eBay

vams2010 · ‎02-14-2019

I sold a new cellphone on Saturday February 9th 2019 and sent it right away. I used USPS priority mail, I immediately uploaded the tracking information to ebay site so buyer could know it was shipped and could follow up on the item. On February 11th (morning) the USPS reflected that the item would be delivered that day, however at night the site showed that there was a delivery attempt as nobody was at site and could not be left as there was no secure place to do it, and as to February 14th the site has no update. Buyer says that he has been over 2 times to the postal office USPS and that they do not find the package, says he filed a form but just that and today February 14th morning sent me an email stating that he urgently need the cellphone and he is looking for a reinmbursement or another phone (there was only one cellphone). I answered that I understand his urgency and worries as an item worth over 800 usd is missing and he is the only one that can help to find it as usps wont even let me file a claim for a missing item until the following week, I told him that we needed a reasonable time to try to find out what happened. My question here is what would happen if the package is never found, I know that USPS lost it and probably is not buyers fault neither mine, however this was a result of not being there or having a safe place where it could be delivered, I know that these claims take too much time and honestly do not know how to proceed. Could anyone advice on how to proceed, tried to contact ebay but it is too much complicated. Another thing is that when I asked the buyer if he had a claim number of any kind he just said it filed a form but did not provide with any proof. I hope that anyone can help me, I just want to be fair.

dtexley3 · ‎02-14-2019

@vams2010 wrote:
I sold a new cellphone on Saturday February 9th 2019 and sent it right away. I used USPS priority mail, I immediately uploaded the tracking information to ebay site so buyer could know it was shipped and could follow up on the item. On February 11th (morning) the USPS reflected that the item would be delivered that day, however at night the site showed that there was a delivery attempt as nobody was at site and could not be left as there was no secure place to do it, and as to February 14th the site has no update. Buyer says that he has been over 2 times to the postal office USPS and that they do not find the package, says he filed a form but just that and today February 14th morning sent me an email stating that he urgently need the cellphone and he is looking for a reinmbursement or another phone (there was only one cellphone). I answered that I understand his urgency and worries as an item worth over 800 usd is missing and he is the only one that can help to find it as usps wont even let me file a claim for a missing item until the following week, I told him that we needed a reasonable time to try to find out what happened. My question here is what would happen if the package is never found, I know that USPS lost it and probably is not buyers fault neither mine, however this was a result of not being there or having a safe place where it could be delivered, I know that these claims take too much time and honestly do not know how to proceed. Could anyone advice on how to proceed, tried to contact ebay but it is too much complicated. Another thing is that when I asked the buyer if he had a claim number of any kind he just said
it filed a form but did not provide with any proof. I hope that anyone can help me, I just want to be fair.

Don't jump to the conclusion the phone is lost quite yet.

First go to the tracking page on USPS and see what it says, eBay does not always update with all the information. Sign up for tracking updates via email or messaging.

Next, immediately go open a Find Missing Mail (https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm) request on USPS, it may be too soon but try anyway.

Take the tracking number to your local Post Office and ask for a detailed tracking history, it will have additional information on the tracking status that's not visible on the USPS website or eBay's tracking.

DO NOT REFUND until the buyer opens an "Item Not Received" claim. Stay on your current course asking the buyer to give you a bit of time to try to locate the item.

Since the item price was over $750 I'm assuming you sent it with Signature Required?

Member of the Grumpy Old Man crew

pburn · ‎02-14-2019

Your postal insurance (which I assume you had on an item with that value) will cover a lost package.

Here's the link to file a claim. All the information you need, including time frames, etc., can be found on this page.

https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm

a_c_green · ‎02-14-2019

@dtexley3 wrote:
Since the item price was over $750 I'm assuming you sent it with Signature Required?

I hope so. Signature Confirmation is required on sales above $750 in order to maintain seller protection in case of an Item Not Received dispute, which is what this is (or will be). I'm a little concerned about whether SC was purchased, as the stated reason for non-delivery was No Safe Place, and not that no one was home to provide a signature. Hopefully it will turn up back at the PO, or the carrier will find someone to sign for it on a second attempt.