USPS Claims

[lbi.letzbuyit]

Any sellers have the problem of submitting pictures of broken items for proof of damage for a claim with the USPS, only to have them request the broken item be taken to the Post Office, along with the box it was shipped in?  This is after the buyer has been refunded and 3 weeks since the item arrived broken, of course.  

Any suggestions on how to get my money back??

[wastingtime101]

This is standard for all carriers. Occasionally photos will work, but most of the time the carrier needs to inspect the item, box and all packing material. Most damage claims are denied for "insufficient packaging."

When an item is damaged in transit it's a good idea to ask the buyer to hang on to the item and all packaging, put it aside until USPS (or other carrier) comes to collect it.

[slippinjimmy]

Asking to physically see the item/packaging is completely normal.

Two reasons, 1) they want to physically examine the damage and packing, probably so they can say the packaging was insufficient, and b) if they agree to fully compensate you then THEY (USPS) owns the item, you can't have both the item and insurance payout.

No matter how you ship any claim for damage requires presenting the package for inspection.

[caldreamer]

You only can file a claim for damage if you INSURED this item (or shipped via PRIORITY MAIL which offers free insurance). 

Then you would need to prove that USPS damaged item by supplying item and original shipping box.    USPS will not pay if they decide your packaging was insufficient.

[harafkac0]

The problem I see...

As you state, one must submit the broken item to the Post Office, along with the box it was shipped in.

When the item is at the buyer's location...

And if the buyer ships the item back to the seller then the USPS will deny the claim because the item is no longer at the point of destination where it was first found to be broken.

[genv]

In the "good old days"... photos of item & listing, before/after, a buyer's 'affidavit' (statement of damage), a screenshot of orig. payment & refund... got a Claim paid... after DeJoy... this req't of forcing an out of state Buyer (who was already refunded), to 'present pkg', became the response... Only is missing/non delivery covered easily, now... That's the problem w/ "free" Insurance... it's worthless.

[lbi.letzbuyit]

Loved your response because that’s what I remember!  “File a claim with pictures and receive payment.”

Luckily I haven’t filed a claim since 2020.  But I had 2 in the last month…one for $5…one for $50.  Same response for both.  I can’t force the buyer to do what’s been requested.  How many buyers would have kept the broken item and the packaging for over 3 weeks?  And if I have them ship the item back, that’s money out of my pocket.  Not worth it for the $5, but would’ve been for the $50.  Hindsight is 20-20.  LOL.

I thought of asking the buyer to file the claim, but I’m sure Ebay would require me to refund the money within this length of time.  It’s almost been a month.  Anyway, thanks for your response and letting me vent!

[pickermall]

I think insurance covers mainly lost packages... not damage.

I sold a lamp last summer that was double boxed and cushioned. I don't think it went too far (maybe next state over) and I had it fully insured. Fragile stickers all over it. It was shattered upon arrival.

USPS denied the claim with plenty of pictures and all the requirements they wanted. Even my local postmaster filed and escalated a new claim for me and that was also rejected. Insurance is useless.