Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Online Auctions, eBay Craigslist Petroliana Improperly packed Ebay item, but no insurance?

Hello All,
Has anyone ever had an item show up that was damaged in USPS shipping that was not insured, but due to VERY improper packing opened a 'not as described" case with Ebay and got their money back? I bought a Mobil Radiator Flush bottle, which would have been my 8th different version, from a relatively new seller on Ebay. I just went to the PO to pick it up. When the clerk put it on the counter I could hear the shattered contents in the box. The shipping box was barely big enough to contain the bottle, and we could hear absolutely no packing around the bottle to help prevent damage. The box was marked fragile, but what is that going to do when it barely fit in the box? You could see a small puncture type hole in the side of the box.
I personally feel whether is was insured or not, if an item is improperly packed that is the seller's responsibility and I should be able to return for a full refund, but I was curious if anyone else has had a similar experience? I already emailed the seller that the item was very poorly/improperly packed and the item absolutely destroyed due to that reason.
The post office is holding the package and said I can refuse it, so I wouldn't have to pay to return it at this point, which was smart.
Thanks for any replies....
Darin

...refuse it and open a 'not as described' case with PayPal, if possible...

I agree with Mark. Let Paypal know that the bottle was damaged so badly, that you could not take delivery of it...

I insured every single piece I bought off ebay over 15 years. Now when I sell on ebay hardly nobody buys insurance.

Is it worth the hassel not too ???

When ebay required all sellers to either accept PP/CC, that gave the buyers the right to refuse & receive a Full Refund for almost any reason, even when sellers state "NO RETURNS". Receiving an item that is not as described, sold or properly packaged is Not the Fault of the buyer. Package Insurance is for the protection of the seller, to insure that they are reimbursed for In-proper packaging, shipping accidents, etc.

I don't pay for my neighbors auto insurance for him to drive & drink, I pay for my auto insurance In case he hits me/I hit him when we drive.

i have a fedex account and they no longer cover any damage to neon clocks or signs anymore, i have been it battle with them for damage even with stuff they packed for me, the last 4 clocks i bought 3 of them were broken and some i got paid to get them repaired some the seller refunded me the cost to repair them.

As they say;
IF you want it done right, Do It Yourself.
All items should be Protected like You would like to receive it, AS SENT. NOT "that should be OK".

Most shipping employees are just that, EMPLOYEES & are not held Liable for ANY DAMAGE not directly caused by them.

I thought packages were automatically insured for $100?

Not at USPS, maybe FedeX

Give the seller a chance to fix the problem and make it right before automatically opening a case. "Most" sellers will work with you. If not case away!

not at fedex either they want to see several pics of the box the way it is packaged ect then they decide what will happen. i agree with mantiquers i do that route first save all you emails
then if they wont work with you open a claim.

99% of the time I send the seller packing instructions if it is delicate and fragile. I tell them in general terms what past transactions have taught me. I have sent and received many globes over the years without a single loss. Sometimes the seller is insulted that I am assuming they don't know what they are doing, however once a fragile piece of history is broken, it is lost forever. Scott Benjamin taught me how to pack and ship globes a long time ago. Type up something on your computer and save it for future use. You can just copy and paste to an e-mail or attach the document to your e-mail. The few extra minutes pay off in the long run. Sorry about the bad experience Darin. I hope you get the money back.
Mike

Thanks guys...I will keep you in the loop with what the seller says. Currently I have not heard from the seller, but will wait a day or two to hear back and go from there.

I learned way back in 6th grade when we had to build boxes with an egg inside and drop them off the school roof what good packing is.
In 99% of the cases if an item gets damaged IT WAS NOT PACKAGED PROPERLY.

OK Rick,
NOW you have a GOOD EXCUSE for....! You Weren't Properly Protected for the Landing.