Ebay..Did I get scammed or am I impatient?

[gaparicio]

Ok, here is the deal. I bought a mountain bike fork on ebay that I'm really excited about. I bought it around January 22. The seller said he shipped it out via USPS on January 23. I replied and politely asked him for the tracking number. He emailed me back saying he through it out but that it should get there shortly. I understand USPS lasts between 3 to 9 business days so I wait.

It's been 9 business days so I email him again saying that I'm getting a little anxious. He replies saying that the weather on the west coast has been bad and not to worry. He says if I don't get it soon I should contact him again so we can resolve this matter.

Should I keep waiting till the end of this week or should I go to ebay and report it? Has the weather been that bad? I would hate to be stiffed $200.

 

[sushikam]

You're lucky that he is at least responding to your emails. I would wait until the end of this week and if you don't get it by then, then contact him again and see what he is willing to do to resolve the matter. If he says to wait, again, then I would report the item as not received to both eBay and paypal to get your money back. I have had this happen, but with cheaper things, and it took a while to get my money back, but that was more than likely because I would email the seller and never get any responses.

Maybe he has gotten your address wrong? I mean it all does sound a little fishy, so if you don't get it by the end of the week I would report it, but that's my opinion.

Good luck!

 

[Mel&Keith]

If you don't end up getting the item, you should be able to get your money back. I believe you have 60 days to file a report for an unreceived item with ebay. As far as paypal is concerned, if the seller can't prove that you received the item (ie. tracking) then they will refund your money as long as there are sufficient funds in his paypal account. Unfortunately, USPS can be pretty slow. Since forks are a pretty large item he probably sent them parcel post which can take up to a few weeks.

 

[gaparicio]

I hope that's the case. He is responding to my emails which I really do think is good. I guess I'm going to have to wait till the end of the week to make my move. I've bought stuff from ebay at least a dozen times without problems. I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Greg, with my 3 years experience of eBay, I would say you did not get screwed here. If he is responding to you, he sent it out as he should have. Remember, once he gives it to the post office, it is out of his control. I've had items that were "sent" when they were supposed to and arrived 3 times later than the post office said it would. And yes, West Coast weather has been bad. Some areas got feet of snow.

 

[gaparicio]

Greg, with my 3 years experience of eBay, I would say you did not get screwed here. If he is responding to you, he sent it out as he should have. Remember, once he gives it to the post office, it is out of his control. I've had items that were "sent" when they were supposed to and arrived 3 times later than the post office said it would. And yes, West Coast weather has been bad. Some areas got feet of snow.

That's the one thing that calms me down; knowing that he is responding to my emails. I just picked up this mountainbiking hobby and I love it! I'm buying parts here and there so I can start riding again this spring and summer. I guess you can say that my only problem is why would someone throw out a tracking number? That is just as important as shipping out the product because it also covers you in cases where bad weather or delays are involved. I personally wouldn't care if it took 2 to 3 weeks to get here. As long as I can track it I would have no problems. I hate waiting for something to come in the mail that I can't control.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I have had great experiences with e-bay. We have snow on the Siera Mountains right now so there are road closures and snow chains. I would wait untill Saturday then email him back.

 

[Mel&Keith]

USPS doesn't offer tracking for packages. Some people think that delivery confirmation counts but half of the time they never scan it. For larger parcels UPS, FedEx, or DHL ground is cheaper, comes with tracking, and arrives faster but for whatever reason people choose USPS instead. If it makes you feel any better, I'm waiting on an ebay item that I paid for on 1/22 that hasn't arrived yet. lol I sold an item a few years ago that I sent via USPS priority mail. The lady never got it and I refunded the money. 6 months later she emailed to say that it had just arrived and that she was going to re-send payment for it. I'm sure you'll get your forks soon. In the future, ask the seller before hand if they'll consider using a different shipper.

 

[gaparicio]

Ok, I waited out the week and I still haven't received my fork. I emailed the seller yesterday just so he knows. He hasn't emailed me back yet so I'm going to wait to see what he says. I didn't know USPS doesn't offer tracking numbers. I looked at my invoice just to see if I got my address correct and I did. I even bought the extra $1.00 insurance. I'm hoping monday will be the day it gets here for some reason. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[sushikam]

Ok, I waited out the week and I still haven't received my fork. I emailed the seller yesterday just so he knows. He hasn't emailed me back yet so I'm going to wait to see what he says. I didn't know USPS doesn't offer tracking numbers. I looked at my invoice just to see if I got my address correct and I did. I even bought the extra $1.00 insurance. I'm hoping monday will be the day it gets here for some reason. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Well hopefully he emails you back and does something about it. But I agree with a lot of the others, maybe because it is such a big package it'll take longer, and maybe with bad weather it'll take longer too.

I would think he should have some kind of confirmation email or something for shipping out the package, it would only make sense. I always keep my emails for labels I've printed, or receipts, and keep them until the item is delivered. But I guess some people just don't.

I hope you get your fork! I know it sucks to wait, definitely when you've paid good money for something. Keep us updated on what happens!

 

[eyelids]

Hmmm... We have had it pretty bad here in the midwest weather wise... I don't want to say it, but I've recieved several packages from California via USPS, UPS and FEDEX since yours should've been shipped... If it's not lost you've been scammed or the guy is just lazy and hasn't really sent them yet...

Hopefully, I'm wrong and you do recieve them Monday...

 

[yellermelon]

yeah, him emailing you was a good thing. I actually had a simular incedent..except I shipped the item and the customer never got it. It just happens somtimes. Sounds like he planson taking care of the issue if there is one though.

 

[S-K]

Ugh, that blows =\

What fork did you order? I'm a MTB guy too ^_~


Here's my ride. 06 Haro V4 w/some fun bits =)

 

[malt_geckos]

Well, USPS has been REALLY crappy lately. Our business cards were shipped 3 day shipping and it took almost a week for them to get here. We did get them though so that is a plus.

I hope you get your moola back!

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Ebay considers the norm for the seller to get the item out is between 3-5 days.

 

[gaparicio]

Ugh, that blows =\

What fork did you order? I'm a MTB guy too ^_~


Here's my ride. 06 Haro V4 w/some fun bits =)

I bought the Rock Shox Tora 318 w/lockout. I'm going to put it on my 2005 K2 lithium 4.0. Nice ride by the way.

I emailed him on Friday evening and I have yet to receive an answer from yet.

 

[gaparicio]

YAY! I finally received my fork! It came in the mail today. The box was in bad shape and it was ripped but the fork was ok. The seller didn't even wrap the fork up with newspaper or added cushion in some kind of way. Oh well, he's going to receive a neutral feedback from me. I'm just glad I have my fork now.:main_thumbsup:

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thats great you got your fork Greg. Everyone I bought stuff from on E Bay packaged everything well. Maybe just don't buy from that seller again.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Glad it finally came! I guess the mail was just a little slow.

 

[gaparicio]

I emailed the seller basically stating that he should keep hold of tracking numbers and package items a little better. I'm just glad it's over. Thanks for listening to my rant.:main_laugh: