Delay in delivery in First Class International Shipping to France

[ryan795]

I had stopped selling Internationally in March. A buyer asked me to send something first class to France April 11.  I did say it would take a long time and updated the listing for them. They purchased the item and it was shipped on Monday April 13. The last update was 

Sunday, Apr 19, 2020 2:12 AM MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER Processed Through Regional Facility

I put a search request to USPS May 1. They are searching. Understandably my buyer is getting antsy. Should I advise them to put a claim in for unreceived item? Or will I still be able to refund their money and get my fees back after the 30 day period if the item never shows?

[tvcollectibles]

Every package I sent to various countries all throughout the month of April has numerous scans from Chicago for weeks upon weeks and none after.  So far, only 1 buyer has inquired, which surprises me not more have.

I thought perhaps they were holding packages in quarantine to keep the US Postal system from being held responsible for spreading the virus to other countries ... but a whole month?

[dirk12955]

I have packages coming FROM Europe that were shipped over 60 days ago that have not gotten to me yet.  

One package from the Czech republic took 77 days. 

[ryan795]

I did go to the USPS website and they did say they do not even ship to many countries now. Also they are shipping mail across the Atlantic not flying.

But, how do we keep our buyers happy and protected. It is our responsibility. 

[dirk12955]

I don't know how to protect ourselves.     We can stop sending stuff overseas.    Not sure what good that will do.   I have a complaint this AM from a buyer in Texas wanting to know where his item is.   I sent it from Indiana on April 24th.   That's what,   16 days?    

One thing we need to remind ourselves,    It's not just us.     It's all of us,   It's everybody.    Nobody selling on ebay is immune from this problem.    

The buyers are going to have to bite the bullet and be patient.    Once we give it to USPS, UPS, or Fedex it is 100% out of our control.   

People that want things to be the way it has always been are going to be disappointed.  At least for awhile. 

[ryan795]

Do you know if EBay had changed policies on late shipments?  The buyer had 30 days to put in a claim, but I will ask my buyer to wait. My buyer would have to trust me. Can I still refund later, if it is actually lost, and get fees back?

[therebelslacker · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately if the buyers are not willing to be patient, they will file a claim & you'll be forced to issue a full refund (happened to me recently). Then you still might get hit with negative or neutral feedback through no fault of your own. There is no way for sellers to protect themselves. If you try to fight the dispute you'll just guarantee yourself a negative feedback & still be forced to issue the refund in the end. I have at least 6 different international packages that I shipped from early March to late April that are still stuck in a USPS sorting facility in Miami. Probably till doomsday. Meanwhile I have to eat the loss of the inventory, the fees, etc.

[ryan795]

Therebelslacket - thanks, just accepted your reply as the solution. Sad. But you saved me hours of frustration trying to fight a claim if it happens. I will keep communication open with my buyer and hope for the best. The USPS has rarely let me down.

[ryan795]

USPS scanned my package going to France May 14 in Fort Lauderdale. From April 19 to May 14, I guess it was in Miami.  So happy it was scanned somewhere.

[skobel]

I'm in a similar boat. 5 packages all shipped to the same buyer in Belgium during the month of March. Still sitting in Miami.

[ryan795]

Last scan I had was May 16 in Atlanta. Seems to be getting further away from my buyer.  Buyer still being understanding. 

[nhattie2012]

I've had two packages, one shipped from Lithuania and one from Germany (not through Ebay). I've been waiting 4 weeks and still not had an arrival scan in the US.

[nhattie2012]

I've not had any problems with couriers like UPS, FedEx etc. This is just snail mail.

[ryan795]

As of June 11 no update from USPS tracking since May 16. Buyer put in a claim and I refunded item. 

[ryan795]

After 2 1/2 months my package arrived to my buyer in France. I had refunded the money already. The buyer contacted me to repay. Relisted without pictures, they paid and I marked as shipped. Happy ending.