How to handle purchase issue. - Seller = VRATJV07

[darkstar2q9]

I wont disclose the members name yet, just looking for some initial guidance.

The box was shipped on November 30th, and unfortunately did not arrive until December 18th.

Prior to that I messaged him a few times about the delay and asking if he packed with a Boveda pack. It wasn't until recently that I got a response after inquiring about a bourbon sale he just posted.

I received the box which was 3 opus x coffins in a small flat rate box. the coffins were in two opened zip lock bags,  and it looks like they were never sealed, aside from that there was no other packing material and there was some space for the 3 opus coffins to move around not alot but still empty space

there was a crack on one cigar, and they seems really dry especially since there was no Boveda, and the zip lock bags were left open.

I inquired if we could swap them out, and the response I received was "I cannot control USPS.  Sorry but I cannot swap them out.  They were wrapped in celo and in a plastic bag.  We can try to file an insurance claim with USPS if you'd like.
"

I responded with, I understand that you cannot control delivery times but, if there was a Boveda in there or at least the zip lock bags sealed especially in he winter and no empty space to prevent damage ( in a nut shell ).

he has been online since and has not responed, not sure how long to wait to take any other action or what else I can do.

[perfectoman]

There are some really great guys selling here and some not so great guys.  Put a big X thru the seller and move on.
I would chalk it up as lesson learned on the deal and if you feel like outing the guy go have at it in the BZ forum.
Sellers know what's going on with the PO this time of the year and the good ones will package accordingly.
It would be in the interest of the buyers having any concern they should communicate their concerns and have it in writing before sealing the deal.
If they were wrapped in cello even without humidification pack I would have a hard time believing they dried up and cracked out in only 18 days of travel in the winter time in the USA if they had been pristine and humidified properly prior to shipping.  JMO

[tstoner86]

[quote author=perfectoman link=topic=51765.msg200244#msg200244 date=1608472350]

If they were wrapped in cello even without humidification pack I would have a hard time believing they dried up and cracked out in only 18 days of travel in the winter time in the USA if they had been pristine and humidified properly prior to shipping.  JMO
[/quote]

^^^^^^^^^^^this


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[Pole Lock]

[quote author=perfectoman link=topic=51765.msg200244#msg200244 date=1608472350]
There are some really great guys selling here and some not so great guys.  Put a big X thru the seller and move on.
I would chalk it up as lesson learned on the deal and if you feel like outing the guy go have at it in the BZ forum.
Sellers know what's going on with the PO this time of the year and the good ones will package accordingly.
It would be in the interest of the buyers having any concern they should communicate their concerns and have it in writing before sealing the deal.
If they were wrapped in cello even without humidification pack I would have a hard time believing they dried up and cracked out in only 18 days of travel in the winter time in the USA if they had been pristine and humidified properly prior to shipping.  JMO
[/quote]

This, from front to back, but especially the last part.  Although we baby the crap out of them, cigars are fairly resilient and can take temp/rh fluctuations.  These may have been in poor condition prior to sale, which sucks, but some people offload their storage failures rather than eating the loss and learning from it.

I have mostly been trading pipe tobacco lately, and they've all been getting vac sealed before shipment.  You can partially vac seal cigars, as well, but want to hit the Seal button before you get a complete vacuum, to avoid damaging the sticks.

[tksamtec]

I have to agree with the other posters here... 18 days in transit, even in drier winter conditions, will not be enough to dry out cigars to the point of cracking, unless they were really dry to begin with or if they were a really small RG.

Leave appropriate and honest feedback for the seller and move on, its probably all you can do, if the seller refuses to respoind.  The PO is to blame for most of the delays as things are getting lost, misrouted, and just plain sttupid fukups all over the place.  USPS sucks and their service this holiday season has been nothing short of atrocious.

[darkstar2q9]

thanks for the feedback , I can understand that. Im also not necessarily attributing everything being due to low humidity. But also with the pack job, good feedback he has before,. but coffins are not necessarily snug, just a little paper even to take up the empty space in the box would have been nice and could have also been the cause of the crack.

[Johnny-O!]

Years ago I sent a package from the Bahamas to Japan and it took over a month. Plain old freezer Ziplocks saved them as they were smokeable ROTT. No cracks, splits on 100 cigars. The cigars are the sellers responsibility while in transit. The PO is likely to give you schpit on any claim. Let the seller know this is not acceptable trade policy, and try to settle this again. If it doesn't work out, smoke them and move on. But make sure you leave a comment if it doesn't get settled. John :beer:

[cmitch]

There are many sellers who say they won't guarantee delivery or will say you are responsible once item is shipped. I do not deal with those people. There is a facebook group whose sellers have that common policy. I don't understand ziploc being open and no boveda enclosed. But I receive many cigars with no boveda and they are fine.

But you have your answer. He isn't going to do anything about it so move on. But I think you do need to post his name and info here so someone else doesn't get burned.

[darkstar2q9]

I plan to but I want to see if we can try to work it out. He hasn't been active since the 19th, but he repays from tapatalk

[quote author=cmitch link=topic=51765.msg200262#msg200262 date=1608572079]
There are many sellers who say they won't guarantee delivery or will say you are responsible once item is shipped. I do not deal with those people. There is a facebook group whose sellers have that common policy. I don't understand ziploc being open and no boveda enclosed. But I receive many cigars with no boveda and they are fine.

But you have your answer. He isn't going to do anything about it so move on. But I think you do need to post his name and info here so someone else doesn't get burned.
[/quote]

[Diplomatico]

[quote author=darkstar2q9 link=topic=51765.msg200263#msg200263 date=1608573566]
I plan to but I want to see if we can try to work it out. He hasn't been active since the 19th, but he repays from tapatalk

[/quote]

 Problem with trying to work things out is it takes both parties' cooperation.  Hi ho Silver, Lone Ranger.