Question on eBay policy of my shipping to APO AE 09354 Address

[newview]

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

[Anonymous]

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

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I would think that eBay's policy regarding reshippers WOULD extend to APO addresses, but then who knows.   Perhaps this would be a question for @Anonymous to help us out with.  I had never actually considered that the APO and FPO addresses were actually reshipping the items, but they sure are.

[sg51]

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

I wouldn't bet on that.

What does APO tracking look like?  Does it show delivery?  If so, what counts as delivered?

If, as one might guess, it shows delivered when it is delivered to the recipient, then an INR is possible unless delivery is recorded.

[newview]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

---

I would think that eBay's policy regarding reshippers WOULD extend to APO addresses, but then who knows.   Perhaps this would be a question for @Anonymous to help us out with.  I had never actually considered that the APO and FPO addresses were actually reshipping the items, but they sure are.

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Well, how about it @Anonymous ?

The Post Office told me they consider the item delivered when it gets to the APO address and tracking would show deliverd. They track NO further than the APO address where the military takes over.

If this isn't reshipping then what is it?

[southern*sweet*tea]

My unofficial two cents worth:

If the scan says delivered when it hits the APO/FPO, then it's delivered.  When my son was deployed in the Persian Gulf, their mail was dropped on ship from a helicopter, unless they were in the Canal Zone.  It was held then until they got back out to sea. There are no scans (at least there weren't a few years ago) after the APO delivery.

Having said that, he received every one of his packages, sometimes within ten days. I have had them take as long as three weeks, but that wasn't very often.

[a*river*runs*through*it]

I've sold a lot to APO's. Never had one lost.

[newview]

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@a*river*runs*through*it wrote:

I've sold a lot to APO's. Never had one lost.

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Yep ... I've also had a lot of items shipped to me overseas via APO Address and never had a mishap. But with today's eBay you have to CYA.

[Anonymous]

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@newview wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

---

I would think that eBay's policy regarding reshippers WOULD extend to APO addresses, but then who knows.   Perhaps this would be a question for @Anonymous to help us out with.  I had never actually considered that the APO and FPO addresses were actually reshipping the items, but they sure are.

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Well, how about it @Anonymous ?

The Post Office told me they consider the item delivered when it gets to the APO address and tracking would show deliverd. They track NO further than the APO address where the military takes over.

If this isn't reshipping then what is it?

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I will have to reach out for clarification on this as I've actually never run into an APO address issue. I will touch base here once I have an official answer for you guys, so hang tight until then!

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

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As soon as the item is handed over to the military PO, it is scanned "Delivered".

As far as the USPS, eBay and PayPal are concerned that is a valid Delivery Scan. No INR.

I have shipped plenty of things to APO/FPO and have never had a problem.

[hidy-hoo]

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

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I agree with penguins!  The MBG does not specifically say "reshipper or freight forwarder" but states:

Items not delivered, damaged during collection, or damaged during shipment when the buyer arranges pick-up or shipping of the item (for instance, the buyer arranges freight).

...so as long as the package shows "delivered" to the destination in the PayPal details, seller should be covered for INR ~ where the package goes after the initial delivery scan is no longer the responsibility of the seller. 

[tarpedge]

Would this be akin to delivering to the mailroom in a large company, and then the item is ferried by conveyors, golf carts, and elevators through the halls and buildings on the campus to reach the addressed recipient?

It's not reshipping to another address after original delivery: It ends up at another location within the same organization.

[newview]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

---

I would think that eBay's policy regarding reshippers WOULD extend to APO addresses, but then who knows.   Perhaps this would be a question for @Anonymous to help us out with.  I had never actually considered that the APO and FPO addresses were actually reshipping the items, but they sure are.

---

Well, how about it @Anonymous ?

The Post Office told me they consider the item delivered when it gets to the APO address and tracking would show deliverd. They track NO further than the APO address where the military takes over.

If this isn't reshipping then what is it?

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I will have to reach out for clarification on this as I've actually never run into an APO address issue. I will touch base here once I have an official answer for you guys, so hang tight until then!

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Arrived at Military Post Office    APO, AE 09354    August 22, 2017 11:22 pm    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 17, 2017 9:39 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 16, 2017 9:39 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 15, 2017 9:39 am    
Departed USPS Regional Facility    CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 14, 2017 11:39 am    
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility    CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 14, 2017 11:33 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 14, 2017 9:31 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 13, 2017 9:31 am    
Departed USPS Regional Facility    EASTON MD DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 12, 2017 5:31 am    
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility    EASTON MD DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 11, 2017 9:06 pm    
USPS in possession of item    PARSONSBURG, MD 21849    August 11, 2017 2:09 pm    
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item    PARSONSBURG, MD 21849    August 11, 2017 11:32 am    
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item        August 11, 2017

So @Anonymous ... what's the final verdict on this scenario?

The Military Post Office has taken possession of the package.

[Anonymous]

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@newview wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@newview wrote:

I have a buyer who purchased an item and it's shipping to an APO AE 09354 address. As a former Army Brat, I'm VERY familiar with APO addresses and how the miltary takes over from the Post Office & other shippers in shipping those items bound for our service men & women overseas.

My question ... does eBay's policies regarding reshippers extend to APO Addresses? Once I show USPS deliver via tracking to an APO Address, is MY job finished?

NO Item Not Received if the military shipping flubs up?

---

I would think that eBay's policy regarding reshippers WOULD extend to APO addresses, but then who knows.   Perhaps this would be a question for @Anonymous to help us out with.  I had never actually considered that the APO and FPO addresses were actually reshipping the items, but they sure are.

---

Well, how about it @Anonymous ?

The Post Office told me they consider the item delivered when it gets to the APO address and tracking would show deliverd. They track NO further than the APO address where the military takes over.

If this isn't reshipping then what is it?

---

I will have to reach out for clarification on this as I've actually never run into an APO address issue. I will touch base here once I have an official answer for you guys, so hang tight until then!

---

Arrived at Military Post Office    APO, AE 09354    August 22, 2017 11:22 pm    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 17, 2017 9:39 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 16, 2017 9:39 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 15, 2017 9:39 am    
Departed USPS Regional Facility    CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 14, 2017 11:39 am    
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility    CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 14, 2017 11:33 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 14, 2017 9:31 am    
In Transit to Destination    On its way to APO, AE 09354    August 13, 2017 9:31 am    
Departed USPS Regional Facility    EASTON MD DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 12, 2017 5:31 am    
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility    EASTON MD DISTRIBUTION CENTER    August 11, 2017 9:06 pm    
USPS in possession of item    PARSONSBURG, MD 21849    August 11, 2017 2:09 pm    
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item    PARSONSBURG, MD 21849    August 11, 2017 11:32 am    
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item        August 11, 2017

So @Anonymous ... what's the final verdict on this scenario?

The Military Post Office has taken possession of the package.

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Hey @newview, I haven't forgotten about you! I am still waiting to hear back with an official word on this type of situation. When a specific scenario does not clearly fit under our established policies, we will discuss this with those in charge of writing our guidelines and collaborate with a number of teams to ensure we are taking a stance that is best for our members. I will touch base with you as soon as I hear back.

[a_c_green]

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trinton@ebay wrote: 
Hey @newview, I haven't forgotten about you! I am still waiting to hear back with an official word on this type of situation. When a specific scenario does not clearly fit under our established policies, we will discuss this with those in charge of writing our guidelines and collaborate with a number of teams to ensure we are taking a stance that is best for our members. I will touch base with you as soon as I hear back.

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@Anonymous, please be aware that the eBay software parsing the data handed to it from the USPS network places a heavy emphasis on finding the literal word "Delivered" somewhere in the data stream. (It also stops displaying later updates beyond that point, such as return tracking, as soon as it finds a record with "Delivered" in it, including scan errors of "Delivered" that are logged by mistake at Acceptance time.)

As you can see from the example given above, the package "Arrived" at the APO ZIP, much the same as it "Arrived" at several intermediate stops along the way. It was never "Delivered" at any point. 

As a matter of fact, I would be curious to see if even the USPS, on their own website, is showing this package as "Delivered" yet, or still "In transit." As the tracking number wasn't given here, we can't look to see, but I would bet dollars to donuts that eBay does not consider this to be a delivered package, and if the military doesn't pass along its own tracking (or "Delivered" scan) from that point on, it will never be a delivered package. (To be fair, the military would not want tracking to disclose where any particular service member is at any given time; that's understandable.)

[reallynicestamps]

It seems to me that the military of most nations consider delivering mail to the troops an important factor is morale and make every effort to see that it gets to the addressee, no matter what the difficulty.

It did not surprise me that triton@ebay needed to do research on the question. It is very likely that for all the millions of transactions here since 1995, the question has never come up.

I recently read Up Front by Bill Maudlin about his experiences as a war artist on the Italian Front and he was lyrical about the stubborn efforts of the US military postal service.  (Good book, by the way. )