package arrived ripped and empty

[twentypiece_1974]

Hi all -

A buyer messaged me today saying his package (single football card in a size #000 padded mailer) arrived, but it was empty and the top was ripped open. Obviously, someone opened the package and stole the card. A postal worker? (it was shipped USPS).

What do i do? I can't send another card as that was the only one I had, so I'm guessing refund?

[simba6]

Yes a refund. It it was insured, file a claim. Envelopes can end up in sorting machines. Anything that does not bend, tears through.  A small box offers far better protection. And, not too small. Those can get lost.

[luckythewinner]

---

@twentypiece_1974 wrote:

Obviously, someone opened the package and stole the card. A postal worker? (it was shipped USPS).

---

Either it was ripped and lost, ripped and stolen, or your buyer is lying. 

You have know way of knowing, and neither does eBay. 

Which is why eBay will force you to refund if the buyer files a case. 

[nkmipgolf]

I had a golf club showing up. All I got was the my shipping address taped to a torn plastic envelope. You could tell it was wrapped around the box.  No one stole it, it most likely got ripped open on the conveyor belts. It happens. Someone in a post office is wondering where one baseball card came from???

[chapeau-noir]

If it was torn open in the postal system, the buyer should have gotten a notification with the package - the several times this has happened to me (mostly back when clothing sellers insisted on using those cardboard FREs), I got a 'sorry' notice with what was left of the packaging on an plastic envelope.  So I'm sceptical about this 'story', particularly since those bubblers are hard to just tear open.

But, doesn't matter - you're on the hook for a refund. ☹️