What do I do when USPS loses my item?

[stopthene_70]

I resell products which I purchase with my own money exclusively available from a grocery chain in my area and ship them to areas where they are not sold. Recently, three orders of mine (including shipping: $13.99, $41.99, $48) never arrived according to the buyers and their tracking information. I shipped them Early to Mid December and there isn't any updated tracking information from several weeks. 

One buyer opened a case and got a refund which meant that I lost the money from my own pocket because I bought the item and sold it on a narrow margin. The other two buyers haven't responded to my messages.

What should I do? I don't want to lose almost $100 due to USPS error but the buyers also deserve refunds for the same reason. 

[12345jamesstamps]

So...they are not lost....do not contact buyers with emails. Don't be giving out refunds. 

The USPS has been very slow with packages that have tracking.

You opened a "can of worms" contacting the buyers or doing refunds on your own.

I have had the same problems..one of my packages was "priority"...but someone took forever to get to the buyer.

[dirk12955]

We see too many posters on these boards that should write on the board 100 times,  

50% should write,   "Not scanned is not the same thing as not delivered"

50% should write,  "I will not obsessively watch tracking from A to B"

Triple negative and all.    

[css2001]

I would wait and do not contact the buyers again. Your packages may not be lost, perhaps still "on their way". USPS is swamped this time of year. 
Here's one of my orders:  

[mam98031]

Anytime there is an issue with the tracking via USPS on a package there are some steps you should take right away.

First go to the USPS website and call up the tracking number and review all the entries.

Second sign up for email notifications to any changes to the tracking.  Click on the down arrow to the right of "Text & Email Updates".  Fill in the info.

This serves to give you up to date info on the movements of the package.  It can be real handy if you end up closing the INR out and refunding the buyer because the item really was lost.  Then if the item gets delivered at a later date, you will be notified.  You can then contact the buyer and let them know you are aware that the item has finally been delivered.  Politely and professionally ask them if they want to repay you for the item and keep it or if they would prefer to return it to you.

If you don't hear anything from the buyer, there really isn't much you can do about pushing this, but you can notify Ebay and see if you can get Ebay to cover it.  Depending on the situation, they may refund you.

Now you need to go and file for a TRACE on the package.

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/

Just fill in the info they ask you.  You will need the buyers address, so make sure you have that info ready when you go to fill in the info.

Make a note of the Tracking claim number as it could be handy later.

Contact your buyer and let them know that you have filed for a Trace on the package and you will keep them fully informed with any information you get from USPS.  Let them know it takes 48-72 hours for them to respond.

If there is an open INR, ALL you communications with the buyer should be done inside the claim.  Even if the buyer emails you in regular Ebay emails, respond in the claim.

There is no reason this should be getting refunded anytime in the next few days.   Ebay will keep an INR minimally if there is movement / tracking entry within the last 7 days.