Here we go again…
A buyer with 150 positive feedbacks purchased my item on eBay for $500 and I only listed it yesterday (Cheapest on eBay right now).
My only concern is that his address is a Storage Facility. Should this be raising any red flags? I plan to pay extra for shipping on postage for that extra sense of security.
This is my first time selling a high-valued item on eBay.
Thanks!
Usually a trans-shipping situation for an overseas buyer.
It's a storage facility where people hire garage-sized storage to store excess stuff in their house.
Is the item big? Maybe he needs it stored for a while. Maybe he bought it now because it was cheap and he plans to find a use for it later or resell it later but doesn't have the space in his home for it right now. Like if it was for his new dream home then $500 now and two years of storage could be cheaper than trying to find one two years from now.
I believe as the seller its your responsibility to get your item delivered to the shipping address, which in your case is the storage facility. So definitely get tracking and if you want, signature on delivery to make sure that the item was delivered correctly.
As for what happens between the storage facility and the buyer is out of your control.
signature on delivery to make sure that the item was delivered correctly.
Thank you for taking time out to respond. But is a signature on delivery required? I mean, wouldn't it be sufficient if the delivery tracking stated delivered?
The idea of the signature is the package can't just be left at the storage facility unattended, where it would surely be stolen. Unless there's a front desk that accepts mail on behalf of tenants. Maybe he lives inside a storage container too and will be available to accept it.
Pretty much this. Someone has to sign for the package with signature on delivery, whereas if its tracking only then the postie can just 'leave it at a safe place' where there is a risk that it could be stolen and the storage facility can claim it never received your package.
signature on delivery to make sure that the item was delivered correctly.
Kinda useless ATM during covid times, no one is collecting signature on delivery anymore.
You are only responsible for getting the product to the storage facility safely. If the product arrives at the facility damaged then you are liable. You should take a video of you packing it and hold that for backup in the event something does not go right. You should include photos of the packing to the buyer when advising them of the shipment. The shipment as it is over $100 should be fully insured as Australia post only provides limited coverage (I think $50) for any damage or loss. Signature on delivery can also be added so there is no way the buyer can claim the warehouse did not receive it as they will sign on behalf of the receiving agent when it arrives there. You should also remind the buyer that under both paypal and ebay rules you are only responsible for the item when it goes from you to the warehouse. Once it is in the hands of the warehouse it is their responsibility and any issues will need to be taken up with the warehouse once it ships from there to the buyer.
You should take a video of you packing it and hold that for backup in the event something does not go right
Do you think it'll also be necessary to record when I give to parcel at Australia post? Given that they may argue that I changed the parcel after I took the video?
Signature on delivery can also be added so there is no way the buyer can claim the warehouse did not receive it as they will sign on behalf of the receiving agent when it arrives there.
Also with this, I'm assuming since it's a storage facility, the actual receiver won't be signing it. Would you say signature is required?
Thanks for helping out :)
You can record when you give it to them but they could still argue you took it back after recording.
Signature on delivery does not have to be them. If someone is receiving it on their behalf as the authorized person then you are covered. They cannot argue their appointed agent did not receive it if the agent has signed for it.
Proof of delivery is only one issue to consider.
The buyer could still open an eBay case for "SNAD" (Significantly Not As Described) once they have taken delivery.
The case could be opened for several underlying reasons, eg they claim the goods were damaged, they purchased an item of model "a" and you sent model "b", you sent a totally different item, etc. Photographs of items claim to be packed are no use as the buyer could claim you photographed one thing and sent another.
eBay generally tend to side with buyers in SNAD cases
If the item is listed as used it is generally buyer beware. Often to protect yourself you advise that the item is sold as is.
If the item is damaged in transit that is why you have insurance.
If the item is like a mobile phone then it has a serial number which should be recorded before shipping to ensure it is not swapped.
If you send a photo once shipped it is insufficient but stops most scammers. A video of the packing process has been accepted by eBay as sufficient as confirmed by a few sellers I spoke with and they submit that in their case.
In this case however it is going to be hard for the buyer to fake anything because the reshipping company will take photos of the goods upon arrival. They will not test the goods unless the buyer requests. This means that once it is delivered if the buyer does not request the reshipper to test the goods then they cannot make a claim. The reshipper is not going to fake one good swap for a SNAD as that means their warehouse could have had someone in there committing fraud. As the point of delivery is the reshipper, once it is there it is not the responsibility of the seller. The buyer will need to lodge a claim against the reshipper.
I use reshippers in the US and if an item arrives damaged it doesn’t even get put into storage as they reject the delivery and send the item back.
Parcel point address? If this is the case then it's normal. You can verify this with that business if they are really a parcel point location.
It's more of a storage facility. Where people hire like garage-sized sheds to store stuff.
Officeworks shut down the Parcel Point service a couple of months ago
That was Officeworks Mailman. ParcelPoint is still around. Ironically my closest one is a Storage King storage facility.
Does the address have something like ‘ecp:UVRBFHD’ or ‘pp:4637378’ in the address? If so it’s a ParcelPoint and that’s the pickup code.
Oh yes it does have ecp. So signature would be redundant then right?
Yep, may even be rejected with signature as the ParcelPoint staff can’t sign for it. They have to check ID when the buyer picks up though, so should be safe. It’s a pretty good service,
If you're worried about non-delivery, or the item being lost or stolen in the postage/freight system, you'll need insurance. I've had far too many things delivered where a signature was required but the signature was not collected.
Message them and find out? Could be a work address.