I put the wrong, 'send from address' and now the package doesnt have shipping? 500$ loss ???

[amygtechnology]

So I recently sold an iPhone, I used my old address and shipped the item from that address, but in reality I gave it to my new post office for them to handle it, My USPS tracking says the tracking number has been created, and it's waiting for me to give them the item to ship, But I gave it to my new post office two weeks ago. My customer says he never received the item..? Where is the phone, I'm confused.

[corvettestainless]

'From' address has nothing to do with it. Some items have been known to 'disappear' at the PO, not much can be done. You will have to refund the buyer. 

I would take a visit back to the PO with tracking receipt in hand and ask to 'talk to the boss'. 

[simba6]

The package was never scanned when it was accepted by the post office. The return address has nothing to do with that.  Because of that, insurance claims won't be paid even if you had insurance.  Places like the UPS store or Fedex will give you a slip showing it was dropped off.  You can also get that if you pay for shipping at the post office.  A must have for high value items along with insurance.

[north40sales]

You will have to refund the buyer for the item that they never received.   

You insured the package right?   If USPS lost it simply start the insurance claim process and accept the insurance payment from USPS.

All good.  

[jack_bucks_ghost]

you can also get a receipt when dropping off at the post office that shows that USPS is now in possession of the item--granted, you have to wait in line (since I had a "no scan" incident, I buy all of my postage at home, then trek to the post office three times a week, wait my turn, and get all my packages scanned , and get a receipt from clerk)

[dhbookds]

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@north40sales wrote:

You will have to refund the buyer for the item that they never received.   

You insured the package right?   If USPS lost it simply start the insurance claim process and accept the insurance payment from USPS.

All good.  

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If the package never got an acceptance scan (what it sounds like), you have no proof you actually mailed it......unless there is a receipt.........

[corvettestainless]

Not "all good"; no proof USPS ever had it so Insurance does not exist

[parkersparrow]

Unfortunately the package never got scanned. I would question the post office. Did you just drop it off or did you get a receipt? Alway ask the post office to scan your packages and give you a receipt especially on such a high value item. Now even though you may have had insurance on the package you can't file a claim because it was never scanned as received. You can try and do a lost package inquiry.

[little*blackdog]

Very wise thing to do.

[argy_eyes]

@amygtechnology 

@corvettestainless 

@north40sales 

Amyg,

As noted by rca and corvette, you can take your receipt to the Post Office and get them to track if for you. Before that, just go to the USPS online tracking app and put in the tracking number. You can set it up there so that both you and the buyer receive email and/or text notifications. 

Usually, even if the package was not scanned by your local Post Office, the scanning will be initiated by the next facility in the path.

The next thing to do is to go to your Seller Orders page and add the tracking number to the item (look for the "EDIT" or "Add Tracking" link where the tracking number should be). This way both you and the buyer (and any eBay rep) can easily see what the USPS says about the shipment.

If you don't have the tracking number, you're probably going to have to refund the buyer.

Mike

[little*blackdog]

You need to be careful and get more detailed receipts for everything.  In the first place, why did you put your old address on the package?  If it had to be returned to you, it'd go to your old address, not where you are now.  So although that may not have anything to do with the tracking number issue, it may make forwarding your phone back to you more complicated.

Secondly, as many have already stated, you can get a receipt that will assure your item is "in the USPS system" with a complete tracking number and other info on it.  It's free...  you have to ask for it in person at the counter.  They scan your item and print out the receipt.

If you have anything with the correct tracking number on it, that package can be traced and hopefully located so you can get the phone back.  You need to file a "Lost mail" form online or at the post office.

[powell-memorabilia]

Tough situation, and an expensive lesson.  Dropping off items at the PO isn't a big issue on low-value items, or when you have a high level of trust in the staff.  For anything above a certain $ threshold, I do wait for a receipt.  

Absolutely, go back to the PO to have them look for the item.  Who knows - this might be a case of a package that had a damaged/unreadable label, or perhaps you used the wrong postage, and they didn't ship out the item.  

If you did take the item to the PO, and they have lost it (before it was ever scanned), you are out the money from this sale, out the money for the FVF, and out the money for the postage.  

[argy_eyes]

Amyg,

After reading your message and the various replies again, I think it would help if you could fill us in more on the specifics.

It appears that you bought a postage label via eBay and you then gave the package to your new post office "to handle it." The key question is did you stick the eBay-purchased label on the package. If so, the tracking should pick up somewhere in the USPS system and the link on eBay should update with the status.

If the package didn't have the original eBay label when you took it to your Post Office and you just paid for shipping again and did not get a tracking number, your only hope is that the package will be delivered anyway and that the buyer is honest. 

If you bought new postage that included tracking and that tracking number was stuck on the package, it will be tracked as it proceeds through the USPS system even if it was not scanned by your PO. Of course you have to know the new tracking number for that to be of any use.

If by some chance you do have the tracking number for the shipment you initiated at your Post Office, you can add that to the existing number for the item on your seller Orders page (look for the "EDIT" link next to the original, unused, tracking number).

Mike

[m60driver]

You can drop off any letter or package to any nearby post office.   If you are sending an expensive item you do want to hand it over in person to get a receipt and never just drop it off at the counter or down the package chute as you would an inexpensive widget.  It is a rare event that an item is not scanned and you are pretty much toast when that happens.  But since I mostly sell inexpensive items the risk is well worth it in time saved from having to wait in line to get a receipt.

[amygtechnology]

I'm currently in college, and I handed it to the university mailing office, and they said I was all good. It was two weeks ago, i really hope they have a receipt, college isnt cheap and 500$ is a hell of a setback.

Thank you all for helping me sort this out.