HELP NEEDED....item damaged, lifted bubble during shipping?

[walkie]

I've recently started selling my star wars items privately on SWFUK/RS & TIG using the paypal 'gift' idea which seems popular. In the past all my buying and selling has been through eBAY.

Over the last month I have sold 45+ MOC carded figures and shipped worldwide, my feedback threads on here and TIG praise my packaging skills and speedy service, anyone who has purchased an item from me will know.

However I sold a TRI-LOGO BARADA on RS to a german buyer, guess what germany doesn't allow paypal 'gift' payments!

I have now been noticed by the buyer that the item is damaged and the bubble has lifted down one edge and the buyer is able to slide a piece of paper between the bubble and card.

They have said the item is no longer of value to them. I have heard of bubbles coming loose during shipping, is this true?

Either way i think i'm f**ked, help and comments please....

The parcel was sent without insurance as the buyer do not pay or request this.

Photo before shipping....

http://i.imgur.com/gdFOV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4SUbu.jpg

Photos after shipping....

http://i.imgur.com/rDt5C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/On4lU.jpg

 

[Joe]

It can happen but it isn't your fault, it just happens sometimes. Now as far as refunds go, I think the buyer is entitled to return it as long as he brought the issue up with you as soon as he opened the box and didn't wait days to inform you but I think it is fairer on both parties if only a partial refund is given.

Luckily being a POTF figure Barada holds some decent value loose and the card with bubble attached (if these were separated of course) is worth a few quid too. I would work out and both agree on what the value of the loose figure + the cardback is and then refund the difference?

 

[walkie]

Sold it for £100, what's a mint barada worth? Re bubble is still attached to the card down 3 sides.

What do you think is a fair refund?

Thanks

 

[Joe]

I think you got a very good price for an ungraded Barada but that unfortunately means your partial refund is going to be more than your average partial refund as now the seal is compromised it is (to most) only worth the sum of its individual parts.

I would say a mint loose complete Barada is a £25-30 (maybe £35? tops) figure plus say £8-10 for the cardback? Which still leaves you a bit out of pocket

Maybe the other guys would value him a bit higher?

 

[itfciain]

Think those prices are about right Joe

It is such a shitter when these things happen - it really is no-ones fault but the buyer has a right to expect what he originally paid for and return it if he doesn't get it - hopefully you can sort out a compromise

 

[jambobbyb]

If the buyer asked for no insurance, the risk of it getting damaged while being shipped IMHO is the buyers! However your bummed as PayPal will always find in the buyers favour!

 

[weasel]

If your selling anything for more than £40 get it insured!
If the buyer refuses to pay the extra for insurance, you have 3 options.

1) don't sell it to them.
2) pay for the extra yourself so you are covered but still get the sale.
3) get the buyer to accept the risk of damage by email.

As the others have said, it's an unfortunate set of circumstances, but a partial refund is prob fairest.

 

[walkie]

thanks for the help, i think you have come to an agreement for a partial refund.

 

[plantman]

sometimes padding around the edge of the bubble with toilet paper and wrapping it in bubble wrap helps but these things do happen especially if the figure can slam backwards and forwards in the bubble.

Rule of thumb is ALWAYS send with tracking and insurance, i tend not to accept gift payments now just so claiming off royal mail ect is a bit easier with an invoice.

Andy