INR advice needed...Please!

[bigbunchoftoys]

I (seller) need some advice on what to do about an INR that is about to be filed against me by my buyer.  $200 item sent on 9/8/21 via USPS Priority Mail (only $100 insurance on package) and had an Ebay estimated delivery of 9/11/21 (ND to PA).  The last tacking scan was on 9/10/21 at my local distribution center.  On 9/15/12 I opened a USPS Missing Mail search.  Tracking has not updated since the 9/10/21 scan.

What is my best course of action?  Buyer has been patient until now and is about to open an INR case against me (can't blame him since it is already 8 days past due).

1. Refund the buyer voluntarily before Ebay is asked to step in (and hope it gets delivered within 30 days and try to appeal via Facebook).

2.  Refund the buyer and initiate a USPS Mail Intercept and hopefully it gets found and redirected back to me.

Sorry about the long post but I really need good advice here.  Thank you in advance.  Also, does anybody know if Ebay is still granting appeals for INR packages that get delivered within 30 days of case closure if the seller voluntarily refunds before Ebay is asked to step in?

[coastaltechsolution]

No do not just refund the buyer

Have the buyer file INR 

Lat I heard of extended protection was:  https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/Seller-Protections-for-shipping-delays-due-to-Tropical-S... 

[7794heather]

Hi. Sorry you are dealing with this. 

I wouldn't refund until buyer initiates it through ebay. Let the proper channels happen. Heck, it may be delivered before the timer starts on the ebay case. 

Have you heard from the USPS yet? They will email you to let you know if they found it or not. That usually takes a week (business days). 

FYI, for next time-not only does Priority give you $100, but you could have insured it for the other $100 using the insurance through ebay. 

Now the  bigger question is...do you give buyer only $100 and let them put in the claim for the insurance?

I've never had this happen so I can't answer that, perhaps a seasoned seller can answer that for you.

I hope it turns up before buyer opens the case. The USPS is getting so bad! SIGH

[bigbunchoftoys]

Yes I would most definitely have the buyer open an INR case before refunding.

[nobody*s_perfect]

"Now the  bigger question is...do you give buyer only $100 and let them put in the claim for the insurance?"

Yikes, no. If the buyer files an INR with eBay, then they will get a full refund through eBay. The seller should file the insurance claim, if it comes to that.

[oneblindcat]

Man, I hate to see this happening. I don't sell here, an experienced seller might have better advice, but here goes:

At this point, I don't think you have anything to lose by asking the buyer to wait, everyone here at least knows about the USPS' attitude towards customer service.

As for eBay, I don't know so I can't say.

I've had shipments arrive without any updates to tracking, I've had them arrive almost 30 days after the expected delivery date... Right now your customer has about three weeks left  to  file an INR claim.

But honest communication is always good.

[american-photography]

Intercept the package and reverse the shipping back to your location, then refund the buyer once you receive it.  

Do not refund the buyer until you get the package back or they file an INR report.

https://www.usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@bigbunchoftoys 

Your est delivery date shows Sept 23rd. There has been some bad weather in PA and the Midwest states that perhaps may have slowed this pkg. What is the tracking number on this puppy if you don't mind, let's see where it is right now.

Communication with buyer is key right now.

[buyselljack2016]

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@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:

@bigbunchoftoys 

Your est delivery date shows Sept 23rd. There has been some bad weather in PA and the Midwest states that perhaps may have slowed this pkg. What is the tracking number on this puppy if you don't mind, let's see where it is right now.

Communication with buyer is key right now.

---

isn't that sept 23 date an estimate  for someone buying it now?

[katzrul15]

@bigbunchoftoys 

Your tracking should show that you opened a parcel inquiry with USPS.  That should help your Buyer to realize you are working on his/her behalf to locate their parcel within your limited means.  With that said, you really have not given USPS much time since you filed to work on this - especially in light of Hurricane Henri and then everything IDA dumped as well.

Have you gone into your post office and asked your post master there to also get involved to see what they can shake loose?  Sometimes their efforts to another post office does get things moving.  You have had recent movement on the item, so that is at least encouraging.

What was the date of sale?  Your buyer's clock is also ticking, so be mindful that they need to file formally at some point as well.  When they do, immediately ask e-Bay in writing via a message on social media for additional time to respond, etc.  It is my understanding they have granted additional time to those Sellers affected by those 2 Hurricanes.

Dear Buyer

Thank you for your continued patience as regards your order with us for the (insert item).

We have opened a formal parcel inquiry with USPS for this shipment and anticipate that we should hear something soon regarding the status of this parcel.  Unfortunately, your area remains affected by the shipment disruptions caused by the 2 latest named hurricanes as anticipated.

As soon as we have additional information regarding your shipment, we will again reach out to you via email.  I will be meeting with my local post office on Monday to discuss the parcel inquiry we filed with USPS as well.

Thank you again and for your continued patience.

Seller

[santamonicajeweler]

I've gone through five of these in past six months

- Don't refund the buyer, Buyer will eventually receive the package, then you'll be out of your money and product

- Check into "USPS Mail Intercept" cost. Very expensive and not guaranteed, costs are high, wrong approach again 

USPS says packages are not lost untill 30 days after first stamp of USPS  being in possession of the package. Thirty days from September 8th is October 8th. With USPS, timeline of filing for missing mail is 30 days after possession. So you have to give them another 20 days 

You did the  best thing, opening a case. Open another one in 3 days. It has been only 11 days. As I said, the package is deemed lost after 30 days.  Ask buyer for patience. Let then open a case, if they feel they have to. Explain your actions and ask for patience 

I think package will be delivered in 10 days or so

[bigbunchoftoys]

Can anyone confirm that Ebay is still appealing INRs via Facebook (and refunding the seller) if seller voluntarily refunds buyer before Ebay is asked to step in as outlined in popblox's thread (link to popblox's thread below):

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/eBay-s-new-shipping-policy-with-changes-regarding-INR-s/td-p/...

[katzrul15]

No idea - might tag her to see if she has any info that is current.

@popblox 

[reallynicestamps]

If you have been dealing with USPS only online or even by phone, try going in to your local Post Office and asking the counter clerk for updated news.

Often they can find more recent information than the robots and perhaps just because of Murphy's Law, asking the humans starts the shipment moving again.

[chevy_327]

@bigbunchoftoys 

I always go to the USPS tracking page and print screen the actual tracking with the dates. If it's late, it will say "your package is running late" or something similar. Then send that to the buyer. Sometimes it helps them hold off on the INR.