To make our budgets stretch further these days many are turning to online auction sites, and online want ads. Are you really saving money? And is the extra hassle worth the price? Recently while trying to save some money I learned a valuable lesson that I hope will help others to not make the same mistake as me.
Thinking I could save big dollars (about $45) I decided to purchase some supplements using buy it now from a popular online auction site. Seeing the many negatives the seller had, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and made my purchase. I immediately paid through the online system recommended by the site. This seemed simple enough. I waited a lengthy amount of time(over 2 weeks) before my purchase arrived. All the anticipation and excitement came to an abrupt halt when my package arrived. The seal was broken on my supplements and they were stuffed into a flat rate envelope, I was in total shock! A million questions entered my mind. Needless to say I knew under no circumstances could I take these supplements. I wrote the seller explaining the dilemma, and desire for a refund and asked them how to proceed. Their response was a request that I file a claim. When I requested return instructions, there was no further communication from them. After contacting my bank I was instructed to return the merchandise. Wanting to make sure the seller had sufficient time to issue a refund or make contact, I waited 2 extra days upon their receipt of the item before contacting my bank providing tracking information for my refund. Yes my bank issued a prompt refund. Trying to be nice I gave neutral feedback of my transaction stating item was damaged during transit. The seller filed a claim to recuperate their seller fees, and I agreed we mutually decided not to complete the transaction for their benefit. Once the seller got their fees refunded they decided to leave malicious hostile feedback stating I kept the item and got a refund.
In the past, I've also received items that were not in the condition advertised in the auction. Others receive negative feedback when, while advertised that the buyer is to contact the seller for payment arrangements, have been hit with negative feedback for not making immediate payment. Another friend of mine, whose daughter was in the hospital when the item ended, did not contact the seller until her daughter had come home from the hospital. In the meantime, the seller gave the buyer a negative strike for something totally out of her control. And when my friend tried to explain to the seller what had happened, the response was not fit for anyone to read. I've learned some valuable lessons and I hope everyone will be careful when making online purchases through auction sites or online ads. Here are some helpful tips to consider:
Is this truly a reputable seller?
Are you purchasing from a store or an individual?
When do you need the item?
Will the seller be able to ship you item in a timely manner?
Can you afford the item?
Is the price more than the retail value?
Is the seller willing to wait a few extra days until you get paid?
Is the item really in the condition that it states?
How is or how has the item been stored?
Has the item passed it’s expiration date?
Is the item in it’s original sealed container?
Will the seller package the item carefully?
Is the seller going to slam you with negative feedback if you change your mind or have unforeseen curcumstances?
It is much easier to obtain a refund when using a credit card.
Although these appear to be basic questions, As you can tell from my experience things are not always as they appear. What may appear to be a store could be someone selling items out of an apartment. There is no way to tell if the items are stored in clean safe environment. Once false negative feedback is left it is difficult to get it removed. I got an email stating it was the seller’s opinion of the transaction in question and therefore did not meet the qualifications for removal. Please keep these things in mind when making your transactions.