package available for pick up questions

[evry1nositswindy]

I sent a package to a buyer and it was delivered to a post office box.  It has been available for pick up since May 10.   The USPS sent a reminder to the buyer to schedule re-delivery on May 16.   I have sent the buyer 2 eBay messages with copies of the tracking notices.

Can't the USPS just hold this item in the post office box for the buyer without any issues?  If not, how long is the PO going to hold this?  What happens next?  I have never had a buyer not pick up an item before.

[dariudaudery_0]

If buyer did not open a case then nothing. If item gets returned just let them know and refund the money minus shipping fees. Holding time should be 30 days if i am not mistaken.

[Anonymous]

No, it's 15 days

30 days refers to vacation holds

[mtgraves7984]

USPS will hold the item for the buyer without any issues for only so long... I'd bet they'll try one more 're-deliver' (don't know where they'll 're-deliver', if it was sent to a PO box) and then they'll send it back to you.

If it comes back to you, the buyer needs to pay for re-shipment. If the buyer doesn't, I'd try to negotiate a;  partial refund... you absorb the product (and resell it); the buyer absorbs the shipping cost. Good luck.

[evry1nositswindy]

Yeah it was the re-deliver part that had me puzzled.  How do you re-deliver to a PO Box?  It is a small flat item, so it's not like it takes up a bunch of space.  Will they hold it for 15 days from first notice?

[Anonymous]

15 days from last delivery attempt..

Also, is the final destination an actual PO box or PMB

[evry1nositswindy]

PO Box

[vintagecraze50]

Buyer may be on vacation and will pick up at some point. If it has been delivered to the PO BOX it should say ‘delivered” and you should be done. Something is wonky with the scan. Call the PO and have them marked it as delivered. Then you are done.

[vintagecraze50]

Strange that they would mark a parcel that is in someone’s PO Box for redelivery. That makes no sense at all. IT IS DELIVERED.

[evry1nositswindy]

@vintagecraze50 

I did call the post office and asked about the scan.  She said that this is a vacation hold and the person would not be back until June 1.  They will hold it there until he picks up all of his packages.  I pointed out the reminder to schedule re-delivery scan and she said it was okay.  Load off my mind!  Thanks for your help.

[dippitydoo]

Actually, P.O. Box parcels are NOT considered delivered just by it's arrival at the post office...when the customer comes and picks it up, it then receives it's final delivery scan.  (The scan it receives when it reaches the post office is "Item ready for pick-up").   An attempt at re-delivery is a clerk placing another pick-up reminder inside their P.O. Box.

-Dippity