Sold an item on eBay, shipped priority 3 weeks ago, USPS paid claim and item was delivered.

[allthingssync]

I sold something on eBay and shipped USPS priority with insurance. 2 weeks later it was not delivered so I filed a lost claim with USPS. USPS paid the full amount which I deposited. Same day the item was received by the buyer. Since I already deposited the check, I am not sure what to do. The buyer is happy with the item even though it took almost 3 weeks to get to him. Now if USPS comes back to me, I will gladly refund the money back to USPS since the item was delivered. Any other situation I need to be aware of? 

[ads*and*ends]

Personally, I would return the check to USPS. You paid for insurance this time, and they fulfilled their end of the deal. Then the item was delivered. What if there is a next time, and they look up your previous claim, and see that the item was delivered, yet you kept the check anyway? I doubt they're going to "come back to you" asking for the check, but at least, to maybe clear your conscience, talk to your local PO and see what they advise? It did take a long time to reach your buyer, but in the end, it all worked out as it should have, and your buyer was happy. We all get random bonuses in life, some deserved, some not so much. It's your call on what you can sleep with.

[sam9876]

 "Personally, I would return the check to USPS"

Not possible.

[dhbookds]

But did you refund to the buyer?  That could have been automatic, even if you didn't approve it.  Check your pp account.  If you didn't, frankly I don't know how you refund USPS.......if you hadn't deposited the check, you could have just torn it up.....

You could ask at your PO.....

[ads*and*ends]

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@sam9876 wrote:

 "Personally, I would return the check to USPS"

Not possible.

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I didn't consider this a possibility until your response, but it makes sense, considering all the policies and rules in place preventing human beings from just being human beings and trying to do the right thing. 

[sam9876]

The check was deposited and the bank has it.

[allthingssync]

I deposited the check and no longer have access to it. I never refunded the buyer and want to make things right. I guess I will call USPS and see if I can get to claims and explain the situation. I do not plan to defraud anyone here. 

[sam9876]

The post office doesn't care and the buyer has the item.

[lex-talon]

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@allthingssync wrote:

I deposited the check and no longer have access to it. I never refunded the buyer and want to make things right. I guess I will call USPS and see if I can get to claims and explain the situation. I do not plan to defraud anyone here. 

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Since you already deposited the check, I don't think the USPS can make you return the funds. Keep us posted.

[ads*and*ends]

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@sam9876 wrote:

The check was deposited and the bank has it.

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Let me rephrase, "the amount" of the check. Not the literal check in question. 

OP, I think you're wanting to do the right thing here, or you would not have posted this question. And I totally applaud that... my opinion is just that I would think you would personally feel better by cancelling any doubts about keeping it or not. 

[buyselljack2016]

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@lex-talon wrote:

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@allthingssync wrote:

I deposited the check and no longer have access to it. I never refunded the buyer and want to make things right. I guess I will call USPS and see if I can get to claims and explain the situation. I do not plan to defraud anyone here. 

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Since you already deposited the check, I don't think the USPS can make you return the funds. Keep us posted.

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Not sure if some audit of sorts would catch it, but if it did, I have no doubt that the USPS could make the OP return the funds.

Sort of like USPS will refund for money orders not cashed if the sender/purchaser files a claim, but the sender/purchaser remains responsible for the amount of the original money order forever in the event that it is someday cashed.

[adkhighker]

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@allthingssync wrote:

Now if USPS comes back to me, I will gladly refund the money back to USPS since the item was delivered. 

You'd only offer to return the money to USPS if they come back to you? Wow.

[allthingssync]

Did you not read my responses? I have been made whole and want to get the money back to USPS. I just wanted to see what the options are!

[allthingssync]

I just got off the phone with USPS claims and explained the situation. The guy on the phone was a jerk and said I should have waited a few days before depositing the check. Then he put me on hold for about 30 minutes and I hung up. 

[adkhighker]

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@allthingssync wrote:
Did you not read my responses? I have been made whole and want to get the money back to USPS. I just wanted to see what the options are!

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 I read your OP where you said, "Now if USPS comes back to me, I will gladly refund the money back to USPS since the item was delivered."

I'm glad you thought better of the if part after getting some smart advice from the posters on this thread.