Lost Package USPS

[usarmyninja]

I am not sure of the proper path forward, but I sold and sent a graphics card that was around $900 to a buyer with priority USPS and signature confirmation. The tracking says that the package was "Attempted no access to dlvry location." The USPS tracking history has a note stating: "We attempted to deliver your package at 4:55 pm on xxxxxxxxxxx in xxxxxxxxxxxx but could not access the delivery location. We will redeliver on the next business day." This never happened, and a week or so later, the buyer opened up a case for no delivery with refund request. I reached out to USPS who opened a package research case. They called back and said there is no record they had the package. Currently the case is just open with me updating the buyer who already moved on with a new purchase and just wants refund. I saw that priority usps stated it is insured, and was told that, but apparently that only means the shipping cost? Am I just out of luck and out $900? 

[khaos-motorsports]

All priority mail is insured up to $100 unless you elect to purchase additional insurance for up to $1000 value. The missing mail search is hit or miss depending on the post office that is doing the research. I recommend that you go to the USPS website, click locations, and enter the buyers zip. This should allow you to get the phone for the office that delivers to the buyers address. If they are no help you will have to file a claim through USPS and will most likely get a refund of $100 plus shipping cost. 

[lac358232]

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@usarmyninja wrote:

I am not sure of the proper path forward, but I sold and sent a graphics card that was around $900 to a buyer with priority USPS and signature confirmation.

The tracking says that the package was "Attempted no access to dlvry location."

a week or so later, the buyer opened up a case for no delivery with refund request.

Am I just out of luck and out $900? 

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Very likely  @usarmyninja the item has already been delivered without any further scans, hence the buyer has gone silent, hoping for a refund based on the incomplete tracking

However, eBay considers attempted delivery the same as delivered.

Stop responding. If your buyer escalates the refund request, eBay will close the case without a refund, and feedback is blocked/removed if already left. Otherwise, the request will automatically close without a refund after 21 business days.

[donsdetour]

No tracking showing delivered: NO delivery. you are out the item and eBay will refund them for you if you do not...

What ever insurance you got you can try for as package would show as lost..

Note: if package does show up you will also refund insurance if found for you...

[popblox · Accepted solution]

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@donsdetour wrote:

No tracking showing delivered: NO delivery. you are out the item and eBay will refund them for you if you do not...

What ever insurance you got you can try for as package would show as lost..

Note: if package does show up you will also refund insurance if found for you...

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Unless something has changed very recently, these are some of common USPS statuses and how eBay interprets those statuses for INR's:

DELIVERED = Delivered

ATTEMPTED DELIVERY = Delivered

REFUSED = Delivered

FORWARDED = Delivered

READY FOR PICKUP = Delivered

OUT FOR DELIVERY = NOT Delivered

AWAITING DELIVERY SCAN = NOT Delivered

Note that this is only for INR's, not chargebacks/payment disputes. 

Edit: I've never had an INR over $300, so I'm not certain if the delivery criteria is the same for items over $750 (but I've never heard of it being different either).

[mama_583368]

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@donsdetour wrote:

No tracking showing delivered: NO delivery. you are out the item and eBay will refund them for you if you do not.

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Actually, eBay says here:

To reiterate, attempted delivery, available for pickup, refused, and any others that indicate the item is available or that the recipient is the cause of potential delivery issues would be considered "Delivered" for the purposes of an eBay Money Back Guarantee case.

[ed8108]

Interesting issue & the ebay MBG

Apparently eBay elects to disregard & fails to understand the words   redeliver the next business day means the mail article was actually never delivered & is due for delivery on the following business day by the carrier.

Additionally the USPS scan does not in any way make a claim that the receiptient is at fault for "... could not access delivery location"

Out for delivery

Aren't packages that are mistakenly loaded onto a delivery vehicle that services a different route, packages loaded onto a truck that breaks down, packages not delivered by quiting time, etc. scaned as attempted delivery, could not access delivery location, & will redeliver the next business day ?

I thought it is the seller that selects the carrier & responsible for getting an item purchased into the hands of a buyer & that a carrier would consider the seller as being their customer on a insurance claim?

Perhaps eBay may wish to direct USPS to undertake a change in the wording of their scan.

[usarmyninja]

In this case, it should be considered delivered then. The USPS worker investigating sent a long explanation back stating there is a picture even from delivery and that the driver improperly logged the package. The driver did make an attempt however and the gate was locked, preventing delivery. After this, apparently, there is no knowledge of what happened...meaning it either was actually delivered, or the package is in the position of the driver who "can't remember what they did with it" ...actual words from USPS. 

[usarmyninja]

You make a good point, however, in this case, I opened a research case and got info back that the driver has apparently gotten amnesia on what they did with the package...but they did indeed try to deliver it to a locked gate at the final address that they couldn't access. After that...I have no idea.