Large numbers of people now purchase goods over the internet through eBay or online stores. With Christmas upon us, even more people are looking for those bargain purchases.

Well, what a merry-go-round I've been on! I had a 17” LCD monitor purchased over the internet and delivered by courier, the cardboard box looked a bit pressed in at the top, near the carry handle, but nothing suggested that it was damaged inside.

You know what it is like. The courier rushes to the door carrying a new delivery, sweating profusely, and you feel you should take it and sign for it as quickly as possible.

Big mistake! It was late in the afternoon when it came in, so I didn't open it until the next morning. That was when I discovered one very smashed monitor.

My partner rang the wholesaler, took lots of photos and sent them to the wholesaler. Staff there said it had nothing to do with them. Why?
Because the box had a mark on it, so I should not have accepted it.

The wholesaler said we should phone the courier, which we did. But the courier said it had nothing to do with them. Why? Because it was delivered by the courier in Brisbane, and they are a different franchise.

So I phoned the franchise in Brisbane, but it had nothing to do with them, either. Why? Because I signed for the goods and by doing so, I accepted them.

I was told this is clearly stated in the company's legal policy document, which I could have read on the internet!

The representative said we were supposed to open every box and inspect it before accepting it, while the courier waited. Well that was news to me.

I said: “Are you people crazy? If your couriers have to wait around until all the deliveries are unpacked and inspected, your business will go broke!”

I was then given a get-out-of-jail-free card when they said: "Well you can sign every delivery slip from now on, 'Subject to inspection’.”

I think that the community should be educated in the finer points of courier deliveries. No one told me about them – until I received a smashed monitor.

So even though the monitor was smashed by the courier, I am supposed to grin and bear the cost, because I signed for it. The state of the box did not indicate the damage done inside.

I know lots of people are now purchasing items on the internet that have to be delivered by courier, so make sure you have the courier wait while you open up the boxes and inspect the contents, before you sign for them, or write “Subject to inspection”.

If the goods are damaged, refuse to accept the goods and immediately contact the freight company local head office and inform them of the situation.

Note: I have not had the opportunity to test the “Subject to inspection”, card yet! Also, most of the couriers are now using electronic signature devices as delivery dockets. These don't have a lot of room to sign and add “Subject to inspection”.

If you don't take these precautions, you could end up wearing the cost for some expensive item, or being put on a merry-go-round trying to get recompensed for something that was clearly not your fault.

Since then, the Brisbane head office told me to contact the company head office, which I did. After I told the young lady at the company head office my story, she said she would get back to me in 24 hours.

After waiting another couple days I rang back to be informed the young lady had become ill, and the young man I spoke to would check it out and get back to me. I am still waiting for his call.

This company has been paid to deliver goods safely and in good condition. I will now contact the department of fair trading.

Don't hold your breath too long for the end of this story!