Package most likely lost by post office, eBay refunded the buyer and took my proceeds!?????

[northwestnirvana]

I sold a $400 item, the buyer opened a case because they never received the item, it was shipped next day with all the tracking and seems to be stuck in the USPS system most likely lost,  but eBay awarded the buyer their refund and took my sales proceeds.

So I call eBay they say that Im covered by seller protection. After weeks of my appeal they declined it.... What is this non sense??  

[northwestnirvana]

I think you’re missing a key factor here.  The item hasn’t officially been declared as lost.  It hasn’t moved in the network in 3 weeks.  So the sales proceeds will be returned to me.  

[albertabrightalberta]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

What ever.  Yes ground advantage. It’s not covered within usps. So what’s your point? 

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COme on! People are trying to help you and it's not nice to be rude. 

In fact, ground advantage DOES have insurance.

Ground Advantage | USPShttps://www.usps.com/ship/ground-advantage.htm

USPS Ground Advantage™ service is an affordable and reliable way to send packages inside the U.S. expected in 2–5 business days for items up to 70 lbs. Tracking and $100 insurance are included.

[mam98031]

@northwestnirvana 

I think you likely misunderstood the CSR you spoke with.  Ebay has never offered Seller Protection on an item that does not get delivered.  Lost or not, they don't have a policy for that.

With that said, when a buyer reports that their item has not received, the first thing you should do is contact the Carrier and file for a Trace on the package.  Which you can do online.  That will usually find the package and get it moving again.  You should keep your buyer updated on any info you get too.

If 3 or 4 days pass and the Trace is not getting that package moving again, then file a Missing Mail report with USPS.  That has a higher priority and will usually be helpful too.

It is not to late to file with USPS.  You should sign up on USPS to get tracking updates for this package so you will be notified if there are any changes.  That way you get an email whenever there is a new scan that happens on the tracking.

If at any point the tracking gets updated as DELIVERED, you can appeal the case with Ebay because now the buyer has the package and Ebay should refund you.

[gone.c-33]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

I think you’re missing a key factor here.  The item hasn’t officially been declared as lost.  It hasn’t moved in the network in 3 weeks.  So the sales proceeds will be returned to me.  

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The sooner you accept this isn’t true, the less hard will be the fall when you realize you aren’t getting your proceeds back, except the $100 insurance you need to file for.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

I think you’re missing a key factor here.  The item hasn’t officially been declared as lost.  It hasn’t moved in the network in 3 weeks.  So the sales proceeds will be returned to me.  

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No, as all of the posters here have tried to explain, the proceeds will not be returned to you.  You do not have that sort of coverage under eBay's seller protection policies.  Here's a link to eBay's Help page about seller protection. If you can find a section that describes protection with lost packages, we'd like to have it pointed out, for our education.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protection-policy?id=4345

As the chart provided above (post #12) shows, you can go ahead and file your insurance claim any time since the package was sent over 3 weeks ago.

[kmcangel2012]

Is it stuck in Wilmington or Newark Delaware by chance? There is a thievery racket running from those USPS facilities....been turned in many times for lost packages. 

[dbfolks166mt]

@northwestnirvana 

Try filing a missing mail search. Sometimes that seems to shake an item loose from wherever it's stuck.

https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm

If that doesn't turn up the package, file a claim: 

https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm

     I used to open a missing mail search but found it to be an unnecessary step and have simply filed a claim at the outset. I gets the same results either they find it and it breaks loose and they close the claim or they can't find it and they reimburse you. The search is in essence built into the claim. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

You’re wrong. I just talked to a supervisor at eBay. if you sell an item and have it scanned within the allowable shipping time and it gets lost or stuck in traffic. You’re covered.  You better read eBay’s policies better 

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A scan within the stated handling time will protect you against getting a ding for late shipping, but it won't get your money back.  If you want to convince us otherwise, please provide a link to the relevant policy page.

[northwestnirvana]

Wrong.  I have gotten my funds 5 times with this exact thing happening. 

[dbfolks166mt]

I’ll upload the screen shot once I get my sales proceed back.  

     I for one will be interested to see that screen shot. While you are waiting you may want to read the following eBay policy regarding lost items. FYI if you wait long enough the window for filing a USPS claim will close. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/helping-buyers-items-not-received?id=4116 

     While you have never supplied details on what the item was that you sold, i.e. the item number, or much detail on how the buyer got refunded by eBay I am guessing the buyer opened an INR and either you failed to respond or you could not provide tracking showing the item as being delivered. After 3 days the buyer asked eBay to step in and they fully refunded the buyer. 

     I am guessing they probably still charge you the FVF's and you got a ding to your metrics in the following area

[dbfolks166mt]

Wrong.  I have gotten my funds 5 times with this exact thing happening. 

     Then why did you even post here? If you know how it works and have been refunded before just follow the same process you followed last time. 

[northwestnirvana]

The item is $400.  I mean it will not cover my sale. I been doing this 19 years. 

[kensgiftshop]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

I think you’re missing a key factor here.  The item hasn’t officially been declared as lost.  It hasn’t moved in the network in 3 weeks.  So the sales proceeds will be returned to me.  

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No they won't, unless the item gets delivered.

[fern*wood]

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@northwestnirvana wrote:

Wrong.  I have gotten my funds 5 times with this exact thing happening. 

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I’m surprised you posted then, since you have solved the problem yourself.   That’s a lot of missing packages.

[dbfolks166mt]

What ever.  Yes ground advantage. It’s not covered within usps. So what’s your point? 

     As multiple responders have mentioned ground advantage IS covered up to $100 for damage and up to $100 + shipping cost if the item is lost. More if you purchased additional insurance.