eBay

sebenza · ‎11-28-2020

I shipped a package (insured for 350.00 ) via USPS Priority Mail on 11/21/20. Shipping label showed "Priority Mail 2-day." Estimated delivery date was 11/23/2020. The only tracking posts are from 11/21 which shows two entries : "USPS in possession" and "depart post office." For the last 7 days, the tracking shows "in transit." I'm worried because the buyer has paid 350.00 plus 59.35 shipping. (Shipping was high because the item was heavy and in a larger box). I don't know if the package is lost, delayed, stolen etc.

How long should a buyer have to wait for their item? At what point should I issue a refund? What happens if I issue a refund and the package arrives after the refund? I can't submit an insurance claim for a lost package until a minimum of 15 days after the mailing date which would be 12/6/20. The buyer has not contacted me and I have not contacted the buyer yet. The package was sent from Washington State to an Illinois destination.

Thanks for any advice!

kensgiftshop · ‎11-28-2020

@sebenza

They have 30 days from the last estimated delivery date to file an INR.

Since it's only been a few days, don't do anything until they file a claim.

Once they file a claim, if there's no recent tracking, not much you can do but refund.

If you issue a refund, you can try to have the package intercepted and sent back to you .

If the package is delivered after you refund, not much you can do, but ask buyer to repay.

Have a great day.

moparfan2010 · ‎11-28-2020

I recently had a similar situation occur. I went to the post office I ship from and they suggested going on usps.com finding the link (way over to the right) for tracking missing/lost packages. I entered the tracking number as instructed. They tell me this puts more "eyes" on the shipment, especially since it was also like yours a priority mail 2 delivery package. For about 3-4 more days nothing, then I get a message that they indeed cannot find the package and to file a claim...but wait...the next day the item showed as delivered. Because I stayed in contact with a very patient buyer they advised me YES the package had been delivered and everything was fine...got positive feedback and all finally worked out ok.

nkmipgolf · ‎11-28-2020

Things are very slow. I went to the Post Office the other day and the lineup was outside the door. Xmas shipping now. Be patient, it will show up. eBay says to wait, even after the delivery date has passed.

dbfolks166mt · ‎11-28-2020

There are a lot of issues with shipping at the moment. The holiday season, the uptick in COVID cases, increases in online shopping and shipments and increasing lockdowns. None of it good. First and foremost keep in touch with the buyer and let them know you are looking into the shipping situation. If the tracking information has not been updated in 7 days I would go into the USPS site and open a missing mail case. If the box was large as you indicated it may be that it would not fit through the scanning machine and would have had to have been scanned by hand, which due to the overload is not always happening.

I have had one similar issue in the last month and filed a missing mail case. I received a response within 24 hours and oddly enough within 48 hours of filing the claim the shipping status was updated and it was delivered 2 days later. That package was also a priority mail shipment with an estimated 2-3 day delivery. The actual shipping time was 11 days. USPS will tell you that this is more like the current norm these days.

Hopefully you have an understanding and patient buyer. A lot of scammers are aware of the shipping issues and leveraging it to basically steal merchandise filing INR cases as soon as the item is past the stupid delivery date eBay provides them when they purchase the item. EBay refunds them and ultimately they end up with the item when it is finally delivered. They have their money back and you are out the item.

If the package is truly lost you will need to refund the buyer at some point and file a claim with USPS. If you did not fully insure the package the maximum USPS will cover under the standard insurance on a priority mail package is I believe $100.

lamber9347 · ‎11-28-2020

@sebenza wrote:
I shipped a package (insured for 350.00 ) via USPS Priority Mail on 11/21/20. Shipping label showed "Priority Mail 2-day." Estimated delivery date was 11/23/2020. The only tracking posts are from 11/21 which shows two entries : "USPS in possession" and "depart post office." For the last 7 days, the tracking shows "in transit." I'm worried because the buyer has paid 350.00 plus 59.35 shipping. (Shipping was high because the item was heavy and in a larger box). I don't know if the package is lost, delayed, stolen etc.
How long should a buyer have to wait for their item? At what point should I issue a refund? What happens if I issue a refund and the package arrives after the refund? I can't submit an insurance claim for a lost package until a minimum of 15 days after the mailing date which would be 12/6/20. The buyer has not contacted me and I have not contacted the buyer yet. The package was sent from Washington State to an Illinois destination.
Thanks for any advice!

USPS has been experiencing delays for several months now. Add to that the increase in Holiday shipping already begun and you can imagine everything is behind schedule. You are focusing on the priority 2 day but that's not a guarantee. Packages are not considered lost at this early stage. Your buyer hasn't even messaged you so you are fine.

Try to remain positive that all will work out. This week was a holiday short week. You should sign up for email updates from usps.com and wait this out. Your package will most likely arrive by early upcoming week. Your buyer probably hasn't even noticed. Best of luck to you....