Shipping issue, getting very concerned, need advice

[azham24]

I am an occasional/casual seller, not doing this as a business. There is about $800 at stake in this transaction, which I understand is not a big deal to most people, but it is a lot of money to me. I would appreciate any advice on my situation.

Here is the deal...I sold an item, shipped it out on 8/31 via USPS priority mail. Expected delivery Friday 9/3. I printed the label through ebay, made sure Signature Confirmation was checked, and insured the item (but had to get the insurance through ShipCover; for some reason, it would not let me buy both Signature Confirmation and insurance through USPS together). USPS tracking on 9/3 showed "In Transit, Arriving Late", and it continued to show that same status (but updating the date) on 9/4, 9/5, and 9/6. Submitted a "help request form" through USPS two days ago (on 9/7) and got back an initial "first contact" email saying they would investigate. Today is 9/9 and I've heard nothing further from USPS.

The USPS tracking info still shows "In Transit, Arriving Late" and the last update still shows 9/6. This is kind of a messy situation because I also found out (after shipping the item) that the address I shipped to is a freight forwarder and that they have pretty bad reviews. Apparently the buyer is in south America. I just used the shipping address on the label that I generated through ebay, which was an address in Florida.

The buyer has not submitted a dispute/case/whatever to ebay yet (or at least I haven't seen anything), but I have a feeling that is probably imminent if he's following the tracking. What is my best option? With no further contact from USPS in two days, I guess that was a dead end. Right now, I'm leaning towards submitting both a package intercept request, and a missing mail request, to double cover myself since both of those would result in the package getting shipped back to me. My biggest worry is that it's currently lost, and ebay is going to make me refund the buyer, and then shortly thereafter, the package gets found and delivered to this freight forwarding company. If that happens, I am almost assuredly out the money and my item.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[stainlessenginecovers]

The 3rd through 6th don't even count as those were part of the holiday weekend. Something that shows 'still in transit arriving late' means it can get to the local for 'out for delivery' anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks. 

Nothing you can do. Just have to wait it out. Been there, done that. 

[chapeau-noir]

@azham24  Did you put text/email notifications on the tracking for the package?  I've found this tends to break things loose - not sure why as it's just notification, but have done this numerous times in the past. For some reason I start getting more up to date information that way than just following the tracking myself.  If you haven't, you can find it on the tracking page for USPS.

It's just another thing to try.

[bonjourami]

Just fyi, if you sell on Ebay, you are considered a business.Most of these freight forwarders have some bad reviews, they handle thousands of packages a day.Since you havent heard from the buyer yet..he may just go ahead an and file  a case,, I would do pkg intercept..but thats just my opinion for an eight hundred dollar item. I stopped shipping internationally years ago, but do wait for some other opinions..and good luck.

[anneecakes]

I have information for you that is not ideal, but MAY end up being helpful.  If EVER there is a parcel for which I don't get a delivery confirmation, it is going to a Florida-based parcel forwarder. I never see that it was delivered, but then 2-4 weeks later I get positive feedback from the end user in South America, so I know it DID get to the forwarder).  There are a couple of them that are so big, I think they have their own 5-digit (or maybe 9-digit) zip codes. A couple of them definitely have addresses on the same blvd, but different numbers.  I have come to believe (that SOMETIMES--not always) giant pallets of parcels are taken to these forwarders without everything (or maybe without anything?) getting scanned.  

This is only my experience (with about 5-10% of 200 parcels I've sent to Florida forwarders coming out like this). I guess the take-away is: Don't jump the gun on reaching out to your buyer because they may well get your item in timely manner without you even knowing it:/. 

[me298530]

My biggest worry is that it's currently lost, and ebay is going to make me refund the buyer, and then shortly thereafter, the package gets found and delivered to this freight forwarding company. If that happens, I am almost assuredly out the money and my item.

That could happen if the buyer files an item not received claim.

Radio works well but as is typical of used electronics,is being offered as-is, no returns.

Your no return policy is voided in a not as described claim.  No returns does not mean no refunds.

[1tuna]

I think you are good to go.......the tracking appears to be up to date

I woud think that a CSR would be able to sense movement or at least see it...delivery is imminent

if the tracking showed nothing for 10 days then it might get closed on a claim but thats not the case

[vintagecraze50]

Sit tight for a day and the will get back with you via email or phone USPS and tell you where the package is.

[vintagecraze50]

USPS is probably about 80 percent on time still even on priority packages.

[vintagecraze50]

Holiday weekend causes even more delays.