Help me, Obi Wan Internets.

[blue_soaring]

I require advice.

I bought a very nice present for a very nice person whose birthday occurs this year (vague! \o/). A limited print of some lovely original artwork, despite the cardboard and the warnings the artist put on the package, it arrived bent, with one noticeable crease about the size of a pinky nail, and two dings along the bottom edge. I think a frame will take care of the slight bends in it, but... I'm not happy. It's not shiny and new and pristine, and it's supposed to be a present. Giftee will not mind so much, because Giftee is stupidly easy-going, but, but...

Not happy.

So pretty much all I'm wondering, as someone who hasn't been in this situation before but would like to make this displeasure known without being a) a total ass and b) completely ignored, what some of your thoughts and opinions would be on an equitable resolution?

Comments

[mitsuhachi]

Is it possible that they could trade you for another print from the series? I know it's limited, but not how many left...it might be a possibility though. And if you ask, they may be able to ship it in a bigger box, say, or with better backing. They may want you to pay a bit extra, but yeah--if it were packed properly, it shouldn't have bent. Dings happen, I guess, but a crease? That's kind of. Hm.

[blue_soaring]

Have talked to person, they're willing to replace. It's kind of annoying that I have to ship back the damaged one out of my own pocket, but that's how these things go, or so I'm told. Oi.

[dr_schreaber]

best thing to do is find a number so you can call and talk to them. If you email or something similar, you will probably be b) ignored (at least that's what always happens to me), but you can always sound pleasant over the phone so you don't seem like a) a total ass :D. Though it does require c) more work; I know I'd just frame it and hope giftee doesn't notice or mind xD;

[okaasan59]

Do you still have the original packaging? Would the postal service cover the cost of replacing the artwork?

[blue_soaring]

Postal service is nada, but the sender has agreed to replace. Still. Annoying. It's not that freakin hard to send artwork through the mail.

[stormcloude]

I guess it depends on whether you think the postal service did it or the sender. If it was the sender and you explain it's a gift, they might let you exchange it, though you might be out some additional postage.

If it was the post office you might not have any recourse unless the package was insured. :(

[blue_soaring]

Sender has agreed to replace, but the trouble of having to send it back and then wait for it to arrive means it's now a late present. It's just annoying, I like things to be done right the first time around, darnit.

[ponderosa]

p.s. know I already babbled at you about this, but if you manage an exchange, you might suggest the sender using a mailing tube as they're infinitely safer and if it's going in a frame, a bit of rolling isn't going to hurt it.