"Timely Mailing" spinoff: what do you do if the cards never arrive?

[MarinerShark]

I've only had this situation happen once in the two years I've been trading, but that one time- a trade of 3-4 game used cards each- the cards sent to me never arrived. I communicated with the sender, who basically said he mailed them, sorry, but my tough luck. Is that the ultimate end game- if I don't insist on having cards sent to me with tracking every time, then I bear the responsibility if they never arrive? I'm just curious about how other people feel on this issue. Thanks, Nick

 

[Trishlp]

Hope this helps, if you any further questions please let myself or another MOD know.
Trish

From the Bench FAQ section
"What do I do if I don't receive my cards?
If you do not receive your cards we encourage you to try to work it out with the other trader. If this isn't working, you can report the trade to the Trades Gone Bad team. In order to report a trade, first locate it in Trade Manager.

Once you have located the trade, you will have a number of options at the bottom of the screen. Click on the Bad Trade button. This will bring you to a new screen requiring a more detailed explanation of the situation. Once complete, press the Submit button. The Trades Gone Bad team will be notified of the problem and do what they can to resolve the situation.

We do ask that you make an attempt to work out a resolution with your fellow trader in the event that cards are lost in the mail, damaged, etc. The Mod team is here to help, but quality traders know that things can go wrong, and sending a polite PM can sometimes easily fix the problem without involving us.

If your attempt to work a resolution with your fellow trader is not going smoothly, then filing a Help Desk Ticket is the way to go.

Some quick guidelines as far as when to file a Help Desk Ticket:

•You have attempted to work a resolution with your fellow trader but have not been able to resolve the situation
•Your attempts at contacting the other trader have been ignored or unanswered
•At least 3 weeks have passsed since the trade has been posted and either of the above are true. (three weeks may seem like a long time, but in the case of mail three weeks is not unheard of or unreasonable)"

 

[MarinerShark]

I've read all this, but if the other trader's response is- "I mailed the cards, it's not my fault", what then? If I believe the other trader, then I think it pretty much is my tough luck. What do you, as moderators, expect the other trader to do? What do you all, as good traders, expect as proper etiquette in such a situation?

 

[Trishlp]

Personally - I try to work it out with the other trader and then if they do not want to cooperate and make the deal right I would open a TGB ticket.

The TGB ticket can lead to suspension (or worse) for the other trader if they do not rectify the situation.

What I as a trader, even before becoming a moderator, think is the right thing to do is to make up for the missing cards. I have had to do it myself if something is lost in the mail or damaged.

 

[JamesNevans]

Cards on occassion can be lost or stolen in the mail. The burden falls on the shipper to prove delivery. Now it may not be practical to always ship with delivery confirmation, but if you can't do a make up now and then that is the route you have to take. I consider it self insurance that once in a while I may have to give additional items or send my end back, but it's not like this site is full of scammers like eBay is.

 

[David K.]

It happens once in a blue moon to even me!....but I always try to work it out with the other trader so that their happy. Best regards, David

 

[montserratplay]

Hey, man. Sorry that you're dealing with this situation. Personally, I would get delivery confirmation if I were sending out cards I felt were especially valuable.

I have only had one person not get my cards and I made it very clear that I was happy to return the cards I received or work out some kind of payment. I am actually sending you your side of our trade tomorrow. On the remote chance that you don't receive the cards from me, I would show you the USPS receipt to prove I'm not a jerk and offer to work something out, either by returning cards or paying for them.

Trishlp is giving good advice. This is a fun hobby for me and if a trader had a problem with me, I am sure we could work it out. The mod team seems ready and willing to address that 1% of unpleasant situations.

 

[Jayson1969]

It is hard to prove that the guy didn't send his end unless you do Delivery Confirmation. With how things are going with the Postal Service, It wouldn't suprise me that they were lost. I had an issue with a guy who sent a package, but didn't post the DC#. Luckily he did put tracking on it. It sat at the Post Office for 3 weeks before they sent the cards out which isn't the guys fault. Not saying you are a crook, but who is to say you didn't recieve it. Another problem out there, is people guessing the Postage and the reciever ends up paying for the shipping. That happened to me last month. There is alot of things to calculate on this.

 

[Dalberov]

I, myself, have been waiting about 14 days for a trade to arrive and I'm not exactly sure how to handle it. He got his end already. How long should I wait before I ask him about it in a PM? If he sent his end after he got the cards from me, do I ding him for delivery AND communication because he said he was sending the day after confirmation of the trade?

 

[rangersfan1982]

I, myself, have been waiting about 14 days for a trade to arrive and I'm not exactly sure how to handle it. He got his end already. How long should I wait before I ask him about it in a PM? If he sent his end after he got the cards from me, do I ding him for delivery AND communication because he said he was sending the day after confirmation of the trade?

I would ask him at this point. I usually wait 2 weeks max then send the other party a message asking about the status, tracking, etc. I also mention that if items don't arrive soon I will need a MOD involved. That usually helps things show up a little faster. Good luck!