How should I handle this textbook problem?

[LuNoTiCK]

I ordered a textbook and the seller sent me the wrong book. I emailed them about the problem and they say to send it back and they'll refund me. But what about getting me the book that I ordered. Classes have started and I need the book that I ordered. The only thing this is costing me is shipping charges, how should I handle this?

 

[Modeps]

Buy it used at your college bookstore?

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I should have done that, but now there are no used copies and I would have saved like $30 bucks buying it from there.

 

[nycxandy]

Since it's HIS mistake, request him to send the correct textbook overnight while you send the wrong one back.

 

[broon]

Request not only that he sends the correct overnight but also includes shipping paperwork to return the incorrect book. You shouldn't have to pay any additional shipping to correct the seller's mistake.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: broon
Request not only that he sends the correct overnight but also includes shipping paperwork to return the incorrect book. You shouldn't have to pay any additional shipping to correct the seller's mistake.

Yes.

Tell him he can call fedex/ups/dhl/whoever and have them arrange a pickup billed to him.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

This seller still wants me to send the book first, I don't think I should. If worst comes to worst he can deal with citibank. Now I wish I bought this with an American Express.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Sorry, that is not how we work. You have to send us back the book, then we will ship your book via priority mail. If not, just return it to us with a copy of your purchase order number for a full refund.

I can't stand that company.

 

[broon]

What's the company? How about contacting the BBB?

See if you can get a phone number and actually talk to people. Talk to managers, and their boss, and keep going up until you get satisfaction. Last resort, threaten with making sure you let all your fellow college students know what kind of business this is. But that's the last resort.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I'm going to ask for a contact number now.

 

[broon]

How was it shipped?

I know if someone sends you something you didn't order via USPS, it's a gift and yours to keep. You might check, but if they haven't fulfilled their end of the deal (shipping you the book you ordered), then they still owe you a book and you don't have to return the other book. Again, I'm not positive on this but might be worth looking into.

 

[mundane]

Alot of campus bookstores allow you to return new textbooks within 2 or so weeks of purchase, if you save the receipt. (Heck, I know people who used this method to have a textbook through the entire quarter by 'recycling' it every week and a half at the bookstore). That'll at least tide you over until you receive the correct book from the seller.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
Alot of campus bookstores allow you to return new textbooks within 2 or so weeks of purchase, if you save the receipt. (Heck, I know people who used this method to have a textbook through the entire quarter by 'recycling' it every week and a half at the bookstore). That'll at least tide you over until you receive the correct book from the seller.

:thumbsup:

I've done this. Also check your library. Usually they have textbooks on reserve, meaning you can't check it out but can read it in the library for a couple of hours.

 

[baoytl]

How much is the book that you got worth, approximately?

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Originally posted by: broon
How was it shipped?

I know if someone sends you something you didn't order via USPS, it's a gift and yours to keep. You might check, but if they haven't fulfilled their end of the deal (shipping you the book you ordered), then they still owe you a book and you don't have to return the other book. Again, I'm not positive on this but might be worth looking into.

It was shipped USPS Media mail. I'm going to return it for sure, I have morals. .

 

[CRXican]

I love how someone always mentions the BBB. Like they're gonna rush right over and get your book for you, what a waste of time.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: broon
Request not only that he sends the correct overnight but also includes shipping paperwork to return the incorrect book. You shouldn't have to pay any additional shipping to correct the seller's mistake.

Excuse me, but if companies like Newegg, Buy.com, Staples, etc doesn't overnight shipments when it's their screw-up, why on Earth should any other seller be REQUIRED to do it.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Well, I decided I'll just ship them the book, and they will ship me the correct one back.

Edit: They said they'll reimburse me $5 shipping (I'm not sure if thats going to cover it) and they will ship it back express.

It's really not worth my hassle. I can share textbooks with a friend anyway.

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: broon
Request not only that he sends the correct overnight but also includes shipping paperwork to return the incorrect book. You shouldn't have to pay any additional shipping to correct the seller's mistake.

Excuse me, but if companies like Newegg, Buy.com, Staples, etc doesn't overnight shipments when it's their screw-up, why on Earth should any other seller be REQUIRED to do it.

Excuse me but the company screwed up and owes it to the customer to make it right. The customer didn't receive what was purchased. The customer can go through the cc company and dispute the charge. Then the company is out the money and the book. The book was sent via USPS. Anything someone receives via USPS that the person didn't request (the OP didn't request the book that was sent) is considered a gift and the recipiant owes the sender nothing.

I never said the seller was required to overnight it. I suggested that the OP request it.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: broon

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: broon
Request not only that he sends the correct overnight but also includes shipping paperwork to return the incorrect book. You shouldn't have to pay any additional shipping to correct the seller's mistake.

Excuse me, but if companies like Newegg, Buy.com, Staples, etc doesn't overnight shipments when it's their screw-up, why on Earth should any other seller be REQUIRED to do it.

Excuse me but the company screwed up and owes it to the customer to make it right. The customer didn't receive what was purchased. The customer can go through the cc company and dispute the charge. Then the company is out the money and the book. The book was sent via USPS. Anything someone receives via USPS that the person didn't request (the OP didn't request the book that was sent) is considered a gift and the recipiant owes the sender nothing.

I never said the seller was required to overnight it. I suggested that the OP request it.

Can you please show me where the customer is allowed to keep the wrong item sent to them via USPS. It'd be different if the person never ordered anything in the first place, but when you're a willing participant inthe buyer-seller agreement, I think it'd be a whole new ballgame. The OP didn't request that specific product, but they did request a product from the seller, and the mixup is a mistake businesses often make. If this was true, businesses would never ship out via USPS at all.

I never said the company shouldn't right its wrong, but demanding they overnight something to you is ridiculous. It should be sent minimum the same shipping method as originally intended, and any upgraded shipping would be a bonus.