June 3rd.

[roccotacodad54]

   Well I'm a buyer not a seller and hear alot of sellers having delivery problems and the associated headaches.

   It goes both ways>>>

"eBay Customer Support has placed the case on hold until Jun 3, 2025 to allow time to provide additional documentation.

The seller provided tracking that shows the item is currently on its way to you. You should receive it soon.The seller provided tracking that shows the item is currently on its way to you. You should receive it soon."

I paid and ordered it on May 10th. Tracking origionally showed accepted on May 10th. I opened a INR case with "I still want item" (not refund) to wake the seller up on the 21st to the fact that the package was not moving. Apparently seller then actually sent it on the 21st according to revised tracking (same tracking number). I assume a tracking slip with more than one item was origionally scanned and the package wasn't included. I'll be patient and give it time but?

[rosachs]

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@mam98031 wrote:

I don't see where you get that it was sent twice.  It just appears, like way too many packages, it got stuck for one reason or another.  

---snip---

It is likely when you filed your INR and notified your seller there was an issue with delivery, they filed a Trace on the package.  That would be the normal thing for a seller to do.  Filing that often gets the package moving within a couple of days.

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I've actually got a process for dealing with delayed packages, each step escalating the issue with USPS.

- request email scan updates via the tracking results page.  I usually get all scans - I want to see everything that's happening.

- file a Missing Mail Search Request.  This become the base notification to USPS that the package is not being handled properly and/or is headed to being a problem.

- when allowed, I file the USPS insurance claim, especially when I have a pickup or acceptance scan.  They really seem to hate paying insurance claims, so this becomes their "final straw" to getting something found and moving.

I will update the buyer as each step is taken, having explained to them what I'm doing and why.  Very very few are impatient - nearly everyone will give the time needed to take all three steps.

I also generally settle any eBay claim that was opened (some customers just ask, others open cases) once the insurance claim is filed.  Same day or day after at the latest.  I also ask the customer if they would be willing to reimburse the refund, via PayPal, should they decide to keep the purchase when it does eventually show up.  This is also a nearly 100% positive response, but only needed about 10% of the time.  Well, until recently that is.

As others have stated, keeping communications open and positive, addressing the problem and not the emotion, makes it much easier for my buyers to relax a bit and work with me.

-Bob.

[rosachs]

eBay keeps the sold listing on-site for 60 days.  Not sure how available it is to non-buyer/non-seller inquiries, but if it's not against board policy (it's been a loooong time since I was last active here), perhaps just copy/paste the listing ID?  We should be able to copy/paste into the eBay Search box (top of the page) and get to take a peek there.

-Bob.

[mam98031]

The OP is sure the seller misbehaved, but that may not be accurate.  What they described is not likely what happened.  It is more likely that the package was just hung up in the system, but IDK for sure as the OP has not chosen to answer my questions or provide the information needed to know for sure.  Hopefully the OP will respond to my post [#10] and give us the info.

Yes, many of us have a process.  The following is what I recommend to sellers on this issue.

If a buyer contacts you with a delivery issue or if the buyer opens an INR, IMHO these are the steps to take.

If an INR was opened, make sure you upload the tracking number to the INR right away.

Go to USPS website and review the detail tracking info.

On this tracking screen there is a place to file for email updates as there is movement on the tracking. Sign up for that so you get informed right away when something gets entered to the tracking.

Go and file for a TRACE, I don't recommend filing for Missing Mail just yet. The two are completely different actions. The Trace usually gets the job done quicker.
https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Contact your buyer. Keep all contact inside the INR filed so everything is recorded on the claim. Let your buyer know you are working with USPS to get their package delivered. Apologize for the delay. And let them know you filed a trace which takes between 48-72 hours for USPS to respond. As you get any information you will update the buyer right away. Assure your buyer that you are working this problem and will continue to do so until a proper resolution.

If there is movement on the tracking within the last 7 days, Ebay will keep the INR open. Do not voluntarily issue the refund yet. It is highly likely the package is going to get delivered, it is just late. Annoying for the buyer for sure. Just stay in touch with them and assure them you are working on a resolution.

[mam98031]

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@rosachs wrote:

eBay keeps the sold listing on-site for 60 days.  Not sure how available it is to non-buyer/non-seller inquiries, but if it's not against board policy (it's been a loooong time since I was last active here), perhaps just copy/paste the listing ID?  We should be able to copy/paste into the eBay Search box (top of the page) and get to take a peek there.

-Bob.

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@rosachs  They are there for 90 days.

[roccotacodad54]

   By sent twice I meant I think it was included on a scan sheet with others items the first time (10th) then actually sent the (21st) after I filed the INR. I believe for one reason or another the USPS tracking showed acceptance the first time but wasn't actually in posession of the item.

   The first tracking notice was an acceptance scan but the later one on the 21st said "Arrived" at the same facility.

   I appreciate the offer to look into this for me but it is moving now and  arrived in my regional hub. I expect it in a few days.

[roccotacodad54]

   By the time I actually am in posession of it this post will be long forgotten.

[roccotacodad54]

   The acceptance scan and arrived scan were both at the point of origion. 

   It's arrived at my regional hub now so all is good (Hopefully).

[mam98031]

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@roccotacodad54 wrote:

   By sent twice I meant I think it was included on a scan sheet with others items the first time (10th) then actually sent the (21st) after I filed the INR. I believe for one reason or another the USPS tracking showed acceptance the first time but wasn't actually in posession of the item.

   The first tracking notice was an acceptance scan but the later one on the 21st said "Arrived" at the same facility.

   I appreciate the offer to look into this for me but it is moving now and  arrived in my regional hub. I expect it in a few days.

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So you know the seller used a "scan sheet"???  How did you acquire that information?

It simply doesn't work that way.  IF they actually turned it over to USPS on the 21st, another scan at that time would have been created and seen on the tracking.

I think you are completely misinterpreting what happened to your package and blaming the seller for something that is highly unlikely they did.  

It is far more likely that the package was just hung up in the USPS system as happens all the darn time.  Likely when you notified your seller there was an issue, they filed a TRACE with USPS which helped to get your package moving.  It is highly likely you are blaming the seller for something they never did.

[christworks]

If a scan sheet was used, the first scan would show "Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending."

If the first scan shows the package was "accepted," then you can be assured USPS was in possession of the item and the seller was not aware there was a problem until you filed the INR.  This would have prompted them to file a trace or missing mail with USPS, who then located the item and scanned it again.

Sometimes USPS does some goofy things. As an example, my local USPS will not scan packages at the counter if you have more than 10 pre-paid labels. They force you to use a scan sheet or leave your packages with the lobby attendant. You get a receipt when you use a scan sheet, but that sheet is pointless when it comes to insurance and as far as I know eBay won't accept that either. Sometimes, especially on Mondays, I have more than 10 packages. About a year ago I had to leave my packages with the lobby attendant. They are supposed to scan them in as "accepted" after you give them to them. By the time I got home, I had two messages from buyers telling me they got alerted their order had been delivered but they didn't see it anywhere. Obviously that was not possible since they had just ordered the day before and I had just dropped the packages off. I pulled up the tracking information and sure enough, instead of scanning them as "accepted" they were scanned as "delivered." All 20+ packages. I went back to USPS and about had a fight with them correcting their mistake right then. They didn't want to do it and if there is anything I can't stand it is entitled union employees not wanting to do their job. "We have a lot of packages so it will be hard for us to find all of yours," they moaned. I whipped out my phone and showed them pictures of the packages they were looking for. I always take a photo of the package on the scale so if there are any issues, such as this one, I can provide an image of what they are looking for. That's helped me many times. I also try to use "loud" or unique packaging when possible. It makes it easier among a sea of brown boxes. 

Give your seller the benefit of doubt. They probably needed to communicate better. As a seller, I would have preferred if you had messaged me directly rather than file an INR. When I become aware there are issues, I do reach out to my buyers and let them know what is going on. Being proactive as a seller goes a long way in winning your buyer over if there are snags beyond your control. 

I agree that sellers should not refund as soon as a claim is filed in most cases. Of course, it depends on the item and the cost of the sale. If it is a few dollars, it might be more prudent to simply apologize, refund, and let the buyer know they can keep the item if it shows up, rather than spend an hour over a couple of weeks trying to get the package moving. I do know if you refund after an INR is filed and the item shows it was delivered within 72-hours (I think), eBay will reimburse you as the seller. 

[gurlcat]

Oof I just had a bad image pop into my head, hope it wasn't prophetic.
@roccotacodad54  This seller of yours, if you go to their listings and check, do they offer other old knives, or are they more of a vintage/antique "generalist"?  And how 'good' do they look overall, as in age of their account, feedback, attention to detail in their listings, etc.?   And the carving knife: is it pointed or more blunt-ended? 

You might be starting to get where I'm going with this.  If not, here's a wee story: A few years ago I ordered a handheld digger for metal detecting, came to a fairly fine point and had pretty sharp edges, more like a knife than a shovel really, for cutting a precise sod "plug" so as to make as little mess as possible, when digging a metal target.  It was not vintage (brand new) and since I knew the exact brand/model I wanted and there were several sellers offering it, I just chose the cheapest price/shipping total (maybe free shipping, don't remember).  Anyway it arrived fast, but it was shipped in nothing but a bubble padded envelope, nothing wrapped around the blade edges, tip, or anything. 

And ..... it's a wonder the thing was even still in the envelope, because almost the entire bottom end was sliced open and the hole was plenty wider than the handle guard .... all I had to do to get the digger out was give the envelope one light downward swing. 

I took a more critical look at the seller and saw that he had a variety of items but nothing as 'slicey' as this digger, and he wasn't very 'old', so the poor packing choice was just a matter of inexperience and trying to offer the lowest price.  I didn't neg him, just sent a message and photo of the digger sticking out of the hole, and he replied with appreciation. 

Now .... what do post offices do when they find empty packages and loose items in their bins?  I reckon it depends on various factors, but I could see a very busy facility just setting these things aside somewhere, waiting for some kind of contact from the sender or recipient.  This is why it's so frustrating that your seller didn't write to give you any info about what exactly they did that made the tracking start moving again.  HOPEFULLY you don't just receive an empty envelope/box/whatever!!! 

If at all possible, it would be a good idea to watch for your mail truck on the day you expect the knife to arrive, so you can have your mail carrier hand it to you directly, in case it is an empty package and they can bear witness to it.  Some facilities will notice empty packages and put an "Our bad" sticker on it, proactively accepting liability for an insurance claim.  But not always. 

[mam98031]

Seems that are some serious assumptions being made about the OP's seller with absolutely no proof whatsoever.  Or at least none that has been shared here.  It is highly unlikely that the OP's conclusion about what happened is accurate.

This just sounds like a normal delayed package by the USPS system.  Why must there be a problem with the seller or that the seller acted badly??  I don't get it.  These delayed packages happen regularly, why is this one different?  There is no proof the seller did as the OP describes.  At least not that has been shared here.

[12345jamesstamps]

I had something coming 'media mail'...had a similar situation where eBay was able to change the 'expected date of arrival' after just item waiting to be picked up by USPS(took days for that).

I didn't know 'expected dates of arrival' can be changed by eBay after it sold.

I wouldn't do that INR when it's tracking is still going on...plus I now wouldn't cancel the INR claim.

May 10th to May 21st is normal for media mail but not sure what your purchase was.

[roccotacodad54]

   A generalist with a good feedback score (100%) as a seller that has been around for awhile. The knife isn't really all that pointy being designed for slicing. I doubt it's even sharp along the edge, most I buy aren't. In fact it's unusual for me to receive one that is sharp. Of course what I consider sharp isn't what most people consider sharp. Hopefully it just sat in an attic or similar and was discovered and ended up on Ebay.

  I'm a bit of a knife, dagger, bayonet, sword nerd and would prefer old blades arrive dull so I can sharpen them as to the task they are designed for. For instance a dagger only needs to be sharpened from the tip down to maximum width of blade (1/3rd or so). Meat carving knives sharpened with a coarse to medium stone as to produce an edge not too fine that will sort of microscopically "saw" through fibers in the meat. The same with swords, a delicate fine edge isn't desired as the force used by the wielder could damage a fine edge. Rapiers only the 3 to 4 inches at the tip, like for daggers. Pocket knives I sharpen to a razor "hair popping" edge with wet and dry sandpaper on a thick piece of glass as I tend to use them for delicate tasks like removing splinters, cutting string etc.

   I'm rambling again.....too much coffee.............

[roccotacodad54]

    I wasn't trying to infer the seller was some sort of sinister scam artist just that I don't believe the package was included the first time packages were dropped off at the PO but dropped off 11 days later. Both Accepted and Arrived scans were both at the point of origin 11 days apart.

   Therefore causing the headache for me as a buyer vs a seller with shipping.

   I do appreciate your offer to look into it for me mam98031 but it is moving within my state now and if not given the "grand tour" of the state first (happens) I will be in possesion of it next week. 

   P.S. I'll not leave negative feedback for this seller because I'm not 100% sure thery acted in bad faith. I just think they screwed up and that happens sometimes with even the best of intentions.

[mam98031]

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@roccotacodad54 wrote:

    I wasn't trying to infer the seller was some sort of sinister scam artist just that I don't believe the package was included the first time packages were dropped off at the PO but dropped off 11 days later. Both Accepted and Arrived scans were both at the point of origin 11 days apart.

   Therefore causing the headache for me as a buyer vs a seller with shipping.

   I do appreciate your offer to look into it for me mam98031 but it is moving within my state now and if not given the "grand tour" of the state first (happens) I will be in possesion of it next week. 

   P.S. I'll not leave negative feedback for this seller because I'm not 100% sure thery acted in bad faith. I just think they screwed up and that happens sometimes with even the best of intentions.

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But why?  And how do you know the seller even used a Scan sheet?  Many sellers don't use them.  I know I don't.  

USPS has been having all kinds of issues for a long time.  I see this all the time.  I ship quite a few packages every week and this is not an uncommon.  But what you suggest that the seller did is highly unlikely if it can be done at all.  Which I honestly do not think it can be done.  Something would show up on that tracking and you have not said there was anything that stated what you suspect happened.  

These types of issues are headaches for sellers too.  We ship things well packaged and on time and then USPS gets ahold of them and who knows what might happen.  Now most packages get delivered just fine and relatively on time.  But these delays that you want to blame on your seller is not likely their fault.  

If you'd allow me to see the tracking, I likely can tell you if they did what you suspect.

I'm glad you aren't going to leave the seller negative feedback.  That is a good move has you only have assumptions and no facts to support what you've said.