In which ordering a Christmas present turns into a comedy

[jon_chaisson]

December 2nd or so, 2012: Order an old-school typewriter from an Etsy seller, currently in Italy.

December 6th or so, 2012: Order fulfilled, seller states it might not get there until after Christmas. I'm fine with that.

December 15th or so, 2012: Ask seller if they have the tracking, just so I have it on hand. USPS website states it's in transit.

December 21st, 2012: Check USPS site again. Apparently said typewriter hits American shores and is currently going through customs.

January 2nd, 2013: Said typewriter still on American shores, currently going through customs.

January 10th, 2013: Said typewriter still on American shores, currently going through customs.

January 15th, 2013: Said typewriter still on American shores, currently going through customs. Call USPS asking what the hell is taking so long.

January 21st or so, 2013: USPS rep calls me back, completely baffled as to why said typewriter is still on American shores, currently going through customs at this point. They state some items do wait a few weeks sometimes, but never over a month. Promises to look into it.

January 27th or so, 2013: Looking on USPS site, still don't see any movement. Don't get around to bitching at USPS.

January 30th, 2013: Leaves customs. FINALLY.

February 4th, 2013: Get a buzz on my intercom, USPS states they have a "heavy package for me." Head downstairs and pick up package. Open to find the typewriter:

--with a crack in its cover and one of the latches broken, rendering it useless.
--with an unknown rattling somewhere in the body, most likely of a plastic piece or a tiny screw.
--with the roller slide misaligned and most likely broken, as the left margin is now somewhere in the middle of the paper.
--with a few bits of plastic and a small screw sitting in the bubblewrap.

Proceed to let the Etsy seller know that this is none of her fault, that the USPS has managed to completely fuck up a Christmas present to my wife by holding it for over a month and a half and then breaking it during transit.

Seller agrees and will offer refund, and I will offer pictures to show various damage that delivery caused.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

That's crazy! Not a surprise, but so unfortunate.

[joncwriter.livejournal.com]

It was very weird all around, because this never happened to the Etsy seller before, on both counts--she's never seen such a delay, and she's never had an item broken in transit like that.

I have absolutely no problem with the seller--she was helpful throughout the whole thing. USPS, on the other hand... *grumbles*

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Oh geez. How frustrating for all of you!

(I can sympathize with both being a customer and being an Etsy seller.)

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

:(

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

So did everything work out for the refunds?

[joncwriter.livejournal.com]

Yep, everything worked out, I got the refund. I'm even going to give them a good Etsy review for being so helpful. :)