Silk Road forums

Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: Buttonwood on September 18, 2013, 08:46 am

Title: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: Buttonwood on September 18, 2013, 08:46 am
What is your overall policy for customers who say that packages don't show when tracking says it has been delivered? 

Can you estimate the percentage of scamming buyers vs. legit buyers that you deal with?  Should the scammers just be considered part of the cost of doing business?  What are red flags that you look for?

I think I am about to have to deal with my first one since I started vending last month and I'm worried about A) getting screwed financially and B) Getting screwed with bad feedback/reviews

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.  I don't yet qualify for the round table.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

BW
Title: Re: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: NW Nugz on September 18, 2013, 09:52 am
State your policy on your vendor page and you will feel better about sticking to it.
If tracking shows it was delivered, I assume it is a problem at their end. I feel I have done my job correctly. Send them the number.
I'd say it is a rare buyer who will try to claim you should re-ship if tracking shows it was delivered.
If you don't have tracking, and they receive it and they see no tracking on it, however, I think the number of scammer buyers is likely to be much greater.
Title: Re: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: Dingo Ate My Drugs on September 18, 2013, 01:09 pm
What is your overall policy for customers who say that packages don't show when tracking says it has been delivered? 

Can you estimate the percentage of scamming buyers vs. legit buyers that you deal with?  Should the scammers just be considered part of the cost of doing business?  What are red flags that you look for?

I think I am about to have to deal with my first one since I started vending last month and I'm worried about A) getting screwed financially and B) Getting screwed with bad feedback/reviews

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.  I don't yet qualify for the round table.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

BW
I think most of the "no shows" are scammers.
It's hard to tell though because one time I only gave a 50% refund afterwards and I f elt bad about it because I thik they actually didn't receive it.
They were pleasant to deal with too. I know I've given refunds to buyers who have scammed though.
Title: Re: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: OzGrow on September 19, 2013, 04:22 pm
Case-by-case basis.
Most (99.9%) of customers are simply a delight to do business with.

But, there is always a few bad apples... PARTICULARLY, in this industry.

Stick to the facts. Leave emotions out of it.

Generally speaking, domestic parcels don't go missing.
There is always exceptions, but not really in the case where tracking shows "Delivered".

Technically, once Aust. Post logs it as "delivered", they take full responsibility for any losses.
Ie: Registered parcels (Inc. Express), are covered by an insurance policy. (For example: Up to $500 coverage on 500g Express post bags).

If you have issued the tracking number to the customer, perhaps suggest they take the tracking number to their P.O. and ask where it is...
.... then claim for the loss.

OBVIOUSLY, one does not say "Where's my delivery of illicit Drugs".
I suggest a more tactful/inconspicuous approach. (Parcel should be some silver bullion I have been expecting....I think).

Anyway, there is no "right" answer here I'm afraid.
One case will be legitimate, the next will be a scum-bag.

It gets easier with experience.
Max@OG


Title: Re: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: Divo on September 19, 2013, 08:26 pm
Buttonwood, sorry to hear someone is trying to scam you, that really sucks.  I'm posting just to say you are fast becoming one of my favorite vendors for high quality herb and I hope this doesn't discourage you from continuing to operate here.  I've never had a package I ordered domestic go missing, and if it did, with the vendor having tracking that showed delivery, I would assume it got lost or stolen.  That's just part of the nature of this marketplace we all take part in and I think a buyer expecting a full refund or reship for an order that a vendor can show was delivered is absurd.  Buyers have to take their share of the risk, and lost or stolen packages is just part of that. 
Title: Re: New Vendor Question for Veteren Venders RE: Buyer Scams
Post by: FirePharmacy on September 19, 2013, 09:23 pm
I've been very lucky and have dealt with mostly fantastic people.  99% of my orders have shipping tracking, and this delivery confirmation means a lot!  From what I've learned here so far, most sellers create a "policy" and post it on their Profile Page.  I was careful to think this through before actually shipping anything, so buyers are informed as to what the expectations are.   I'm kind and fair, but firm while sticking to those rules.

I've read that once a transaction goes to resolution, both parties can agree to a varying amount of refund.  Probably depends on what Policies they had posted, and how reliable their tracking info is. 

I hope you have better luck!