Is it possible the post office delivered my customers package without updating the tracking?

[dburns530]

I sold a relatively high priced item back on December 6th, priority mail. By the 8th, the tracking was updated to show that it was out for delivery, then nothing else for that day. The 9th shows a "awaiting delivery scan" at 1:45 am. Customer stated that they did not receive package yet, so I placed a missing mail request on the 21st which oddly got routed to Atlanta, GA, not anywhere near the destination address. I have heard absolutely nothing from that at all. The other day I was able to call direct to the post office that last had the package, they stated that there should have been no delays and that he thinks it was handed to the customer and the tracking was just simply not scanned at the destination for one reason or another. 

In short, I have no delivery confirmation which would cover my butt. No way to know if the customer is lying that they didn't receive the package when indeed they did. What do you guys think?

[dburns530]

Forgot to add, the person I spoke to at the post office said that he'd speak to the Courier that would have delivered that package and have him go back to the destination address to see he could confirm the delivery somehow. I'm not sure how that would do anything as the customer could simply just state they never received it.

[dhbookds]

If the PO can't show it was delivered, I would think you could claim it as lost and get reimbursed on the insurance..... 

[dburns530]

Yeah, I definitely will do that if it doesn't magically poof out of thin-air, I'm just praying that it shows up lol. I was just simply trying to see if people have had their packages be delivered to a customer without the tracking ever updating. I've sold literally thousands of things and haven't had this happen before.

[lorettas_closet]

Yes, it is possible; I have gotten packages delivered but the eBAY tracking never showed that it was delivered. However, I believe Atlanta is supposedly where "missing" packages are forwarded.  I had something routed there a year ago as missing and it was never recovered. Post office said the item might have gotten separated from the packaging. I think what really happened is the post office finally delivered it but did not scan it, so they had no idea where it was. Hope they are able to locate your package. 

[fern*wood]

Yes, I've had this happen...not a comfortable position to be in.

[albertabrightalberta]

---

@dburns530 wrote:

Forgot to add, the person I spoke to at the post office said that he'd speak to the Courier that would have delivered that package and have him go back to the destination address to see he could confirm the delivery somehow. I'm not sure how that would do anything as the customer could simply just state they never received it.

---

I'd call back directly to the post office and ask the supervisor that if the carrier recalls delivering, if they can go back and retroactively scan the code as "delivered." They can also check GPS tracking to see where the package ended up, even if not scanned on delivery.

My guess is that the buyer is one of those who watches tracking and capitalizes on "mistakes" such as this. 

I recently had a similar situation and held my breath until the buyer left positive feedback. I keep watching my dashboard to see if the non or late delivery ding shows up but so far, there's nothing.

[tools*]

File an insurance claim with the USPS and recover the $100 provided with Priority Mail, or more if you insured it independently.

[buyselljack2016]

Packages most assuredly get delivered without getting scanned.

Have had it happen. All boils down to buyer honesty. Your buyer may, or may not have gotten the item.

Can be a carrier failure. Can be equipment/software problem.

A while back our carrier had a faulty scanner. Acceptance/deliveries were not getting transmitted.

Wife's items arriving were not updating.  My outgoing did not update.

I personally watched the carrier scan, and the status never updated. This went on for nearly 3 weeks before repeated input/pressure from me  got the issue corrected.

My last missing mail search request oddly popped up as Georgia as well rather than the destination office. Not sure if it is a new procedure to the "worthless, generally just a waste of time, process".

[buyselljack2016]

---

@tools* wrote:

File an insurance claim with the USPS and recover the $100 provided with Priority Mail, or more if you insured it independently.

---

OP's next issue will be trying to prove to USPS that the "for parts" phone was worth $52

[dbfolks166mt]

     File a USPS insurance claim immediately. For priority mail the package is insured up to $100, more if you purchased additional insurance. 

[dburns530]

Very funny. I actually priced that based on prices of recently "sold" items. Was technically for "parts" due to known speaker malfunction of which a $9 kit on ifixit will repair. Regardless, that's pretty off topic, but I'm glad you have the time to check my listings out, bud.

[dburns530]

I appreciate the response, it seems we have no choice but to put faith in the post office to follow thru. But alas, they're humans too. I'm going to speak with them one last time but looks like I'll probably have to eat it. 

D

[buyselljack2016]

---

@dburns530 wrote:

Very funny. I actually priced that based on prices of recently "sold" items. Was technically for "parts" due to known speaker malfunction of which a $9 kit on ifixit will repair. Regardless, that's pretty off topic, but I'm glad you have the time to check my listings out, bud.

---

Not intended to be funny.   My response was to the poster before me that suggested insurance claim. (which is a good idea)

Thing is, over the past few months many have run into problems with USPS when submitting claims for lost eBay items. They were issues with USPS requiring "proof of value".  Not sure if that issue has been resolved.

Not sure what is off topic.

[carolynnq]

USPS requiring proof of value  - all you have to do is upload a copy of the sales record. Value is whatever it sold for. I haven't had to do it for a while, but it's an easy process to file the insurance claim online and upload the documents they ask for.