eBay

skipbif_72 · ‎03-12-2019

I sent an over $100 item out last week from the east coast to California March 6 (a day after they ordered). The package was sent USPS first class and went through a local sort facility March 6 and then March 10 there was an update with no location attached reading "In Transit, Arriving Late Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility." I don't recall ever seeing an update like that before.

The estimated delivery was supposed to be Monday, so early this morning the buyer immediately opened an INR case against me just writing "where's my stuff?" I find it pretty crazy that can be done in less than a week. As far as opening a postal investigation I can't until at least 7 business days have passed I saw.

What can I do to best protect myself because it seems obvious this person will try to escalate March 16. They don't seem like the type to pay for the item after refunding either. I'm afraid it will just show up very soon but giving just 3 days to try to resolve this is insanity. I've written back with the tracking info etc. but they're silent as expected.

beardedbovine · ‎03-12-2019

A buyer can open an INR the day after the estimated delivery date.

The last update was just 2 days ago. You can call eBay CS and ask for an extension on the case if you need it. As long as there was movement within the last 5 days they should extend. But you're not there yet... there is still time for the package to reappear and be delivered before then.

Sign up for tracking updates at USPS so you can be alerted when it starts to move again.

If there's no movement in another day or two you can call the USPS 800 number and they will open a claim to investigate if they can't see more info on their end.

nkpina2014 · ‎03-13-2019

@skipbif_72 wrote:
I sent an over $100 item out last week from the east coast to California March 6 (a day after they ordered). The package was sent USPS first class and went through a local sort facility March 6 and then March 10 there was an update with no location attached reading "In Transit, Arriving Late Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility." I don't recall ever seeing an update like that before.

The estimated delivery was supposed to be Monday, so early this morning the buyer immediately opened an INR case against me just writing "where's my stuff?" I find it pretty crazy that can be done in less than a week. As far as opening a postal investigation I can't until at least 7 business days have passed I saw.

What can I do to best protect myself because it seems obvious this person will try to escalate March 16. They don't seem like the type to pay for the item after refunding either. I'm afraid it will just show up very soon but giving just 3 days to try to resolve this is insanity. I've written back with the tracking info etc. but they're silent as expected.

This happened to me once, and it was a frustrating experience all around. Many hours on the phone wasted. The buyer was nice, but the package was "lost" for over 21 days in USPS system with the same message you got. Of course, I made multiple calls to USPS, and they said there's nothing I could do, file an insurance claim and a lost item claim.

The case proceeded according to Ebay rules, and of course, I lost. It's the seller's responsibility to ensure the item arrives to the buyer, and since it didn't - I was at fault. Full refund to the buyer, nothing I could do.

I filled out the form to direct USPS to send the package back to me should it be found. The day after I filled out the lost mail form, of course the package is located (magically!). USPS did not acknowledge my request to send the package back to me, but instead delivered it on to the buyer.

The buyer being nice, stated that they would reject the package and send it back. Did that happen? Of course not! Tracking shows the buyer didn't do this at all, despite what they claimed. So yeah, out my item and out my money. All blame on me. Ebay said it was the cost of doing business and it's my responsibility. USPS said they don't guarantee delivery of packages, and the lost and found form takes 3 weeks before it's acknowledged. USPS said next time, buy insurance! Ironically though, insurance wouldn't have covered this situation since the package was delivered in the end anyways.

skipbif_72 · ‎03-13-2019

I wouldn't continue to call that buyer "nice." That's just honestly theft. I don't know what else you could've done but it's kind of a terrifying prospect considering if you send a very valuable item (and even pay for insurance) yet you have zero recourse. Maybe there's some sort of police report that could be filed though in a situation like this with proof of receipt?

My package did turn up thankfully and it looks like it's on its way.

vintagecraze50 · ‎03-13-2019

In cases like this where the P.O. screws up THEY NEED to pay out the insurance claim. If this happened to me I would be on the phone for hours until someone gave the OK for the claim to be processed. The P.O. has to take responsibility for what you paid for to arrive on time and if they screw up this badly with a package floating around for that long, it is Their fault so go for the insurance.

vintagecraze50 · ‎03-13-2019

If you had to loose money by refunding the buyer due to the P.O. technically loosing your package then a seller should go for the insurance and call until they approve it. Anything that late in delivery is L-0-S-T.

nmemoryof · ‎03-13-2019

Insurance would have covered you. It also motivates the post office to try harder, since the loss is on them.

To you and the original poster: First class mail is great, but I try to add insurance for more expensive items. I even add signature confirmation over a certain amount. Insurance protects me and sig confirmation protects the buyer. After a few scares, I learned to do this. I'd rather budget for that than be surprised by bigger losses.

calntom · ‎03-13-2019

@skipbif_72 wrote:
I wouldn't continue to call that buyer "nice." That's just honestly theft. I don't know what else you could've done but it's kind of a terrifying prospect considering if you send a very valuable item (and even pay for insurance) yet you have zero recourse. Maybe there's some sort of police report that could be filed though in a situation like this with proof of receipt?

My package did turn up thankfully and it looks like it's on its way.

Did you call into eBay and ask for the extension on the delivery? If this delivery has "shook loose" and shows movement you should be able to get the extension on delivery.