Beware seller/buyer protections selling to our servicemen

[alkemyst]

I got my item very fast, a set of folding mirrors for my 98 240SX SE. Item was depicted as looking brand new, the switch was in mint condition and all parts were shown except two covers I can use from my car.

When I recieved the item in about 2 weeks the packaging was shoddy...the item inside was in terrible condition (not due to packaging though).

The case on one was visibly cracked and both were not the 'factory white', but quickly sprayed white at some point (older paint)...the paint was flaked off in several spots. All of this damage would have been visible in even the worst quality pictures.

The switch was barely readable. Almost all the factory writing was scraped off.

I contacted the seller which took forever to respond and told me to 'just wait' and he could find something else in a few weeks. I told him I would rather take the credit back and re-order.

I ship the item back (about $20 out of pocket) and get a tracking number. The item only shows as accepted by the shipper (USPS) since 7/10/2006. Now I can make a Post Office claim as a last resort, but the problem is the guy will more than likely get his item back and basically be double compensated. Another problem is they are not supposed to use the FPO AP rates for non-personal items/profit.

Both Paypal and my credit card company need proof I both shipped the item and it was recieved by someone.

Sort of a terrible system. I talked to another guy and he said depending on where one is stationed some mail they will not get for over two months. He also mentioned most of the time the guys selling car parts just find out what's 'hot' on ebay and swipe another's pictures...they know how to play the 'claim' system.

FYI

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[Trikat]

If you ship to an APO/FPO always use Express or Priority Mail or it will take several weeks to months.
Priority Mail takes anywhere from days to maybe 2 weeks or never.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Trikat
If you ship to an APO/FPO always use Express or Priority Mail or it will take several weeks to months.
Priority Mail takes anywhere from days to maybe 2 weeks or never.

I am not sure what your said above, it's contradictory.

I used Priority. Express would have been almost as much as the item and I'd be better off trying to resell it myself then.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Trikat
If you ship to an APO/FPO always use Express or Priority Mail or it will take several weeks to months.
Priority Mail takes anywhere from days to maybe 2 weeks or never.

Actually, that's a common misconception. Shipping priority or express is only priority or express or parcel or whatever to it's point of entry into the military. Beyond that, it gets moved first come first serve on transports where it is possible and prudent to stick some mail.

Permanent bases within the United States will see a noticeable difference, because the point of entry into the military is at the destination base.