Bartertown.com

Hi,

I tried to contact some family members that work/have worked for the USPS, but no response so I'm going to try here.

I had two Iron Kingdoms Role Playing Game books - character book, and world book. These show up on feebay for $60-90 - give or take.

Anyway, they still smelled new and even 'cracked' when you open them. So - NOT being a book collector, I advertised them as excellent/near-new/almost new condition.

I don't know what it is w/the USPS around my neighborhood - but I've had them play hacki-sack w/quite a few boxes - pissing off my trade partners, of course.

I've learned to pack my boxes tightly because sliding/flopping around means damage. I wrapped the books in bubble wrap and packed them in a (brand new) priority box.

My 'purchaser' said the box was damaged on arrival and the books were damaged, and wanted me to file a claim. So my questions are: A) Do these photos support an insurance claim, and B) What is the 'real' process for initiating insurance claims?

My buyer's references are (2) -left by a trader w/a reference of (10). I'm thinking that I've seen much, MUCH worse boxes - this one doesn't look that bad, IMHO. Also, the books still look excellent/near new/almost new - but I'm not a book dealer - and I want to do right by the buyer, so that's why I'm asking here.

Photos of book(s) damage & box:

FIRST:
Make sure your buyer kept the box and 100% of the packing materials, just in case.

SECOND:
Did you pack your box with a minimum of 1" of padding around the ENTIRETY of the items you were shipping?

THIRD:
Find out if your buyer wants a 100% cash back exchange, or a partial refund to compensate for damages.


1st- For an insurance claim, the USPS may ask to see your box and what you used to pack it in. They want to make sure you packed appropriately.

2nd- The only correct answer is "yes" for insurance purposes. If you did not do this, they will refuse your claim (seen it happen).

3rd- This may not make a difference. The USPS might give a refund and take 9and dispose of) the books. AFAIK, they might refund a portion of the purchase price under their "repair" option.

Eric

See link below for more details.

Really long link:
http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/r ... Buying$ALL

As usual, thank you very much for that useful information.

The books still look in near-new/almost new condition to me (again, I'm not a book collector) so I wasn't even sure if a claim should be initiated.

I'm pretty sure he kept the box & packing materials, but I'll PM him right now to be sure.

Thanks again, Eric.

I sold the books for $70ea. so is half of what he paid reasonable? Honestly, I have no clue.

Ask him what he wants. That's what I'd do.



Eric

Said half of his purchase price, so $70. Just wanted to see if that's reasonable since I don't know much about books & collecting them.

I don't know but, if that'll make him happy - and get you a positive feedback (make sure that IS part of the equation here), then file your insurance claim and shoot for that at minimum.
Don't TELL the USPS what you want back. Just let them run the claim. You might get more back and make the guy REALLY happy.


Eric

Ok, thanks for your help. The books still look 'near new' to me but -alas- that's what I get for not being a book trader LOL.

That's pretty much standard on how things look when the get sorted on a machine. They must be able to withstand 70 pounds of weight being dropped on them.

I've seen new books, delivered via all of the major delivery services; UPS, FEDEX and USPS, all come straight from the wholesaler warehouse, look exactly like that. I've seen comic books actually look worse. And yes they're sold in stores as brand new.

Brand new doesn't mean pristine, it means how you get it from the maker or manufactuer.

That's why you bu with insurance. If it was packed properly, then the shipping company should pay. If it wasn't packed properly, then the seller should pay.

I've received books from Barnes & Noble, Amazon and others I ordered online and had them arrive with little or no packing. If they were damaged, the local store would either exchange them, or give me a refund; or I could ship them back to their warehouse and get a refund or exchange.