A few months ago I commissioned an artist to do a badge for me. A very simple name badge on a reusable template in a way. I commissioned the Artist in Early March to be mailed after TFF. The badge was not shipped right after TFF so I asked the artist again and she told me it was now gonna be shipped after FWA. Just days before I was set to go to Wild Nights. I asked the artist again if the badge was ever shipped. She claimed it was shipped April 18th. The problem there was I never got the badge so I asked for a tracking number to see what happened to the badge. She didn't have a tracking number so I am guessing the artist never shipped it or it got lost in the mail. In early May I talked to the artist about this and she promised me to send a replacement copy in the mail and I would get a digital copy because I have not seen how the badge turned out. Finally after some back and forth talking and reminders I finally got a digital copy of my badge in mid-May with the promise and getting my actual badge sent in the mail ASAP. A few more weeks passed and I ask about when will she ship the badge to me. She is now giving me the excuse that she is always at work when the post office is open and does not have a chance to ship the badge. My patience has ran out on this issue and I want the Actual Copy of the badge mailed to me.
So what I paid for it was $10+$5 Shipping. The order is past the 45 day PayPal Dispute Limit so I can't dispute and buyer protection does not cover intangible items. She continues to take comissions as of this moment.
I am not ready to reveal the name of the problem artist as of yet.
So what do I need to do about this issue?
So what I paid for it was $10+$5 Shipping. The order is past the 45 day PayPal Dispute Limit so I can't dispute and buyer protection does not cover intangible items. She continues to take comissions as of this moment.
I am not ready to reveal the name of the problem artist as of yet.
So what do I need to do about this issue?
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It's really not hard to step out during a lunch break or something and go to a post office or courier, if one works during their normal business hours.
Edited at 2016-06-18 07:20 pm (UTC)
Like Magedragonfire said the dispute window is much larger than it used to be.
Depending on the size and weight, the seller could just stick it inside a small box (so it doesn't get damaged), slap a shipping label on it, drop it off at ANY mailbox, and send it off. That's what I do with small packages. There is no blaming work, unless the artist wants to send the item via Priority Mail, any item under 13 ounces can be dropped off at a mailbox.
Heck, PayPal gives you a nifty shipping service to boot.
Edited at 2016-06-18 08:53 pm (UTC)
Edited at 2016-06-18 10:39 pm (UTC)
Some post offices nowadays keep an automated mailing kiosk in their lobby that's available at all hours. I've mailed many things this way -- even at 2 AM when I get off work. Maybe ask if she could look for one of those?
Either way, it's extremely irresponsible of her to just make you wait for so long.
I got a nice traditional piece from someone and that's how I got it, nice and fold free. :D
About the actual shipping...not being able to go to the post office is no excuse. For one, I don't see how that could be the case unless she works six days a week and never takes a lunch break. But for another, like many others said, you can just print postage out online, either through the USPS website or Paypal itself, slap the postage on a mailer/box, and drop it in any mailbox.
I'd send her a message giving her a deadline (of maybe a week or two) to mail it out by, with the requisite that you get a tracking number by that deadline as proof of it being mailed, and the ultimatum of you filing a dispute on Paypal if she doesn't meet the deadline.
I order a lot of things online, I have to send my husband to pick things up and with his work schedule, he often can't do it. (5am-5pm, lunch from 12-1pm).
Just wanted to point that out. I agree that it isn't much of an excuse because there's other options and you can mail something without needing to deal with the clerks.
Edited at 2016-06-19 04:00 am (UTC)
Give the artist a firm deadline. If they don't go to a post office they won't be able to get tracking but if they do ask for proof of shipment. If the badge doesn't arrive before your deadline post a beware. Best of luck!
There really isnt any excuse not to ship things because of work hours these days.. As so much can be done online now, and due to there being multiple carriers with differing hours.
The dispute time limit changed to 180 days so you can still file a dispute. I would write her to have a deadline and if not contact paypal.
Post a beware. This artist should not be doing these types of commissions that require mailing if she won't take the time to go to even a kiosk.
Edited at 2016-06-19 07:56 am (UTC)
The post office does not need to be open for you to mail something unless it is a big box. For a badge a envelope should be fine to just stick in the mail box for the post to take while they are at work. If they don't have stamps they should order some. No reason to be waiting this long.