Ok, well I've had a few opinions come in by email today about this topic, and I am about to draw a conclusion, just so that anyone else who reads this might learn something.

Based on everything I have seen, I'd say there were faults on both sides.

The single largest problem, is that the paper trail is lacking.

I posted once about issuing puchase orders and invoices to people for buying/selling products, and I know I got a few laughs out there from you guys, but I stand by that.


Here's a quote I got in that summs it all up not too badly:
"I don't think either are lying. I think it got send unregistered and was lost, or was sent registered and signed for by someone else, (or sent unregistered to the wrong address), or somehow bypassing Josh, at his home or dad's business. At worst, it's gone - at best, Josh did get it but somehow was never made aware of the fact. Personally, I think it's gone."

That is the bottom line, it's gone.

How would a paper trail have helped this?

Well, it would have established a few facts up front, that would then have never become a point of contention.

A purchase order establishes in writing:
- item being bought, down to the last detail
- shipping method
- who is responsible for shipping costs
- who is responsible for duties and taxes (if applicable)
- where the responsibility changes hands (often refered to as the FOB point) - ie: if it's FOB at my house, then it's not my problem until I sign for it at my front door.
- insurance for shipment
- PAYMENT terms
- PAYMENT amount
- refund/return terms
- shipping address
- mailing address (for billing or refund purposes)
- etc, etc, etc.
And the list goes on...

But, I think if we all read back, we can see where a bit more paperwork would either have left Josh with a place to fight from, or left Chris with a leg to stand on.

Or, left both completely happy, and we never would have heard of any of this.

Follow?

Lastly, and this one is directed squarely at Chris... take care of your own business, and don't EVER throw out the back half of a money order. It's the only thing that makes it better than sending cash.
Without keeping the receipt, you have mailed cash, and that is irresponsible.

In all cases, people should also take MUCH BETTER care of their own deals. To leave such things in the hands of Dad/Sister/Mom/Brother/Dad's Business, etc, is just looking for trouble.
If you had the time to put something up for sale, or invest the time in buying... be prepared to close out all details of the sale (and I mean ALL POSSIBLE DETAILS) on your own.

Example: I only just got around to selling a Pro-M MAF on eBay, that I had sitting in the garage for over 3 years... because I didn't have the free time that it needed to do the job right.

Anyhow, enough said... and hopefully everyone learns a bit from this.
And no, I am not preaching because I am some godlike perfect being, but simply because I've now seen this happen enough times on here, to pick up a thing or two.