USPS Shipping Delay
I sent an item on Aug 31 and the last tracking update was Sept 1 that it left the Post Office. The original delivery date said Sept 5. The Buyer is going to enter an Item Not Recieved request. I see I can respond with a tracking number, but have 3 days to resolve the issue.
Am I obligated to refund the item knowing that it will likely show up eventually and have no way to guarantee they will return the item once it's delivered?
timpanzee122
Posted Sep 11, 2026 at 3:33 AM · Edited Sep 11, 2026 at 3:33 AM·Last reply 3 weeks ago
3 comments
mam98031
·3 weeks agoThere are things a seller should do immediately when they see that a package is not moving like it should. A seller should do this even if the buyer has not reached out to them with a delivery issue or filed and INR.
First go to USPS and call up the tracking number.
https://tools.usps.com/tracking/
Once you call up the information, now sign up for the UPDATES you can get via Email. This act alone for some reason will shake a package loose from time to time. IDK why, but it has been known to happen.
After you take care of this. Now go and file for a TRACE on the package. You can file these after your package is delayed more than 7 days.
https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm
If your buyer has NOT contacted you about a late delivery, do NOT contact them. Gather the info and try to get the package moving and delivered. Do not create a problem where none currently exists. You will likely pay a price for doing that. However if your buyer has reached out to you, be transparent and honest with them. Tell them what you see on the tracking and that you have filed for a Trace on the package. It will typically take USPS 48-72 hours to reach out with an update. Assure the buyer that you will keep them updated as you gather information. This will go a long way to keep the buyer calm.
1786davycrockett
·Sep 11, 2026 at 4:38 AM@timpanzee122 Did your buyer actually OPEN an item not received case, or just THREATENED to open up an INR case?
If the buyer has only threatened you, do nothing.
Once the buyer has actually opened an INR case, provide the USPS Tracking number in the spot indicated in the email that eBay provides, and do nothing more.
It is up to the buyer to escalate the case, and the poster may be delivered by that time (there was an intervening postal holiday on Labor Day).
If the buyer is refunded by eBay, but the item is shown as being delivered AFTER the INR case was closed, the seller can appeal to eBay for a refund.
onlinecentral
·Sep 11, 2026 at 4:31 AMAm I obligated to refund the item ...
Yes. If you do not issue a refund before the deadline, eBay will issue the refund on your behalf and add a strike to your seller account for Cases Closed Without Seller Resolution.
If you did not buy the label through eBay, some buyers are honest and will reimburse you after delivery.
If you did buy the label through eBay, you will be reimbursed by eBay after delivery.
New seller protections for shipped items
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/news/2025-september/inr-policy-updates
You have support with eBay Labels when a buyer claims an item never arrived.
If you use eBay labels and ship your items on time, we’ll reimburse you once we detect delivery.