eBay

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-03-2019

A buyer messaged me saying their item tracking says it's "unclaimed" and returning back to me, and is asking what that means.

I just want to make sure I get my facts straight before replying to them. I googled their address and it is a standalone house. So to my knowledge, "Unclaimed" means that USPS chose to not drop off at your door because of one of various reasons. There should have been a notice left at your door or in your box instructing you to go claim and pickup the package at your local PO.

Am I correct? I'm also not sure about the notice being left... that's just an assumption I have. I recall sometimes tracking will have another update indicating "Notice Left". But there is no such update with this tracking... it's only logical that USPS would leave a notice right? It'd be weird if they detained the package for them to pickup without ever telling the buyer.

It's also bit odd that they returned it to me so quickly. I sent it out on 6/27 from Calif. Buyer is in Utah. And on 7/2, 3 business days later, the package was updated as "Unclaimed/Being Returned to Sender". I would think USPS would wait longer than that for the buyer to go claim it before sending it back.

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-03-2019

It does seem that USPS would wait longer than that to return as unclaimed; possibly ten days or more~and notices should have been sent to the buyer.

Signature required might cause this situation, but apparently you did not send it with that. Or the customer might have had a mail hold in effect but did not go pick up the package.

Perhaps a call to your local USPS office could shed light on the matter.

thevintagesilvershop · ‎07-03-2019

Where in Utah? Utah has many, many very isolated areas where people have to make 200+ mile round trips just to buy groceries. This may be a situation where there is no mail delivery or nearby post office. Just curious about location.

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-03-2019

@thevintagesilvershop wrote:
Where in Utah? Utah has many, many very isolated areas where people have to make 200+ mile round trips just to buy groceries. This may be a situation where there is no mail delivery or nearby post office. Just curious about location.

Kaysville

thevintagesilvershop · ‎07-03-2019

Suburb of SLC, shouldn't be a problem with isolated area for sure. Was the package insured, registered, or require signature of some sort? Possible PO mistake, I'd guess. Buyer should take tracking to the PO and ask.

buyselljack2016 · ‎07-03-2019

Ideally 2 notices are left before return.

Used to be a second notice was left 5 days after the 1st one, then item returned on day 14? 15?

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-03-2019

@thevintagesilvershop wrote:
Suburb of SLC, shouldn't be a problem with isolated area for sure. Was the package insured, registered, or require signature of some sort? Possible PO mistake, I'd guess. Buyer should take tracking to the PO and ask.

Nope, none of that. Just standard FC with tracking. The box isn't big, 10x8x5, about the size of a toaster. I know some mail boxes are too small for that... but I'd expect an additional status update that says "No Secure Location" or something like that. But then again, it doesn't even have a "Notice Left" update.

Yea, I'll probably tell the buyer to take the tracking to PO (sounds like a wild goose chase though since the update says it's already on it's way to me). Maybe I'll also throw USPS under the bus and say they probably messed up somehow. Because who the heck only holds a package for 3 business days and returns to sender?

ed8108 · ‎07-03-2019

Could be someone at UPS pessed a button that is giving a incorrect status update.

Was there ever a previous out for delivery scan ?

coffeebean832 · ‎07-03-2019

If it were me I would take a minute to call the buyer's post office and ask what happened before responding to the buyer. If you don't have time for that then you can suggest the buyer contact their PO and let them know what their options are once the package is returned to you.