USPS postal inspector wrote all over item in sharpie, buyer doesn't want it.

[rossgames]

USPS inspected my package and then wrote all over it. The buyer says it's ruined and he doesn't want it. Anyone know why USPS wrote on my item? And will they consider this damage for insurance purposes?

[gator08041971]

@rossgames 

I would ask your local USPS and see what they think of that.  To me, it would sound like a return/refund and then file a claim against USPS for damaging the item.   Either way, you are probably going to end up getting it returned.  Fighting it with the buyer probably won't work out in your favor.

The buyer also could have written that on there themselves, but not sure why they would, or what the point of it would be.  Either way, I would make sure to offer a return and refund after you get it back.

[albertabrightalberta]

@rossgames 

Did you ship by Media Mail? 

Your listings offer Ground Advantage and Priority but if you used Media Mail, those items are subject to inspection to verify that they qualify as MM. (Plus, you shouldn't be downgrading the service the buyers pay for.)

[rossgames]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@rossgames 

Did you ship by Media Mail? 

Your listings offer Ground Advantage and Priority but if you used Media Mail, those items are subject to inspection to verify that they qualify as MM. (Plus, you shouldn't be downgrading the service the buyers pay for.)

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no I don't use medial mail. It was ground advantage

[albertabrightalberta]

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@rossgames wrote:

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@rossgames 

Did you ship by Media Mail? 

Your listings offer Ground Advantage and Priority but if you used Media Mail, those items are subject to inspection to verify that they qualify as MM. (Plus, you shouldn't be downgrading the service the buyers pay for.)

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no I don't use medial mail. It was ground advantage

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I was just thinking out loud about why it would have been inspected.

[simba6]

It's hit or miss with those inspections. Last week I received a tool media mail.  Wrapped in a padded envelope and it was not inspected. Made it through no problems.   Then I have had rolls of solder and every one was opened for inspection. Those were priority mail.  

[slati_2013]

It that the actual item pictured or the box/package it was in? It looks like a cardboard so I can see how the inspector did not think they were causing any damage. 

[rossgames]

That is the actual item in the picture, it's a sign and that's the back of the sign that they wrote on. It was shipped in an ebay box that the sign is sitting on top of. I don't mind if they have to inspect items, but I don't get why they wrote on the product instead of the box or why they had to write on it at all. 

[a_c_green]

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@rossgames wrote:

That is the actual item in the picture, it's a sign and that's the back of the sign that they wrote on. It was shipped in an ebay box that the sign is sitting on top of. I don't mind if they have to inspect items, but I don't get why they wrote on the product instead of the box or why they had to write on it at all. 

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That is bizarre all right. I assume we're talking about your listing 186512327796, and it does show Ground Advantage shipping. If that was the Shipping method, and you weren't, for example, trying to use a Priority box with a Ground Advantage label on it, I cannot imagine why anyone would have bothered to open it for inspection in the first place. (For that matter, having the wrong label on the outside wouldn't suggest any reason to open it up anyway.)

I could see them opening it in situations like sloshing noises coming from within, but obviously not in this case. I tried Googling to see what "USPS Subsection 241" might be, and it does exist, but seems completely irrelevant here.

It sounds like you will need to take it back for a refund. Before relisting it, maybe try peeling off that white barcode label and then painting the back a smooth black color, but leave the raised panel with the logo on it alone. That's what I would do.

Any chance that the box burst open by itself? 

[slati_2013]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@rossgames wrote:

That is the actual item in the picture, it's a sign and that's the back of the sign that they wrote on. It was shipped in an ebay box that the sign is sitting on top of. I don't mind if they have to inspect items, but I don't get why they wrote on the product instead of the box or why they had to write on it at all. 

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That is bizarre all right. I assume we're talking about your listing 186512327796, and it does show Ground Advantage shipping. If that was the Shipping method, and you weren't, for example, trying to use a Priority box with a Ground Advantage label on it, I cannot imagine why anyone would have bothered to open it for inspection in the first place. (For that matter, having the wrong label on the outside wouldn't suggest any reason to open it up anyway.)

I could see them opening it in situations like sloshing noises coming from within, but obviously not in this case. I tried Googling to see what "USPS Subsection 241" might be, and it does exist, but seems completely irrelevant here.

It sounds like you will need to take it back for a refund. Before relisting it, maybe try peeling off that white barcode label and then painting the back a smooth black color, but leave the raised panel with the logo on it alone. That's what I would do.

Any chance that the box burst open by itself? 

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Any package selected under subsection 241 is submitted to an agricultural inspector assigned to perform terminal inspections, or an officer of Fish and Wildlife Services, for application of the following procedure:

c. USDA may be limited in their inspection authority; however, The Endangered Species Act [16 § 1540(e)] states that authorized U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (and Treasury) personnel “may detain for inspection any package, crate, or other container including its contents, and all accompanying documents upon importation or exportation.”

I am thinking somehow they believe the package contained something prohibited. Maybe it was making sounds or its package shape made them suspicious it contained a prohibited item.  Or maybe the buyer is having their mail checked for some reason. 

[12345jamesstamps]

I wonder where it was heading?

I got a package the other day with this label on it.

My package was not opened...I guess just x-ray.

    I know some pieces of wood need to be frozen before traveling...bugs in them.

It's like a big thing going on from other countries and such.

We had to put wood artifact purchases in the freezer compartments of the cruise ship's freezer to make sure there are no eggs or such in them.

Was this going to Hawaii? 

[rossgames]

It's possible they didn't like the shape or that it's composite wood. Do I have any chance of getting an insurance damage claim approved?

[inhawaii]

Bizzare indeed.

May I ask what the cost of that was?

If it was cheap enough I would just refund the buyer and let him keep it, making him happy and not even file a claim with the usps. Not worth the time, effort and hassle.

[rossgames]

it was going to Texas, my guess is that the address they used was a freight forwarder, maybe that is why they inspected it? The buyer does not speak English very well and I just googled the address and it comes up with "International Forwarding Agency" as the company at that address

It sold for $40, but the shipping is around $15

[mam98031]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

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@rossgames wrote:

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@rossgames 

Did you ship by Media Mail? 

Your listings offer Ground Advantage and Priority but if you used Media Mail, those items are subject to inspection to verify that they qualify as MM. (Plus, you shouldn't be downgrading the service the buyers pay for.)

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no I don't use medial mail. It was ground advantage

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I was just thinking out loud about why it would have been inspected.

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That has me puzzled too.  And why they would write directly on the item inside.  

If it were me, I would be going to my local Post Office on Monday with pics of this and ask about it.  Of course the buyer should get a full refund.  But you don't want to have them ship it back yet until you find out if USPS wants of for the insurance claim.