Advice badly needed after card was destroyed

[lukko]

Hi,

I really could use some advice from fellow-members on this matter.

I won a high-end :stars: GU card (xx/10) on eBay some time ago. Due to the rarity, I had the card shipped by registered airmail. Paid for card & shipping approx. $100.

Card arrived 2 weeks after payment and turned out to be badly damaged during transport. The toploader was completey broken and so the card is almost bended in a 90 degree-angle :whatthehell:. My best guess the bubble envelope got stuck in the mailsorting machine. The card was shipped in soft sleeve and with some additional free base cards, in toploader (with tape to hold card in) and bubble envelope.

Obviously, I notified the seller. He responded promptly and addressed the matter with Canada Post. Almost a month has past and still no word from Canada Post. The seller claimed that as soon as he mails a card, it is out of his hands, and he sees Canada Post as the sole party to solve this problem.

Now, the seller changed his mind and offers me a $50 refund and a promise to refund more when/if Canada Post comes through.

Since I paid with Paypal, I can use the Buyers Protection Program that the card did not arrive in the same condition as sold (something like that). I have to file it pretty soon, because of the 60 day-period.

Question: should I take the half refund or take a chance with Paypal Buyers Protection trying to get a full refund?

I am leaning towards taking the half refund, because I do understand the seller's situation, had no problems with him in the past, he responds in a timely matter.

Very curious for your advice! Hope to hear from you soon! Much appreciated! Regards, Patrick

 

[Danicus]

Hey, I can't help you as far as the main question goes, but I'd like to add a little imput. From the sounds of things, the seller shipped the cards in a penny sleeve, inside a top-loader taped over the top, in a bubble-wrap envelope. Although this the bare minimum way most buyers prefer their cards shipped, it is also the standard and fairly safe way to do it. Like the seller said (assuming he shipped as agreed or advertised), it was out of his hands, and therefore takes no responsibility IMO. Neither side was at fault here, and the fact that he's offering a 50% refund, that's purely an act of grace and kudos to the seller. It's too bad that it happened, and GL with your side. I don't suppose UD sells 90 degree toploaders do they??

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

In my opinion the seller does not owe you any refund unless you specifically paid for insurance. Just because you paid for Registered mail does not mean you are insured, just that you had tracking for your purchase. Mike

 

[hextall27]

You could probably put up a fight and get the money back through paypal but if he is willing to go 50% with you then I think it would be fair and honest to take half the hit. Its called karma and the shoe could easily be on the other foot.

Just my 2 cents.

Pete

 

[lemeiuxrules]

If you are doing a paypal chargeback you HAVE TO send it back to the seller with tracking info for Paypal so that will take away some of your refund amount.

As for this whole thing - what do people expect the seller to do - hand deliver the damn thing? He did everything that is expected and I would agree that it should be out of his hands at this point unless insurance was purchased.

As for waiting on CanPost - a month is a very short time. Expect 2-4 monts to hear anything back.

Mike.

 

[lucky20]

In theory the seller really should not have to refund a dime to you....he lived up to his end of the bargain by safely packaging the card and mailing it as agreed upon via ExpressMail. Unless insurance was purchased for these far and few between situations...the damage was quite obviously not caused on his end.

The seller is simply envoking good business practices by offering the 50% refund. I would take the 50% refund and leave it at that...yes it sucks royally that the card is damaged, but this is life, and life is not always delivered with perfection. It is a rare card, but not a 1/1, so eventually one day, obtaining a non-damaged version should be possible.

Just my thoughts....

 

[lukko]

Guys,

Thanks for your speedy responses and input! I will take your advice!! I was already leaning towards the half refund in the first place, but you convinced me. It is indeed a great gesture by the seller .

As for buying insurance, with Dutch Post the parcel is automatically insured (a standard amount of $65 or so, but you can buy extra insurance) when shipping by registered mail. That shows you the differences in postal services.

Regards, Patrick

P.S. If one of the moderators reads this reply, you could delete the thread.