Returning Stamps Not As Described, Requiring Tracking Number For Return

Recently bought a USA item from an online auction, really nice looking stamp, of course an exaggerated description. Received and there was a vertical gum bend and a coupe small gum skips not noted. Paid about 10x catalog value... a mnh jumbo 2c red, for $45.

Seller is fine with refunding auction amount including shipping, but I have to pay for return shipping with a tracking number. Seems a bit ridiculous to have to pay about $7, seemingly as a viewing fee.

Seller is an ASDA member and other dealer associations.

It's starting to feel like most of what is bought without a certificate has some type of issue. Especially buying from some dealers. If they are selling many graded items and similar items offered without certificates, it's almost a guarantee there is something wrong with that item or it didn't come back with the grade they wanted and they tossed the cert... yet it is still over-described.

Just venting a bit, my searches are becoming more narrow, almost exclusive to certified items.

Just curious, why $7? First class postage is only around $4 and if he is refunding you original cost plus shipping it is a moot point. I would pay the first class postage to get a tracking number. Send him a photocopy of your receipt that shows amount paid, and hopefully if he is a reputable seller, he will refund you fully. Good luck.

I'm assuming this was not an ebay transaction. The reason I mention it is because if it was, this would not have been a problem. An item not as described sold on ebay has a simplified return privilege, with the buyer not having to pay anything to return. Regardless of the seller's stated return conditions.

ebay gets beat up a lot, but this is one huge advantage to using that platform as a buyer.

Note that I am referencing clear not as described cases, not ones which are subjective or debatable. A stamp with undisclosed faults will nearly always qualify as not as described.

John

Note that ebay has previously not paid off some purchases if they are a significant amounts of money. They are willing to 'eat' some amounts of money, but they may or may not decide to cover major loses.

They most certainly will refund money when they can reach into the sellers account and get the money. But in cases in major scams where the seller has 'gone dark' with no money left in the account, ebay has been known to not offer a refund.
Don

caspian88,
Please mention the exact online auction.
The more detailed information you supply, the less guessing and assuming we have to do.

Don, I agree with your posting. Managed payments have somewhat lowered the possibility of this happening - but it has happened. And will happen. My response was tailored to the scenario given...

John

Catawiki is one that may leave you without stamps, but a registration fee poorer.

I'm sure the seller will refund the amount, it's just the fundamental issue of dealers not describing their items properly and then a buyer has to pay out of pocket to return the items. $4-7 each may not seem like much, but done 10-50 times, it adds up.

It was not on ebay as return labels are usually available there when something is not as-described. I'm sure it can be guessed what site... since returns are handled through paypal... "buyer protection"... which is seemingly BS.

Paypal buyer protection is not B.S. as I have used it a couple of time in the past, however you must expend a fair amount of effort pursuing them to get a good final result (time and patience). The biggest complaint I have about Hip is that MOST vendors don't post more than 1 picture, so you have less to go on than comparable ebay listings (of more expensive items). You can ask the vendor to put up additional pictures or share additional photos with you via messaging before you purchase.

Additionally, if you wish to add tracking to a standard 1oz letter, the post office will do that at the counter for about $1.20 additional as I recollect.

If a buyer doesn't reach an understanding with the seller and wants a refund, there are several levels to seek a refund.
1) As mentioned, ebay does help buyers that can prove that the transaction wasn't by the rules. I was helped by them.
2) As mentioned, PayPal offers a similar option. Can be also helpful if ebay didn't help you.
3) Your credit card company, under local buyer protection regulations, can undo the deal and refund you if you prove that the deal failed to meet the requirements.

Spent 30 mins in line at a Post office today, they said priority mail was the only way to get a tracking number, $9.90 for a flat rate envelope. Absolutely ridiculous. Think I'm about done buying on hipstamp if this is the 'buyer protection' standard.

Really? No first class package with tracking?

Shouldn't be more than a few dollars...

What they told you was incorrect. A properly prepared first class package would be way less than what you paid.

John

You can definitely use a "First Class Package", which allows up to 10oz for $3.80-$5 ( ebay price), 20-30% higher retail. Use it all the time so not a guess. This has tracking.

Specifically stated to postal clerk that I wanted to send it as cheap as possible with a tracking number. I was only offered priority mail, which I didn't think was right, but I had already been in line for 30 mins, plus the drive and didn't want to deal with it anymore.

If the envelope does not qualify as a package then you can't get the package rate. I had this happen to me once. This has to do with thickness. Put in 2 pieces of cardboard in a small manila envelope. You have a stiffener plus the required thickness to qualify as a package.

Bob

I agree with bobplates. Real data: On Wednesday, I sent a 5.5 ounce envelope bulging with philatelic goodies to another SCF member for $5.50 rated as a first class mail package including tracking. (Shhh, don't tell him it's coming!)