eBay

bigdeals.etc · ‎01-31-2018

I sent a very time sensitive item to a buyer (to a restaurant) but it got returned to me as insufficient address. I asked the buyer if the address is complete and they said yes. All necessary street number, unit number, city, state, zipcode is shown in original address. I even checked this on google maps, the restaurant's website, and yelp review pages to see if the address matches... they all do.

My local PO postmaster said I would have to pay another 45 dollars to have it re-sent because the mail carrier tried already. Why would I have to pay for the mail carrier's mistake? He said we can't verify if the address is valid or not (he refused to see any of my google map, yelp, website, and emails with the buyer confirming the address exists.)

I was able to talk to another postmaster/supervisor and she was also in a defensive mode. She made up a **bleep** reason that based on the error code the addressee is unknown and they don't live there anymore. The buyer opened their account the day they bought from me, so I doubt they would put an old address on file. As well as I am in full communication with the buyer who confirms their address. I pointed out that the error sticker says "insufficient address", not "addressee unknown". So she says the carrier could have mistakenly used the wrong error code... then I said if the carrier can make a mistake with that, could it be possible for them to make a mistake with the validity of the address. She didn't like my comment and just said the USPS has fulfilled their service to me already so that's why I need to pay another 45 dollars for the service again.

Any tips on how to deal with USPS and actually send this item to the buyer without having to shell out 45 dollars because USPS fails to recognize their carrier can make this mistake?

slati_2013 · ‎01-31-2018

The USPS will not send mail without postage. You have no choice but to pay. I would suggest you try UPS or FedEx whose online forms will correct you if the address is wrong. But no, there is no way you can send it without paying again.

muttlymob · ‎01-31-2018

wrote:
The USPS will not send mail without postage. You have no choice but to pay. I would suggest you try UPS or FedEx whose online forms will correct you if the address is wrong. But no, there is no way you can send it without paying again.

Not entirely correct. If the USPS acknowledges that it was their error and the address really is good and it should have been delivered, they will resend the package under the original postage.

The hard part is getting the acknowledgement that it was a USPS mistake.

To the OP: has the buyer contacted their own mail carrier and/or post office? They should be able to tell him why it wasn't delivered the first time. If the PM or clerk at your post office were in a helpful mood they could even call the delivering PO to find out what is wrong.

flyerfandan999 · ‎01-31-2018

Could you ask your Buyer at the restaurant to text or email you pictures of the address used for delivery of their phone bill, electric bill, etc etc?

The pix will reveal a valid mailing address. If it is identical in every way to what you used in the first place, you can hit the PO over the head with it. If not, then at least you know what the right address is.

bigdeals.etc · ‎01-31-2018

The buyer signed up for ebay the day they purchased from me so they are pretty bad with providing info. All they did was just say yes the address is complete and correct and they need their item right away.

Photos is a good idea if I can get them, but the postmaster at the PO is already soooo reluctant to admit to fault that they didn't even want to see my proof on my phone of the address by google maps showing the building and address number, yelp pages, restaurant website. I doubt they would even want to look at the photos.

So I just went to a different post office and talked to the postmaster there. She was less defensive and just said okay, removed the "insufficient address" sticker and just put it in the bin to be sent out. I asked if the barcode will still be scanned (because if they don't that can be very dangerous for seller protection). She said it will be scanned.

I realized she did nothing different from me just removing the sticker myself and putting it in the outgoing bins out in the package drop-off area. I hope it gets to the buyer. And if doesn't end up getting scanned, I hope the buyer doesn't file an INR.