USPS shipping tracking showing in transit for weeks

[honest_abe66]

Hi

i know this question has been asked many times, but i am a bit confused after discussing this with ebay support.

If the tracking has been stuck “in transit” and it has been   2 weeks since the ship date , is it true that i can offer the buyer to open a Item not received case, approve it and he should be able to get a refund through ebay’s MBG program?  

If this is the case, what if the package eventually arrives?  (As shown in the tracking). Do i contact ebay so that the buyer either refunds the refund, or returns the item?

The other question i had was on the idea of getting shipcover insurance. I do have shipping insurance, so i will be covered if the package is lost.  I am confused because the ebay support rep said i will get to keep the payment from the buyer regardless of having shipping insurance or not.  Can someone confirm what happens as the seller (me) in this case?

If this is true, what is the point of ever getting shipping insurance?  Is it just for goods that arrive damaged and only that?

Thanks in advance

[futuremarine2011]

 if the package eventually arrives,  you can ask the buyer  to send it back but they are not obligated to do so.   they can decide not to talk to you and wa-la, its theirs. it would be nice if they at least said thank you for it.

[rebell45]

Do not "offer" the buyer to open an INR case, let him decide that on his own. Go the the USPS website and file a missing mail case.  Let the buyer know that you are pursuing it.

The insurance is for your protection when something like this happens. However, read the terms and conditions carefully, and follow up on any requirements. You may have to wait like 30 days before you can file a claim with them.

[fmwsells]

Two weeks is actually not that bad. I just had a package that stayed in transit without any new tracking info for 3 weeks. I have seen a lot of delayed packages since March of 2019. So far all of the packages have eventually been delivered. The slowest delivery took exactly one month.

[evry1nositswindy]

I shipped a package 12/26, no movement after pick up, and it was just delivered yesterday.  First class, one state over.  My buyer was very patient and I kept updating him.  First off, sign up for email updates after a week or so.  If no movement, take the next step on thr USPS tracking page.  It opens an inquiry.  Let your buyer know you are working on it.  Then you open a missing mail case.  I had many late packages, but none were lost.  I communicated with my buyers and they appreciated my effort.  Then be sure to let the USPS know how you feel when they ask for your feedback in an email!!

[no_zero369]

@honest_abe66 

IF the buyer does file an INR case, do not act on it right away.  If there is movement (The Missing Mail process could shake it loose) then make sure you are aware of the 'extension' eBay created for delayed shipments as note in this announcement.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/UPDATE-Helping-buyers-understand-shipping-delays-and-wha...

IF you do have to refund before the item arrives to the buyer, you have the option of filing a Package Intercept with the USPS.  It costs $14.65, but that could get the item back and help cut your loss.

Just a few thoughts that might be of some use.

[futuremarine2011]

 sometimes the length of time a buyer is willing to wait  will speaks volumes as to the character of the person you are dealing with.

[caldreamer]

If buyer opens return stating "did not receive item" YOU are responsible for giving full refund (plus shipping costs).   If you don't refund money fast enough...EBAY will do it for you (and give you a "defect").

And when package arrives at a later date....EBAY does NOT pay you.   Only way to try and get paid is to send customer PayPal invoice and hope they do the right thing.

[evry1nositswindy]

---

@caldreamer wrote:

If buyer opens return stating "did not receive item" YOU are responsible for giving full refund (plus shipping costs).   If you don't refund money fast enough...EBAY will do it for you (and give you a "defect").

And when package arrives at a later date....EBAY does NOT pay you.   Only way to try and get paid is to send customer PayPal invoice and hope they do the right thing.

---

^^Right there is a loophole that needs closed.  When the late item is delivered, eBay should send an invoice for the buyer to pay!  Not all buyers are honest.  

[zorrothefox]

The backup at USPS has played havoc with many of my shipments. I shipped a package to a seller on Dec. 16 and he is still awaiting it. Luckily, we have been communicating, so he knows about the delays, as do most of the people I sell to.

However, I am very frustrated with the USPS. I know about all the issues they have had, but taking a month to get a package is ridiculous.

I have had to email many buyers to ask them to check their tracking so they know their items have not been lost.

Sorry, I just wanted to vent because this is a situation that makes me — and probably others — feel helpless.

Thanks for listening.

[vintagecraze50]

Do a package research case called missing mail on USPS.COM. I have two orders that were completely stalled for 4 weeks. Once the trace was done on one it started moving to the next facillity on one of them. It might help.

[vintagecraze50]

If USPS deems the package as lost you will be able to submit the claim and get paid from them. However it takes about a month or more before that will process. If you have sent an expensive item and the buyer opens an INR and you do not want it to get delivered after you refund then you can do a package intercept that costs about 15 dollars to get the package redirected back to you.

[doglover01]

I have experienced the same issues with USPS delivering packages very late starting the 2nd week of November. I had a customer purchase on 11/17 & she just received her package on 1/11 & unfortunately it was Christmas ribbon so I had to refund her the day after Christmas. She was so understanding & low & behold she returned it back to me & didnt even ask for the return postage $.  I had my customers messaging me every day asking "why havent i received my package? or "I still haven't received my package" OMG I felt like every day I was opening a new case with USPS because the packages were just sitting at a NJ hub for weeks!!! I had to open over 20 cases with USPS. UGH. I was communicating with my customers like you did & they were so very nice & understanding due to the pandemic causing USPS taking so long to deliver. Unfortunately I had to refund about $100.00 total which actually isn't that bad considering most of my sales were for their Christmas gifts & some were delivered after Christmas. I totally know what you went through & I just wanted to share my awful experience also.  I am so relieved & so happy December is over!!! It feels great to vent! lol!

[powell-memorabilia]

Depends on the situation, at least in my opinion.  I don’t mind waiting for an item if the seller has done his best.  However, when a seller takes far too long to ship out the item - especially given the current delays, I don’t have a lot of sympathy.  

I bought two framed  lithographs on Tuesday morning - two different sellers, each with one day handling.  One shipped out on Wednesday, one still hasn’t shipped.  Late shipment is going parcel select - not a service that allows for pickup, and the piece is too large to just throw into the PO bin.  So, I know that the seller is just shipping out late!

[honest_abe66]

Thanks

i filed a missing package report wit USPS a few days ago.

I am glad I have shipcover insurance for reimbursement on my side