyway. "

      Yes, aware of the risk. However, I was under the misconception (as it turns out) that eBay's protection for buyers who receive a faulty item would be protected including in return transit. As it is, eBay's has no process for insuring returned items. Every returned item is at your own risk or cost (if you insure) which is pretty poor.

      It's an area that has zero clarity on eBays website.

      "Even if it was tracked at delivery, there would be no real proof (it wasn't sent as 'Registered mail, w/ proof of delivery) of who took delivery of it, so an unscrupulous seller could still claim they didn't receive it."

      Yes, as it turns out, while this is not mentioned in the guided returns process, it is mentioned in the buyer protection policy (inconsistent eBay policies/webapges).

  • Almost Banned on 20/06/2019 - 23:48
    +3

    I've also been burned by Ebay's dodgy dispute resolution where the seller provided an address that could not be delivered to, and then never collected the parcel.
    The parcel was eventually returned to me, and I was out $300 as a result of Ebay taking the side of a scammy seller who provided an address that could not receive mail.
    The process sucks - but I guess that's one of the risks you take when you choose to use that forum.

  • brokenglish on 21/06/2019 - 00:11
    +3

    No point arguing here OP. Hopefully your item eventually gets scanned. Sometimes missing item suddenly pops up. You learnt an expensive lesson.

  • Fier2 on 21/06/2019 - 07:01
    +1

    Just wondering. How come you didn't open a "not as describe " case with ebay? You would have less headache. It happened to me once and for only $400 but then i got a print at home label, all the instructions and everything paid by the seller/ebay. 2k is lot. Maybe your package is still in that street box? Who knows…

    • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 08:53

      I did open an INAD, because the seller didn't respond to my questions about why they sent a different item.

      The guided page for eBay gives you the return address for the seller and asks you to upload tracking. That's it.

  • garetz on 21/06/2019 - 07:25
    +1

    I've had this happen before, the item ended up being returned to sender and i got it back about 6 months afterwards.

    In this situation you have no recourse unfortunately. From not wanting to lose $30, you ended up down $2k instead, an expensive lesson i guess.

  • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 08:10
    +2

    Play stupid games, win stupid prizes…

    1. You failed to follow procedure for item not as described, opening a return case instead - you would have gotten a parcel label to return it or maybe even a refund without having to return it.

    2. You failed to get it scanned so that if it misses its delivery scan ebay won't know the seller received it, and you won't get a refund (I see items miss their delivery scans around 5-10% of the time).

    3. You failed to get it insured, meaning if it gets lost in the post you get nothing, and the seller won't receive it so no refund for you.

    All of these possibilities should have been pretty obvious to most adults, except maybe knowing about what to do with an item not as described, if it is your first time on ebay a bit rough to expect you to know what to do (This isn't you because I can see you have experience from July 2018 of buying something on ebay that isn't as described.) But the other possibilities are pretty obvious. If an adult chose to save money on insurance and hope nothing happened, they wouldn't be blaming ebay for not telling them, they'd be upset but they'd know it was the fault of their own decision to try and save $30.

    My prediction is your next post is going to be a car accident one where you're not insured.

    • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 08:57
      -7

      "You failed to follow procedure for item not as described, opening a return case instead - you would have gotten a parcel label to return it or maybe even a refund without having to return it."

      Okay, I used the wrong description in my first post. It certainly was an INAD case, not a return case. Supported by photos that showed a different serial number on the item sent to me vs the item listed (plus physical defects).

      Given I am able to postage refunded by PayPal, and the seller was uncommunicative, I used the address provided by eBay to send it back as I would get my money back then.

      "All of these possibilities should have been pretty obvious to most adults"

      No need to be a (profanity) about it. My reading of eBay's policy is that you are not required to send it back insured, ergo you are covered by eBays policy. Clearly this now not the case. As a seller, I always send expensive items insured (and boy do the buyers whinge about my "inflated postage costs").

      "My prediction is your next post is going to be a car accident one where you're not insured."

      Again, no need to be an idiot.

      • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 09:58
        +2

        Okay, I used the wrong description in my first post. It certainly was an INAD case, not a return case. Supported by photos that showed a different serial number on the item sent to me vs the item listed (plus physical defects).

        That doesn't make sense, why did ebay not give you a return label?

        Given I am able to postage refunded by PayPal

        No you won't, not if you didn't initiate the return through PayPal - unless you can start a new return through PayPal, and they don't have access to the data from ebay saying it already had a return case (or the fact that they didn't refund you meaning you didn't get a return after all, so PayPal will let you return through them). Worth a try. But you'll need to be a bit lucky.

        My reading of eBay's policy is that you are not required to send it back insured, ergo you are covered by eBays policy. Clearly this now not the case.

        It isn't eBay's policy because it is about covering yourself. EBay's policy is you need to get the item to the seller, and if you fail to do that you don't get a refund. Getting insurance and getting it scanned at a post office on lodgement is how you make sure you either get it delivered or get compensation if it isn't. Just like it isn't a requirement to drive to have comprehensive insurance, but if someone hits you and is uncooperative in paying for your repairs it is sure nice to have. If you got in an accident would you be blaming the RTA for not telling you to get insurance when you renewed your rego? It is your decision to get it or not - save money if nothing bad happens but pay the price if it does. It is your decision because you might be driving a $200 bomb that you're happy to send to the scrap yard if anything happens, so requiring insurance would be annoying because 1 year without accidents and you're showing a profit. Same here if you are returning something worth $20. Maybe the time spent getting it to the post office or the $2 insurance is not worth it and you don't care about the small chance it could disappear and you don't get a refund. But if you don't get insurance on your $500,000 Tesla or your $2k lenses then that means you've decided you don't care about the small chance of something bad happening, saving time and insurance costs is worth it to you. But if something bad does happen it was still your decision to not do those things, not eBay's for not telling you how to protect yourself. Also don't forget that the way to protect yourself varies from country to country and you can't expect them to have intimate knowledge of all countries' post services. But the one constant thing is if you can't get it to the seller you don't get a refund.

        • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 10:44
          -2

          My obligation was to return the item, which I did by using a recognized third parry - Australia post.

          Your example of vehicle insurance is convenient but not relevant.

          • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 10:47
            +3

            @LoftyAu: Except it got lost, so you failed to return it. You didn't take adequate precautions against a foreseeable event. As far as eBay is concerned you did not return it.

            • LoftyAu on 21/06/2019 - 11:04

              @Quantumcat: So what is ebays buyer protection policy if not a form of insurance?

              • Quantumcat on 21/06/2019 - 12:55

                @LoftyAu: It is but you have to do what's required, ie, get the goods back to the seller, which you didn't do

    • spaceflight on 22/06/2019 - 12:14

      You failed to get it scanned so that if it misses its delivery scan ebay won't know the seller received it, and you won't get a refund (I see items miss their delivery scans around 5-10% of the time).

      Getting it scanned at the post office wouldn't have helped.

      eBay needs a delivery scan. Without one of those a lodgement scan means nothing.

      • Quantumcat on 22/06/2019 - 12:18

        Not sure about that - if you get a lodgement receipt with the postcode, that should be enough,the rules are different in Australia compared to the US (you just have to prove you sent it and that's all)

  • 13 on 21/06/2019 - 08:31
    +4

    Sorry for ur loss

  • mikekiwimike on 21/06/2019 - 12:27

    I have been here before with a shitty importer of goods who wouldn’t respond to me and eventually when I sent the item back stated that they never received it, in my nativity I had not sent it tracked and therefore eBay would not help me.

    I did happen to have the tracking number that the original seller used though when it was sent to me :) I just used that number and got my money back. It may work for you :)

  • RandomBob84 on 21/06/2019 - 14:37

    Need signiture on delivery and lodge at post office. You have no proof you sent it back or that aus post lost it

  • HeWhoKnows on 21/06/2019 - 17:33
    +3

    FIRSTLY
    An item so expensive should have been lodged over the counter at a Post Office so you could receive a Lodgement receipt - Proof the item was received by AusPost

    SECONDLY
    Whilst at the post office, yes insurnace AND signature are always a good idea with items so expensive

    THIRDLY
    Id say the seller thinks OP is trying to scam them since there is no proof of anything.
    I really dont blame them.

    Have you spoken to PayPal if that is how you paid for the item?

    Unfortunately a bit too late to lodge a claim and return via PayPal.

    Id say OP was careless in more ways than one and hence has an unresolvable problem here

  • Vote for Pedro on 22/06/2019 - 11:45
    +1

    For any online transactions, I always lodge in post office for sales and returns. Too many variables with street boxes. At least i get a receipt that I lodged.

    It’s still not conclusive proof that I put the actual item in the parcel, but one less reason to doubt.

  • CrazyBargainCatcher on 22/06/2019 - 13:01

    If Aus Post loses the package in their system, shouldn’t they be responsible for the value lost??. IMO it’s very bad customer service and overall value of their customers

    • Vote for Pedro on 22/06/2019 - 13:23
      +1

      Not if there’s no evidence it was ever lodged

    • Ozcheapo2019 on 22/06/2019 - 13:27
      +1

      We don't even know if AP actually lost the package. OP said he popped it in a street box. There's no proof that he did it. Anyone can buy a satchel and get a receipt for it.
      For a 2k item, you'd think that the OP would take more care in the returning process. Something smells very fishy here.

    • cooni on 22/06/2019 - 16:07

      Value up to $50 or so. Any more than that you need to take out their insurance.

  • McMoots on 22/06/2019 - 18:53
    +1

    I live in WA and for the low, low price of 1k I'll visit the seller's home and get you your 2k back.. Because 1k back is better than nothing!

    Yes, this is a JOKE.

  • Herbse on 22/06/2019 - 19:20
    +1

    Your best bet would be to talk to eBay directly. On the phone and be persistent. And tell them you've followed their directions and stuck the label they sent you on it and posted it. If they ask why you didn't get a receipt from the shop, tell them that you didn't know you had to. Which it looks like you didn't.

    I had a quick look through eBay's return processes and it does not specify that you need a lodgement receipt. I know when you want PayPal to refund return costs, they specifically tell you to get a lodgement receipt. But it appears eBay may have dropped the ball on that one.

    This is a hard lesson to learn, most people learn it with an inexpensive item and get frustrated. So you must be annoyed and worried.

  • AustriaBargain on 22/06/2019 - 21:34
    -1

    When did you do this? AP don't just lose things that easily. I drop eBay items in the red post box because they are worth less than $100 and tracking will show that they were delivered or left. Sometimes there's a huge delay between dropping it and delivery and the buyer gets pissed off, but it always arrives. they should have paid the $2 extra for express, or I should have offered it maybe.

  • centrelink on 22/06/2019 - 21:34

    Did you put it in the yellow box ? I’m always advised to put it in the yellow box even if it is not expresssed as it will always get scanned since all express items get scanned.

  • ripesashimi on 22/06/2019 - 22:50
    +2

    I feel you OP. Yes the system is not perfect and we must do our best to protect ourselves. Do update us in your dealing with PayPal. If it helps you at all, this is what I have in my note.

    contact seller: 48 hours
    contact store
    contact paypal
    contact credit card company
    contact accc/fair trading
    contact news stations
    contact econsumer.gov.au

    I think $2k is worth the hassle of exploring all possible venues.

  • brendanm on 23/06/2019 - 11:12

    Honestly, you stuck a $2k used camera lens in a post bag and shoved it into a street postbox? Take things into Aus post so you can actually have a paper trail, especially with eBay/PayPal.

  • LoftyAu on 25/06/2019 - 23:06

    Thanks for the suggestions from some. I have lodged it with PayPal (over the phone) and waiting the outcome of that.

    Failing that, I will start looking at other options to engage eBay beyond their customer service chat, who half the time were thinking I was the seller posting the item …

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