Customer Return Using Ebay Provided USPS Label Lost in Shipment....can I make a claim?

[gadgethound]

A customer changed his mind on an item with 30 Day free returns.  Ebay provided the USPS label with tracking but the item stalled on its journey back to me on July 2.  For customer service and to avoid negative feedback I refunded the purchase price to the customer but the item still has not arrived back to me.   

Is there a way to make a claim either through eBay or USPS to recover the cost of the item?  I see only options to report the customer (who did nothing wrong) on the return transaction.  I think only eBay can claim from USPS as they created the label.   Thanks in advance. 

[oaktoncardinal]

Go to USPS and file a 'Find Missing Mail' request.  That's your first step.

[untod]

Make sure the claim gets filed before 30 days from the (return) mailing date, or USPS will flatly refuse to even let it BE filed. They got me by taking a buyer's package from me on a 70-day 3Kmi tour of the US before delivering it to the buyer who already had the refund. Now I'm out everything.

[sassykzt]

After filing a missing mail claim as mentioned above, you can make a claim with USPS since you refunded the buyer (without return of the item).  You will have to provided with documentation of this refund -- I have always used a screenshot of the refund and attached it to the claim.   eBay has nothing to do with it and will not file a claim for you.  They just provide the convenience of sending your buyer a return label instead of you having to do that.  That label only has your buyer's and your address -- nothing is shipping from eBay.

I've had 3 of these situations and all my claims went through since I refunded the buyers like you.  Just don't wait too long before filing the claim-- go to the USPS site and look at the different times allotted for different shipping services for filing  your claim 

[francopugi]

Hi gadgethound,

Sorry to hear you're in this situation. Since eBay provide the USPS shipping label, they are usually the party who needs to file a claim with USPS.

You should contact eBay customer service directly. Explain that eBay provide the return label, the package was lost, and you refunded the buyer. Ask them to help with a claim or compensate you.

Good luck!

[sassykzt]

WOW!  My 106 yr old great grandmother probably could have delivered it faster 🙄

[albertabrightalberta]

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@francopugi wrote:

Sorry to hear you're in this situation. Since eBay provide the USPS shipping label, they are usually the party who needs to file a claim with USPS.

You should contact eBay customer service directly. Explain that eBay provide the return label, the package was lost, and you refunded the buyer. Ask them to help with a claim or compensate you.

Good luck!

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This is not correct. Ebay has nothing to do with USPS claims. 

[robbie31415]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

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@francopugi wrote:

Sorry to hear you're in this situation. Since eBay provide the USPS shipping label, they are usually the party who needs to file a claim with USPS.

You should contact eBay customer service directly. Explain that eBay provide the return label, the package was lost, and you refunded the buyer. Ask them to help with a claim or compensate you.

Good luck!

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This is not correct. Ebay has nothing to do with USPS claims. 

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You are actually incorrect.

USPS return labels generated on eBay are on eBays personal account. 

Ebay would have to file the claim.

I have seen eBay pay out of pocket for it.

[mam98031]

Go to USPS website and review the detail tracking info.

On this tracking screen there is a place to file for email updates as there is movement on the tracking. Sign up for that so you get informed right away when something gets entered to the tracking.

Go and file for a TRACE, I don't recommend filing for Missing Mail just yet. The two are completely different actions. The Trace usually gets the job done quicker.
https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

This will help you to get that package moving again.

[gadgethound]

Sincere thanks for the replies.

   The return label was USPS Ground Advantage so the USPS site says the sender or recipient cannot start the claim until 45 days after it was shipped but before 1 year.     Currently tracking says it is still on the way though it has not moved since July 2 so I will wait a bit. 

The USPS site says at that point either the sender or recipient can make the claim.  It says sender, not label purchaser, and  I am on the "From" of the label. But I guess I will not know for certain if that is me until I try in a few weeks. 

It does seem I can do a trace, which send me the current "on the way" status but then offered a missing mail option.   I will wait on that for now that I know the time period for claims starts after 45 days. 

[short_circuit.lineman61]

ebay provided USPS return shipping labels do not have the normal $100 of what they claim is insurance.