Bubble damage in the post

[flycasual]

This has happened to me recently, as well as TwistedMetal and itfciain. I didn't ask the seller for a partial refund, because it wasn't his fault. Where does the sellers responsibility end?

I think the new value of the item should be decided and half the difference refunded.

 

[tiefighterboy]

I think if the seller packed it well and the package was not insured....you take it on the chin. If it comes in a jiffy bag or wrapped in a newspaper...they eat it.

 

[itfciain]

It is a real tough one. Especially with the POTF bubbles which are very brittle.

For me it all comes down to the packaging - if the seller did the best he could then I would look to compromise. However, as Todd says if it is crap packaging then the seller deserves it. I was sent a ESB Boba from the States and all the seller did was leave it in it's acrylic case - his head popped through the top of the bubble - the seller should have packed it better but in the end we agreed to a partial refund.

I think he could have put some packing inside the case to pad it out a bit - but of course if you are sending AFA graded figures then you cant do this !

 

[tiefighterboy]

You have to pad the bubbles to reduce the impact of the figure hitting it in shipping. You can also over do this and pack it too tightly and crack the bubble. A star case protects the card...but affords little protection for the figure striking the bubble. As I have said before, the winter months do not fair well for carded figure. The cold makes the bubbles colder and more rigid.

 

[TwistedMetal]

The only way too protect these bubbles the best is too pack them how I have in the past, that is cut 4 pieces of cardboard the lengths of the bubble and also the height of the starcase, tape them together so the slot over the top of the bubble, then place the cover of he starcase on, if you have measured correctly the starcase will sit nicely on the cardboard coffin, then stick some tape on the sides of the starcase, bubble wrap or them worm things inside the starcase only protect it too a certain extent, by doing this you form a far more solid caseing around the bubble.

I understand sometimes its not the sellers fault, but it's also not ours, a box that is full of bubble wrap does little too nothing too protect and support the figure from bashing into the sides whilst in transit.

 

[edd_jedi]

Yeah I agree with the majority - buying and selling brittle old toys is a risky business, and providing the seller does a reasonable job then some of that risk has to be taken by the buyer. Only if negligence has played a part should the buyer instantly be owed compensation.

 

[tiefighterboy]

I would not expect a seller to owe me anything if an item was damaged that was packed to the best it could be. **** happens and unless I asked for it to be insured...I would expect nothing from the seller. As I said before, the only way I would want compensation is if they did a shabby packing job.

 

[fuzzybuzzytoys]

This has happened to me a couple of times recently. Sending moc in acrylic cases, the figure had burst through the bubble. However, when I thought about it the case actually does a bad job in that it does not absorb any impact leaving the bubble venerable if the package is dropped etc. so I now super wrap the while package in bubble wrap and place this in a bubble wrap envelope. So far, no more burst bubbles.

In cases of burst bubbles I think a partial refund is fair if the buyer requests it. The one I feel sad for is the poor little moc.

 

[edd_jedi]

However, when I thought about it the case actually does a bad job in that it does not absorb any impact leaving the bubble venerable if the package is dropped etc.

I've been saying this for years, the safest way to send a MOC is to allow it to move inside the box. So put it in a star case sure, but then that needs some free space. So use packing peanuts or LOOSE bubble wrap. If you make it so it can't move at all, any sudden impact will cause damage.

 

[flycasual]

Some good points there guys. I'll definitely pack my stuff differently from now on and not post POTF cards in the winter.

 

[chazb73]

Yep definately some great tips here. The winter months are here and that is for sure going to make those bubbles more brittle. Havn't had any problems as yet, fingers crossed - theres a couple out there in transit at the mo! :roll:

 

[Frunkstar]

Got to say I am with Todd on this one, if the seller has packaged the MOC as well as can be & damage occurs in the post its on the buyer plain & simple, how can a seller possibly be held responsible if every precaution they can make has been made??, after all the postal system is not the ideal place for a fragile 30 year old toy as we all know just how well the items are handled within the postal system right?, but what I would also say is this & its a point worthy of serious consideration IMO -

Not everyone considers the actual item being shipped in the same context as we do as collectors, so without to much forethought some will package a MOC in a way they assume will be adequate, which in reality may be a totally & utterly inadequate method.

If I ever buy a MOC (not very often BTW) I send this link over to the seller & ask them to follow this method for safe shipping of the item, after all some of the responsibility should be the person buying as they are the ones who most likely know the value & fragility of the item better than the seller (as a rule).

http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t2451-picture-guide-1-how-to-pack-a-vintage-star-wars-moc-safely-and-protect-the-bubble-using-the-starcase-method-pic-heavy?highlight=posting+a+moc+guide

I also always ask if this method will require extra packing cost & offer to cover any additional expenses.

 

[aussiejames]

Another topic where there may be no right or wrong answer. My thoughts maybe a bit skewed because I'm always a buyer not the seller. Is it just the buyers responsibility to ask for insurance or also the sellers to offer it?
"I think the new value of the item should be decided and half the difference refunded." this does seem fair.
Just thinking out aloud: the buyer pays the seller, the seller pays the postal service, therefore the seller is at least half responsible for what happened. I've returned a faulty fragile item before ( not Star wars ) I got the seller to arrange the return shipping ( I paid the seller- they paid the postal service ) cos I felt that way they were responsible for what happened, if I had arranged & paid for it I felt I would be responsible if anything happened.

I also very rarely spend over $50 at a time, anything over that insurance becomes a requirement.

Again communication is the key before completion of the deal ( my mistake with the last hiccup transaction I had )

 

[tiefighterboy]

Unless both parties agreed to this type of damage reimbursement deal, then The seller should not be responsible for damage going with the packed properly thing. Sellers can offer insurance, but I still think as a buyer, you should tell the buyer you want it insured. Not sure where anything over $50 becomes automatically insured.

 

[aussiejames]

Not sure where anything over $50 becomes automatically insured.

I didn't mean automatic I meant it is a good idea.