Package sent to buyer was shipped, out for delivery, then delayed (then no updates for a month)

[vfxraven19]

I sold a buyer some toys back in June 2018, shipped on June 8 and was expected to be delivered June 12th. (From Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL. I kept an eye on the tracking progress, all seemed well until about after June 11, the package was out for delivery), but then June 12th it reported "delayed". Now, the tracking info says "awaiting delivery scan June 12th". It's already July 27th. I've already contacted USPS to trace the package, with no response. I even sent the buyer a message in regards to having them reach out to their local post office about its whereabouts (no response from the buyer either). What can I do?

[socksinstock]

You can attempt to start an inquiry with USPS here but I have honestly had very little luck with that. It is worth a shot though.

[justagirl12]

If you haven’t heard from the buyer it probably means they received your package and all is fine. They would have contacted you by now if there was a problem.

[fabulous-fashion-finds]

The same happened to me on June 27 my package going from the east coast to Kentucky got lost in Nashville. Call USPS 800 helpline. You wait about an hour but it’s worth it. You report the tracking number. They contact the post office where it was last scanned. You fill out s loss form and actually ask USPS for reimbursement. Then presto!! They find your package!! 

[fabulous-fashion-finds]

Let’s all email ebays ceo!!
I am going to do that.

[sam9876]

I wouldn't do anything. 

[plantaddict]

Anytime a package shows 'Out For Delivery' and then 'Delayed' or 'Awaiting Delivery Scan' it just means the postal carrier didn't do an actual delivery scan. Can be for many reasons, like the packaging label got half torn, was an oddly shaped package and hard to scan or they are just simply lazy and didn't do it. I have this happen A LOT!!!

Rather than call USPS 1-800 number and spend 1hr+ on hold simply google the post office phone number using the city and zip code, or if you go to USPS you can look up individual post offices using the same information. Call the post office immediately, don't wait a month. Not all buyers are so honest and if they notice it doesn't show as delivered they may try claiming they didn't get it. And sometimes they really don't, however if you reported it sooner rather than later sometimes a carrier will recall the delivery or if it really is missing they can begin searching for it. But the main USPS is just going to submit the report to that local PO so you are just cutting out time and aggravation is all. You'll find most are very helpful and want to immediately fix the problem as this is kind of like a defect for them.

As for the buyer, they would have certainly been in contact with you if they hadn't received their item. They wouldn't of even waited a month, for one that would cancel out the eBay MBG. They just aren't responding and I wouldn't even bother messaging them anymore about it.

[missjen831]

Did you ship to a forwarding service by any chance?

This is one time when you shouldn't do anything. Or contact the PO. Never poke a sleeping bear.

[rixstuff]

I hear ya! I sold a sweater to a buyer in Canada. The package went from Washington DC to Nashville to Miami to New York to THEN to Canada.  TWO MONTHS before even leaving the US and the PO I dropped it at is RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRPORT!  At least I had tracking the whole time and could show it was on the way.

[ed8108]

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@vfxraven19 wrote:

 I've already contacted USPS to trace the package, with no response. I even sent the buyer a message ............

(no response from the buyer either). What can I do?

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Just do nothing more ?

 There's a book available, about how you can motivate organizations and people to be responsive.

Why not Give it a quick read

[vfxraven19]

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@socksinstock wrote:

You can attempt to start an inquiry with USPS here but I have honestly had very little luck with that. It is worth a shot though.

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Yep, I did and inquiry shortly after June 12th. I haven't heard anything back from USPS. 

[vfxraven19]

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@plantaddict wrote:
Anytime a package shows 'Out For Delivery' and then 'Delayed' or 'Awaiting Delivery Scan' it just means the postal carrier didn't do an actual delivery scan. Can be for many reasons, like the packaging label got half torn, was an oddly shaped package and hard to scan or they are just simply lazy and didn't do it. I have this happen A LOT!!!

Rather than call USPS 1-800 number and spend 1hr+ on hold simply google the post office phone number using the city and zip code, or if you go to USPS you can look up individual post offices using the same information. Call the post office immediately, don't wait a month. Not all buyers are so honest and if they notice it doesn't show as delivered they may try claiming they didn't get it. And sometimes they really don't, however if you reported it sooner rather than later sometimes a carrier will recall the delivery or if it really is missing they can begin searching for it. But the main USPS is just going to submit the report to that local PO so you are just cutting out time and aggravation is all. You'll find most are very helpful and want to immediately fix the problem as this is kind of like a defect for them.

As for the buyer, they would have certainly been in contact with you if they hadn't received their item. They wouldn't of even waited a month, for one that would cancel out the eBay MBG. They just aren't responding and I wouldn't even bother messaging them anymore about it.

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THanks for your reply and input/experience. Thank helps.

[vfxraven19]

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@fabulous-fashion-finds wrote:

The same happened to me on June 27 my package going from the east coast to Kentucky got lost in Nashville. Call USPS 800 helpline. You wait about an hour but it’s worth it. You report the tracking number. They contact the post office where it was last scanned. You fill out s loss form and actually ask USPS for reimbursement. Then presto!! They find your package!! 

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Worth a shot, thanks!

[green-night]

 I even sent the buyer a message in regards to having them reach out to their local post office about its whereabouts (no response from the buyer either). 

You shouldn't have done that. 

[plantaddict]

If a package doesn't show as delivered doesn't that hurt you in your seller metrics as a "late delivery"? I'm unsure as I've always called to have the delivery scan done the next day before it would indicate a late delivery. I'm sure so long as the buyer left feedback indicating that it did arrive on time it wouldn't count against you, but most buyers don't bother with leaving feedback.