Hi all,
I bought a doll for DD's birthday off eBay and paid $75 for EMS to get it before August, 30th. Today I received the tracking number for Priority Mail International. WTF!? I am so p...ed off! There is a great chance DD won't get her doll for her BDay: the problem is that I provided my home address as this is where Express mail gets delivered, while all other mail goes to P.O.Boxes.
I haven't contacted the seller yet and I would appreciate any advice.
TIA!

I'd first send an email to the seller and politely ask why she chose a shipping method other than the one that you'd paid for. Explain that the parcel might not make it for the event that you'd purchased it for, and that you'd like a refund of the difference between the method you paid for and the method she used for shipping.

Originally Posted by IrisCole

I'd first send an email to the seller and politely ask why she chose a shipping method other than the one that you'd paid for. Explain that the parcel might not make it for the event that you'd purchased it for, and that you'd like a refund of the difference between the method you paid for and the method she used for shipping.

Thank you, IrisCole, for your reply! I really appreciate it! :)
I wouldn't ask for a partial refund at this point as I am afraid the package may never reach.

Originally Posted by IrisCole

I'd first send an email to the seller and politely ask why she chose a shipping method other than the one that you'd paid for. Explain that the parcel might not make it for the event that you'd purchased it for, and that you'd like a refund of the difference between the method you paid for and the method she used for shipping.

I would do the same. Unfortunately it does not get the doll there any quicker, but maybe you can print a photo of the doll frame and wrap it

Originally Posted by Lzamare

I would do the same. Unfortunately it does not get the doll there any quicker, but maybe you can print a photo of the doll frame and wrap it

DD already has a picture of the doll saved in her iPad and she can't wait to get it.
Again, the problem is that the address I provided is for EMS and courier services. They may simply send it back to the sender. :(

Originally Posted by IrisCole

I'd first send an email to the seller and politely ask why she chose a shipping method other than the one that you'd paid for. Explain that the parcel might not make it for the event that you'd purchased it for, and that you'd like a refund of the difference between the method you paid for and the method she used for shipping.

Agree here... the seller should refund the difference but at this moment

that's not much of a comfort... but tell your DD it's on its way & better

late then never...

Originally Posted by lightpinkdaisy

DD already has a picture of the doll saved in her iPad and she can't wait to get it. Again, the problem is that the address I provided is for EMS and courier services. They may simply send it back to the sender. :(

Will express not deliver to your address? I thought express was pretty much the catch-all for deliveries and would deliver to all addresses.

In any event, I agree with the others about contacting the seller to ask for a refund in the difference in shipping costs. Not much else you can do at this point though, since the package is in transit already...

Thank you for your replies!

I will try to explain. We don't have letter boxes near our houses in Dubai: we have P.O.Boxes at post offices, where all regular mail goes. All express and courier mail is delivered to home addresses.
Now, I paid for Express mail and provided my home address. Seller shipped Priority. When the package arrives, there is no P.O.Box number to send a notification for me to collect it. KWIM?
So unfortunately, it's not only a matter of shipping cost difference :(

BTW, I contacted the seller 12 hours ago, but still no reply...

Sounds like the seller really has you in a jam by deciding on her own to send it using a different service than the one you agreed upon. With no address to send it to, as you just explained, where will it end up? Will it get sent back to the sender? Will it sit in some unclaimed mail warehouse? I would make some inquiries by phone and in person with your post office and ask them what might likely happen, so that you can make a more informed decision about what to do from here. Sooooooo very sorry this happened to you and to your DD.

Thank you for your post, tutushopper!

It will most probably be sent back to sender with a sticker "wrong or incomplete address" :( DD will be super upset.

You communicated the situation (address difference, need package arrival by 8/30) and your shipping preferences to the seller before paying, right?

Hopefully the seller gets back to you soon and has an explanation.

Originally Posted by lightpinkdaisy

DD already has a picture of the doll saved in her iPad and she can't wait to get it. Again, the problem is that the address I provided is for EMS and courier services. They may simply send it back to the sender. :(

Yes I understand but unfortunately there is nothing that an be done to correct it as its a wait and see kinda thing. Was just trying to offer an idea that worked for me in the past for a gift that did not arrive in time for my daughter. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by lightpinkdaisy

Thank you for your post, tutushopper! It will most probably be sent back to sender with a sticker "wrong or incomplete address" :( DD will be super upset.

Is it possible to find another doll to get for her, since obviously from what you say this one won't be coming to you, but instead returning to the seller?

Originally Posted by Jira

You communicated the situation (address difference, need package arrival by 8/30) and your shipping preferences to the seller before paying, right? Hopefully the seller gets back to you soon and has an explanation.

Not, actually. He is a business seller with 53K + feedback. Out of two shipping options, Priority and Express, I chose the latter and paid for it.
It's more than 24 hours since I concacted him, but the seller didn't come back to me.

Originally Posted by Lzamare

Yes I understand but unfortunately there is nothing that an be done to correct it as its a wait and see kinda thing. Was just trying to offer an idea that worked for me in the past for a gift that did not arrive in time for my daughter. Good luck to you.

Thank you!