I was foolishly patient with a seller who shipped a poorly packed radio and it got beat up. He said contact UPS and make a claim. I had UPS pick it up and filled out the paperwork for it. They said the shipper would receive the refund, if any. Found out that UPS takes 90 days to settle up. The seller went away, I waited too long to claim against him on ebay paypal etc. and ended up with no 100$ and nothing but the chance to flame him on feedback. I was the last feedback, he disappeared from ebay then. Never give them more than a week or two to work it out before you open a dispute or you might be shafted. As long as you have pictures and a dispute you have a chance to get your money back. Don't let them give you excuses and try to delay you, I learned that costly lesson real well some years ago.

Received radio late Thursday, June 28. Photos were taken and sent to seller the same evening.
Seller responded on Friday:
"I apologize for the problem. As this was shipped insured, I will process a claim with UPS. They may need to come to your home to examine the item and packing materials. As soon as we complete the initial processes with UPS, I will send you a refund."
I will wait until Tuesday morning before filing with Ebay.

Yes.. the seller seems very reasonable... BUT in response to that note you should reply something like, "Ok I'll help provide information and thanks for offering the refund. I will also alert Ebay & Paypal and await the immediate refund."

Sounds well worded PbPix.
I will use it on Tuesday.

Good. Certainly can't hurt to do it and ...It can only help you.
... I forgot though... what's the reason for waiting until Tuesday?

Personally, I wouldn't wait that long.

The first time I got a NAD item I screwed around with the seller for almost 3 weeks until finally UPS denied his claim from poor packing [a DUAL turntable, well braced but left base unfastened to "plinth". -it went flying all over inside the box]. Then it took a while longer for fleabay to get around to responding. Finally got it settled but took almost a month to resolve.

The next time it happened, I contacted the seller and told him he had two choices: a) refund money plus shipping to send his stuff back or b) I'd file a claim with fleabay if he refused or didn't hear back within 48 hrs [I'm generous ]

Next morning there was a full refund notice from steal-a-pay.. He got his broken stuff back.

Of course, your mileage may vary....

It would seem prudent to me to also have all communication with the seller via the ebay message system also.

I totally agree with that!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely!!!

Don't let him string you along..."Initial processeS" could take weeks.

If the item was insured, or UPS $100 or less, I use the following process:
- Notify the seller and send photos of the damage
- Always use eBay messaging for correspondence (except for photos)
- Ask for an immediate full refund, and if they want the item back, include return postage.
- Offer to submit an insurance claim for the seller, and hold onto the item pending Post Office or UPS inspection. If UPS and $100 or less, there will usually be no inspection, and they will usually pay. If either you or the seller are going to submit an insurance claim, it is important NOT to return the item until resolved.
- If there is no immediate refund within a few days, open a NAD claim with eBay. They will then drive the process.
This process has never failed me (as long as deadlines are met!)

If something was shipped via Federal Express [ground or air] Do NOT wait for FedEx to refund your money--it will never happen

Of coarse YMMV

Update:
1) Seller and I have been in regular contact including the exchange of phone numbers (the delivery was in NY State about 150 miles distance between seller & buyer).
2) Ebay claim filed. Both parties contacted by Ebay in regard to claim.
3) UPS claim filed by me - the buyer.
4) Now, awaiting a phone call from UPS agent to view the damage.

Was the cost of the set above $100?

This is my experience and way of looking at and dealing with damaged shipments:

1) It's the seller's job, not the buyer's to file claims with the shipper. The buyer has no relationship with the shipper. In my experience, UPS won't have dealings with the buyer other than arranging to have the item returned to them for evaluation.

2) Do all communication through eBay's message system so that you leave a paper trail.

3) Don't be shy about filing a claim or dispute with eBay or PayPal within a reasonable period of time. I wouldn't do it immediately, but obviously you don't want to let any time periods run. If the seller gets indignant after you've left a reasonable time for them to undo the mess, then too bad -- you didn't pack it, and they'll eventually get over the trauma of having a dispute field against them.

4) If you ever get a "junior high excuse" from the seller (e.g., dead grandmother, car won't start, thieves stole my computer), you're very likely dealing with a con artist.

Bob

THAT makes no sense.
I can't see how UPS would want you (buyer) to file a claim
YOU are NOT the "insured".. the seller is the "insured"
.. you have no part in the insurance claim.
The seller should have already refunded your money and you are out of the loop.
The seller makes any insurance claims... that's it.

+1

I've been lucky with eBay sellers when an item arrived broken or not as advertised. All but one were on it within a day and very apologetic. The one outlier was a complete flake who never returned a single message after sending me a couple of miniature tubes in an auction for 45's. I filed a dispute after the second message wasn't answered and PayPal refunded the money. The only other time I had to file was when I made the mistake of buying a catalin from He Who Shall Not Be Named that turned out to have been covered with maroon paint as a "restoration". On that one I opened a dispute immediately, which was worth it for the cries of aggrieved, righteous indignation that it prompted.

Bob

You're kidding...He actually represented a painted radio as being a Catalin?

Someday perhaps you might be able to display his protests...Would love to see them, lol.

The value of the radio was $82. With shipping $102.
Recepient may file the claim as stated below.


Damaged Package Claims Process
Damaged Packages
Damage to a package can be reported by a shipper, recipient, or by UPS. After a damage inspection is performed by UPS, the shipper of record is contacted with the results. Depending on the results, the shipper can file a claim for the repair or replacement cost of the package contents up to the declared value.

Ok...
But why should you even have to get involved with "working" to get your money back?

The seller should refund your money immediately and then HE does the work to recover funds.

You should be out of the loop.
It's not fair to for him to hold your money and have you do all the leg work for HIS problem.
If you don't care or don't mind.. ok.
But he's duped you into it.