Back in August 2013 I sold a new take-off H-S Precision PSV118 stock on eBay to Mr. Gregory B. Gemberling (aka Greg Miller). After presenting himself as a gunsmith we corresponded with the specifics of the stock and he made purchase. I shipped to the address PayPal directed me (New Market Street, Freeburg, PA) using FedEx ground service with full insurance. Days later I received an email notification that the package was delivered, but within ten minutes after that I got a phone call from the buyer stating the package was not delivered and he was going to open a PayPal claim. He even went so far as to say his town only has about three-hundred residents, and there's an identical street address at "Market St" that his packages get delivered to instead of "New Market St". Shortly after the phone call, the buyer wrote me an email stating I should have got adult signature service because I'll never be able to prove it was delivered to him. He told me not to worry, because FedEx would pay my insurance claim. This raised alarm with me, and I contacted PayPal who told me the email was not sent through the eBay system so it would not be considered.
So I contacted FedEx and filed an insurance claim, while PayPal sat on the open case. During this time, the buyer claimed that he contacted FedEx and was told I had already been paid for my insurance claim. He then began writing me emails demanding a refund, to which I responded the claim was still pending. Days later the FedEx investigation concluded that the driver, in full view of his trainee assistant, had handed the package over to Mr. Gemberling at his doorstep. The driver's documented delivery and investigation statement resulted in FedEx denying my insurance claim. I wrote back to [email protected], who also goes by the alias gemby58, but he dismissed my accusation and told me that next time I should ship with adult signature if I want to win a claim. Follow-up emails to the buyer received responses mocking my lack understanding how the eBay claim system works.
Based on his many email messages and phone call, it was clear that once the package arrived without any adult signature requirement he took full advantage of the PayPal claims system he was familiar with and expected FedEx to pay the insurance claim, making it a 'harmless' offence... except that FedEx proved the package was hand-delivered to him and PayPal disregarded their insurance investigation because their sole requirement is an adult signature on items over $250.
Since I collected all of the correspondence and documentation, I considered taking my case to the attorney general in Pennsylvania, but decided that approximately $400 in loss was not worth the hassle of bringing suit against him all the from the west coast. I learned my lesson, got burned by a so-called 2A supporter, and decided to do business differently henceforth. You've all been warned!
So I contacted FedEx and filed an insurance claim, while PayPal sat on the open case. During this time, the buyer claimed that he contacted FedEx and was told I had already been paid for my insurance claim. He then began writing me emails demanding a refund, to which I responded the claim was still pending. Days later the FedEx investigation concluded that the driver, in full view of his trainee assistant, had handed the package over to Mr. Gemberling at his doorstep. The driver's documented delivery and investigation statement resulted in FedEx denying my insurance claim. I wrote back to [email protected], who also goes by the alias gemby58, but he dismissed my accusation and told me that next time I should ship with adult signature if I want to win a claim. Follow-up emails to the buyer received responses mocking my lack understanding how the eBay claim system works.
Based on his many email messages and phone call, it was clear that once the package arrived without any adult signature requirement he took full advantage of the PayPal claims system he was familiar with and expected FedEx to pay the insurance claim, making it a 'harmless' offence... except that FedEx proved the package was hand-delivered to him and PayPal disregarded their insurance investigation because their sole requirement is an adult signature on items over $250.
Since I collected all of the correspondence and documentation, I considered taking my case to the attorney general in Pennsylvania, but decided that approximately $400 in loss was not worth the hassle of bringing suit against him all the from the west coast. I learned my lesson, got burned by a so-called 2A supporter, and decided to do business differently henceforth. You've all been warned!