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Recently, the performance of postal services has been drawing more and more complaints. There has been an increase in cases where purchased goods arrive damaged, and sometimes packages disappear without a trace, never reaching the recipient.
Recently, the performance of postal services has been drawing more and more complaints. There has been an increase in cases where purchased goods arrive damaged, and sometimes packages disappear without a trace, never reaching the recipient.
There are several main problems that buyers face with delivery:
These difficulties force buyers to look for ways to secure their purchases, but in addition to the existing risks associated with postal services, a new problem has emerged, originating from the auction houses themselves.
In addition to problems with postal services, buyers have encountered a new complication in their dealings with traditional auction houses. Whereas winning a lot used to be almost the final stage of the transaction, it is now just the beginning of a long and not always predictable journey for the item to its new owner.
Previously, the process was simple: after winning at auction and making the payment, the buyer could be sure they would soon receive their acquisition. Today, the situation has changed dramatically, and the mere fact of winning no longer guarantees quick and trouble-free receipt of the item.
A case from a Belgian auction serves as a telling example. On July 4th, almost two months ago, several lots were won. Payment was made within a few days, but the package was never shipped.
Attempts to contact the auction were complicated by a language barrier, as communication was in French. After contacting them using a translator, it turned out that the auction house no longer handles shipping. This service is provided by a third-party company that picks up the item, packs it, and sends it to the final consumer.
The practice of auctions outsourcing shipping to third-party firms is becoming more and more common. This way, they relieve themselves of the burden and responsibility for shipping. The terms and conditions for participating in auctions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen) often explicitly state that the auction house is not liable for damage to the item in transit.
In the case of the Belgian auction, the first transport company did not respond to inquiries. The auction house advised contacting a second shipping company, but this also yielded no results. The problem was exacerbated by the summer holiday season. After more than a month, the item had still not been shipped.
A stroke of luck helped resolve the prolonged situation. It was necessary to turn to a subscriber who lived in Belgium, not far from the city where the auction was located. He personally went there, picked up the won lots, packed them himself, and sent them by mail.
In the end, the item was received only two months after the auction, and only thanks to the help of a third party. This case demonstrates how vulnerable the buyer has become in the new system, where the auction house and the delivery service are separate, and not always effectively cooperating, entities.
The quality of postal services has noticeably declined in recent years, while the cost of services has increased. The companies to which auctions outsource packaging and shipping often perform their duties negligently. Items are frequently poorly packaged, leading to damage.
Buyers are increasingly receiving packages where items are simply rattling around inside the box, which almost inevitably leads to damage, especially for fragile items. This applies not only to international shipments but also to domestic deliveries.
Given the current situation, buyers should be extremely careful. To minimize risks, you can follow a few simple rules, especially when dealing with unfamiliar auctions.
