Does anyone have any experience with a vanished package actually reappearing?

[writercranky]

Greetings. I just got word from a buyer that her purchased item never arrived, and its tracking number never even made it into the USPS tracking system.

I remember the day I mailed it. Presumably because it was the week before Christmas, my usual drop-off box was jammed full, right up into the slot. No way would I ever put outgoing mail into a jammed box, because just anybody could walk by and grab it. So I made a special trip over to the post office, checked the drop-off box outside, and because it was not jammed full like the other one, dropped off the package there. I am quite sure it went into the box. I am very careful about this sort of thing and I always make sure.

So somewhere between the mail drop box and the USPS tracking system check-in point, the package vanished into thin air. And since it never made it into the tracking system, it cannot be tracked.

I gave the buyer the choice of waiting a few more days to see if by some miracle it shows up, or would she like me to refund her purchase price immediately. I have not yet gotten a reply.

Has anyone had a package just disappear and then reappear at some point? If so, I would be interested in hearing about it. Thanks.

[writercranky]

For anyone who might be following this... I just got word from the buyer that the item has mysteriously appeared in the USPS tracking system and it should arrive in her hands in 2 days, only 11 days after it was supposed to arrive.

I looked at the tracking info, and between "Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item" and "Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility" (on the opposite side of the country) 8 days later, there is no intervening information as to where the package has been hiding all this time.

So... if anyone has had a package vanish into thin air like this one did, there's hope that it may eventually show up. The buyer had, meanwhile, been kind enough to say she would wait a few more days before asking me to process a refund. And now I won't have to do that.

[cubano4u]

I did have this happen to me once. I normally take my package into the post office and get them scanned while I wait, it's the only protection I have as a seller to insure the tracking is uploaded on time. Every now and then when I have a small item to mail, I leave it in my home mailbox and my regular postal carrier picks it up. This happened and it never was scanned.
I waited another week and the package suddenly came up in the tracking, was eventually delivered a week later and I got a ding for late shipment from eBay. The entire time I was in touch with my buyer, letting them know the status. They were not in a rush and very understanding so I didn't have to refund, but it's on my record now.
So yes, a package can show up later on but the seller needs to remain in touch with the buyer and hopefully you get someone understanding. Since this occurred I've no longer left anything in my mailbox because my regular postal carrier told me he doesn't like to scan the packages but waits until he gets back to the warehouse to do them. Obviously he forgot one so I don't take the chance anymore.
Best of luck to you....

[bubalobabie]

Yeah for some reason the mailman put it in my back yard instead of my front yard. Weird as hell but I'm glad I got it. It was expensive. Maybe he could tell and that's why...

[writercranky]

Thanks for sharing your experience.... I've probably mailed at least 200 packages by dropping them into a box. If they don't fit through the box slot, I take them into the PO and set them in the designated spot at the far end of the counter. This is the first time I've had any trouble at all. Hopefully it can be chalked up to it being Christmas week. And fortunately I had a very understanding buyer. Best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous New Year.

[writercranky]

I should add... as best I can interpret, the package got sent on its way without having had its tracking info scanned at my end. Its first scan was at its next stop, on the opposite coast.