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Paid-for item being held hostage by a seller.

tewillstewills Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in General Discussion
Help,

I need some advise... Currently, I'm in the middle of a transaction to buy a couple boxes of ammunition. I sent the USPS Money Order using First Class mail w/ signature confirmation. Apparently, the seller was not home when delivery was attempted.

Instead of reading the notice from USPS indicating redelivery or when the mail would be available for pick-up; the seller just went to the post office, and the letter wasn't there yet (still with the letter carrier I presume). So then I receive the following email in verbatim:

"WHAT WITH HAVING TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE AND SIGN FOR A LETTER BEEN THERE DIDN'T HAVE IT HAVE TO GO BACK. EITHER SEND ANOTHER 10.00 FOR SHIPPING. AND AN ALL THIS DAM RUNNING AROUND OR THIS DEAL IS OFF."

Now the seller is holding my item hostage until I send him another $10. Here's the response I sent:

Hello James,

I'm so sorry to hear you received some kind of run around from the Post Office... I sent the check First Class with Signature Confirmation to have some insurance that you would receive the funds. As you know, Postal Money Orders are as good as cash. Maybe no one was home when USPS attempted delivery? In any case, I can certainly understand your frustration, and I would feel the same. But, I don't see how I am at fault for this. Asking for an additional $10 for shipping seems really unfair to me.

I am perfectly happy with calling off the sale. Just pop the check back in the mail to me, I'll eat the costs of the money order and postage - and we'll call it good.

Again, sorry for the inconvenience.

I am anticipating a pain in the * here - if/when he pushes back - what do you think I should do? Or what power do I have to do anything?

Thanks for your help in advance

Comments

  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,838 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Why would you send it with signature confirmation? What a pain.....never do that without checking with the person first!

    I'd send him the $10 and move on with my life. The USPS is a royal hassle, and I understand his point.

    Merc
  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You need to contact support

    Thx and welcome to the forums
  • tewillstewills Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    Why would you send it with signature confirmation? What a pain.....never do that without checking with the person first!

    I'd send him the $10 and move on with my life. The USPS is a royal hassle, and I understand his point.

    Merc


    Why bother with a Money Order then? Why not just send cash?
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The seller is a numbnut, so he is inconvenienced a little bit, he can't add on another $10 fee for his trouble getting his mail! I agree, its a hassle when people send payment signature required and I always discourage that when people buy from me. I don't want to have to play tag with the mailman but I am not going to charge an extra fee for the hassle!
  • CDMeadCDMead Member Posts: 2,141 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    Why would you send it with signature confirmation? What a pain.....never do that without checking with the person first!

    I'd send him the $10 and move on with my life. The USPS is a royal hassle, and I understand his point.

    Merc


    Wow. You'd send this guy an extra $10? You must have really deep pockets or no pockets at all.

    Personally, I say Eff this guy. Open a Support Issue from the Auction side. Slam hit sorry butt to the wall.

    Oh, and IBTL.
  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Signature required is a PIA. Sellers send their $20 or $30 bucks with signature required, then I have to take off work to get to the Post Office before they close.

    People that cannot afford to risk (yeah, right) a few bucks should not be buying online (or at all).

    For the value of a "couple boxes of ammo" you HAVE caused this guy a lot of headache.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,404 ******
    edited November -1
    I keep forgetting that this is the auction support site.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • tewillstewills Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MG1890
    Signature required is a PIA. Sellers send their $20 or $30 bucks with signature required, then I have to take off work to get to the Post Office before they close.

    People that cannot afford to risk (yeah, right) a few bucks should not be buying online (or at all).

    For the value of a "couple boxes of ammo" you HAVE caused this guy a lot of headache.


    The cost would probably be a good bit of detail... It was $110. I wouldn't have used GunBroker for $20-$30. I would just buy locally for something that inexpensive.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    Why would you send it with signature confirmation? What a pain.....never do that without checking with the person first!

    I'd send him the $10 and move on with my life. The USPS is a royal hassle, and I understand his point.

    Merc


    OH BS! I am not sending anything without Signature Confirmation. I want proof that the seller received my payment, especially a MO. I've had USPS lose payments more than once and the only way to track it is to send it certified mail.


    There is nothing unreasonable about sending it certified. you could have arranged for another delivery attempt.
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You are caught between a rock and a hard place. As a buyer I want to have a record the seller got payment as a seller I may not want to go to post office to get payment The same thing applies on shipping the Item. Face it guys we don't know the other party unless we have dealt with them before. I want someone to sign on both ends but Try to ask first. I damn sure would not send a long gun with no way of proving it was delivered. and I always insure even if it is on my own DIME.
  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    [xx(]quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    I keep forgetting that this is the auction support site.
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    Why would you send it with signature confirmation? What a pain.....never do that without checking with the person first!

    I'd send him the $10 and move on with my life. The USPS is a royal hassle, and I understand his point.

    Merc


    OH BS! I am not sending anything without Signature Confirmation. I want proof that the seller received my payment, especially a MO. I've had USPS lose payments more than once and the only way to track it is to send it certified mail.


    There is nothing unreasonable about sending it certified. you could have arranged for another delivery attempt.

    Whats wrong with delivery confirmation?
  • pietro75pietro75 Member Posts: 7,048
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    I keep forgetting that this is the auction support site.


    [:D]


    Oh, me too! IBTL
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    This is NOT and auction support forum. You must go through the auction side and open a support ticket.

    http://www.GunBroker.com/Support/
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,084 ******
    edited November -1
    Heff is right. This is a Support issue.

    Regarding the problem stated, if the buyer does nothing, and the seller does not return to the post offic to retrieve the envelope with payment, eventually the envelope will be returned to the sender. Problem solved.

    Open a support ticket.

    And, please don't do that "signature required" nonsense anymore.
  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As others have said, open a support issue.

    I will note that if you send your GunBroker payment signature required it is likely going to get returned to you because we usually pick up the mail when the counter is not open. When the counter is open, the line is a mile long....
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