Claiming a refund from USPS

Question

I sold an item that never arrived to the buyer. I shipped via an eBay shipping label, however, when I went to file a claim, the USPS site did not recognize the tracking numbers (the one provided on the orders as well as the USPS number it is linked to). Has this happened to others? If so, what action did you take to resolve the issue?

mr_lincoln · Answer

Hi @dalay14

If you mean some of your collector cards and you shipped with ESE (eBay Standard Envelope) then it is NOT a regular door to door tracking number. It is Metered Mail and the code is scanned by highspeed mail sorting machines. The code cannot be scanned by counter clerks or delivery route drivers. The last scan for those is typically one stop upstream from the zip code's local Post Office.

In cases where a Buyer either decides they want the card for free or they actually never got it and files a claim through eBay that they did not receive their item then you REFUND them and then you have to file for reimbursement as explained on this Help page for ESE: eBay standard envelope | eBay