USPS lost package I sent, how do I refund?

[ghostgems]

I shipped an item out about 3 weeks ago and for the last couple weeks the tracking just says "In transit to the next facility, arriving late". I contacted USPS earlier in the week and they started missing package investigation. They called me back today and said they didn't have any luck, it seems lost and my best bet is to file a claim with their insurance. I want to refund the buyer and I'll just deal with the post office. Do I just hit the refund button or do I need to ask the buyer to request an item not received refund? First time dealing with this and just want to make sure I don't do anything that can hurt my ebay account. 

[inhawaii]

You can just refund the buyer ... but are you sure you're ready to do that?

Have you given up on the package?

How long has the package been stuck?

[heckofagame]

If the buyer has not opened a case, do nothing at this point. It is the holiday season. Things get jammed up and slow down. 

[4pawsup*]

I had a package to the west coast that took 3 1/2 weeks. I filed a missing package with the PO and after a couple days it was located and finally delivered. I would give it more time with it being Christmas. hope it turns up for you.

[12345jamesstamps]

"intransit to the next facility"....sounds like a 'freight forward"...Did it go to Florida, Delaware, Oregon?

Do not contact buyer. Otherwise, they will do a INR for a refund.

I have 2 items that say that on my tracking....one from March and one from October. Both buyers gave me positive feedback. And these are still saying "intransit to next facility". 

I have ons saying that in UK from March.

If you contact buyer...buyer might ask for a refund even though buyer already has the package.

Wait and see if buyer opens an "item not received" before refund or sending an email. 

[worldcoinauctions]

I know you are going to find this hard to believe but, sometimes the post office messes up it's scans! Shocking I know. I had items I shipped last week that were scanned as "delivered to PO Box" instead of intake scans. Ebay marked them delivered, but they did track on the USPS site. 

I've seen items that were received by the feedback left, but still to this day show as in transit. Some that never get a scan at all or just at the destination PO. I have one I mailed on Monday, an ESE, and although the other 11 I dropped at the same time are moving along, this one has not been scanned yet. If it got rejected hopefully it will get back soon so I can reprint the label and mail it again.

[bonitabramante]

I would wait until the customer request the refund. It could be they received it and the postman delivering it did not scan it delivered. Or it was scanned delivered but the USPS is withholding the information to see if the buyer is a crook. They may be under investigation. Or you can simply ask the buyer if they received the package.

[robbiec]

I am getting more and more lost items that are international shipment.  I don't charge registration for items under $50 and so far I have lost more than $500 this year out of $7000.  This has not happened to this extent before.  Have people become scammers or is there a problem with the mail services.  Even to UK, France, Spain, and Germany things go missing.  If shipping to India, China, or Eastern Europe, it's almost a guaranteed loss.

I can't sell things for $25 or so and charge $20 registration plus postage.  I sell banknotes and stamps.