Shipped an item to Canada in May, still not received, shows still in transit, ebay refunded buyer

[boutiquefashion304]

Buyer paid for the item and I shipped the next business day Priority Mail International. This was on May 27, 2020. The USPS shows the item going to Chicago international shipping on June 6, then nothing. The buyer and I have continued to email each other but last week she started saying that she wanted a refund and that she wouldn't be wearing the shorts next year just this year.

When you buy designer clothing  you typically wear it for more than one season which sounded weird to me. I told her it was in transit and I opened up a inquiry with the USPS international shipping.

I tried to explain to the buyer who has a feedback of 1 that due to COVID-19 many items are stuck. I even had to post all of the information on the case that she opened in Canada on ebay.ca. All of the information was there including the tracking information and the inquiry case# but today she sent the case to CS and they closed it immediately refunding her the payment!! Now when the shipping gets back to normal she will get the item for free and I have lost the Shipping cost, item cost, and payment.

I have decided not to ship internationally until this thing is over but is there anything I can do now? Losing almost $200 hurts!

[patelvis49]

Very sad incident  on your loss part. Only option is you can contact usps.com on your loss part. 

I think they also cant take on the loss part due to Covid situation ...

Regards

David 

https://usps-track.us

[pjcdn2005]

I don't know if the same is true for Priority international but for domestic, sellers are automatically insured for up to $50 or if they are TRS, they are insured for up to $100.  Have you looked into that?

Once the buyer receives the item, you can contact them and send a return shipping label if they don't want to keep the item or send them an invoice so that they can repay. They may just ignore you but it doesn't hurt to try.

[nkmipgolf]

For Priority Mail International even if slow she should get it in 2-3 weeks. Not showing any movement since Chicago I would ask USPS to check the tracking/insurance if any.  I've got things arriving next week that were mailed July 9th, 12th, shows tracking in USA and Canada.  Always insure parcels in the future, ours is an automatic min $100, especially in these times.

[queenbuttercup]

I understand your buyer's perspective, as it has been in transit for a very long time. 

File an insurance claim for lost mail on the USPS website. When you use priority mail international, it includes $200 of insurance. Create pdfs of the invoice to the buyer (as proof of value) and the claim the buyer won on eBay to have to file with the lost mail claim. Have the tracking number handy as well. USPS typically refunds purchase price (up to amount insured - in this case $200) + shipping paid to them. I would file ASAP. 

I'm hoping and praying you get your money back:)

Link for claim filing:

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

[corvettestainless]

Ebay did it right. Buyer buys, you ship, buyer does not get package- you either refund or ebay does it for you. Having ebay do it for you is a mark against you. Don't let that happen too often. You can always get insurance from USPS when you purchase label in the future. True, there may be a small portion of insurance included, you can file with USPS for that amount. 

[angwjea]

maybe you could contact usps and have the package returned 

[penguins_dont_fly]

File a claim with the USPS

Priority International carries $200 insurance for loss or damage

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

[whisp_1978]

eBay DID NOT do this right.......... We are in a pandemic, They understand this on the buyers side that is why they have extended return times. Packages are taking longer to get to a lot of customers. I had this happen in June where as both packages have been delivered and you better believe I am going to fight to get my money. Keep watching the tracking of the package and once it arrives ask the buyer to send it back, if they don't get in touch with eBay.