Advice on feedback to leave please.

Merry_Gentry

Sorry, a bit long-winded!!

Bought a TV/DVD combi off seller using buy it now on Saturday 4th April. Emailed them along with payment to say if possible I would like it sent asap, as it was a present for my daughter for her birthday on 13th April.

They responded that if I wanted it sent first class, I would have to pay more postage (had already paid £15). I replied that a parcel that size wouldn't go via normal royal mail anyway, and that I could recommend a parcel service that would guarantee next day delivery for just over £10, collecting from them and delivering to me complete with signature, so the £15 paid should more than cover it.

More to-ing and fro-ing (all on the Sunday 5th), but seller agreed to send it asap using a parcel service. I then received an email from them saying they had booked fedex and it would be collected from them on Wednesday 7th and would be with me on Thursday. I was a bit surprised that they decided to leave it til Wednesday, and a bit concerned what with the two Bank Holidays, but since they said it would be with me on Thursday, I decided not to panic. They sent me the tracking number on Wednesday afternoon, and asked me to leave feedback asap as Paypal were holding onto the funds.

I would imagine it's no surprise to anyone that the TV did not turn up on Thursday. The tracking number they gave me was unrecognised on the fedex site, and when I checked it said that fedex do not deliver on Bank Holidays or weekends.

Managed to explain to birthday girl that her present was on it's way, but must admit disappointed that seller either didn't pay for next day service, or send it earlier to ensure delivery.

The TV arrived yesterday. A CRT 14in portable TV sent wrapped in brown paper with silver tape, with a small amount of bubble wrap taped over the screen. I am impressed fedex delivered it in such good shape, and the TV works fine, as does the DVD player. I'm just not sure what feedback to leave.

1) seller knew when I needed the item by, and agreed to send it quickly - waiting until Wednesday meant it was pretty unlikely to arrive in time, especially if they didn't pay for guaranteed next day delivery;
2) plain brown paper for a TV? I didn't necessarily expect the original box, but any box would surely have been safer?

I don't want to delay leaving feedback as obviously she hasn't had her money yet, but I am really not sure what to say? Any suggestions please?

frivolous_fay

Ok, the seller was pretty shoddy in their service, and packaging... but really, urgent delivery is something that needs to be discussed and agree before purchase. You could have identified that the seller was amateurish and unfamiliar with couriers, and avoided them.

AliceMegan93

I'd leave a neutral - you got what you wanted but you made it quite clear that you wanted it for a present and also the way it was wrapped could've easily damaged it.

Maybe "Delivery Not as Agreed and poor packaging"

yeslek

check what postage was paid and for what service. If there is a big differance contact the seller to ask for some of the money back as you didnt get what you paid for. also if it only cost £5 and they charged you £15 for postage thats a bit cheeky (if it cost say £11/£12 i'd let them off that kinda differance)

Bowling_4_Gold

To be honest, the seller couldn't help that there were 2 bank holidays during the process and i'm sure they had a valid reason for leaving it till wednesday- for example, they couldn't get the time off work. Just remember that they had to wait in all day for the courier and the seller didn't have to offer the service, but they did because you asked.

The packaging was a bit silly though; I would never send an item packed like that, especially with a courier I have never used before!

I would personally leave a positive along the lines of "Offered to courier it to me but bad packaging, Thanks." but it is up to you.

Merry_Gentry

frivolous_fay wrote: »

urgent delivery is something that needs to be discussed and agree before purchase. You could have identified that the seller was amateurish and unfamiliar with couriers, and avoided them.

Yeah, point taken. I did say in the original email that if it wasn't possible to arrange urgent delivery then please just to let me know - if she couldn't do it, I would have just explained to birthday girl that her present was coming but would be a bit late.

chja

As has been said, the urgent delivery should really have been discussed with the seller before bidding. It sounds like it was an individual rather than a business and quite frankly may have better things to do than arrange a courier for your convinience.

The packaging sounds appauling though and deserves at least a neutral for that alone.

Bowling_4_Gold

yeslek wrote: »

check what postage was paid and for what service. If there is a big differance contact the seller to ask for some of the money back as you didnt get what you paid for. also if it only cost £5 and they charged you £15 for postage thats a bit cheeky (if it cost say £11/£12 i'd let them off that kinda differance)

But they had to stay at home all day, and if they were in a say, £60/day job, then I can totally see why they would take an extra £10 but if they do stay at home all day, I would find it dishonest charging that much. It's up to the OP whether they want to ask the seller for money back but personally, I would just leave it. The OP got what she wanted, despite a bad service.

Merry_Gentry

Thank you all for the advice. I have no particular quibble with the postage amount - I know it's not just about postage and packaging, it's about getting it sent, etc.

As the TV and DVD both work fine, I was considering leaving a positive - the item was as described, and does what it says on the tin as it were - then marking her down on the stars for postage, etc?

Bowling_4_Gold

Merry_Gentry wrote: »

Thank you all for the advice. I have no particular quibble with the postage amount - I know it's not just about postage and packaging, it's about getting it sent, etc.

As the TV and DVD both work fine, I was considering leaving a positive - the item was as described, and does what it says on the tin as it were - then marking her down on the stars for postage, etc?

Yep, that's a good idea. You say she's inexperienced so I assume she's a new ebayer with little feedback so giving her anything but positive will effect her percentage quite badly. I totally agree with you.

Merry_Gentry

Feedback has been left - thanks very much for the advice. I decided to leave a positive - my daughter is very happy with her present, and I am happy with the price. She is a new ebayer and it doesn't feel fair giving her a neutral or a negative when I got what I wanted. I think she just needs to brush up on the service side. Cheers :beer: