2. misc-audio
  3. 139727-1445

Seller is responsible to get item to you, intact. yes? or no?

Is the seller responsible for packing and shipping? or not? Should the seller insist on a safe form of shipping? (and if the seller does insist, can he make the buyer pay for air, or 2-day?) or can the buyer say ship cheap (even though the seller eats the shipping fail?) ((And DOES the buyer eat the broken equipment cost?))                  
Who should be worried about insurance... the buyer? or the seller? Since it it is lost or broken, the buyer can get his/her money back. (usually)  
My 'take' is that the person AT RISK for loss is the SELLER. And the SELLER should certainly be needing the insurance. (Notice the seller is the person who has to collect insurance, NOT the buyer)... So IMO the Seller should be including the cost of insurance IN THE ASKING PRICE. Since the seller is the one 'needing' the insurance.                   
The other side is why should the buyer PAY for insurance when the seller is the one being protected by insurance?            
I have asked this before long ago, and the main answer seems to be FURY on the part of (mainly) sellers claiming they have no part in any shipping fail, that they say it is 100% on the buyer. (to which I just laugh)Where I would say the shipping packing, and burden of surety is 100% on the seller/person shipping.So what's your thoughts on it today...(like I said, I asked this years ago, and got a LOT of flack for even claiming the seller is the bad guy, and is responsible 100% of the time for the insurance and proper packing and insurance against loss.) So I thought it was a pertinent question. and wonder what all you folks think, today?

elizabeth
jimmydd's avatar
jimmydd
24 posts
 
In my opinion, the seller needs to do his/her own packaging as they "should" know what is required for proper protection. I would NEVER use UPS to ship anything of value. If UPS knows something is damaged, they will drop it off and leave as quickly as possible...unless a signature is required. I had them damage a vintage Marantz receiver and left the package and left the building within seconds. FedEx is the best.
However, anyone is capable of damaging a product...even if properly packaged. The seller/shipper is the one who needs to initiate the claim.  

Never, ever have someone ship a turntable with using the original packaging.  I've had someone ship a turntable with the platter still on the turntable.  When I received the shipment, the turntable looked like someone beat it with a heavy chain. The seller claimed he knew how to properly package a turntable...!!!! 

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
26 posts
 
I worked for the old post office years ago and loaded trucks and I have seen how stereo equipment was handled ,first hand.Not in the way it should be.Depending on the weight of said package.I also worked for UPS in the claims dept and before that i worked in a electric parts supplier....So i know a little.Since I retired I have bought alot of stereo equipment new and used .From ebay and dealers...I must say I find the dealers do pack a hell of a lot better that many sellers on ebay.I find if it wraped good and double box  usally there is no problem.Plus PayPal helps alot with damaged packages...i myself have had a number of turntables come damaged...If they dont have orginal packaging its a gamble on wether or not you receive it in good conditions....
tntranch's avatar
tntranch
15 posts
 
FAR too much speculation here. Of course it's the seller's responsibility and it should be factored into the overall price. Da
rbstehno
916 posts
 
I always have the buyer pay for shipping and the $3 charge for signature required at delivery time. If they don’t pay then I don’t ship. I had some guy try to tell me that he never received the shipment and I asked are you sure? Of course he said he didn’t. Then when I went out online to check the shipment, it was delivered and signed for. When I told the buyer this, of course he responded that he just received it, but in reality he received it 2 days prior. Even if I calculate the shipping light, signature is always required.
77jovian
271 posts
 
Like all matters in a contract, the parties can agree to anything they want regarding shipping.  So a clear understanding is the most important first step.  Failure to talk about the details beforehand is sure to lead to problems down the road.  Don't rely on what you might read here about who ought to be responsible...make a specific agreement.

While the parties can agree to what they want regarding shipping, the seller is the only party who can document the shipping process.  And documentation is fundamental for any unanticipated problems.  So, when I ship, I carefully photograph the item in good light on all sides and angles.  If it's electronic, I photograph it plugged in and turned on to show working lights, etc.  I also take pictures of all accessories, like remotes, cables, covers.  Then I take pictures at every step of wrapping and packing.  When the shipping cartons have been sealed, I take pictures of the cartons from all conceivable angles, including all corners, seams and address labels.

Similarly, the buyer is the party who can document delivery condition.

Good idea to discuss those expectations in reaching an agreement, too.



More to discover