Delayed/Lost packages

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

Pulling my hair out here! USPS has lost 3 packages I have sent out in the last 30 days. 10 years of selling on here, I've never had this issue. I've refunded the customers and have only gotten reimbursed for one from the post office. One package was actually found AFTER refunding the customer, which they received but stopped communicating with me after receiving the item and being refunded ( imagine that). Anyone else having these issues? Trying to get just the postage I paid for the packages they lost is becoming quite a task in itself. All 3 packages were destined to mainly the east coast from the Midwest, so it wasn't the wildfires in California that affected delivery (as one postal worker claimed), correct me if I'm wrong but that's the wrong direction. Just frustrated and wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom for me!

[d.c.enterprises]

Why are you refunding anything for something that was provably not your fault?  Have the buyer file a claim with the shipper no matter who it was.  You have the tracking information, your responsibility ends IMO when the shipper acknowledges the receipt of the package, even with problem-free shipments you have absolutely no control over what happens after you hand it off to the shipper.  I had only a couple of these (and some scammy variations on the theme) in 20+ years, always USPS, and the only thing I did was provide a copy of the eBay shipping label transaction when requested by the buyer so they could prove it was paid for through eBay, the tracking is available to both the buyer and seller.  One small caveat, however, I've had packages actually get delivered with next to no updates on the package travel until it finally showed that it was actually delivered.  And I've shipped vinyl albums to Russia, Harley memorabilia to England, high end studio recording equipment to South Korea, a train set to a buyer that lived on about the third to last westerly island in Alaska and the winner of all - a guitar amplifier to a maximum security state prison ordered by an inmate (after I verified with eBay that the account wasn't hacked).

[d.c.enterprises]

Massice weather related delays for all carriers across the entire US for the past 2-3 weeks, especially midwest to east coast, I wouldn't worry until it's time to worry.

[selsa84]

No no no. Sellers responsibility ends when item is delivered. How do you not even know this and you're a seller? That's the absolute worst customer service ever. 

[selsa84]

Dejoy is 100% the problem. There have been more posts on this issue in the last 6 months than I've seen in over 12 years. Just Google USPS mail issues and you'll get an idea of how bad it really is. I've been lucky they havent lost even more since I ship alot. As I said please file for claim asap and get the money and hopefully your item gets delivered and you get a check from USPS also. 

[br7.62]

ive been seeing this as well.

since early november usps has been terrible. was hoping it would get better after the holidays but it hasnt for me.

i dont even get replies from them when i use the help department online any more.

the guy that works at the local post office has access to a lot more info than we do and will call and email the last facilities that they were physically scanned in but they dont even reply to him any more.

i ship about 2500 things a year not a super high volume but enough to notice when things are not as they used to be.

in the past i had a couple honest INR claims a year. i have had that many this week...

i printed out orders from ebay in the last 3 months that took over 2 weeks to deliver there was 2 dozen out of a little over 600 items. i dropped them w/ the local post master to see if she could kick it up the chain and see what is going on.

there was would have been a ton more if i went to like 9 days or more.

i have had 3 thing get delivered after INR were filed and the customer was already refunded. one item was 400$ that guy wont reply to me at this point of course. free item.

the stuff just falls off the radar for weeks at a time and then pops up and gets delivered.

finally 2 weeks ago i switched to UPS for all boxes even though its a pain being rural w/out setting up an account for a daily pickup. which ill probably do.

anyways ive been doing this on and off for 20 years and full time for the last 5 or 6 and ive never seen them this bad.

i would think about your options fedex or ups maybe would do a better job for you.

as a side note it seems to be bigger parcels. like 36" by 4 or 5 inch boxes that are getting delayed the worst

[kensgiftshop]

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@d.c.enterprises wrote:

You have the tracking information, your responsibility ends IMO when the shipper acknowledges the receipt of the package

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Sorry, but the sellers responsibility ends when the package is delivered to the buyer.

Insurance is to cover the seller, so buyer shouldn't have to deal with USPS.

[stainlessenginecovers]

after 2 weeks of 'in transit' ; open a 'missing mail' report on usps.com

after 2 weeks of that, open a 'claim' (if Ground Advantage) for a 'lost package'

USPS usually approves within a week of that claim, with a check arriving couple weeks later.

Obviously communicate with your buyer and see if they can wait at least 1 week after opening the 'missing mail' before either refunding or sending another.

[carlmarxx]

I got  my two packages today  ,which was surprised  based  both the internal  and online tracking scans .  

[jg.mason]

Getting better only 1 out of 23.

[buyer-topia]

also if I'm mailing something small in a vinyl envelope I put in 2 pieces of cardboard just a bit smaller than the envelope, one on each side of item.

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

I'm a softy (which Im well aware of), that's why I've refunded them. I'd rather just take care of it myself, make the customer happy and keep ebay out of it. I feel bad for the customer, so I take the hard road for them, fight with USPS and my conscience lets me sleep at night. Luckily, they have been smaller items $10 or so and I've been going after USPS for reimbursement, to the point of nagging every day. They wouldn't appreciate their paychecks being short $15 or so every week and neither do I- thats basically how I explain it to them and it must of gotten across to them because I finally got a check from them yesterday. Until they get their sh*t together, I'm sticking with FedEx and UPS and just raise my prices a bit to compensate for the higher shipping rates they have. I do appreciate everyone's inputs and advice and letting me vent, you all have been great. Happy selling😊

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

I wouldn't of been worried but when I have 4 claims to ebay from customers in 30 days holding my funds when it's all USPS related, I find it a bit odd. I live in the Midwest, the weather in the winter is the same every year (kinda 😆).  10 years of no shipping issues then suddenly have 4 missing packages since Dec 27th does spark some concern for me. But instead of worrying, I'm just going to switch carriers for awhile and problem solved (hopefully)

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

I finally got a check yesterday! Thank you for the reassurance, sometimes that helps more than you realize 😊

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

I started strictly using FedEx & UPS within the last week, it is a bit more inconvenient for me but worth not dealing with the stress and aggravation USPS has been causing lately. 

[allthingsrandomshop2024]

Same, also bright neon colors! No white or black.