Should I have intl buyer file for INR or just refund?

[2010byandsel100]

Sent item 8/18 to UK via USPS FC intl  (ebay label with tracking uploaded)

INR so filed a package trace with USPS on 9/1 (no info yet)

buyer says they will file a INR with ebay on the 12th (an ebay deadline?)

Should I encourage them to file and will I get a demerit?

or should I just refund? 

[mam98031]

Sorry this happened to you and the buyer.  It is always more problematic when it involves and international sale.

The buyer filing an INR will not hurt you.  No need to encourage them to do that, seems like they already decided they would do it if no new information was available.

Interesting.  I have a similar case and the last date for scanning is Sept. 1st too!!!

Wait as long as you can before refunding your buyer, even if they file an INR.  The reason is the package may show up and if you refund them and the package shows up afterwards, it can be very difficult to get your money back.

It won't hurt anything to just wait.  It may concern you to have it hanging out there, but it doesn't hurt your selling stats.  

[dbfolks166mt · Accepted solution]

     What does the USPS tracking currently show? Where was it shipped from and when/where was the last scan? Unfortunately USPS first class does not come with insurance unless you added it when you bought the label so if they really lost it you cannot file a claim with USPS. 

     I have a package I am expecting from the UK that I contacted the seller about. The UK has been undergoing a number of postal worker strikes so that may be having an impact on your delivery if the item has indeed made it across the pond. Unfortunately the package I am expecting was sent from the UK via Royal Mail which has no tracking so I am unable to check the status. 

     Check the tracking and work with the buyer. Apparently the postal and rail strikes have been canceled or are on hold due to the death of the Queen. 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/sep/09/royal-mail-and-rail-workers-cancel-strikes-after-th... 

[2010byandsel100]

Didn't mean to accept above as the solution:  oops!

I mailed it from NJ and it went to GA.  I think that is what the USPS intl labels do now, similar to GSP. 

I also noticed that I have the option to file a claim next on the label page so thankfully, I must have bought insurance (shipcover). 

of course, it had to happen to this package as the buyer wanted me to use GSP and I didn't have it as a shipping option (and really didn't want to get involved as then i would have to opt out in the future)  

[dbfolks166mt]

I mailed it from NJ and it went to GA.  I think that is what the USPS intl labels do now, similar to GSP. 

     If it has not departed GA it may in fact be either lost in transit or the GA facility may be holding the item due to the postal strikes. It will be interesting to see what response you get from USPS on the missing mail request. If you filed that on the 1st they should have responded by now. You may want to follow up with them. 

I also noticed that I have the option to file a claim next on the label page so thankfully, I must have bought insurance (shipcover).  This is a good thing. Check the timelines on the Shipcover insurance coverage and see when you can file a claim and what the last date is you can file the claim. You don't want to miss that window. 

of course, it had to happen to this package as the buyer wanted me to use GSP and I didn't have it as a shipping option (and really didn't want to get involved as then i would have to opt out in the future)  

     It may or may not have mattered if you had use the GSP. If the holdup is due to the postal strike(s) it may still have gotten held up in the system.

     There are a couple drawback to the GSP. First the buyer has to pay for two shipping legs the one from the seller to the GSC and one from the GSC to the buyer but if they were OK with that then no reason not to use the GSP although USPS could just has easily lost the package between NJ and Erlanger, KY. 

     The other drawback is the shipping to the GSP. Since you shipped first class you would have been limited to under 1 pound for the domestic shipment to Erlanger but sending it directly you can ship up to 4 pounds using USPS international when you ship directly. 

     The thing I like most about the GSP is they handle the customs paperwork and collect any VAT or customs fees from the buyer prior to shipment so the package does not get hung up in customs waiting for the buyer to pay those. They also update the order information with the tracking information for the international leg. 

[mam98031]

@2010byandsel100 

"Didn't mean to accept above as the solution:  oops!"

You can correct this.  Go to one of your own posts, see that little down arrow on the upper right side of the post.  Click on that.  In the menu [at the bottom I think] it will give you an option to cancel the solution you selected.  I can't remember how it is actually worded, as no one can see the option unless they are the one that started the thread.