USPS package never scanned

[jice65]

I shipped out a package on Monday. As of today (Saturday), it has not been scanned by USPS. Buyer asks where the package is (he sees the same information). I asked at USPS and they say sometimes packages aren't scanned but it should have arrived by now. 

I asked about initiating a lost package process and they tell me that is not possible until it is scanned. They also tell me I cannot file an insurance claim because it was never scanned. 

What can I do? The only advice they gave for future was to always wait in line and make sure the clerk scans all packages and gives a receipt. But there seems to be no way to locate this package. They did say they haven't had any problems or theft this week. 

[kensgiftshop]

If it never gets a scan, not much you can do but refund the buyer if they file an INR.

Without a scan, there's no proof USPS ever took possession of the package.

[jice65]

Right, but how does the USPS check if the mail was stolen from the drop box or lost before they could scan it?

[fbusoni]

@jice65 

The package will likely arrive; I'd explain the situation to the buyer and ask buyer to be patient.

I stand in line every time I visit a post office and make sure my packages are scanned. 

It's worked for 25 years.

[jice65]

How does the INR refund work? It's a fairly expensive item. Will eBay refund the fees so I am not out those in addition to the value of the lost item? 

[jice65]

In your experience how long might the package be lost for until it turns up? It's been 8 days so far and not scanned yet. Buyer is patient but I imagine it might be lost somewhere in a USPS processing site or worse. 

[richard1rst]

This may not placate your buyer (or you either for that matter) but I have had several cases where the FIRST scan the package got was when it got to the BUYER"S post office. The buyer can not file an INR case until at least the last estimated delivery date. What date was that?

[jice65]

Saturday, Sept. 28th. 

Post office tells me I can't do an insurance claim because they never scanned it. So, I am out the value of the item. I would at least not like to have to back the $45 in fees that I paid ebay (and the additional smaller postage cost from USPS ... I guess I could get that since they never have a record of it being scanned). 

I never had a lost package before, so this makes me a little suspicious that someone could have detected it contained something small and valuable.

[richard1rst]

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@jice65 wrote:

Saturday, Sept. 28th. 

Post office tells me I can't do an insurance claim because they never scanned it. So, I am out the value of the item. I would at least not like to have to back the $45 in fees that I paid ebay (and the additional smaller postage cost from USPS ... I guess I could get that since they never have a record of it being scanned). 

I never had a lost package before, so this makes me a little suspicious that someone could have detected it contained something small and valuable.

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If you voluntarily refund the buyer (even after the buyer files an INR) eBay will refund the fees. And you are right about the postage - since it was never scanned you can simply void the label and you will eventually get a refund (it won't be immediate).

One trick I have used is to go to usps.com. Click Track a package, enter the tracking number then click on the link "text & email updates". Click "all" and follow the prompts. If the package suddenly turns up you will automatically get an email in whatever address you enter (I always use my personal email, not eBay's).

I would wait until the buyer files an UNR instead of jumping the gun. If the buyer is being patient you should be too.

[kensgiftshop]

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@jice65 wrote:

How does the INR refund work? It's a fairly expensive item. Will eBay refund the fees so I am not out those in addition to the value of the lost item? 

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If the buyer files an INR and you refund, the fee's will be refunded.

If you didn't refund and Ebay has to refund, they won't refund their fee's.

[kensgiftshop]

If it never gets a scan, you can void the shipping label and get a refund for it.

[jice65]

How do I void the shipping label?  At this point, the buyer has filed an item not received, so I will need to refund the payment. USPS never scanned the package, so they will not pay insurance (I am out almost $200). 

I tried to at least refund the shipping label, but when I click to cancel the label, eBay says, "This shipping label can't be cancelled because it has already been used."

So, it appears that they even charge me for the postage on the lost item. 

Will ebay refund the postage cost when it refunds my fees (as you mentioned earlier)? 

[jice65]

This is the only history. Note that I initiated a Missing Mail search with USPS on Oct. 1st. 

It seems the eBay's poor integration with USPS interprets this activity as me shipping the item on Oct. 1st and that therefore the label has become used as of that date. In reality, I shipped on Sept 23, but it was never scanned (probably has been stolen from the post office). 

[cwh5150]

i had a similar deal happen to me. they mi-scanned it.

it still got there but it was in the dark the entire time.

DO-NOT give a refund until it misses the delivery date. i did and it made a head ache.

once you refund its up the the buyers good will to send payment if it is delivered.

package could be on its way and will show up. give it the time Ebay allows.

if it doesnt show, slow walk the refund the couple days you are allowed to give it a few more days.

then refund. sellers dont have many rights on Ebay, use the ones you do have

[jice65]

eBay says I have 3 days to respond, so I don't have much time. USPS says package could be lost or stolen, or it could be that it was already delivered and just not scanned. No way to know. USPS has supposedly been looking for it. But since 2 weeks past the expected delivery date, the buyer was allowed to start the process.