Ordered an album and received 20 (!)..

Basq

Ordered a vinyl which typically retails for about €50 from a relatively well-known media website in the US for about €20.

On Friday, there was a knock at the door and was handed a big heavy box. Was unsure what it was and was in middle of a meeting so hurried back up to my office and said I'd look at it after.

Turns out they sent me 20 copies of said album.. 5 boxes inside the large box with 4 in each.

Sent an email to the company and got a copy-and-paste type reply indicating if I'm not happy with the defective item that I should return it to their address in the US at the cheapest rate possible and to retain postage receipt for refund.

I'm dubious in returning it on my own dime as it'll be expensive, it's their mistake and I've read some negative reviews regarding them failing to fully refund shipping on returns. So I've asked them for a prepaid shipping label.

Any thoughts on what else I can do? I did the right thing in reaching out and would like to get the goods back to them but I'm not going to be out of pocket for it either.

Man with broke phone

A mass produced album will cost at most a euro to actually make a physical copy, the rest goes on advertising, cocaine , making the artist rich, making the record men rich and all sorts.

So them 20 records are worth about 20 dollars to the record company. If you arnt charged for them you can be dishonest and try sell them on adverts or be honest and destroy them.

Man with broke phone

Man with broke phone wrote: »

A mass produced album will cost at most a euro to actually make a physical copy, the rest goes on advertising, cocaine , making the artist rich, making the record men rich and all sorts.

So them 20 records are worth about 20 dollars to the record company. If you arnt charged for them you can be dishonest and try sell them on adverts or be honest and destroy them.

:rolleyes:

What a load of rubbish.

OP, If you've ordered and paid for 1 album, take one out of the pack and make the other 19 available for them to arrange collection via courier during office hours, from an address you specify. Tell them they can arrange the pickup within 3 business days, or they go to recycling. If they want them back, they can pay UPS/DHL/Fedex to pick them up themselves. If they don't act within a reasonable timeframe (and 3 days is perfectly reasonable), snap them in half and send them out with the recycling.

Don't feel obligated to go to any more trouble than that. Keep copies of emails or screenshots of livechats etc in case they try to charge your card. You'll need it to support a chargeback request if they hit your card for 19 more albums.

laserlad2010

Whats the album? Might take one

L1011

Man with broke phone wrote: »

A mass produced album will cost at most a euro to actually make a physical copy, the rest goes on advertising, cocaine , making the artist rich, making the record men rich and all sorts.

So them 20 records are worth about 20 dollars to the record company. If you arnt charged for them you can be dishonest and try sell them on adverts or be honest and destroy them.

Vinyl costs quite a bit more than a euro a copy to produce currently, due to less plants producing it, and increased demand beyond their normal capacity.

Even more so for the 180g virgin vinyl that is the norm now.


As for the OP - I'd send them another mail reiterating that you were sent too many. You have then satisfied the requirements of the unsolicited goods legislation; albeit that is written for buy-or-return goods admittedly. Its their cost to return them.

For a fifty quid album, if they fail to reply in a few weeks - off to your local second hand record store!

antix80

3 days isn't a reasonable timeframe. 6 months is more reasonable believe it or not.
Op should retain goods for 6 months and give the sender notice at least 30 days before the end of the 6 months that the goods are available for collection. After that, the op owns the property and can sell it or dispose of it.
Storage costs and disposal costs are a matter for courts to decide if it came to that.

I'm going by inertia selling guidelines where a bill is presented but i think it's much more reasonable than destroying property in 3 days.

L1011

antix80 wrote: »

3 days isn't a reasonable timeframe. 6 months is more reasonable believe it or not. Storage costs etc are a matter for courts to decide if it came to that.
Op should retain goods for 6 months and give the sender notice at least 30 days before the end of the 6 months that the goods are available for collection. After that, the op owns the property and can sell it or dispose of it.

I'm going by inertia selling guidelines where a bill is presented but i think it's much more reasonable than destroying property in 3 days.

The Irish regulations, not guidelines, for inertia selling are 6 months if you don't contact them; but only 30 days after contacting them (within the first 30 days).

These don't apply here but are realistic to apply.

antix80

I ordered a magnetic knife rack and received a women's sweater.
Royal mail stuck the wrong gls labels on my package and another person's.
I emailed the sender (not my sender, the other one) asking did they want to arrange collection. They told me to keep it. there ya go, no property destroyed and it'll probably go to SVP.

Strumms

I wouldn’t be lifting a fûcking finger for them after that reply.

They screwed up, so THEY need to action to get the records which they sent in error back to themselves. Absolute cheeky cûnts.

The very most I’m doing is opening the door to a courier and handing them the box. I’m also considering charging them a handling fee and storage fees.

In all likelihood you’ll keep them. Firstly, they won’t have anybody this side of the atlantic to complete the shipping documents for them, such as airwaybill/shipping docket and commercial invoice.

Secondly, the cost to ship them back will eat into the profit they will get from selling them... they’ll have paid to ship them return with no sale so if you refuse it’s not worth their hassle.

Just if they get onto you again...

“Records are here for collecting. I won’t be completing any paperwork for them or organizing transportation. They are not my property or problem, you sent them here in error, if you do not have the ability or want to organize their removal, I will need to dispose of them by xx date”.

RasTa

What album?

Gonna cost a fortune to send that back to them btw. Keep it.

NewbridgeIR

Sell the other 19 copies on Discogs

Muahahaha

A few ideas OP :pac:

Basq

Been back and forth with company asking for them to arrange courier, as they keep insisting I sent it back on my own and they'll refund. Which I'm refusing to do.

They've been pretty poor to say the least..

Rustyman101

Basq wrote: »

Been back and forth with company asking for them to arrange courier, as they keep insisting I sent it back on my own and they'll refund. Which I'm refusing to do.

They've been pretty poor to say the least..

done your best sir, I'd leave it with them !

Cee-Jay-Cee

JayZeus wrote: »

:rolleyes:

What a load of rubbish.

OP, If you've ordered and paid for 1 album, take one out of the pack and make the other 19 available for them to arrange collection via courier during office hours, from an address you specify. Tell them they can arrange the pickup within 3 business days, or they go to recycling. If they want them back, they can pay UPS/DHL/Fedex to pick them up themselves. If they don't act within a reasonable timeframe (and 3 days is perfectly reasonable), snap them in half and send them out with the recycling.

You post a reasonable/sensible reply and then finish it with the above! Why would any right minded person break them and dump them? Sell them on eBay or Adverts or where ever after making reasonable efforts for their return to the seller.

khalessi

Basq wrote: »

Been back and forth with company asking for them to arrange courier, as they keep insisting I sent it back on my own and they'll refund. Which I'm refusing to do.

They've been pretty poor to say the least..

What album is it?

endacl

khalessi wrote: »

What album is it?

+1

If it’s something I’m into and don’t have, I’ll throw €20 to the charity of your choice for one?

Basq

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

khalessi

Basq wrote: »

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

Excellent band to have 20 of

BeardySi

Basq wrote: »

Been back and forth with company asking for them to arrange courier, as they keep insisting I sent it back on my own and they'll refund. Which I'm refusing to do.

They've been pretty poor to say the least..

Yep, you've done everything reasonable. It's up to them to arrange return shipping to correct their mistake. Asking you to pay for it (even with the promise of a refund) isn't a reasonable request.

Inform them that you'll be doing nothing further about it until they arrange shipping and leave it there. Give them a deadline after which they may be disposed of.

A2LUE42

Basq wrote: »

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

Nice Album, some companies are just a nightmare to deal with, even when you are trying to do the right thing..

I Am The Law

Basq wrote: »

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

Nah you're ok.

damomaher

Massive National fan

I'll happily take one

damomaher

dONT RETURN off your own dime , their mistake their's to resolve

And Id take a copy if you want to get rid

Thanks Damian

Padre_Pio

damomaher wrote: »

dONT RETURN off your own dime , their mistake their's to resolve

And Id take a copy if you want to get rid

Thanks Damian

I'd love one too.

I was in a similar circumstance. All you need to do is get an estimate from the courier, which will likely be expensive, and send them an email saying "look, the cost for me to ship these back is likely more expensive than what you can sell them for. Please arrange your own shipping, which is much cheaper"

At the end of the day there's nothing they can do. Their mistake. At least you're honest giving them an option to collect.

I went onto Fedex there. A 3kg box of 50 x 50 x 30cm from Dublin to NY is about €300. No way will they cover that cost.

blinding

You’ll only clog up the system . The system wants you to ‘ forgetaboutit ‘ so ‘ forgetaboutit Kapiche ! ! '

Cee-Jay-Cee

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

You post a reasonable/sensible reply and then finish it with the above! Why would any right minded person break them and dump them? Sell them on eBay or Adverts or where ever after making reasonable efforts for their return to the seller.

They're not the OP's to sell. That's why.

Not. Rocket. Science.

Basq

Padre_Pio wrote: »

I went onto Fedex there. A 3kg box of 50 x 50 x 30cm from Dublin to NY is about €300. No way will they cover that cost.

They gave me an alternative address in Middlesex to send it to either..

.. but like I’ve been saying, it’s on them to sort this.

Steve012

Basq wrote: »

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

Love The National man!! "any ones ghost".. You have good taste Sir

Basq

Oh. No. They. Didn't.

Please use the following freepost address to returned the received items.We apologize for the inconvenience caused .

IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE UK:

(and they put it in caps and all!)

Told them my patience is wearing thin, that I'd be tempted to charge them a storage fee at this stage and they've 5 days to collect it or they're being disposed of.

amadangomor

Oh FFS :P

Add a fee for basic geography lessons if you need to explain that to them.

deathbomber

Discogs @ 30 a pop

ebbsy

laserlad2010 wrote: »

Whats the album? Might take one

Its Boyzone your favourite

sydthebeat

Basq wrote: »

Album for those interested..

https://musiczone.ie/product/the-national-i-am-easy-to-find-3lp-coloured-deluxe-vinyl/

Lovely set to be honest.

I'd be interested in one if your decision goes down that route

a_squirrelman

If you're selling them, I'm interested in one.

Wish it was something I’d be interested in but unfortunately not. It’s so easy to organize a courier these days- but the cost will likely erode any profit for the company so that’s why they’re so reluctant I’d say-and good luck trying to get a refund if sending them yourself-I’d say it will be months going back/forward with customer care, that’s a if they even have such a department so you’re doing the right thing.

Also just watch they don’t try and charge you OP Via credit card for the additional albums.

Give them a week to sort it then decide yourself what to do with the albums- like someone else said, I think this is a problem their processes just can’t handle and it’s easier for all that you just forget about it and do what you feel is best after that

The Mighty Quinn

I'll throw my ring in the hat to purchase one at a discounted rate from you if you decide to go that route also!
Haven't listened to anything after High Violet, which I loved, and Alligator and Boxer. Keep meaning to...

Ash.J.Williams

Man with broke phone wrote: »

A mass produced album will cost at most a euro to actually make a physical copy, the rest goes on advertising, cocaine , making the artist rich, making the record men rich and all sorts.

So them 20 records are worth about 20 dollars to the record company. If you arnt charged for them you can be dishonest and try sell them on adverts or be honest and destroy them.

did you quantum leap from the 80's?

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

Also just watch they don’t try and charge you OP Via credit card for the additional albums.

Paid via Paypal so don’t know how easy it would be for them to charge given they’d need to request a payment I assume.

Undercover

Would be interested in a copy too if no resolution is found.

sweetie

Get an accurate online quote from a courier to middlesex. Paypal me them the price and say if they don't want to pay you then you consider the matter closed and will be giving to charity...

mountain

I’ll be interested in a copy too.

Falling

Yeah, I think you've made an honest effort to sort it out.
I'd probably email them one last time to say you're getting rid of the extras so that you have it in writing that you warned them and that they had a chance to sort it with you before that happened.

Mad, I went to buy that recently and it was sold out on the site I was looking at! Maybe you got them all

I'd buy one off you/ make a donation if you're dying to get rid of them.

Padre_Pio

Basq wrote: »

Paid via Paypal so don’t know how easy it would be for them to charge given they’d need to request a payment I assume.

V difficult. Paypal usually sides with the buyer.

If there was any issue, just sent Paypal your emails. It's not your responsibility to fix their mistakes.

ALS

Would be interested in a copy too if no resolution is found.

Dial Hard

JayZeus wrote: »

They're not the OP's to sell. That's why.

Not. Rocket. Science.

Are they his to destroy either?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Basq wrote: »

Paid via Paypal so don’t know how easy it would be for them to charge given they’d need to request a payment I assume.

Then your safe as they can’t charge anything further than what you authorised already regardless of the circumstances. You made the payment, they only receive it and don’t have any option to charge further or get your CC details etc

I personally wouldn’t bother even contacting them again, they know you have them and it’s up to them to get them collected if they want them back. They’ve probably already docked the wages of who ever messed up the order so aren’t at any loss.

GetWithIt

It could be a "Brushing" scam. Interested to see how the vendor responds.

khalessi

GetWithIt wrote: »

It could be a "Brushing" scam. Interested to see how the vendor responds.

WHat's a brushing scam?

The Mighty Quinn

khalessi wrote: »

WHat's a brushing scam?

What's a tracker mortgage?

Brushing is a deceitful technique sometimes used in e-commerce to boost a seller's ratings by creating fake orders.

Most e-commerce sites rate sellers by multiple criteria and display these seller ratings to customers. Since a good rating can boost sales, these ratings are very important to sellers. The number of items sold is usually an important factor in that rating. Brushing consists of generating fake orders to boost the rating.

A seller can do this by paying someone a small amount to place a fake order, or just using another person's information to place an order themselves.[4] Because a shipment usually has to take place for an order to be considered valid by the e-commerce site, the seller will frequently ship an empty box or some cheap item. These fake orders, if unnoticed, can boost the seller's rating, which can make it more likely that their items will appear at the top of search results on e-commerce sites

Basq

khalessi wrote: »

WHat's a brushing scam?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brushing_(e-commerce)

I think “brushing” is more a large number of shipments of low-value items across lots of addresses.

This was a single box containing 20 high-value items to a single address.