Help: Ebay/fed-ex question: stolen item

[Douglas]

Hey folks. Wasnt sure where to put this, but seen other threads about ebay here.

Heres the situation. First off, let me preface to say its not an issue with the person who sold me the camera or ebay, but by the delivery company. In this case, fed-ex

So about 2 weeks ago, I paid for a D70 on ebay. Last night I was checking the tracking on my package and I saw this:

Our records indicate that the following shipment has been delivered:Ship (P/U) date:
Jun 23, 2008
Delivery date:
Jun 26, 2008 8:38 AM


And apparently it was signed for. This is odd because I leave for work @ 6am and I work 35 miles away.....

Now I live in an apartment complex. Not a building, but a series of 1 level multiplexes. So I have no clue who signed for this package. It obviously wasnt me, and I really dont know any of my neighbors. And my property manager hadnt signed for it. And it was signed with my first initial and last name, and I never sign it.

So im really not sure what to do. The package is supposidly insured. Ive sent an email and ebay message to the seller, and ive already contacted fed-ex.

So im not sure if anyone has ever had this happen before, and if so what my next step is. Do I get my money back from fed ex or the seller(and he get it back from fed ex?)

[Mr. Pickles]

Whoever sent it or bought insurance should get the insurance money. But I'd recheck with more sternness with any next door neighbors that are home during the delivery time, or the property manager that was on duty then (sometimes there is more than one property manager). If they don't cough up the goods, I'd consider moving.

I doubt seriously if the Fed-Ex man or employee accidentally dropped the package in their own car....

[Douglas]

Wouldnt the delivery guy have them sign their name instead of forging mine?

And my property manager is a good one. Ive had stuff delivered that went there before. Never really worked with fed-ex before. I know ups either puts it on your doorstep (rarely with apts) or leaves a stub for pickup.

[jefferies]

Fedex has a $100.00 value ( not insurance) for packages and the sender can purchase more depending on the item. Jewelry is a $500.00 limit and I don't know about cameras. Assuming the shipper purchased additional value coverage you need to contact him to start a trace. Inform him of the forged delivery record and FedEx will investigate. You may be asked to sign a statement saying you did not receive the item. They then will pay the shipper the value and guess he will have to refund you. This will take several weeks to process. I had this happen while in another business doing high value shipments. Get the process started today.If the shipper did not get the correct insurance I would go to Paypal whatever service you used and start a charge back. I think you would still need FedEx to show it was not you who received the package.

[Mr. Pickles]

If I was the FedEx guy, I'd have to really hate my job to snipe your camera.....

And the FedEx people rarely "check" the signature that I have witnessed. As long as someone wrote one, they go back to the truck and carry on.

[Mr Mikey]

Did you pay with paypal ? they have coverage up to $2000.00, but I am not sure if it covers lost items.
As an ebay seller I always purchase insurance for the value I sold the item for. Hopefully the seller did this, if so he will file a claim and refund your full amount once he receives payment from FedEX, but my understanding is that it is the shippers responsibility not the buyers. I may be corrected on this but that is what I have always been told.
I never ship in a box that can identify what is inside, the driver probably had no clue what was in the box.
Keep us up to date on what happens.

[Douglas]

Will do.

I sent the seller an email and a message through ebay with no response yet.

I also called fedex monday night to make them aware. They said they had to talk to the driver and such. Calling them later today and if they cant give me an update, im going down there after work to talk to someone who can try to give me an answer.

If I dont hear anything by tomorrow, Ill do a chargeback through paypal since the insurance is in the sellers name. I want to get as much resolved before the holiday as possible

[brice]

Last I checked you can view signature with Fed Ex AND they ask for the name that goes with it if they can't read it. That has happened every time I've received a package: I sign, they ask for my name and they record it. If the drive arrived at your apt and someone else signed, they would note it.

[Douglas]

Yeah, I viewed the signature online. It says it was signed by DSmith (me) and that a direct signature was required.

[Douglas]

So I talked to fedex. The driver is saying that someone did sign for it. But the person did send a note to the manager that it was signed by someone who wasnt me and without permission.

Now its on the sellers side. So I dont know what to do. Coworker suggested I file a police report on a stolen item for this.

Now, how do I know the seller will do anything? Hes got his money and up poop creek without a camera... And he hasnt responded to my email or ebay message.

<edit>
I did file a P/R and called fedex back and gave them that info. Maybe they will be a bit more agressive in their investigation now that they know im serious about this. Forwarded this info to the seller too (who hasnt responded to me ever)

[Forrest]

How long has it been since you contacted the seller? From what I understand, it's their responsibility ( eBay wouldn't be in business if buying through them was a gamble ), so at the very least a negative feedback is in order.

I'm surprised it took so many posts before the police came up, but that's a wise move. There's some chance they'll recover it, but that will help with insurance. Or a lawsuit, if you decide to go that route.

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Forrest

How long has it been since you contacted the seller? From what I understand, it's their responsibility ( eBay wouldn't be in business if buying through them was a gamble ), so at the very least a negative feedback is in order.

I'm surprised it took so many posts before the police came up, but that's a wise move. There's some chance they'll recover it, but that will help with insurance. Or a lawsuit, if you decide to go that route.

I sent the first email/ebay contact tuesday morning. I sent a 2nd email & ebay contact yesterday and still no response.

Ill probably try to get my money back through paypal if he doesnt respond soon.

I dont really know what the police can do. But figured I know have it on official record I consider it stolen. Made both fedex and the seller aware of this and gave them the case number. So both know this isnt a scam.

[Forrest]

I guess all that's left is to wish you the best!

[Douglas]

Well everything turned out ok.

Package was delivered to the wrong apt. That part is on fedex, but the rest is on the resident.

Luckily the other apartment owner is a good guy. His brother is the one who forged my name to the package and accepted it, and he even took it home. I know it wasnt using the brother as an "out" on this, because friday he saw me and asked if I was expecting a package with a camera. When I said yes, he told me his brother told him about it.

The kicker is, his brother had sold it "because lenses for it were too expensive". Yeah, he explained how his brother is basically not a good person (trying to keep it civil). So he went out and bought it back at his own expense. Im assuming hes going to kick his brothers butt for this, but I got the package, so Im happy.

[thekorn]

Sounds like a brother who's addicted to something. Glad your camera showed up finally!

[Mr Mikey]

Are you going to persue a complaint with FEDEX about the driver and his lack of responsibility ? I did that with UPS once and my service went down the tube for a very long time, that is why I primarily use FEDEX for everything.

[azrussell132]

I'd be sending the brother to JAIL ! Glad you finally got your camera.

[Douglas]

Dup post