Shipping transaction defect is unfair and needs updating

[decadeslostvintage]

I received a transaction defect for item not received that is totally **bleep**. The item was shipped and scanned by the post office but got lost on the way. So how is that my fault? I have no control over anything that happens after the package is scanned in by the shipper. But since I cannot provide proof of delivery I get a defect. I refunded the customer but due to the carelessness of the USPS I get penalized. I appealed the defect and provided letters from the USPS saying that there had been issues with mail getting lost at the hub in my city but they denied my appeal because I couldn't provided proof of delivery. Duh! The shipment still shows it's in transit so of course I can't provide proof of delivery. I feel that they don't even look at cases individually or read any proof or explanation that is sent with an appeal. Probably some automated system in some foreign country decides. This needs to change. 

[heckofagame]

If the buyer opened an INR case and you tried to fight it without proof of delivery, that defect is on you. 

Sellers are responsible for the package until its delivery and it's up to them to makes things whole if the buyer files an INR case. 

[kensgiftshop]

You are responsible for the item until it gets delivered to the buyer.

[pjcdn2005]

If you refunded the buyer before they asked ebay to step in you wouldn't have received a defect.  But you would still get a 'ding' in your item not received metrics.   Those metrics won't affect you unless you have a very high rate. If the rate gets too high, they limit your ability to promote and may increase your estimated delivery time. But as a general rule, a few dings in that particular metric do not hurt the seller.

[slippinjimmy]

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@decadeslostvintage wrote:

I received a transaction defect for item not received that is totally **bleep**. The item was shipped and scanned by the post office but got lost on the way. So how is that my fault? I have no control over anything that happens after the package is scanned in by the shipper. But since I cannot provide proof of delivery I get a defect. I refunded the customer but due to the carelessness of the USPS I get penalized. I appealed the defect and provided letters from the USPS saying that there had been issues with mail getting lost at the hub in my city but they denied my appeal because I couldn't provided proof of delivery. Duh! The shipment still shows it's in transit so of course I can't provide proof of delivery. I feel that they don't even look at cases individually or read any proof or explanation that is sent with an appeal. Probably some automated system in some foreign country decides. This needs to change. 

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It's not your "fault" it IS your "responsibility"!

Put your buyer hat on for a minute, you place an order, the seller ships, the carrier fails to deliver......

How would you feel if the seller told you "too bad, so sad, I shipped your order, USPS failed to deliver so it's not my problem". You only received a defect because you failed to follow through on your responsibility.

If in fact the package was never delivered you should immediately refund the buyer and then make a lost package claim with the carrier.

[albertabrightalberta]

@decadeslostvintage 

This is one of the areas in which there's no gray. It's black and white - tracking shows delivery and seller wins INR or tracking doesn't show delivery and seller is on the hook. 

It doesn't matter if it was negligence on the postal side, a crook stealing a package from the mailbox or from your car or from the counter at the p.o. or if you never bothered to ship the item.

No delivery scan = buyer refund.

[pls-consignments]

It may behoove you to file a lost item claim directly with USPS. Here is the link: 

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

[decadeslostvintage]

I had been in contact with the buyer the entire time. We were both getting info from USPS  saying it just delayed and was on it's way. We both agreed to wait. That's why I didn't not refund the buyer right away.And I am sorry but I do not think it is right for ebay to give a defect after they have the messages between myself and the buyer plus letters from USPS saying they had problems losing packages at my hub. They didn't have to step in because I initiated the refund but I still got a defect.

[decadeslostvintage]

Please see the reply above.