Thread: Postage charges and dispute.

Originally Posted by simonl

I'm watching with interest my package that went through Shipto. The tracking system provided by TNT seems to be updated fairly regularly. The latest update has me scratching my head. I won't put a link to it, but the latest update reads:

Date Time Location Action

14 Jul 2014

12:00:00

Sydney

Delay. Recovery Action Underway

What's recovery action, is it lost?

You'll be right - have seen that a few times - in my experience with TNT (via Shipito) they have been excellent. Can't say the same about Shipito (how many ways are there to gouge an extra few bucks).

Originally Posted by Michael G

Not lost. More likely put on the wrong truck or something so it's heading to Brisbane say instead of Melbourne. Recovery action means they have realised the mistake and are putting a plan in place to get it back (for example, air freight from Brisbane to Melbourne?)

Michael

Agreed.

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. The "Postage and Payments" section of an ebay listing clearly describes the payment as Postage and Handling. If you feel the seller should buy packing material, pack the goods, address the package, drive to the post office, stand in line, post the package, and drive home again, all for free or a buck fifty, then that's fine. If on the other hand you feel the amount they're asking for the above is excessive, then don't bid. Simple really.

Originally Posted by Pete F

Agreed.

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. The "Postage and Payments" section of an ebay listing clearly describes the payment as Postage and Handling. If you feel the seller should buy packing material, pack the goods, address the package, drive to the post office, stand in line, post the package, and drive home again, all for free or a buck fifty, then that's fine. If on the other hand you feel the amount they're asking for the above is excessive, then don't bid. Simple really.

Well yes it's a valid point too. The odd thing that I sell on ebay, I don't expect to be paid to drive 5 mins down the road to the post office. I see it as part and parcel of selling an item that I no longer want. But, if I was selling for a living then yes, it would have to be taken into account as part of the costs of selling. Either way, I make sure I know exactly what something is going to cost me to get it to my door. Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances where this cost may blow out, but it has never been astronomical.

Hey, they must have found my item. Actually it may have just been held up in customs: There have been a few updates since this morning:

15 Jul 2014	10:40:27	Sydney	Shipment In Transit.
15 Jul 2014	10:37:43	Sydney	Shipment Received At Tnt Location
15 Jul 2014	04:04:37	Sydney	Shipment Physically Released From Customs
14 Jul 2014	12:00:00	Sydney	Delay. Recovery Action Underway

I'm very impressed at the amount of information they provide. It must get automatically updated each time a person at each location barcodes it? Why can't aussie post do that? The only update you get is that it's delivered. No kidding!

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

Why can't aussie post do that? The only update you get is that it's delivered. No kidding! Simon

Actually they do Simon. If you have a tracking number you can follow the progress. For an eParcel they send out email updates automatically - to the point where I've seen an email saying it's been delivered - gone to the door - seen the AP person walking back to the van.

I bought some tooling from the UK and was interested in watching the tracking over a couple of weeks. That parcel travelled to 3 different states, VIC, NSW and QLD and then was reportedly signed for by me in QLD. Which is very interesting as I live in Sydney. Australia post is a wonder to behold, I certainly got some travel value for my buck. Still no delivery and Australia Post make it so hard to get compensation most people would just give up (which is of course what they want).
Fortunately the supplier sent me a replacement at no cost. About 2 months after all this happened, the missing parcel arrived, go figure!!!!. I sold the original tool and sent the money to the supplier, he was very supprised.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Actually they do Simon. If you have a tracking number you can follow the progress. For an eParcel they send out email updates automatically - to the point where I've seen an email saying it's been delivered - gone to the door - seen the AP person walking back to the van.

I stand corrected. It must depend on the service you opt for. I have recently received a parcel through aus post with a tracking No. but the only two details they gave was in transit and delivered.

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

It must depend on the service you opt for.

All parcels are now trackable (since some time in the last 12 months). They give you a docket with the tracking # on it.

Slightly OT but the most fun I have had tracking a "parcel" was a new car from Toyota. I bought a new Prado diesel and wanted a manual. No manuals in Australia so it was a special build at toyota, Japan. They gave me a customer number and logging onto a website it gave you updates including production line, at the docks, in transit on the ship etc. etc. It was a 4 month wait until I got it. I was on their website every day for 4 months!

There is a Hilux add where the guy forgets the handbrake and it goes over the cliff into the see. "Baby come back" is the jingle and it shows him off his food and dreaming of his lost car. He finds it on the beach….. My wife thinks that add is me!

Edit: stupid spell check

Simon

Likewise I have never really complained about postage charges ebay sellers have indicated, I normally ask questions first before deciding on a purchase.
I did sell a virtually new viscous original Landrover series II Discovery Fan, $450 New, sold price I think was $120, I didn't complain as that was what it sold for. I charged $12 for postage and handling, wrapped in bubble wrap, sandwiched in heavy cardboard. Buyer emailed me saying he wasn't impressed with being charged $12 for bubble wrap and card board, very happy with fan though. Go figure!
Bruce

Originally Posted by argeng

Buyer emailed me saying he wasn't impressed with being charged $12 for bubble wrap and card board, very happy with fan though. Go figure!

Yes, you get all sorts ... I sold an item late one evening and posted it the next day, and the buyer gave me negative feedback for slow postage. It took 2 days to get to him.

Originally Posted by argeng

I charged $12 for postage and handling, wrapped in bubble wrap, sandwiched in heavy cardboard. Buyer emailed me saying he wasn't impressed with being charged $12 for bubble wrap and card board, very happy with fan though. Go figure!
Bruce

Surely it would cost you more than $12 just in postage to send something the size of a disco fan!