had a customer tell me the item was not in the package. I asked if the package was open when receive

[rs1055@cox.net]

I am sure the item was in the package but had to refund the money. How do you deal with this  kind of dishonesty

[coastaltechsolution]

refund and move on

keep the information to claim shrink on taxes 

[richard1rst]

Well, first of all it might not be dishonesty.

Go to you post office with the tracking number. There is an internal computer not available to the public. Your post master should be able to bring up the package along with the details (i.e. specifically the weight). If the weight was right when it left your post office then they should be able to tell when the weight dropped to essentially zero. Then you file a stolen mail report.

Tell your buyer they will be contacted by the postal inspectors. If it is a scam that might get them to back off. If it really showed up empty then just let the case work out.

As an aside, what kind of box did you use? Was it a self seal P O box? I ALWAYS add a strap of tape over any self seal closure. I have seen them come open especially with heavier contents that put pressure on the seal.

[jhr-4800]

This is new/old way of getting stuff for free. Depending on dollar amount, you can let it go, or.  File a Police Report for Theft. File a report with USPS for theft as well.

https://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx

https://www.ic3.gov

[donsdetour]

refund and file theft and fraud with law enforcement;

These types of people keep doing such and eventually get nailed.... They just cant quit...

[1tuna]

a claim of an empty package is fairly rare but it does happen

most of the time a seller will just have to deal with return abuse

I try to lump them all together and not dwell on it

its just stuff you have to take if you want to sell on ebay

most of the times I have less than 1 percent a year in losses