I understand what you are saying. But as a person who spent 4 years packaging heavy materials handling parts and equipment, I can tell you that most people who don't do a lot of that type of packaging do not do it properly. It is just the way it is.

For example - and this is not just hindsight here or second-guessing - I have already said that I would have double-boxed an item like that. There would have been at least a 1" protective layer of cardboard on the bottom, sides and top. I most likely would have cut cardboard shims or used expandable foam to pack the item in (the canned type will work). The key is to make sure that the heavy item cannot move, cannot puncture the sides.

I have sent electric motors, steering boxes, heavy shafts/axles and any number of odd combinations of things all across the United States and into Canada. Packing well means no problems. I didn't have problems with package damage, the only problem was package loss, claimed by the receiver to the Carrier when the item was not received within the expected time frame. Usually this ends up being a mis-delivered package that someone keeps because they feel lucky. Perhaps they can even use the item, who knows. These days, packages are a bit easier to track.

In the end run, either the package was packed properly or it was roughly handled. Maybe a comination of a bit of the two. Now knowing how shitty eBay's policy seems to be, at least in the U.K. (I'd bet U.S. is similar), it would give me pause to sell on eBay in the future.

I sold two cars on eBay, but those were picked up by the buyers. As a matter of fact, one of the vehicles I sold was a rusted-out Nissan B2000 pickmeup truck that I listed as a parts vehicle. The fuel tank cradle was rotted out, but the purchaser insisted on driving it home so, at his request, I used some strapping bands to help secure it. I still recommended a flat bed, but he did drive it home and loved the truck. Why, I'll never know.

The Ford Escort I sold to a young kid whose dad came with him because it had to be titled by the father due to the son's age. It was a manual shift, something he did not know how to drive. I offered instruction that was refused. Poor decision on sonny's part, because he was starting out in 3rd gear. I tried one last time to show him, but I was told he knew what he was doing. 15 minutes later I got a call from the dad that "we" had a problem. When I asked what the problem was, the dad said the car won't move and smells like something is on fire (I knew he had smoked the clutch and had predicted it to the father). I told him that that wasn't "our" problem, it was their problem, as they had declined driving instruction. He asked me for help and I gave it: The number of a reliable flatbed towing company. So the $400.00 vehicle needed $450.00 worth of repairs before it had even been driven 5 miles. Priceless.

By the way, both gave me excellent ratings prior to collecting their merchandise.  ;-)

>> - the package and contents were damaged after it was signed for << Likely. Part of the lathe was bent, indicating it had been dropped by somebody - could have been the Carrier.

>> - the buyer wanted the lathe so bad he signed for the visibly, badly damaged package hoping it would be ok.<< Plausible, but very dumb. In that case, take the lumps for being a dope in trying to push hope into a rope.

>>- someone indifferent to the damaged state of the package (child/neighbor/landlord) signed for it.<< Shouldn't think so, but still possible. A delivery exception could have/should have been made. I'd be looking into that and asking for Proof of Delivery.

All in all it is a sad deal all around.

 

I have sold loads on eBay, always been praised for packaging, indeed this guy has praised the packaging of the bits that actually arrived. The lathe was dismantled and individual parts wrapped independently, the whole box was stuffed to the gills with additional packaging and bubble-wrap.

Today he has contacted me saying this problem is between me and the carrier (which is also eBay's thinking unfortunately), he thinks I should just refund his whole £77 now and deal with the carrier myself.

I have replied that I am not happy to do anything at all until the carrier has had a chance to respond. his money is safe (eBay/paypal have it) but that he has made the situation much worse than it need have been by signing for it 'undamaged' and so he needs to wait and see.

*IF* the carrier pays out then he will get his money back of course, but if not then I intend to argue that he should have refused the delivery, failing that he could have accepted but marked it as 'packaging severely damaged, contents not inspected'.

I think the most likely outcome is eBay will give him his money back and I will be left to argue with eBay and possibly fight with the carrier using info from this thread (thanks) regarding signatures being about delivery, not condition. I may lose that too. :(
 

I have seen the inside of so many delivery vans that not matter how well the items were packed they would have arrived damaged.

Night Freight, the same company who delivered our fireworks years ago, were delivering a corner wall cupboard for an MFI kitchen that didn't turn up with the rest of the kitchen.The back of the van looked like a bomb had gone off in there. The driver was stepping on parcels, throwing them around trying yo find what he was looking for. When he did find it he threw it from the front of the van, over some other parcels, to the back door. Surprise surprise it was damaged

oh, and just to amuse you guys, I also sold an old mini on the same day for £107, the buyer drove 326 miles each way to collect, taking a total of approx 14 hours and said "Absolutely brill purchase so pleased very friendly and helpful"

this is the mini ....

Brilliant :D

I've seen that too, I once saw a PO van 'loaded' by ramming a giant wheelie-bin full of parcels into a bar bolted to the floor for exactly this purpose - the wheels hit the bar, the whole thing tips over and most of the parcels land in the back of the van...

I'm just glad to see it's in 'like-new' condition!

Bit of tcut2 and that'll be reet!

Wonder what's he's using it for? Done vehicle registration for a kit/custom maybe?

He said he was going to restore it! I had offered to remove the plates and VIN if all he needed was the ID I could have posted that (surprisingly legal to do)

Very nice!
More to the original point, I hope the courier refunds you, it's a rubbish situation to be in..

Bastards!

Wow! That looks new! I'd have paid £1500.00 for that beauty!

For that kind of money you get your pick of the showroom!

I do like a good trip to the scrap yard.

they still pile them two high where you go? nowhere round here does that, not since 2 or 3 people got killed messing with them

Yeah, pretty much all of the scrap yards in that area have two high stacks. The car I was taking a brake caliper off was on top of another which made things a lot easier (apart from nearly getting brake fluid all over me).

Yards around here you're not allowed to climb on or around the stacks. They make you take an employee with you to do it. They told my old man it has to do with their insurance.

If they're stacked more than two high, an employee has to get what you're after. You're not even allowed near the stack. You have to stay at least twenty-five feet away while they get what you came after.

Some of those can easily be fixed up. Just weld in a couple of plates.

Dude! Take two. My final offer.

Only two? C'mon, man! Some of those cars are missing headlamps and ornaments...