USPS Shipping problems and How can I possibly resolve them from my end?

[friverunited]

I am fairly new seller and I live in a time zone that is one all in its own. So it can make it hard to contact customer service at a decent time sometimes. Anyhow, I shipped an item via USPS Media Mail and living in Alaska and shipping to Lower 48's with this shipping option can take up to a month (even though the shipping estimate/details will usually show a different estimate and unfortunately due to this, my buyer opened up a request reporting that they hadn't received their item (they made this claim due to the aforementioned issue above) again, because the estimate was overly optimistic. When in fact, the package has now arrived to its correct address, given it was a couple days past its original estimate but now my issue is the tracking information has not updated and it has been a least a week since this has happened. Thank goodness, I have an honest good buyer and they let me know they DID receive the item they desired/paid for. But of course, now my funds continue to be on hold and I do not know where to go from here to resolve this. Sorry if this one got long, I wanted to be sure to be thorough in hopes of getting a legitimate solution or response from the community in a more timely fashion. Please if anyone knows what to do in a situation like this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

[kensgiftshop]

@friverunited 

If the tracking isn't updating, the buyer can close the INR case since they received the item.

[mg152]

Shipping to and from Alaska is rough. Back in the day, I used to order books from a large bookstore in Alaska through eBay. Sometimes I’d order a book in fall/winter and wouldn’t get it till spring. I knew this and just waited but some people don’t understand the logistics problems. Nowadays, it can really hurt your account but back in the day, it was no big deal. Maybe you could add a longer handling time. Anyway ask the buyer to close the claim if they’ve gotten the item.

[friverunited]

I've been paid for this item now, but in my records it still doesmnt say delivered. Would an INR automatically be opened in this case? And would it be easy for the buyer to find this option on their end?

I just know it has been awhile now and I had tried to get them to fix this somehow before but they were not sure how to and were unable to do so. I just don't want them to get annoyed with me. I mean since I've already been paid etc. is it ok to just leave it as is (if need be) or will this come back at some point and cause me grief or hurt my store somehow and my records?

Thank you in advance for your reply!

Appreciate you taking the time to respond to me n my problem.

Have a great day!

[disneyshopper]

INR cases are not automatically opened.  A buyer has t go to his/her Purchase history and select I have not received the item.  Since you are located in Alaska, I would not use any surface method to ship an item.  I would only select Priority so the buyer receives the package in a timely fashion.