Buyer Claims Item is missing with USPS Damage Labels oddly placed - Possible Fraud?

[chaos-games.llc]

Sold an item and the buyer sent me message a few hours after delivery that it was missing. The photo they attached in the message shows two USPS damage labels that were suspiciously placed on the package with an opening clearly off placed from the labels. I would suspect that if this were internal theft that it's quite odd an employee would take a chance on random package opening to thieve in this way. As of now, I'm filing a claim for USPS mail fraud and communicating with the buyer to determine if they are persistent on wanting to handle this claim of theft. Looking for advice and others stories concerning receiving anything similar in claims from buyers. How did it turn out?

[friskya]

Since it's fairly obvious from the pic that you reused an envelope from something you received previously (your label doesn't exactly cover the old label), the Post Office isn't exactly wrong... your package was received damaged by them (e.g. previously opened and then resealed with tape).

When reusing packaging (I often do), it's usually best to seal it with opaque tape, so that it will be obvious that the repackaging seal was the one that was compromised.

[chaos-games.llc]

The package was completely covered in tape. The side of that is showing damaged was never opened. I meticulously cut one open to reuse packages and the side that you see which has the label folded over was the originally opened side of the package and has no damage.

[kensgiftshop]

@chaos-games.llc 

From the looks of the envelope, looks like it got in caught in something.

If it got caught in a machine, it could have tore the envelope and the item fell out.

[jda06121]

First, your buyer is not responsible for filing anything other than a request for a refund. Second, you have no case unless you shipped insured.

[coffeebean832]

Before filing a Federal mail fraud case- did you consider calling the buyer's PO to get confirmation from their mail carrier whether the package was delivered that way?

[chaos-games.llc]

The padded envelope was holding a cardboard package which I've shipped cards in this manner for over 5 years. I take great care in packaging them which is why this appears to be fraudulent. Whether postal service, third-party, or buyer. The Post Office wouldn't just apply two damage labels in this manner when it's showing a ripped opening. It would have been noted as empty if they shipped an empty/damaged package. I've had this claim by a buyer only one other time in the past few years and after my persistence of going through the process of filing a fraud claim, police report, etc. the buyer dropped off communication and said don't worry about it the next day. I was still very adamant and contacted the PostMaster of the local PO who delivers to their location. This may be my first post on this community but I have quite a bit of experience with the different problems which can arise. I was looking for more advice or stories from those who have dealt with these matters instead of high volume sellers who just toss it up as a loss since they drop ship or resell without concern on each individual sale. Thanks for your replies. But, not just tossing this up as you're SOL. I've had success where others have given up.

[chaos-games.llc]

This isn't true. There's plenty of means to handle this other than your suggestion that sellers are just at a loss because a buyer makes some claim that from the pic isn't conducive to Post Office protocol on handling empty/damaged packages.

[chaos-games.llc]

Possible. However, from research and speaking to postal employees on the r/usps sub-Reddit, then they have a policy to bag these. The employees who come across these packages don't just slap a label on it that doesn't cover the actual opening and ship it on. They have standards in quality with procedures in case of claims filed that must be documented. I believe a big preconceived misconception by sellers is that the USPS or other carriers would handle these damaged packages in this manner.

BTW. This wouldn't pass through the letter sorter since it's rigid and was thick enough. The contents wouldn't have been able to be removed without almost the entire bottom opening being ripped. This rip would have still required a hand to maneuver it with force out of the padded envelope.

[north40sales]

I've seen USPS damaged labels like this before.  Your package is not out of the ordinary in this regard.  

As others have mentioned, your best recourse is to file a damaged/lost article insurance claim with the post office and keep your buyer well informed of what you are doing to make sure they don't toss the package before the claim is complete as the USPS may need to inspect it.  

Naturally, your buyer is due a full refund on the transaction and if it were me, I would handle that proactively rather than force them to file a return request or a complaint with their funding source.  

[friskya]

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@chaos-games.llc wrote:

The package was completely covered in tape. The side of that is showing damaged was never opened. I meticulously cut one open to reuse packages and the side that you see which has the label folded over was the originally opened side of the package and has no damage.

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Which doesn't change the appearance of having been accepted by your Post Office previously damaged. And you'll never be able to document to them otherwise.

If you're going to use previously used padded mailers to send your items, most paper ones can be peeled open at the original seal when you received it, although not easily (for obvious reasons). Try doing that when you receive an envelope you think you might wish to reuse. And again, reseal over the peeled open flap with opaque tape. 

[m60driver]

The only outcome is that you refund the seller and move on.  You might be able to win an insurance claim with USPS, but depending on your circumstances it might not be worth the effort.  And you have no reason to file a fraud claim against the buyer.  Not that you can't, but such a claim will be summarily dismissed.  If you do indeed suspect the buyer then all you can do is place them on your blocked list.

[caldreamer]

Postal sorting machines occasionally rip package open and contents get lost.    I had this happen to me.

USPS does NOT insure "first class packages".    

[north40sales]

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@caldreamer wrote:

Postal sorting machines occasionally rip package open and contents get lost.    I had this happen to me.

USPS does NOT insure "first class packages".    

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USPS does insure first class packages if the insurance is purchased by the shipper at additional cost.  

It does not have an automatically included insurance coverage up-to $xx.xx like priority mail does. 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

I'm going to put s spin on this!

We all know sports cards & coins are always connected to scammers. I don't why! I just picture a lazy person that will do anything to scam others and it does not bother them at all. lol!

What I noticed is there are no initials on the sticker "received in damaged condition, initials _________(blank)

Could someone have a connection inside USPS to get these stickers or did the buyer come up with their own labels on the computer and printed them?

If I remember correctly, every USPS location has security camera's.

This is where it would be interesting to know if eBay keeps stats on buyer claims like they do sellers metrics.