Should I ask buyer if I can cancel the order before she opens a case...

[cambriachick]

Hi Fellow sellers,

I sold a poster on May 28, mailed it with a scan on the 29th, and it was supposed to be delivered on the 30th.  It's moving about 250 miles.  The scan says, it's delayed, but on the way.  I spoke to the post office and they believe it's lost, it's just been too long.  The buyer has been patiently waiting, hoping it will show up, but it's really been too long.  Should I ask her if she's ok with me canceling the sale or should I wait until she opens a INR case?  I don't think it makes a difference financially and I'd just as soon avoid a defect if I can.

[martin2001]

As others mentioned, if you mailed it in a tube, delivery usually takes twice as long as a normal package. Tubes are handled manually and also scanned less frequently. I mail a lot of tubes. Very often the only scans I see are the acceptance scan and then when they arrive at the destination post office and after the delivery.

[dbfolks166mt]

Either you or the buyer can open an insurance claims with USPS based on the following schedule. USPS is pretty good about handling these pretty quickly.

Huh? I go to the Post Office, they say I can only file a claim online. When I go online, they allow to file a claim only under special circumstances

"Claim" = "request for refund of postage" 

USPS does not refund the value of the item unless you have chosen certain delivery options and added additional insurance to the parcel. 

     You are correct you can only open a claim online. The OP's item shipped USPS ground advantage which comes with $100 of insurance coverage automatically. An insurance claim through USPS is a request for reimbursement for the value of the item + postage in the case of a lost package. 

[dbfolks166mt]

As others mentioned, if you mailed it in a tube, delivery usually takes twice as long as a normal package. Tubes are handled manually and also scanned less frequently. I mail a lot of tubes. Very often the only scans I see are the acceptance scan and then when they arrive at the destination post office and after the delivery.

     I also send a lot of tube items and have never experienced that phenomenon, Just send two items out this week both going to the same individual one was in a box and the other in a 51" x 4" tube. Both show the same tracking scan's and the same delivery date. Both items are currently at their last stop and will be out for delivery tomorrow. 

[cambriachick]

You were right! You were right! You were right! You were right! You were right! You were right! 

It showed up today, yahoo!

Thanks for all the imput.

Smiles

[mam98031]

@cambriachick 

Using the Cancellation process after an item has shipped is not the correct use of the Cancellation process, so no, don't do that.  Do not ask your buyer that question.

Most times these packages are NOT lost, just delayed.  So the person you talked with simply was incorrect.

What you should do is go to www.usps.com and call up the tracking number.  On this page is a place you can sign up for email updates as any entry is made to the tracking.  Sign up for that.

Now go to this link and file for a TRACE on the package.  Likely within 48-72 hours the package will start moving again.

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Email your buyer and let them know you filed a Trace on the package.  As soon as you here from USPS you will notify the buyer.