Thread: Ebay and Aust Post Issues

Originally Posted by garrycol

I sold a package of comics on ebay the week before last and posted them on Monday 19 Dec by Aust Post Express overnight satchel so should have arrived the next day (is in the network).

On getting back from interstate yesterday I have an email form the buyer saying it has not arrived - was going to be a present for the young buyers dad.

I went onto the Aust Post site and entered the item number and the page is listed below. The tracking information indicates it is still in transit but above the tracking information it says delivered. I am not familiar the Aust Post system but I would have thought the next entry after 'transit' would have been delivered.

So if anyone knows the system does the "Delievered" at the top really mean delivered?

Also what is the ebay etiquette for giving refunds? The buyer is claiming not received - could be just a rort to get money back or could be a genuine Aust Post cock up - no insurance etc was offered or asked for - might change that in the future.

So what are the thoughts from the ebay experts.

Cheers

Garry

Garry,

I woud be very suspicious. I've had such an occasion before, and ended up fighting with Paypal who just took the money back.

Are they going through the "item not received" process on eBay?

It's been delivered and someone has signed for it at 09:44. I'd email the buyer a larger (easier to read) version of that screenshot. They can then chase it up with Australia Post.

Having dealt with this from both sides of the fence as a buyer and a seller has taught me one thing. Don't trust express post. Sadly the tracking number is only as good as showing it went through a delivery centre. There is no insurance and no actual ability to find or trace the article if it has gone astray unless you use the express platinum services which is like express registered.

The tracking shows delivered but that can be as little as leaving it on top of the letterbox, express is not signed for so you have no proof it was delivered as such unless you can show a signature scan.

This time of year express can be a little questionable v- it took 2 days to receive a parcel posted brisbane southside to brisbane northside, a journey that normally takes a day.

The austpost website is notoriously slow for updating and tracking things, sometimes after an article is delivered it can still show either that it is still in transit or that no events are recorded. Sadly as far as ebay is concerned, scammers and rorts do exist, hence the reason I send everything registered and insured at the buyers expense, especially since paypal became compulsory, because some people do the wrong thing and at least if you have proof of lodgement and delivery you are covered by seller protection. Express does not offer this protection on it's standard services so I never offer it, if a buyer is willing to pay the extra for platinum then so be it. As for the etiquette of refunds, there really isn't any for me - if it arrives it is all good, if it doesn't arrive which is maybe one out of every 200 items, I let paypal's system handle it as I know I am covered, buyer gets a refund or replacement if possible, I claim insurance from austpost and nobody except the post office is out of pocket.

Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, paypal always wins and will take the debt collection path if they have to.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Originally Posted by garrycol

I sold a package of comics on ebay the week before last and posted them on Monday 19 Dec by Aust Post Express overnight satchel so should have arrived the next day (is in the network).

On getting back from interstate yesterday I have an email form the buyer saying it has not arrived - was going to be a present for the young buyers dad.

I went onto the Aust Post site and entered the item number and the page is listed below. The tracking information indicates it is still in transit but above the tracking information it says delivered. I am not familiar the Aust Post system but I would have thought the next entry after 'transit' would have been delivered.

So if anyone knows the system does the "Delievered" at the top really mean delivered?

Also what is the ebay etiquette for giving refunds? The buyer is claiming not received - could be just a rort to get money back or could be a genuine Aust Post cock up - no insurance etc was offered or asked for - might change that in the future.

So what are the thoughts from the ebay experts.

Cheers

Garry

Garry get your buyer to check with his local PO, if an item is too big for his letterbox they will usually leave a card to p/up at the PO, always cover your arse and insist the only way you will post is via registered/insured, Regards Frank.

I had parts shipped by DHL from the UK.
DHL has a agency in newcastle so i expected to pick it up there.

I was sent an email a few days after purchase to see if it was the right part.

i looked at the tracking and it was signed off as delivered the day before by Mr HELPU.
I rang and got the ring monday morning in office hours recording.
at 10 am My wife got the parcel to collect with signature at local post office note.

DHL hand it to AIR SERVICES botany and pool collection transport take it to newcastle regional post office and they sign for it.regional transport collect it there and takes 2 days to drive the 75km to local post office as its too big for the regular truck.

Garry,
Insist on Registered post at buyers expense. This really is the only way you have any comeback to Apost, and if signed for, then you have some protection against PayPal trying to take the money off you too.

Apost have a disputes system that will get you up to $50 I think, so this may be worth pursuing too.

Several weeks back I ordered some Landy parts from Melb, Ballarat and Sydney ...I placed all orders first thing on a Monday morning as I was wanting them for the following weekend when I had a run of days off to fit the said items. I also happen to have won and paid for an item on Ebay on the previous Saturday. That item was coming from Queensland.
Well, the Sydney item arrived two days later, (wednesday) the Ebay item arrived the next day (Thusrday) and the Melb and Ballarat items arrived ten days later on the wednesday of the following week.
I live in Victoria....and Sydney mail is always very prompt.
Mail to and from Adelaide takes at least five days from here.
As for forking out for express mail.....
I refuse to pay Australia Post more money to do something they are supposed to do in the first place.

Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by mick88

As for forking out for express mail.....
I refuse to pay Australia Post more money to do something they are supposed to do in the first place.

My sentiments exactly.

Read the fine print on the terms and conditions for express post, and there's nothing "express" about it.