Thread: Resolution w/ Vivix-Ara

Type: Bra/Belt Set

Style: Other

Costume Size: Not sure of size, or not applicable

Seller's Country: USA

Status: Available

Hello Everyone,

I know this thread is for buying or selling costumes, but Jewels and Aesera gave a good suggestion to post here as a warning to other potential buyers. As many of you know, I've been on Bhuz for some time and have bought a lot of costumes from many of you on this site. Of all my transactions, this is the first and hopefully only problem, but since Vivix-Ara (Viviana Ammanato) seems to be trying to trade costumes through Facebook, I thought I'd put out a warning.

I paid her just over $300 for a costume on August 25th. She never sent it and cut off all communication with me. I thought I was safe going through Paypal, but they didn't give me my money back because they said she provided proof of shipping. I believe this "proof" was the same picture of a shipping form she filled out which anyone could have done at their local postal office that she sent to me.

After researching through my local post office for possible problems with shipping, they let me know that the tracking number she provided (after many requests on my end) wasn't a tracking number at all. Instead it was a postal code for the post office she supposedly sent it from. After checking customs and the post office Italinae, my post office informed me that there wasn't a package and that it never left Italy (Vivix-Ara said she was from Italy, though I guess she has also put on her Bhuz location that she's located in the US). My warning from the post office was not to buy international, and definitely not from Italy. The USPS says that Italy has many restrictions about what goes out and comes in to their country, so also another word of caution when thinking of buying from a seller you don't know.

I'd like to add that I have had three international purchases and haven't had problems, but I won't order from Italy again, and more specifically Vivix-Ara.

I hope this warning gets out to the Bhuz community. It doesn't feel good to get taken, especially for such a huge amount of money, but if my experience can help someone else, I'll at least feel my experience was worth something.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your purchases from the good and honest people here on Bhuz!

Wow, I am so sorry for this. Thank you so much for warning us. In any case, I hope that you never have to endure this again. We should all be so encouraging to each other, and kind. I do not understand that.

Thank you so much for the warning ...I'm somewhat new to Bhuz and have been selling alot of costumes and so far people have been really conscientious about how things are done and are positive, its such a wonderful format for trading and purchasing of costumes . I'm so sorry you had a problem .

Omg sorry to hear.... :( it sucks that there are people out there who do this. Such a shame.

Sorry to hear that you never recovered your money or recieved the costume. So far, I think I have only bought and traded from bhuzers that have a long and good reputation and are already trusted in our community. But I was going to trade with Vivix with no problem without really caring that she was new and not thinking she could do something like this. You just never know and this is sad because there are many new bhuzers and things like this make people think twice about buying from a new person here and many new bhuzers are honest people. I haven't been here that long myself.

Oh, that sucks so hard! I bought some DVDs from a Bhuzzer overseas and never saw them (and never got my money back from PayPal), but that is nothing compared to the cost of a whole costume!

I regret that in recent months the debate has gone so far here, I had not noticed, and I used the computer less and less. i'm not a dishonest person, and I have the evidence to demonstrate that the responsibility of this “non delivery” is due only to the international postal service. In fact the Paypal dispute was quickly resolved in my favor because I could easily give evidence (with the receipt of items) that the costume has been shipped. I provide to Paypal all the postal papers which demonstrate I followed all the correct passages in sending the package.
Since she contacted me, Bettydances asked me to save as much as possible in the shipping cost so I used the Italian ordinary postal service ( named “POSTA RACCOMANDATA INTERNAZIONALE”) and I could track the package up to the Italy borders (I could produce the evidence of what I’m writing)… so that I could see the package leaved my country and then was lost (I suppose) in the route between italian borders and USA.
When Bettydances informed me she didn’t received the package after a reasonable time I quickly opened a complaint to the post office, and only last week, after my countless reminders, I finally got an answer in which the Postal Office agrees a partial refund of 70 euros for the package lost (I don’t know how they calculate this) … this refund is an admission of guilt of the postal office so that I distrust Bettydances in spreadings around false news and slanders about me and italian people. I could even hire a lawyer to proceed against this defamations towards me and towards the invasion of privacy.
I’m available to give everyone all explanations and evidence of this case, and I’m ready to collaborate with Bettydances for receiving the 70 euros refund quickly from the postal office but I want she to withdraw the false accusations against me because I’M NOT A DISHONEST PERSON.

she's selling a bunch of cossies right now on fb swapmeet.

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

she's selling a bunch of cossies right now on fb swapmeet.

Yes, lisashimmy, I try to sell some costumes as many people here... I never had problems with buyer except for Bettydances. Please, read my previous post... Thank you.

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

she's selling a bunch of cossies right now on fb swapmeet.

Oh noooo!! Confuso .. :: What I read here, vivix is my friend, she is a reliable person, so as we all Italians, not "italian post" but of this unfortunately we cannot do nothing. I'm sorry for all these bad things about her, she has never found any problem with any dancers, has always sold its costumes without any problem.
sure, it can happen to anyone losing the parcel sent from Italy abroad, but it's not his fault, why should accuse people that on purpose? I feel sorry for bettydancers for the costume, but was, as said vivix guilt of "italian post" not her. Please people who spoke in vain without knowing she, and not knowing the cause, to remove their negative post thanks.

Originally Posted by BettyDances

Hello Everyone,

I know this thread is for buying or selling costumes, but Jewels and Aesera gave a good suggestion to post here as a warning to other potential buyers. As many of you know, I've been on Bhuz for some time and have bought a lot of costumes from many of you on this site. Of all my transactions, this is the first and hopefully only problem, but since Vivix-Ara (Viviana Ammanato) seems to be trying to trade costumes through Facebook, I thought I'd put out a warning.

I paid her just over $300 for a costume on August 25th. She never sent it and cut off all communication with me. I thought I was safe going through Paypal, but they didn't give me my money back because they said she provided proof of shipping. I believe this "proof" was the same picture of a shipping form she filled out which anyone could have done at their local postal office that she sent to me.

After researching through my local post office for possible problems with shipping, they let me know that the tracking number she provided (after many requests on my end) wasn't a tracking number at all. Instead it was a postal code for the post office she supposedly sent it from. After checking customs and the post office Italinae, my post office informed me that there wasn't a package and that it never left Italy (Vivix-Ara said she was from Italy, though I guess she has also put on her Bhuz location that she's located in the US). My warning from the post office was not to buy international, and definitely not from Italy. The USPS says that Italy has many restrictions about what goes out and comes in to their country, so also another word of caution when thinking of buying from a seller you don't know.

I'd like to add that I have had three international purchases and haven't had problems, but I won't order from Italy again, and more specifically Vivix-Ara.

I hope this warning gets out to the Bhuz community. It doesn't feel good to get taken, especially for such a huge amount of money, but if my experience can help someone else, I'll at least feel my experience was worth something.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your purchases from the good and honest people here on Bhuz!

Oh noooo!! Confuso .. :: What I read here, vivix is my friend, she is a reliable person, so as we all Italians, not "italian post" but of this unfortunately we cannot do nothing. I'm sorry for all these bad things about her, she has never found any problem with any dancers, has always sold its costumes without any problem.
sure, it can happen to anyone losing the parcel sent from Italy abroad, but it's not his fault, why should accuse people that on purpose? I feel sorry for bettydancers for the costume, but was, as said vivix guilt of "italian post" not her. Please people who spoke in vain without knowing she, and not knowing the cause, to remove their negative post thanks.

Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding, but I think potential buyers from Vivix_Ara would prefer to hear from established Bhuzzers who have had dealings with her personally and can verify her reliability, rather than from a "friend" who just happened to join Bhuz only today to post on this thread.........

Originally Posted by S-A BELLYDANCER

Oh noooo!! Confuso .. :: What I read here, vivix is my friend, she is a reliable person, so as we all Italians, not "italian post" but of this unfortunately we cannot do nothing. I'm sorry for all these bad things about her, she has never found any problem with any dancers, has always sold its costumes without any problem.
sure, it can happen to anyone losing the parcel sent from Italy abroad, but it's not his fault, why should accuse people that on purpose? I feel sorry for bettydancers for the costume, but was, as said vivix guilt of "italian post" not her. Please people who spoke in vain without knowing she, and not knowing the cause, to remove their negative post thanks.

Originally Posted by nikkiraqs

Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding, but I think potential buyers from Vivix_Ara would prefer to hear from established Bhuzzers who have had dealings with her personally and can verify her reliability, rather than from a "friend" who just happened to join Bhuz only today to post on this thread.........

no you're wrong, I live in Rome Italy Yes I'm a friend of viviana on facebook, in the life and then? What is the problem? viviana sells its costumes because she changed wardrobes to how all I suppose, then, I see no problem which is not reliable, he sold it to a lot of people are on facebook and other sites, there has never been any problem ever ... but we're not here to see who is said. I repeat not a dishonest person and she, for all these evil people, can assume the lawyer. with this I closed. good continuation!!

With all due respect, there is no grounds for bringing in a "lawyer" or for calling on the "evil" people oosting here. If nothing else, blaming the Italian postal service for their fault in shipping is still telling potential buyers NOT to buy from Vivix_ara because the italian postal service may "lose" their package also.

Originally Posted by S-A BELLYDANCER

no you're wrong, I live in Rome Italy Yes I'm a friend of viviana on facebook, in the life and then? What is the problem? viviana sells its costumes because she changed wardrobes to how all I suppose, then, I see no problem which is not reliable, he sold it to a lot of people are on facebook and other sites, there has never been any problem ever ... but we're not here to see who is said. I repeat not a dishonest person and she, for all these evil people, can assume the lawyer. with this I closed. good continuation!!

.....and add even more, if it was a fake seller, or a thief of money as you defined, there would certainly here, and it would have been stupid to remain listed on this site where there are thousands of people from around the world, Viviana has purposely consciousness . I finished

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

With all due respect, there is no grounds for bringing in a "lawyer" or for calling on the "evil" people oosting here. If nothing else, blaming the Italian postal service for their fault in shipping is still telling potential buyers NOT to buy from Vivix_ara because the italian postal service may "lose" their package also.

.....and add even more, if it was a fake seller, or a thief of money as you defined, there would certainly here, and it would have been stupid to remain listed on this site where there are thousands of people from around the world, Viviana has purposely consciousness . I finished

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

With all due respect, there is no grounds for bringing in a "lawyer" or for calling on the "evil" people oosting here. If nothing else, blaming the Italian postal service for their fault in shipping is still telling potential buyers NOT to buy from Vivix_ara because the italian postal service may "lose" their package also.

Lisa sorry, but it can happen to anyone, where are you?what country are you located? here in Italy it can happen that the package is jammed to customs or from some other part, the buyer “bettydancer” has asked the economic shipment, therefore we can also imagine that it can happen. but on this we cannot make nothing, the service if he has read well, we have only reimbursed 70€

Originally Posted by Vivix-Ara

I regret that in recent months the debate has gone so far here, I had not noticed, and I used the computer less and less. i'm not a dishonest person, and I have the evidence to demonstrate that the responsibility of this “non delivery” is due only to the international postal service. In fact the Paypal dispute was quickly resolved in my favor because I could easily give evidence (with the receipt of items) that the costume has been shipped. I provide to Paypal all the postal papers which demonstrate I followed all the correct passages in sending the package.
Since she contacted me, Bettydances asked me to save as much as possible in the shipping cost so I used the Italian ordinary postal service ( named “POSTA RACCOMANDATA INTERNAZIONALE”) and I could track the package up to the Italy borders (I could produce the evidence of what I’m writing)… so that I could see the package leaved my country and then was lost (I suppose) in the route between italian borders and USA.
When Bettydances informed me she didn’t received the package after a reasonable time I quickly opened a complaint to the post office, and only last week, after my countless reminders, I finally got an answer in which the Postal Office agrees a partial refund of 70 euros for the package lost (I don’t know how they calculate this) … this refund is an admission of guilt of the postal office so that I distrust Bettydances in spreadings around false news and slanders about me and italian people. I could even hire a lawyer to proceed against this defamations towards me and towards the invasion of privacy.
I’m available to give everyone all explanations and evidence of this case, and I’m ready to collaborate with Bettydances for receiving the 70 euros refund quickly from the postal office but I want she to withdraw the false accusations against me because I’M NOT A DISHONEST PERSON.

ah but now, anybody the law, where are you?????GIRLSSSS

Originally Posted by lisashimmy

With all due respect, there is no grounds for bringing in a "lawyer" or for calling on the "evil" people oosting here. If nothing else, blaming the Italian postal service for their fault in shipping is still telling potential buyers NOT to buy from Vivix_ara because the italian postal service may "lose" their package also.

Lisa... I write again: “Since she contacted me, Bettydances asked me to save as much as possible in the shipping cost so I used the Italian ordinary postal service ( named “POSTA RACCOMANDATA INTERNAZIONALE”) and I could track the package up to the Italy borders (I could produce the evidence of what I’m writing)… so that I could see the package leaved my country and then was lost (I suppose) in the route between italian borders and USA.”

So that, there is no reason not to buy from me only because a buyer (Bettydances) preferred the less expensive (and less guaranteed) way of shipping. Anyway I can demonstrate the package left italian borders. Paypal verified this.

I am not taking sides here and I know how awful it feels when you buy something and it doesn't arrive. But my mother in law is from Milan, Italy and no one in my husband's family will send anything of value thru the post office to the family in Italy. The Italian postal service does have a bad reputation, and while I hope it's not true, we have heard that when they are overwhelmed at the holidays, they just burn everything. And I thought our post office was bad!

Originally Posted by ra-chell

I am not taking sides here and I know how awful it feels when you buy something and it doesn't arrive. But my mother in law is from Milan, Italy and no one in my husband's family will send anything of value thru the post office to the family in Italy. The Italian postal service does have a bad reputation, and while I hope it's not true, we have heard that when they are overwhelmed at the holidays, they just burn everything. And I thought our post office was bad!

Thank you Ra-chell! In fact, I have here the tracking code and my intentions were positive.

"I’m available to give everyone all explanations and evidence of this case, and I’m ready to collaborate with Bettydances for receiving the 70 euros refund quickly from the postal office but I want she to withdraw the false accusations against me because I’M NOT A DISHONEST PERSON."

Vivix-Ara, if you have the money from the post office you should give it to Bettydances since she has not received the costume. That would help to prove you are an honest person.

Originally Posted by jewelsdances

"I’m available to give everyone all explanations and evidence of this case, and I’m ready to collaborate with Bettydances for receiving the 70 euros refund quickly from the postal office but I want she to withdraw the false accusations against me because I’M NOT A DISHONEST PERSON."

Vivix-Ara, if you have the money from the post office you should give it to Bettydances since she has not received the costume. That would help to prove you are an honest person.

I had a similar problem with USPS years ago, mailing a costume to Canada that decided to take a trip to France instead.

When my package went missing, I refunded the buyer in full (even though I couldn't afford it).

If Vivix-Ara had communicated with the buyer, there would probably not have been these issues.

I think the lack of communication created the sense that this was not up front and open.

I don't know, but the whole thing looks a little fishy to me!. I'm not taking sides here, but if this was a real mistake, the fact that she cut all contact with the buyer, didn't answer any of her emails. Having a friend kind of insulting people here and last but for me the most important that it says a lot of her character is when she mentions that she got a refund from the Italian post office and that she's going to make it available to the buyer after she retrieves all her negatives comments.
She already was paid on full for the buyer, + she's getting some sort of compensation for the mail lost and she hasn't returned it yet to the buyer. Seriously I wouldn't want to deal with this seller at all.

Originally Posted by Vivix-Ara

Anyway I can demonstrate the package left italian borders. Paypal verified this.

How does Paypal verify shipping? I genuinely want to know so I'm informed because I didn't know about that feature.

Originally Posted by Darbla

How does Paypal verify shipping? I genuinely want to know so I'm informed because I didn't know about that feature.

tracking number

When something I sold doesn't reach the buyer, I have to offer a refund. Unfortunately for a seller, the item is his/her responsibility until it is delivered. Ebay for example will always side with the buyer and make the seller refund the money if the item got lost. This is why insurance, more than benefiting the buyer, protects the seller. Here on bhuz we always do things under our own agreement and if we give the buyer choices, then we should understand the risk. I do take the risk of sending things without insurance and with just a tracking number. That is because things rarely happen here in the US. But if the package was to get lost, I would assume I am the one who has to respond and refund the buyer. Bummer for me. A long time ago I didn't buy a tracking number and the package got lost and I lost my tiffany's ring and had to refund the full amount. It wasn't as much as this costume is but it still hurt to lose my ring and money. I learned my lesson.

Vivix- I don't want to judge, but I suggest refunding the money in full if you want to clean your reputation. You may also be a victim (I was when I had to refund a lot of money in the past), but sellers have to build a reputation and respond to the buyer if the item doesn't reach them. This can also be a lesson to never send something uninsured. If someone wants to but from you, they must pay for insurance. In this case, you are at least getting part of that money back.

I am not suggesting that every seller on bhuz should always refund the money if the package gets lost. Maybe not everyone here agrees the seller is responsible 100%. But what should always happen is communication. We can always come to an agreement and even meet half way if we have good communication and show true concern and willingness to work things out.

Hello Viviana,

I would love a resolution. Whether or not it was the postal service's fault for the costume not being delivered, both of us and the Bhuz community know I paid for my costume and did not receive it. Your postal service tried to make their mistake right with you by giving you a refund. If you are an honest person and reputable seller, you'll try to make this right with me too and give me a full refund. I would be happy to let everyone here know we resolved this issue if we indeed do so.

Hi Aesera,

Thanks for your comments. I agree with you about offering a refund if the product isn't delivered. I also think you're right that offering me a refund would be a positive move for Vivianna if she is concerned about her reputation. Sometimes it's a hard lesson to learn regarding insuring packages, but offering a refund t is the right thing to do to make me whole again. I know I'd to the same thing if the shoe was on the other foot.

And you're also right about maintaining communication. I think when you are selling something, you should see it through to the end and settle any disputes if they arise. It feels really bad to not have any communication with a seller for nearly half a year.

Thanks for posting.

Originally Posted by Aesera

When something I sold doesn't reach the buyer, I have to offer a refund. Unfortunately for a seller, the item is his/her responsibility until it is delivered. Ebay for example will always side with the buyer and make the seller refund the money if the item got lost. This is why insurance, more than benefiting the buyer, protects the seller. Here on bhuz we always do things under our own agreement and if we give the buyer choices, then we should understand the risk. I do take the risk of sending things without insurance and with just a tracking number. That is because things rarely happen here in the US. But if the package was to get lost, I would assume I am the one who has to respond and refund the buyer. Bummer for me. A long time ago I didn't buy a tracking number and the package got lost and I lost my tiffany's ring and had to refund the full amount. It wasn't as much as this costume is but it still hurt to lose my ring and money. I learned my lesson.

Vivix- I don't want to judge, but I suggest refunding the money in full if you want to clean your reputation. You may also be a victim (I was when I had to refund a lot of money in the past), but sellers have to build a reputation and respond to the buyer if the item doesn't reach them. This can also be a lesson to never send something uninsured. If someone wants to but from you, they must pay for insurance. In this case, you are at least getting part of that money back.

I am not suggesting that every seller on bhuz should always refund the money if the package gets lost. Maybe not everyone here agrees the seller is responsible 100%. But what should always happen is communication. We can always come to an agreement and even meet half way if we have good communication and show true concern and willingness to work things out.

Originally Posted by Vivix-Ara

I regret that in recent months the debate has gone so far here, I had not noticed, and I used the computer less and less. i'm not a dishonest person, and I have the evidence to demonstrate that the responsibility of this “non delivery” is due only to the international postal service. In fact the Paypal dispute was quickly resolved in my favor because I could easily give evidence (with the receipt of items) that the costume has been shipped. I provide to Paypal all the postal papers which demonstrate I followed all the correct passages in sending the package.
Since she contacted me, Bettydances asked me to save as much as possible in the shipping cost so I used the Italian ordinary postal service ( named “POSTA RACCOMANDATA INTERNAZIONALE”) and I could track the package up to the Italy borders (I could produce the evidence of what I’m writing)… so that I could see the package leaved my country and then was lost (I suppose) in the route between italian borders and USA.
When Bettydances informed me she didn’t received the package after a reasonable time I quickly opened a complaint to the post office, and only last week, after my countless reminders, I finally got an answer in which the Postal Office agrees a partial refund of 70 euros for the package lost (I don’t know how they calculate this) … this refund is an admission of guilt of the postal office so that I distrust Bettydances in spreadings around false news and slanders about me and italian people. I could even hire a lawyer to proceed against this defamations towards me and towards the invasion of privacy.
I’m available to give everyone all explanations and evidence of this case, and I’m ready to collaborate with Bettydances for receiving the 70 euros refund quickly from the postal office but I want she to withdraw the false accusations against me because I’M NOT A DISHONEST PERSON.

If she/ had waited month after month -- with no costume. no refund, and no response -- it isn't at all surprising she would have thought you weren't intending to make good. That's not defamation; that's her coming to the only possible reasonable conclusion based on the information she had.

So did the costume leave Italy or not? It looks like you're saying it did.