Damaged card

[Letch77]

How would you guys handle this situation?
I bought a rigid, CD-type card on the Bay for about $3 with free shipping. The card arrived inside a toploader in a PWE but, being that the card is not cardboard, it was cracked from going through the post office machines. I reached out to the seller and he said he'd gladly give a refund when I returned the card. If I send it back in a PWE, there's no way to confirm that he received it (who's to say he claims it was never received therefore no recourse for a refund?). If I send it back in a mailer, shipping would be more than the price of the card.

Should I open a case just to have it on record and use ebay's guidance? Should I ask the seller to reimburse for return shipping in a mailer and send it with tracking? Should I let the seller choose and assume all responsibility for the method of return?

I know it's only a $3 card, but still... :lol:

 

[mrmopar]

I think the free shipping justifies how it was sent, so I would not foster any ill will towards the seller. Sounds like they are willing to take the hit too, so that is good.

In this case, I think the risk associated with it not making it back or the seller claiming he didn't get it is small, both in your purchase price and the stamp it will cost you to mail it. Just mail it back and hope he gets it and honors the return. if not, you are out a whole $3.50 (most of us burn that in just shipping costs daily) and next time maybe you request a padded mailer and pay the extra cost to ensure a safe delivery.

 

[mrmopar]

Now you pay that same guy $4 to ship that same $3 item though and this is how it comes as well, then that is a whole other ballgame! The amount of potential loss to the buyer is still minimal, but the need to drive the point home to the bonehead seller is worth the hassle and time it will take for me personally. In that case, it's the principal of how the transaction is handled.

 

[notjomommasclint]

You're in a lose lose really.. I would just eat the $3 and move along..

 

[Letch77]

Card was confirmed received, refund issued, and positive feedback left on my part!

 

[mrmopar]

Good to hear the return went flawlessly, too bad the initial transaction did not as well.

 

[Letch77]

Yep...another casualty claimed by the PWE monsters.