eBay

matmarcinczy_0 · ‎04-11-2018

Hi,

I sold an item on 3/27/18 and shipped it to the buyer by USPS Priority Mail the same day. Tracking data shows that it arrived at and departed it's regional distribution center on 3/29/18. It then showed "In Transit To Next Facility" on 3/30/18, 3/31/18, and 4/1/18. On 4/1/18 it showed that it was delayed and would not be delivered by it's delivery date (which was 4/1/18). There has been no update to the tracking data since then.

The buyer, understandably, opened an "item not received" request. After being patient for several days he has now requested a refund. I have no problem giving him a refund, he didn't get the item he paid for.

My question is: What can I do to minimize my losses here? I filed a missing package report with USPS on 4/6/18 but have no success with that as of yet. In the claim I instructed them to deliver the package to the buyer when it is found. Since he now wants a refund I need to change that so it is returned to me. Is there a way to make a claim with eBay directly? What is my best course of action?

Did anyone go through any similar experiences? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

fluffywhip78 · ‎04-11-2018

I had 2 similiar expereiences.

I sold a book via media mail and it never showed up. The buyer was great patient and understanding. Luckily it wasn't much that I lost from the refunding sale.

Recently I had a buyer open a case because they didn't receive the package after a week because of a delay . I sent the tracking information after I got the message from the case and the next day call USPS to open a case and they assigned someone to look into it an call me back. I sent the USPS case number to buyer and luckily after a day that package got delivered. Since my first USPS scan was less than a day after the item was bought I wasn't accountable for the delay since I did my part. I didn't even receive a late shipping defect

I'd suggest before you file missing package with USPS just call them and have them open a case where someone while look into it that is near where the last scan of the package. if they can't help locate it then file the missing package. They usually get back to you in a business day and are pretty good.

Hope this helps

lewisburggold · ‎04-11-2018

Sounds like it was lost but they have been known to show up late. If you refund try to get you buyer to send back when they get it. Most of them wont but there is still some good people out there. Best regaards

missjen831 · ‎04-11-2018

You have 3 business days after the INR was opened to provide proof of deliver so just hope that the item is delivered before the end of the 3rd business day. If the last scan was 4/1, then its doubtful ebay will extend the case but you should still call and request an extension. Otherwse you have to refund the buyer before they ask ebay to step in.

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retrose1 · ‎04-11-2018

I had a package bounce all over Queens for a month before the buyer complained.

OP, you should go to your PO branch, ask to talk to the Postmaster and have hem look up the tracking number on their internal system to see what is going on. Their internal tracking system also has pics of the package and it might have had the barcode/address damaged.

Once they can show you (only takes a few minutes for them to get a printout) what is wrong or happening, they can fix it. But in many cases, the problem can't be solved directly.

If I were you, I'd have them imput your address on the barcode and have the package returned to you as undeliverable. Once you can see it's on the way back to you, refund the buyer through the dispute.

(*Bleep*)

secretsquirrelisnowhere · ‎04-12-2018

The package is lost. If the seller waits until she sees the package being returned, Ebay will have refunded the buyer and sanctioned the seller.

gracieallen01 · ‎04-13-2018

Personally speaking, as a buying seller who would be required by ebay to ship in my stated handling time, by the prescribed methods described in the listing, I would expect ebay to refund the shipping and cost of the item IF I did not get my item when they state I should - no matter who is at fault.

It is ebay's guarantee that it will be delivered on time, their idea, their program, so I think they should pay for my 'inconvenience'.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

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postingid2017 · ‎04-13-2018

@gracieallen01 - I agree. I've seen pkgs of mine bounce around or stay stagnant at the PO in my City only to be told: "file a claim for lost parcel." I have one being delivered hopefully today that bounced for days once in the possession of USPS.

OP, if you do refund (which it appears that you may have to) hopefully the buyer will either return it or repay. Fingers crossed for both you and the buyer.

mr_lincoln · ‎04-13-2018

@matmarcinczy_0 Not much you can do with the eBay end lf things, they allow about 3 Business days for the package to show up after the original delivery date before they award the INR claim to the Buyer ... AND if the package shows up with confirmed delivery 1 minute after the Buyer has been refunded eBay will NOT reverse the Refund ... which is bad business to be honest. Buyers KNOW things can be delayed at no fault of the Sellers AND Buyers KNOW they agreed to pay the price of the item at the time of purchase so to my way of thinking the INR refund SHOULD be reversed if a package is delivered after the INR claim refund is awarded ... but again, for some strange reason eBay will not do that.

Not sure if anything can be done with USPS ...

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

matmarcinczy_0 · ‎04-13-2018

Thank you everyone for the input.

I ended up giving the buyer a refund, none of this was his fault. The package is still missing, who knows if they'll ever find it. The item sold for $120.50. When you refund the buyer you get the eBay and PayPal fees back. The shipping ended up costing me $17.75. It was shipped USPS Priority Mail so you can claim up to $50 in insurance. I briefly looked at filing a claim but it appears they make you jump through a lot of hoops for it. I'll let you know how that goes.

So as of now, I'm out the $17.50 (which seems ridiculous because the party at fault in this instance is USPS and they're the only ones getting paid) and of course the item. Hopefully, I can recoup the shipping cost and the package manages to find its way back to me. Then I'll be whole, minus time and aggravation. Oh, and I got a positive review from the buyer, so there's that.

I'm not sure how this could be made better but there needs to be some assurances for sellers in similar situations.

Thanks again for the input/advice.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎04-13-2018

Go back and change the lost package report to have the item sent BACK TO YOU if it is found. I had a package go silent. Buyer was refunded and I instructed that the package, if it was found, was to be sent back to me. It was eventually found and sent back to me. It took a few days, I don't remember exactly how many but I know it was less than two weeks until I got it back.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

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worldproblemsolver · ‎10-31-2019

This just happened to me and it totally sucks!!! Sold an item for $450 and shipped by USPS Priority Mail with Sig Confirmation. It didn't arrive after two weeks and still showed as In Transit. Filing online Missing Mail with USPS got nowhere. Buyer, then understandably, files with eBay stating he never got. Which is true. He didn't want to wait and I can't say I blame him, so I refunded his money. But before I did that, I also filed a Package Intercept request with USPS, so hopefully the item will come back to me. Still waiting to see what happens as who knows where the package is at this point. This whole thing has really shaken my faith in USPS. Next time when shipping anything over what I'm willing to lose, I will either ship Express Priority or get full insurance amount. Either way, this is messed up on USPS's part. How is one supposed to operate a business like this??

worldproblemsolver · ‎10-31-2019

Can also file a Package Intercept request, but that costs $15. But better than not getting item back and refunding buyer too.

7606dennis · ‎11-01-2019

Did anyone check the date on this thread? It's about a year old.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

nc-daydreamer · ‎11-01-2019

@7606dennis wrote:
Did anyone check the date on this thread? It's about a year old.

Dennis - yes I did - but LOL - you and I are so bored, we are reading it!! Says a lot about us at this time of the morning, doesn't it? 🙂

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