Will Clegg
Veteran
I apologize in advance for this, but I need to vent (BADLY) and I think that there are probably a few people on this board that can empathize.
I sold an XServe Raid on eBay in March for about $3200. Didn't have any use for it anymore as I was done editing my feature, and I figured I could use the money to get the DVD of the feature replicated and then start selling it. The guy who bought it has private feedback, which I didn't even know was possible, and immediately makes me nervous. However, eBay allows it, and I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I have to, right?
He is pretty good about communication - I am concerned about shipping it safely, so I suggest that he pay for insurance (this was mentioned clearly in the auction). He tells me NOT to insure it through UPS, but includes very specific packing instructions. We negotiate a final shipping amount based on his instructions, and I take it the UPS store. I decide that I am going to just insure it myself, because I don't want anything going wrong. Total shipping + insurance costs me almost $400 (he only paid $160), but I think it is the best move. On March 17th, he personally signs for receipt of all 4 boxes.
A few days later, I haven't heard anything, so I send him an email saying (paraphrasing) "Saw you received the packages, hope everything is good. Let me know if not." No response. I assume we're done. I know I shipped a good, working, clean Raid, and I know he has received it.
Two weeks later, I get an email. He claims that the chassis is damaged. He says the bezel is twisted like a Z, and that the drives for slots 1, 7,8 and 14 won't slide in. This is an incredible claim, and if you don't understand why, here's a picture of an XServe Raid chassis: http://www.herbalmedia.com/raid_chassis.jpg
Imagine the force it would take to twist this thing like Z, so that the center column bends in the middle. Also, how would it be possible for only those drives to not fit, but the other slots are fine? I'll save you the time - it's not possible.
Of course, I'm not thinking about this, because I get this email while I'm on vacation, a month after the transaction, and weeks after he signed for the packages. He is claiming very significant damage, which makes me wonder why he would sign for the package - the damage had to have occurred in transit, because I was using the Raid the day before I shipped it.
I immediately ask for pictures of the damage, and I tell him that I will contact UPS as soon as I am back in the States. No response. None. I still have never seen any evidence of the damage, btw.
I do contact UPS, and they are happy to investigate. Step number one is the driver goes to inspect the damage to the package. I say great, let's do it - I fully insured the package. But when I tell the buyer this, he says "I threw away the box.
"
Well, that's not my problem, but I tell him to go ahead and go through the motions with UPS, as they are responsible for any damage in transit. No response.
In May now, UPS calls me to ask about the status. I say I have no idea. They ask for the buyer's, so I ask him if it's ok to release his phone number and email to UPS. He says ok, so I do. Now I am thinking, finally, I am done with this.
Except that I woke this morning to see that his credit card company has issued a chargeback for $1100 (the insured value of the package containing the chassis). Paypal immediately puts ALL of the funds that he transferred to me on hold, so my account is currently at -$3200. I responded immediately with all the pertinent info, including the tracking number which links to his signature, but Paypal says I may have those funds on hold for at least 75 days. This is almost FOUR MONTHS after the transaction.
But here's the kicker folks - it may take up to 75 days to get this chargeback reversed. But Paypal said that the collections process could be initiated after 45 days. So Paypal may send collections after me to recover more than the chargeback amount, while the disupte is still open, and when I have done nothing wrong.
I won't assume that this guy is trying to scam me, but it is a distinct possibility. The whole point of this is, if you can help it, don't sell anything expensive online. I can't imagine that people buy and sell cars, homes, and other items worth so much in a marketplace that is so dangerous, even when you take steps to protect yourself.
Whew. If anyone actually read this whole post, thanks for listening.
I sold an XServe Raid on eBay in March for about $3200. Didn't have any use for it anymore as I was done editing my feature, and I figured I could use the money to get the DVD of the feature replicated and then start selling it. The guy who bought it has private feedback, which I didn't even know was possible, and immediately makes me nervous. However, eBay allows it, and I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I have to, right?
He is pretty good about communication - I am concerned about shipping it safely, so I suggest that he pay for insurance (this was mentioned clearly in the auction). He tells me NOT to insure it through UPS, but includes very specific packing instructions. We negotiate a final shipping amount based on his instructions, and I take it the UPS store. I decide that I am going to just insure it myself, because I don't want anything going wrong. Total shipping + insurance costs me almost $400 (he only paid $160), but I think it is the best move. On March 17th, he personally signs for receipt of all 4 boxes.
A few days later, I haven't heard anything, so I send him an email saying (paraphrasing) "Saw you received the packages, hope everything is good. Let me know if not." No response. I assume we're done. I know I shipped a good, working, clean Raid, and I know he has received it.
Two weeks later, I get an email. He claims that the chassis is damaged. He says the bezel is twisted like a Z, and that the drives for slots 1, 7,8 and 14 won't slide in. This is an incredible claim, and if you don't understand why, here's a picture of an XServe Raid chassis: http://www.herbalmedia.com/raid_chassis.jpg
Imagine the force it would take to twist this thing like Z, so that the center column bends in the middle. Also, how would it be possible for only those drives to not fit, but the other slots are fine? I'll save you the time - it's not possible.
Of course, I'm not thinking about this, because I get this email while I'm on vacation, a month after the transaction, and weeks after he signed for the packages. He is claiming very significant damage, which makes me wonder why he would sign for the package - the damage had to have occurred in transit, because I was using the Raid the day before I shipped it.
I immediately ask for pictures of the damage, and I tell him that I will contact UPS as soon as I am back in the States. No response. None. I still have never seen any evidence of the damage, btw.
I do contact UPS, and they are happy to investigate. Step number one is the driver goes to inspect the damage to the package. I say great, let's do it - I fully insured the package. But when I tell the buyer this, he says "I threw away the box.
"Well, that's not my problem, but I tell him to go ahead and go through the motions with UPS, as they are responsible for any damage in transit. No response.
In May now, UPS calls me to ask about the status. I say I have no idea. They ask for the buyer's, so I ask him if it's ok to release his phone number and email to UPS. He says ok, so I do. Now I am thinking, finally, I am done with this.
Except that I woke this morning to see that his credit card company has issued a chargeback for $1100 (the insured value of the package containing the chassis). Paypal immediately puts ALL of the funds that he transferred to me on hold, so my account is currently at -$3200. I responded immediately with all the pertinent info, including the tracking number which links to his signature, but Paypal says I may have those funds on hold for at least 75 days. This is almost FOUR MONTHS after the transaction.
But here's the kicker folks - it may take up to 75 days to get this chargeback reversed. But Paypal said that the collections process could be initiated after 45 days. So Paypal may send collections after me to recover more than the chargeback amount, while the disupte is still open, and when I have done nothing wrong.
I won't assume that this guy is trying to scam me, but it is a distinct possibility. The whole point of this is, if you can help it, don't sell anything expensive online. I can't imagine that people buy and sell cars, homes, and other items worth so much in a marketplace that is so dangerous, even when you take steps to protect yourself.
Whew. If anyone actually read this whole post, thanks for listening.
Last edited:
embarass
