eBay

bluewhistlecreations · ‎03-17-2025

My package (Ground Advantage) to Buyer has no update after 02/26/2025 (and last location is at GA distribution center). The buyer wouldn't want to wait so she filed a claim of "not receive the package" and I had to fully refund within the time period eBay requires (I have taken care of it one week ago).

I have been waiting to file a lost claim. Local post office manager informed me that I have to wait 30 days otherwise USPS wouldn't respond to a lost claim (on USPS website it states 15 days). Now I have a question:

I have told that " In cases of lost packages, USPS will automatically refund the postage cost, so there's no need to include the postage amount in your claim. See section 5.4 here:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm#ep1097274

"

On USPS "File a Claim" page, at the "Amount requested", it states "request amount excluding postage/shipping". So, should I put the full cost including the shipping there, or just the amount excluding the shipping? Sorry I am a bit frustrated and want to be cautious when deal with USPS due to an unpleasant claim experience.

Please help if you have handled the similar case before.

carlmarxx · ‎03-17-2025

Make sure to include the full shipping cost. Also go to your PO to request a internal tracking scan a photo shot of the package .

bluewhistlecreations · ‎03-26-2025

Just an update in case anyone might be interested. My claim went through. Turns out for a lost claim, there is no additional photo proof needed. A screenshot of the refund/payment page is sufficient with all the details (the item price, shipping) especially indicating you have refunded the buyer. I haven't received the check yet,but it looks like USPS also compensates my part shipping cost on top of the refund price. So now my transaction is totally recovered with no loss.

carlmarxx · ‎03-26-2025

It may still show up . I also recommend that you file a report with postal inspectors office for investigation based on the last scan at USPS sorting plant that did have it in their hands.

buyselljack2016 · ‎03-26-2025

Yup, no need to put the shipping cost that you paid in your claim.

Just proof of buyer total payment to you.

USPS knows what shipping was paid to them for the label.

30 days vs 15 days is likely a case of that time wait being changed when GA (auto-insured up to $100) came into the picture, and the local PO manager does not have that change etched into the mental data bank yet.

sassykzt · ‎03-26-2025

I've had 17 lost packages in late Feb. - March 15 all shipped via ground advantage. I then filled out missing mail forms and when still USPS could not locate these 17 packages. I then filled out the 17 claim forms online with a screenshot of the eBay transaction showing that all 17 had been refunded. After 5 days I received a check from USPS ( this included the cost of shipping). The key is s to show missing mail forms have been filled out and that transactions are shown to have been refunded.

bluewhistlecreations · ‎03-31-2025

Yes，you are right. And after this case, I am definitely know how to deal with a lost case.

And I have a question regarding a broken case:

When file a claim on a broken case, at the "Amount requested" (it states "request amount excluding postage/shipping"), do we fill in the item price only or the total payment buyer paid? I filed one last month and I only claim the price on the broken piece only (I lost money on the shipping buyer paid upon fully refunding). But from this "lost case", I see USPS do their job to consider the shipping cost from the seller, which makes me confused with my "broken case", is that "postage/shipping" required us to exclude actually the shipping case by us (seller) not the part by Buyer? If the answer is yes, it means I should have claimed the compensate for the shipping buyer paid.

sassykzt · ‎03-31-2025

Glad to hear your claim went through! You should receive your check in the mail soon ( although that may be delayed too! ). I've been on eBay for a while - never a lost package until this February and 17 of them in 2 wks. I deposited those checks right away -- one never knows😆

bluewhistlecreations · ‎03-31-2025

Thank you! Yes I received it yesterday and deposited right away.

I bet you have a lot experiences on broken item cases. Please let me know if you have any answers to my questions posted earlier: I am pasting here:

"When file a claim on a broken case, at the "Amount requested" (it states "request amount excluding postage/shipping"), do we fill in the item price only or the total payment buyer paid? I filed one last month and I only claim the price on the broken piece only (I lost money on the shipping buyer paid upon fully refunding). But from this "lost case", I see USPS do their job to consider the shipping cost from the seller, which makes me confused with my "broken case", is that "postage/shipping" required us to exclude actually the shipping case by us (seller) not the part by Buyer? If the answer is yes, it means I should have claimed the compensate for the shipping buyer paid."

😉

sassykzt · ‎04-03-2025

When filing the broken item case: If the Mailer (seller) files an insurance claim for a damaged article still in the possession of the addressee ( your buyer) , the addressee is required to retain the damaged article and container (including packaging, wrapping, and any other contents received) until the claim is fully resolved. Upon written request by USPS, the addressee must turn the materials over to USPS for inspection, retention, and disposition in accordance with the claim's decision. Damaged or Missing Contents: customers should file a claim immediately but must file no later than 60 days from the date of mailing. Failure to do so will result in denial of the claim. The Postal Service employee completes PS Form 3831, Receipt for Article(s) Damaged in Mails and it is provided to the customer. The Post Office retains the item until the claims process is completed and determines full, partial, or denied payment and whether to dispose of or return the damaged item.

As to being reimbursed to postage costs: It seems that USPS only reimburses postage for lost items. but I would still include the cost. I've never had a damage claim, thankfully.