Returned package of high value get lost on route, who should pay?

[jesszhu44]

A few weeks ago I ordered a screen monitor. The monitor was sent as a wrong item because of the seller's mistake. After talking with the seller, the seller readily provided me with a USPS priority mail shipping label to return the package. Since the package was too big, I ordered USPS to pick up from my address. I noticed the package was gone when I received a confirmation email from USPS saying that the package had been picked up.

It has been more than two weeks since the pickup, there is only one update associated with this return tracking number, that is the label has been created. No other updates such as pick up etc. But I do have a separate pickup confirmation email from USPS.

I suspect the package has been lost. I wondered if it is the case, who should be responsible for the lost? The seller or the buyer?  The package is a few hundred dollars, it would be frustrating when it got lost so easily. It is not insured, and the return label was provided by the seller because he sent the wrong item.

[bonjourami]

As the shipper, have you initiated a lost item claim with the post office? Cant imagine the seller not insuring this return item.Priority mail has $50 insurance, if the seller is a trs, and printed his label here, I believe its $100.But if the seller does not get his item back, he is not required to refund you...as hes out his item.

[buyselljack2016]

The seller created the label. Per previous posts by a "blue, that makes the seller the shipper, but with no acceptance scan showing up it may be difficult for you to prove that you shipped it.

[oldtownrhoda]

Go to the USPS website and fill out a Missing Mail form. you will usually get a response or update within 24 hours.

You are the shipper now, so responsibility falls on you.

[anma_138491]

The person who supplied the return shipping label is the one responsible. So you should be covered if the seller provided the label. But if not, then you should talk to your credit/debit card company that you used to fund the transaction. You can send them the confirmation email when you fill out the chargeback paperwork.

[jesszhu44]

Ok thank you! What you said makes sense. I have reached out to eBay help center, and see if they can finalize it. 

[bonjourami]

Sorry but that is just not correct. If the seller provided the label with his registered address, he is not responsible when the pkg gets lost.Since your delivery confirmation tracking shows the item was never delivered to the seller, you are going to have a problem doing a chargeback.

[pickermall]

This is a tricky one.

First, I believe what you are saying is true... BUT if I was the seller, I would have no way of knowing if you are actually KEEPING the monitor.

I would have taken the return to the post office and gotten a receipt showing it was accepted.. not left it out for pick up. Of course, I don't know your circumstances, neighborhood you are in, etc. The carrier (each one I have had in 3 different states I have lived in) have ALWAYS scanned the item(s) I have left out on my porch for pickup right then and there.

I think after two weeks, you have have had scans... I think it was pirated. Not sure what to do, except cntact the USPS and work with the seller to resolve

[jesszhu44]

Thank you for your input. You are right, the return package was sent out from my place. There are a few points in this whole transaction I am not happy about. 1) The seller sent the wrong item in the first place. If it was correct, nothing after that would happen. 2) I specifically told the seller (twice in two separate messages) that I would need to order pickup service from my address because the package was too big to carry. Seller read and accepted it. 3) I used the return label provided by the seller. I am not even sure it the package is insured or not because I didn't create/purchase the label.  4) I had the package picked up from my place, and received a confirmation email that the package had been picked up (which could be the evidence to some level that I didn't keep the package).

Looking back, I had done everything to the Best of my ability. I did everything needed and that I could, and there was no way I could avoid this loss. Moreover, I don't know if it is reasonable if I have to eventually be responsible for the costs because the seller didn't insure the item. 

I would like to hear your inputs. thank you

[bonjourami]

Noone is faulting you in this whole scenario...and I hope tomorrow you file with the p.o. on a lost item.Because the zip code from your city to the sellers city makes you the shipper. Certainly the seller is at fault for sending you the wrong item, but he did try to make it right by providing a return label. Unfortunately, because the tracking can prove the seller never got his item back, you are at a loss to recoup a refund. 

[1tuna]

 the return seems to be in the system as evidenced by the notice that is was picked up.the seller is the one who payed for the label and they are the ones who are out of luck if the return dos not show up.Had the buyer payed for their own return label they would be on the hook for the missing  return.The blues have already stated that when a return goes missing it is the one who payed for the label who is at fault.Many people think paying for there own return lablel and handling it themselves is less risky but its not.

when things go south with a return not showing up its the one who payed for the label who takes responsibility

[recommendedbuyer]

The word is paid, not payed.  

[kensgiftshop]

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@jesszhu44 wrote:

It has been more than two weeks since the pickup, there is only one update associated with this return tracking number, that is the label has been created. No other updates such as pick up etc.

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Without an acceptance scan, you can't prove the package was shipped back.

If it never gets a scan, the case could be closed in sellers favor without having to refund.

[bonjourami]

For a return within a SNAD case request Ebay would not force the seller to refund without tracking showing delivery to the correct address/zip code.

Unless the seller issued a label with an incorrect return address causing non delivery.

Ebay *might* issue a courtesy refund out of their pocket depending on the circumstances,cost.

[1tuna]

if a buyer starts a return and sends back a package with a seller supplied label it does not really matter once its scanned in as accepted,if the package gets lost then the buyer has done there duty and is going to be refunded.Ebay is going to take care of any buyer who returns an item the way they were supposed to.I can see ebay issuing a credit to the buyer and thats it.I think the seller is out of luck maybe