USPS Worker Stole Package Contents, What to do?

[jr_hype]

Hello,

I recently sold a big lot of sports cards, they were individually boxed so it was 15 sealed boxes inside the main shipping box. The total value was around $2,000. I sent the package via priority mail and purchased my label straight through Ebay as I normally do. Then I dropped it off at the post office. 

The package was delivered and signed for yesterday. Then I received a return request for item doesn't math description or photos. The buyer is stating the box was empty and the buyer said it looked as though something had happened with the postal service. They uploaded photos of the box and the bottom looked to have been torn open and re-taped very poorly with USPS Priority mail tape.  No stamp or note or anything was provided claiming the box had been opened. 

Now I have had an experience to this similar before where the buyer tried to scam me by sending an empty box back and I have dealt with that and won the case. So I would expect this to be a similar circumstance.

However, the buyer in this case has over 1.5k feedback with 98% positive. In the section where other sellers leave them feedback there are no mentions of them trying to scam or anything like this as there was with the previous experience I had. As well as the buyer has been cooperative with providing photos and other info I've asked for which inclines me to believe them and that a postal service employee may have taken the contents. 

I know I can submit a claim with the USPS Inspector general, is this going to get me anywhere? I know that Ebay will side with the buyer as they always do in Item not described cases, am I just going to be out of this $2,000?

Any advice or tips would be appreciated, thanks. 

[gracieallen01]

If you suspect that the carrier stole the contents, file an online complaint with the USPS that the package may have been rifled - contents stolen by an employee.  The post office take a dim view of that happening as it is a felony offense.  Then again, using the mail for fraud is also a felony, if the buyer is making a false claim that that it was empty when it arrived.  Tell your buyer to keep all packing materials as the postal inspectors will want to examine the package.  Sometimes the contents magically appear or the buyer goes AWOL.

[oldwestgold]

And just how much does eBay automatically apply as you state? hint.... answer is zero.

[jonathankirkland]

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@jr_hype wrote:

I just find it odd that someone with such a well established account would try and pull this old scam

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One small thing to keep in mind is that sellers are not allowed to leave negative feedback for buyers. Your buyer could very well be a seasoned scam artist, there's no way of telling based on feedback unfortunately.

[oldwestgold]

"there is no sorting machine for packages?" Seriously.  You believe all packages are manually sorted? Yeah, I don't think so Tim.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:

Note: there is no sorting machines for packages! 

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Ummm, you  REALLY need to watch this video.

If there were no automated package sorting machines the package you mail today would get to its destination sometime around Christmas 2025

[video]

[masim5393]

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@sextons-sweet-deals wrote:

I think your being scammed by buyer!

USPS has their own so called security / fraud / police. They can review videos and talk to every employee who handled the package. You need to make a report.

Note: there is no sorting machines for packages! 

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Wow...you think it's all hand sorted? That's part of why the tracking has a bar code, so the machines can sort them in to the right bins for their destination.

[masim5393]

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@oldwestgold wrote:

And just how much does eBay automatically apply as you state? hint.... answer is zero.

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When printed online through ebay you get $50 insurance on priority if you're not a TSR, $100 if you are.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

So a package got caught on a roller assembly with high sides to keep in place and was torn apart? The package still went out to customer empty. Really?

Packages are hand sorted until they arrive at major distribution centers and then hand sorted again when it comes to "out for delivery". 

Actually, whoever took that video probably does not have a job anymore! Everyone knows you cannot take photos or videos in any USPS location. 

Maybe this video was taken by the USPS and was approved & distributed to media.

I guess the way to settle this is have the OP post a photo of receipt with dims and weight. 

[mtgraves7984]

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@jr_hype wrote:

Is there a way to check what insurance was purchased? I purchased the label straight through Ebay. 

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@jr_hype 

Surely you remember if you insured it for $2K... you have to tick the box at the bottom and pay for the service.

[jr_hype]

Unfortunately I don't believe that I did. I have in the past with large sales like this but I must have spaced it this time. 

[whattheactualfox]

Hey OP, It sounds weird that a USPS would deliver an empty package. I would think that it would be odd that they would just hand it off to the buyer. And they would have to notice damage on the bottom, right? I hope that the items were insured. 

[monster-deals]

It is exceptionally unlikely that a PO worker with a pension and health insurance stole some cards.

[stuff4divas]

I agree with @a_c_green 

The person you sold too is also a seller, just click on 'seller feedback'. Buyers can have only 100% feedback.

If someone ordered such a large lot of cards, the moment they picked up the box, they would know the box was empty (if that were truly the case) so why would they sign for it?

$2K is incentive enough for many people, whoever it was.

When shipping labels are created in ebay, it specifically asks on that same page if you want to add insurance and for how much.

Certainly, if a package is worth $2K, one should be diligent enough to pursue the insurance of that package.

[chapeau-noir]

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@jr_hype wrote:

Unfortunately I don't believe that I did. I have in the past with large sales like this but I must have spaced it this time. 

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You'd have a tough time supporting a claim even if you did - package delivered and no evidence of USPS documentation for damaged package or contents.  IMHO, I think your buyer has put together a fairly well thought-through scam - only problem is that he's perpetrating it on someone who has access to pretty sophisticated USPS procedures.  I seriously doubt anyone at the USPS is randomly opening boxes to see what is inside. This really is a shame, though.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@monster-deals 

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@monster-deals wrote:

It is exceptionally unlikely that a PO worker with a pension and health insurance stole some cards.

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Totally agree with monster and others. OP, this all points back to Mr good feedback buyer. He's more likely to be the " culprit" in this mess than a US postal employee.

     Just a little side note, expecting 2 ebay packages and mail yesterday, hubs left the key in our parcel box lock by accident, mail lady did not deliver due to possible theft.

    Your probably going to have to get a police report and contact ebay somehow, I wouldn't have any more corresponding messages with this buyer because he is accusing a USPS employee with theft/ fraud and a felony, that is serious business. Good luck.