If you order hardware online, you usually receive your order in a box. But for one gamer, it went differently: He had ordered a gaming monitor, but it arrived only wrapped in plastic.
What did the user do? The gamer reports on Reddit that he ordered an OLED gaming monitor from Alienware at the retailer Best Buy. The device was apparently used, but according to the seller in “excellent” condition. This generally means that the device is unused and, at worst, only the HDMI cable is missing, which the first buyer forgot to repack.
But when the shipment with the monitor arrived at the gamer, he was quite astonished. Because instead of arriving in the original box, the screen came without the original box and additional protection, only rolled up in plastic.
The gamer explained that he reacted quite incredulously and would send the shipment back without opening it. He stated in a further post on Reddit:
That corresponds quite closely to my reaction. I will return it. I can imagine that the service representative handling the return today will react the same way.
What’s going on behind this? Another user had a similar shipping problem with Best Buy and explained in his post on Reddit that he had called the seller: The person on the phone explained to him that while Best Buy has generic boxes, these are not suitable for shipping as they are not item-specific.
Therefore, such products generally should not be shipped. However, it is not known why this continues to happen. He himself explained when he brought his damaged, unpackaged television to the nearest store:
When I brought the device to my store, the store manager said that if it had come from their store (which was not the case), anyone who had dealt with the television would have been fired on the spot.
Some users additionally point out that one should never buy open boxes (in English “Open Box shipped”). Otherwise, you might end up with something like this, and both buyers and sellers would be frustrated.
Do not accept damaged packages
Amazon is now also shipping without a box: If you order things, you should pay attention to the condition of the shipping box if it even still exists. Amazon, for example, is now moving towards placing the shipping label directly on the product packaging to save an additional shipping box.
Amazon’s argument: One less box is better for the environment. The downside, however, is that the product is less protected, and everyone can see from the outside what you have ordered. Especially for high-priced products, this can quickly become a problem.
At Amazon, you can at least check the option during your order for Amazon to ship your package in an additional box. Be sure to do this while ordering, as it is no longer possible afterward.
Do not accept damaged boxes and better return them
Do not accept a damaged box: If this box is already in a disastrous condition, you should refuse acceptance.
Even though such a refusal has become more difficult today: since the COVID-19 pandemic, many service providers have started to ring once and then leave the package at the door. This is not unproblematic: because with your signature, you confirm that the package has arrived in perfect condition to you.
In principle, it is stated, for example, by the Consumer Advice Center:
- If the product in the box has suffered damage, you can report this to your carrier within seven days of receipt. This is DHL, UPS, Hermes, or whoever shipped your package.
- If you notice damage, you must report it to the sender within seven days so that they can file a complaint with the carrier. The carrier is liable for safe transport.
- If the package is lost, you must contact the retailer or sender. Because they bear the transport risk and are obligated to refund the purchase price.
Such broken packages are unfortunately no longer rare. Recently, a user showed his “delivery” – and it quickly became a meme on the internet: User buys gaming system, but PC looks like it was run over by a truck: “I’ve never experienced anything like this”
