Possible way to get movement on USPS tracking

[caseypl]

Sadly, April brought out some of the worst customers, so I kind of rushed handling an item not received request because on the surface, I didn't have much to stand on and this request made sense compared to the others I have had to deal with recently. Item ordered on April 20th, likely shipped next day via USPS ground advantage. For these I sometimes drop off at USPS, sometimes at Staples and rarely get a scan to confirm receipt with USPS. Buyer opens request on May 11th and I looked at tracking...

Tracking as of May 11th showed USPS still awaiting item as of April 22nd. Feeling I didn't have much to stand on for not getting an acceptance scan, I issued a refund. I should have waited and recommend anyone in a similar scenario consider doing a label void request. I did that after closing the return because.... why should I pay for something that never got accepted....and magically the tracking updated today showing the item in the buyer's city with a scheduled delivery for tomorrow. 

So I'm gonna focus on getting origin scans to better protect myself, but yeah, consider attempting to void the shipping label and it might yield results. Unfortunately this item is too large to do a package intercept on. 

[carlmarxx]

I have been recommending  Sellers on these boards  to hand over their packages  to the USPS employee for the acceptance scan .And never drop off  since they will sit around for days in the PO.    There maybe chance that the USPS  internal tacking system may have some information  on the missing package .

[a_c_green]

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@caseypl wrote:

So I'm gonna focus on getting origin scans to better protect myself, but yeah, consider attempting to void the shipping label and it might yield results.

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Voiding the shipping label would have absolutely no effect on an overlooked package sitting in a pile someplace in terms of getting it moving, although if there was no evidence of it ever entering the mailstream, you might at least get your postage back later on.

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@caseypl wrote:

Unfortunately this item is too large to do a package intercept on. 

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Really? No harm in trying, if it's worth the expense of paying the return postage costs and the $18.35 charge (and you don't get charged anything at all if the intercept is not successful). I looked through your Sold listings, but at a glance I don't see any sale that could be shipped now but not intercepted later.

[mam98031]

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.