After how many days must a seller give me a refund for non-delivered package?
Package was sent via USPS ground advantage. The original projected delivery date was eight days ago. USPS tracking shows the package bouncing around the Houston TX area for past 13 days. I've opened two cases with USPS which obviously haven't helped. I requested refund through eBay and seller responded that I just need to wait for USPS to deliver. This looks like it could go on forever. At what point is the seller obligated to issue me a refund? The item is needed to do a repair in my home and I'd really like to just go and order it elsewhere and get on with it.
19 comments
sapphire_studio
·2 years agoPut yourself in the seller's position. They did everything correctly. USPS is having a lot of issues with some sort of facilities right now and also the weather in the majority of the country has been really messed up this last week. It is 95% likely that you're eventually going to get your package. If they were to issue you a refund right now then you would get the item and a refund. I know that it is a bummer that it is late but that is the risk of buying something online and not the seller's fault (in this scenario).
I bought a birthday gift in early January for someone whose birthday was the 14th and it hasn't moved since the 15th. I haven't even remotely considered opening a case or even saying anything to the seller because I can see that they shipped on time and USPS is just having issues with the package.
What I will be is careful to do is make sure I open a case within 30 days after I purchased the item.
Also you won't win a case unless 2 weeks have passed without the shipping updating at all.
Even Amazon is extremely late with a ton of my packages probably because of the weather.
And whatever you do don't leave negative feedback over this it is not the seller's fault.
bg74
OP2 years agoI submitted a Missing Mail Search Request yesterday with USPS and it shows on the tracking, along with the package still sitting at Missouri City, TX. We'll see what happens, or doesn't happen, next.
bg74
OP2 years agoTo tie a knot on this, the package finally made progress out of the Houston/Missouri City TX postal black hole after 16 days (?!). The Missing Mail Search Request might have done the trick. I would never have imagined the USPS was capable of this, but now I know.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoWas capable of what? The USPS is staffed by human beings, so there are errors made.
And, as mentioned, that particular facility evidently has acknowledged issues.
deltilogical
·2 years agoEventually someone will notice the 1/4" layer of stickers and it will get moved to the right stream to get to you
monster-deals
·2 years agoOnce you open a INR case the seller usually has 3-4 days to address it, if tracking shows movement in the last 10 days can call ebay and a CSR can put the case on hold for an additional 10 days. After that you should be able to escalate the case and get your refund.
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·2 years agoOpen an Item Not Received case on eBay.
That is all you need to do.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agoThere definitely is a misrouting problem in the Houston area.
A where's my package case to USPS could help a lot of us.
gadgettatic
·2 years agoIts not the ebay Sellers fault.
I'm still waiting for some items myself about the same time you described since I ordered them.
Something is going on with USPS in regards to upgrading distribution and sorting facilities.
Its not just in Texas. ☹ï¸
Try to get a hold of your ebay sellers and see if you two can work together.
You may need to be patient.
Hope you get your item soon.
Thank you for reading.
frankenhobbit
·2 years agoI know they have been having issues at the Missouri City location in Houston. Don't suppose it's that one?
bg74
OP2 years agoYes, that's the one it's been at twice. I just Googled it and I now see that Missouri City USPS facility is fu-bar'd ;-(
cardsforauction
·2 years agoYes, the Missouri City facility is brand new and it was on the news that packages are being delayed there and it may take extra time for packages to be delivered. The reasons for delay were not clear, but it was said that the facility is new, the technology is new, and I believe the staff had to go through the training so I guess those are possible reasons for delay. A buyer should wait a little longer before filing a claim.
bg74
OP2 years agoThanks for all the responses. Just to clarify, the USPS tracking IS being updated but it shows the package bouncing around the Houston TX general area between a few USPS facilities for the past 13 days. Today it arrived at the same facility it visited a week ago. FYI, I'm in California. I opened an item not received request yesterday. The only further options visible to me is to "ask eBay for help" if it's unresolved by Jan. 23. And BTW, I've opened two cases directly with USPS but that seems to have accomplished nothing toward nudging the package out of the Houston area.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoIf you've already opened an INR case, all you need to do is wait the required time, then return to the case and ask eBay to step in so you can be refunded. You have 30 days after last estimated delivery date to open that case.
Given that there evidently have been acknowledged issues with that PO, you may want to give it a little more time, keeping that 30 day deadline in the back of your mind.
Please read the MBG.
cardsforauction
·2 years agoDid you or the seller fill out the online form at USPS website to locate the package? If you or the seller did that, the tracking should show something like "Package Research" Usually, once you fill out the form or call to talk to someone at USPS they usually are able to locate the package and then its on the way to the destination.
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoA day after the estimated delivery date Ebay gave you, open an Item Not Received case.
Go to your purchase history and click I didn't get it in the menu next to the item.
The seller will have 3 days to provide a tracking number showing it was delivered or refund.
If they don't, return to the case on day 4 and ask Ebay to step in.
worldcoinauctions
·2 years agoIf tracking isn't updating go to the USPS website and fill out a "find my package" form. That almost always shakes it loose!
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoYou can request an item for a refund after one day of estimated delivery.
It's easy to do....waiting for the refund doesn't happen overnight which a lot of people don't understand.
That money is tied up for a while. Money that you probably could use.
I also have tracking showing items in limbo land...never delivered.
If tracking shows not "delivered" after estimated day of arrival ask for a refund.
mtgraves7984
·2 years ago"I requested refund through eBay..."
@bg74
A buyer can't request a refund through eBay, but a buyer can open an Item Not Received claim (at least) one day after the Estimated Delivery Date on the Order. If the package is showing no movement, you can escalate the case to eBay for your refund, if needed... keep an eye on the case timeline. Good luck.