Arrived at last

@rog0322 (2829)
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
September 7, 2012 3:03am CST
Sometime in 08 August 2012, I purchased an item on eBay, my first online purchase since I started internet surfing almost four years ago. It was really just a lark, a shot in the dark, for I hear a lot of horror stories regarding online transactions: wrong item, item got misdirected, or worse, item not received. Well, I did received what I ordered, just today, 07 September, almost a month after I paid via Paypal, all in a nice package, sealed (after some people in the post office took a peek inside and repackaged the whole thing). It was a hand cranked, solar powered AM-FM-SW transistor radio which I intended as one of the item in my survival kit, or when power goes out and I have to track the news over the radio. The only apprehension I have is that it took a considerable long time to get here, I suspect it was all a sham. So I took the effort going down to the local post office just a few meters away from my office bringing the printed emails and the tracking form I got from the PhilPOst website. Lo and behold, the item has been sitting there for quite sometime now, the postmaster kept it under lock and key, explaining that her mother has some problem over at the hospital and she has to arrange for the claims, insurance and all. I'll just have to smile. after all, people on eBay are doing their best to keep us backwaters costumers satisfied. All in all, it is the usual snail-mail in our great Republic that is the culprit for the delay.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
7 Sep 12
hello rog, 3 weeks to 1 month is just normal for packages from ebay to arrive in our country. From what country did you order your item? In my experience if it's from China, Hongkong post is faster than China post cause it still has to pass Shanghai ( at least that was what i was told). If it's coming from the us, choose USPS priority international mail package over USPS first class international mail, would cut down time by about 2 weeks but obviously you have to pay more. Yes our post could be inefficient sometimes, they should have sent you a notice . Opening packages by a representative of Customs is SOP, they check if there is anything illegal.
1 person likes this
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Sep 12
Its from Hongkong mailed by airmail and it should have arrived sooner than expected. It didn't cross my mind that opening package in PO is not proper without the presence of the consignee. I should look into the matter.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
8 Sep 12
yes check our law, perhaps it's not only not proper, it could be criminal as well, I have had lots of packages and it's always opened in front of me.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
8 Sep 12
oh I checked, and it's customs can open your package before they notify or give you notice, think they can do it without the consignee http://www.rina-alcantara.com/2010/09/claiming-parcel-at-philippine-postal.html and here's another one http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/customs-required-inform-you-if-theyve-opened-your-package-107068.html
7 Sep 12
It's a shame your post office is so inefficient, although I suppose in the circumstances it's understandable. At least you got your radio in the end, and it sounds like it was well-packaged. Remember to leave positive feedback for the seller, repuation's important in the eBay world. And don't let this put you off future purchases - most sellers are honest and provide good service.
1 person likes this
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Sep 12
Yeah, I should learn from this experience. Already done, the positive rating.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
9 Feb 13
I am glad you got it... eventually! Trouble is it kind of puts you off ordering any more stuff, in case this happens again. I ordered some special soap for an auntie of mine via Ebay, and it all went through ok, only when she got it, there was no soap inside, someone, had tampered with the parcel took the soap out and all she got was an empty packet. Surely someone can't be that desperate to steal soap? The seller on Ebay said it was well packaged too!
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
2 Oct 12
Glad to know that you got your first online shopping stuff. What sounds even greater to me is that you can pay for it online with your paypal. I have never tried to pay anything with my paypal. I didn't know much about it. Now it is interesting to me since paypal is allowed for online shopping. Thank you for the great discussion. Have a good day, rog.
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
7 Sep 12
I'm so disappointed with our post office as well for the same reasons. They slit open packages even though there's a law that they can do that only on the presence of the recipient and they're very very slow processing. Good thing you even manage to get ahold of it.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Sep 12
That's what really kept me from buying online: the Customs and the Post Office. Sellers should try another delivery system, say FedEx of LBC to bypass the "good hands" in these places.
@meowchie (992)
• Philippines
24 Sep 12
Woah :D U've got a fine seller then.. I have been a fan of ebay too.. But before buying, I check on seller's rating first.. THen see the product,compare then eventually decide.. Some orders arrive the way they look on photos, and some are just deceivingly awesome on photos but not so nice up close.. haha:D But overall, most transactions was fine with me. Online shoppers are just too willing to take the risk whether the items will arrive or not.. Cheers to us risk takers! LOL :D
@lifes97 (884)
• United Arab Emirates
8 Sep 12
hi there, i think that it is really not safe to do that online i hear some people have got many good things but others got bad ugely things for their money and to return the things you have to pay extra money that is wht i hate for the online shop
@kongno (431)
• Philippines
10 Sep 12
with all the disappointments you had there i will still be happy if i am on your place, at least your money was not wasted, plus with that incidence you had a topic that worth discussing too.