What Should I Do?

[AquaCrazy]

Should I open a dispute through PayPal, and try to get my money back?

Here's what happened...

I ordered an Axolotl salamander from someone online (not from MFK). The day it was scheduled to arrive, I waited and waited for it, but then I had to step out for a few minutes...and that's when the truck came to deliver it.

When I got back home to find the note on the door saying that no one was there to sign, and to pick up the package at the post office, the post office had already closed for the day.

So, the next morning I got to the post office as soon as they opened, but he had already died.

I had no idea that it was going to need to be signed for, and nowhere in the email I received with the shipping information did it say that it needed a signature. If I had known this, I would have made sure that someone was there to sign for it.

What do you think I should do? Just walk away, or try to get some of my money back?

Thanks in advance.

 

[paul112]

The reason it will have needed to be signed for is becausd the seller will have wanted to make sure you collected it on time, and not later when it's health will have been compromised. It's bad luck that your post office was already closed though.

I don't think it's right to start a paypal dispute over it, because the seller will have sent it 'signed-for' delivery to ensure the animal was delivered safely. It's not exactly fair to demand money back when they just had the animals best interests at heart.

Just to be clear, my post isn't meant to sound harsh or nasty, you though it would just be left at the house and it just sounds like an unlucky incident - try to learn what you can from it.

Best,
Paul

 

[kdrun76]

The seller did nothing wrong here. I see no reason to blame him. He shipped what was agreed upon in a timely fashion. I really don't think he is at fault.

The signature requirement covers his butt in a dispute and it only makes sense for him to require it.

Presuming the seller has the best interest of his animals in mind, he is going to be saddened by the loss of the animal. It might be a good idea to inform (confrontationally) him that the unexpected signature requirement just cost you $60 and the animal his life. Ask him to let future buyers know there will be a required signature.

 

[AquaCrazy]

Yea, you're both right. I just hated to have to loose the $60. Thanks for your responses.

 

[JML1997]

Yea, you're both right. I just hated to have to loose the $60. Thanks for your responses.

60$ is down the drain, but did your postal service give a time within another time of which they belived, they would be delivering it to your house?

 

[AquaCrazy]

60$ is down the drain, but did your postal service give a time within another time of which they belived, they would be delivering it to your house?

They didn't give a time, just the day that it would be delivered.

 

[Toby_H]

The seller most likely told you the specific name of the shipping method used (overnight, priority, next day, etc) and the shippers website would have had a description of that service including that it requires a signature.

I've been on both ends of shipping live animals and requiring a signature ensures responsibility/protection to both parties. I do agree, as a seller, it is polite to inform the buyer a signature is required, but I agree the seller is not at fault for not mentioning this detail.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks for sharing the experience...

 

[Ieatyourfish]

i would at least contact the seller and see if anything can be done, open in up for discussion

 

[Industrial]

This is why I hate dealing with the USPS. Sorry about your loss, but when you are waiting for the USPS to deliver a fish you kind of have to make a day out of it or else they will close on you or lose your package.

 

[black_sun]

I'm really sorry for your loss but for as much as it's nice if a seller double checks that you know a signature is required, I don't think they have to. It's pretty much standard policy with all major shippers that you have to sign for packages with live animals in them (I have to do it all the time with my fish, crayfish, reptiles, etc... unless the package has not been disclosed as having live cargo).

You should try contacting them, nicely and factually, they may be willing to do partial refunds or even ship you another animal. A lot of sellers are really understanding about innocent misunderstandings and what not, so it's definitely worth a shot. Again, really sorry about your loss... that really, really sucks.