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.
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Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son? |
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