USPS Stolen Merchandise
It is hard to believe that in the 22 years using USPS sending packages that I have had two items with signature confirmation and insurance disappear. One package going to PA and the other CA. Now am rethinking of using UPS for those states and states that have sticky postal worker fingers. I have a friend that works at post office which did research and the manager of the post office where package last scan took days to respond to him and ended up stating that package was lost. Last checked scan package was being delivered. Even though it is the postal workers fault they would not refund total value of package only insurance purchased. The other package shows sitting in LA for 12 days then show movement then nothing. Five days now. Makes me rethink of dropping USPS for UPS but fees are higher and with the fees that e-bay charges even on postage making it harder to make even a little profit. Yes I know all sites have fees and yes I know crap happens to packages sometimes lost but seriously two with a week of each other come on.
12345jamesstamps
·11 months agoeBay ID country of buyer in feedbacks states USA and not another country?
I thought maybe 'freight forward' as well...where packages are not getting scanned as delivered these days.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoSeems I really need to consider UPS or get higher insurance. Even the added costs to certain states is better than losing the whole item. It is funny, I have only had one time lost sent overseas. Yet have had several in US. You would think other way around.
tobaccocardyahoo
·11 months agoGiven the size of your losses, you need to do some arithmetic to determine whether you should be insuring, or should be raising the price of every item you sell to cover the cost of losses.
Some lost packages are inevitable if you ship enough, no matter what carrier you use.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoVery true.
12345jamesstamps
·11 months agoI have had only one lost item supposedly in a few years.
I think the USPS in my city is doing just fine.
Perhaps, 'sticky postal worker fingers' originate in the city where you are sending the items.
Let's remember...when an item is mailed or shipped it has a post mark(the first mark) of the city where it is coming from.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoWhen you look at tracking all packages are showing shipped to the Staes they are intended to reach. They are scanned in the cities or states that the package is suppose to arrive. IT is from there when tracking drops off the earth. Both cases and past cases show that the packages arrived in the states or cities it was suppose to but that the postal worker or post office scanned and then nothing or stated out for delivery. I haven't had a single package in TX no being scanned or scanned and not have any movement. From past experiences it is not the issue of where the packages are dropped off her but the destinations in certain states. If happen once it happens but twice that is called a trend.
12345jamesstamps
·11 months ago'tracking drops off the earth'...I have never seen that.
I have seen 'in transit...' and such.
Probably need a little more information on what actually tracking is saying.
Are you saying tracking states 'lost' or something?
fuchi888
OP11 months agoTracking shows out for delivery but then nothing for 12 days. Just out then nothing. Does not show delivery attempt made or anything. Trail just stops. The other package states onto next destination, in CA. been 6 days nothing more on tracking
12345jamesstamps
·11 months agoIf tracking does not show 'delivered'...it's not delivered.
That's a clear refund...
From whom that is another possible problem and more time wasted.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoI agree but they will not refund the full purchase price only the amount of insurance covered. I do get some insurance but not for full amount, if I did no every package cost of postage would be around $25-30. Even though they lost the package they will only cover the paid insurance amount. Big scam. Be on the look out for things like this happening more often especially if you send high ticketed items.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoI have feeling the postal worker saw what was inside somehow and it being red sole bottom shoes decided the insurance I purchased was less than what the value of shoes were so why not steal it. Not like anyone will do anything about it. If I sent something in the tens of dollars then more than likely not interested but when its is valued in the hundreds of dollars then why not?
buyselljack2016
·11 months agoand it is also possible that the delivery scan was missed, and the item was delivered to the buyer.
as an aside, keep in mind that UPS will likely not accept a box wrapped in brown paper.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoThat was another thing I was thinking that they had a friend that worked at post office or that the postal worker was careless. Yep, I do send UPS sometimes so I know they will not take wrapped packages. Now the other package that is lost, I found out someone at post office removed recipient address. My address of label still intact but buyer is not. I tape masking tape over sender, receiver and bar code. My guy at post office sent me pick. Clearly these postal workers in these states are getting away with stealing packages that are certain value. Two within a week of each other and high end items. Not good.
44012
·11 months agoI'm so sorry this happened to you.
I have a question if you stop back in.
Do you use plain packaging or ebay branded boxes? I was just curious.
Again, so sorry!
fuchi888
OP11 months agoI use plain brown wrapping paper and USPS stickers on side. I never use E-Bay boxes or such as that is a straight flag for steal me.
deserdog
·11 months agoDo you mean you wrap a box in brown paper? Or wrap the item in brown paper?
fuchi888
OP11 months agoI wrapped the item in original box with brown painters paper.
selsa84
·11 months agoUPS is much more hesitant to pay lost item insurance than USPS. I've been denied by UPS but never USPS.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoReally, good to know. I think I will just get insurance for the value I paid for the item. At least I will be covered on my investment.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoSorry thanks. Any amount is sad but these were $800 shoes and now missing bag $600, cannot afford to do business like this. The world we live in. Such a shame!!!
bonanza125
·11 months agoThis is a situation where it can happen in any state not just CA or PA. Comes down to having insurance. If an item is lost or stolen file a claim. I wouldn't change from USPS to UPS because of this issue.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoI did file claim but if I get insurance on all items I send then cost would be even more than it is. What I am charging for postage is already what it cost but with e-bay final value fees on shipping, I am losing monies on that too. Overall most Staes okay but there are particular Staes that this has happened before, maybe use UPS on these states or get more insurance and eat the cost. Better than losing $700
bonanza125
·11 months agoI will tell you what is actually better. If you are losing money then charge more than. When you are dealing with expensive items you run the risk of items being lost or stolen. It is better to charge more and making sure your items are insured then dealing with a situation which the item is not insured for enough to cover a missing item.
I also wanted to ask you have you ever thought about changing your listings from auction style to fixed? With high end items like what you are selling it might be a better option for you.
fuchi888
OP11 months agoYes, have to rethink how I send items out to particular states. I should change to fixed auctions, just got complacent and kept what originally started in the beginning when auctions were the thing.