@elizarose2014 wrote:
as soon as I opened the parcel and saw the broken item I took some photos immediately and contacted the seller (OP), it was 2 ceramic egg cups and each was wrapped in tissue paper then a piece of bubble wrap placed around them in an Aus Post satchel which in my opinion is not a safe way to send fragile items, he did reply ....
"hi looks pretty bad i think it is broken . when it left here it was in perfect condition and wa paper and bubble wrapped ii think there is an australia post problem the question is am i liable"
as I said I was just about to post in the forum myself when I saw this post and realised it was about these items, I buy fragile items quite often on ebay and this is only the second time I've received a broken item, the first time it happended I did the same thing, took photos and contacted the seller (in that instance it was a different seller) who had no hesitation in refunding me, in fact he didn't even want the damaged one returned.
Only one of the items this time was broken, I've asked the seller (OP) if he would like them returned but I've had no reply apart from his first one.
I have no idea what people are thinking putting breakables in a satchel with no protection. I've had it happen to me. Plates placed into a satchel with a thin sheet of paper between them. Nothing wrapped around them. Seller couldn't understand why they arrived smashed, as they were in perfect condition when posted.
As someone who regularly posts fragile items, that packaging is NOT acceptable. A layer of bubble wrap is not going to prevent breakage from falling off a chair, let alone having hundreds of other items dropped on top of it. If someone wants to post in a satchel because they have them available, put the fragile items in a box first, with decent packaging.
When I started posting breakables, I was concerned they might break in transit. I bought a few thin china tea cups from the op shop and set to work. I packaged them how I'd like to have them packaged if they were being sent to me, then took the sealed box outside and played football with it. After about half an hour of being kicked all over the yard, I unwrapped them and they were intact. I've never had an item broken in transit. If I want to post in a satchel because it works out cheaper for the buyer, I always pack the item inside a box first.
The message the OP sent you in respect to it being broken, it was intact when posted and there must be an AP problem, NOPE, no AP problem, 100% fault of the seller. If they choose to ignore you regarding a refund, open an eBay dispute for item not as described. That generally gets their attention.
Yes OP, you are liable. You won't get any compensation from AP as you failed to pack the items adequately. Waste of a lovely item when they aren't packed properly and smash in transit. Total waste.
