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Seller Experiences with Lost Mail and Solutions
Summary: danielmvp07 shared their stressful experience as an eBay seller whose packages were potentially stolen from a drive-up mailbox. They sought advice after realizing none of their shipped envelopes were tracked or scanned. wooden_flower advised that if packages weren't scanned, insurance wouldn't cover them. They suggested asking buyers to open 'not received' claims for refunds without impacting the seller's rating too negatively. disneyshopper offered tracking tools and reimbursement options for non-delivered items.
Hi, I’m an eBay seller who sells sports cards and regularly uses the eBay Standard Envelope service for shipping. Until this recent issue, On Monday, September 21, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., I dropped off nine envelope packages using the drive-up mailbox at the post office. After checking the tracking information, I noticed that none of the envelopes had been scanned or received into the postal system.
I waited approximately one week to allow sufficient time for the packages to be processed and scanned at the processing plant. However, as of Monday, September 28, 2026, none of the nine envelopes had received an acceptance scan or any tracking updates.
On Monday, September 28, 2026, I went to the Lakewood Post Office and spoke with the manager regarding the missing packages. The manager informed me that this has been an ongoing issue involving individuals reaching their hands into the drive-up mailbox to retrieve mail three times a day. I was also told that the mailbox is easily accessible and vulnerable to theft, and that my packages were most likely stolen. At this time, I would like to know what steps I should take regarding my nine missing envelope packages.
I have also already contacted each affected buyer to inform them that there may be a delay in the arrival of their package. I wanted to communicate with my buyers proactively and make them aware of the situation rather than leave them without any information regarding their shipments. I would like to know what I should do next, as I don't want to lose my Top Rated Seller status, which I have worked very hard to maintain. This experience has been very stressful and overwhelming. I hope to get some answers from other fellow eBay sellers who may have experienced a similar situation
-Daniel H
biggymoe
Mentor1 week ago"The manager informed me that this has been an ongoing issue involving individuals reaching their hands into the drive-up mailbox to retrieve mail three times a day. I was also told that the mailbox is easily accessible and vulnerable to theft, and that my packages were most likely stolen."
This is an absolutely unacceptable situation and response from the PO manager. He admits that they know thefts are happening, three times a day, and they're doing nothing to correct the problem.?
I would contact someone, above the local level, about this situation. Maybe a Postal Inspector.
disneyshopper
Mentor1 week agoYou can try tracking the envelope at any of these sites:
https://www.trackmyshipment.co/
https://www.trackmyshipment.co/shipment-tracking
https://parcelsapp.com/en/carriers/easyship
If you have to refund the buyer for an Item Not Delivered case, you can get reimbursed here:
https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/ebay-standard-envelope.html#m22_tb_a1__6
wooden_flower
Mentor1 week ago@danielmvp07
Unfortunately, thee is nothing to be done as far as the packages are concerned. If they were stolen before being scanned, you have no proof of mailing so the insurance will not cover the loss. There is no one else to report the theft to, since I assume your post master has made a mail theft report.
I also assume you now take your packages inside the PO to deposit in the bin.
Ask each buyer to open a not received claim so you can refund through a claim. This will not cause a problem on your TRS standing, although it might put your service metrics in the high category - that will depend on how many other not received claims you have had, and how many your peers have had. You can check that here -
https://www.ebay.com/sh/performance/service-metrics?src=filters&metric_type=INR
If you refund in full through your sold orders, it will generate a seller cancelled transaction, which will impact your TRS rating, as you are allowed only a few defects in that category.