"PACKAGE RESEARCH CASE CLOSED"--but no information provided???

[jack_bucks_ghost]

A buyer who is being really patient so far asked me to see if I could find out where his package might be in the shipping maelstrom that has gripped USPS, so I opened a "package research case." After two days, the eBay tracking showed "PACKAGE RESEARCH CASE CLOSED" (there was never a notation of a case even being opened on USPS tracking), but I have not received any information or update as to why it was closed. I tried the USPS automated phone system, but got the same thing--nothing. As is, I have no idea if it was closed because it was found, lost, or simply still unaccounted for (which would be odd to close the case). Is anyone familiar with this process? The buyer has been great and I really want to update him, but can't with a closed case that doesn't say why it's closed.

[timelord_science]

I've opened a few myself - they (USPS) either email you or call you (based on what you preferred; though, these days I always put my preference as email & they call me anyways) so if you haven't, I'd check your email to see if they reached out. Even when tracking finally updated or the item was delivered, they still contacted me.

I have heard that some of the branches have been auto closing cases since there's obviously a huge influx of people asking where packages are due to delays. I've always had someone reach out + contact me but you may be in the few that they've auto closed the case.

[monroe67]

I opened one Package Research Case, online, requesting an online response also.  The e-mail I got in return was, well, less than helpful.  Maybe my expectations were too high . . . . .

The response was just that -- we're doing all we can -- Covid has affected our staffing -- we have contracted with other carriers to help out with our package volume and some of those carriers might not scan packages -- yada yada.   Yes, I understand the pandemic.  I understand package volumes are unprecedented.  This was for a package I dropped at the post office Four Weeks Ago yesterday.  And there still has been no delivery.   

The USPS site does offer a service called Informed Delivery.   You can type in the tracking number and you will receive a daily e-mail updating the location of the item.  I have done that with two other eBay sales, and it is relieving some anxiety for me.   My selling ID sold my currently-last listing yesterday, an item which will go from Southern California (me) to Southern Florida (buyer).  I will definitely put that tracking number into Informed Delivery also.   

[68barbie]

That happened to me last week as well. They had the nerve to send me a survey the day after to see if I was satisfied with the response. There was no communication whatsoever to my case so you can imagine my answers to the survey. When the buyer saw the "Case Closed" notation in the tracking it was like pouring gasoline on a fire and he demanded a refund right NOW. I had no choice but to refund him and then file a claim with the USPS.  We'll see how that shakes out or if I get to totally eat a $99 sale.

-C

[quanyou7]

some one here often advise to open research case. please don't . after opening  case, you got call from post office and explain to you package is  backup and case is closed. The worst is case closed show up on ebay tracking. after case  closed  tracking, ebay no longer show in transit arriving late  tracking. customer think the package lost  and file inr case.

[dbfolks166mt]

You can, under normal circumstances which these are not, log onto the USPS site and bring up the case and review the status of why it was closed. But given the current situation I am not sure how USPS is addressing or responding to these. From others comments it appears it depends. 

[pooh333piglet]

Its USPS way of saying take a hike. They got tons of cases and could care less cos 99.9 % of case research packages are delayed and sitting somewhere until an employee gets to it. Nothing actually happened to it

[va-8501]

It looks like ebay is trying to give sellers some relief.  Ebay will not force a refund for INR until 10 days have passed since the last tracking update in the tracking history.  If you open a USPS Search Request this entry transfers over to the ebay tracking history:

Hopefully, ebay will recognize this as something in the tracking history that will grant the 10 day reprieve before demanding a refund.  If nothing else it shows the seller is doing their due diligence.  Even if there is an entry for "CASE CLOSED", it's an entry in the tracking history.  I don't agree that 'CASE CLOSED' means the item is lost.  It just as well could be interpreted as item found and is moving along.  (😃 I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I'd like to sell you 😄).  I had a case closed a few days after I opened it, but then a few days later the item got delivered.  Maybe just coincidence, but in the 20 years of doing this, USPS has never lost one my packages.

[uncle-papaw]

When you file a package research case, they just forward the message to the  destination post office. If your package hasn't got there yet, then there's nothing they can do but look at the tracking and tell you the same thing as you can see for yourself on the tracking page. Absolutely worthless unless your package is sitting at the destination post office.

[jerryspens]

Yes me too!  The post office is horrible that way.  It makes me feel like they just don't give a **bleep**!  My buyer is waiting too, and after ONE DAY, i'm reading CASE CLOSED, but no call, and no explanation?  Why?  It shows where it went and died (The Grand Rapids sorting Office).  So if they looked there, they should find it.  Check the floor, the machines etc.)  Don't close the case until you either find it, or pay for it.  I'm getting really tired of this kind of service, especially since they have the gull to up their prices every year.  You would think if they are asking for more money, we would see an improvement in their service, but it has gotten worse.  I have always gotten a bad attitude when dealing with postal workers.   If they don't want their jobs, why not let someone who actually cares about people take it.  Get rid of these people.  I've also had expensive pens stolen.  Don't you have cameras?  Come on USPS you can do better than this.  I'm going to try to open the case again.  If it won't let me, I'm not sure who to call, does anybody know?

[carlmarxx]

Go to your  P.O. and have them use the Internal  tracking   system.  They may have found something  on the enteral scan that is why case is closed .

[simba6]

Call the 800 number on the USPS web site.  They can pull up a lot more info than what is on line.  I have had a number of packages found that way over the years.

[buyselljack2016]

an employee must respond, and close within 3 days.

[carlmarxx]

The  1800  USPS  can't pull up any internal tracking ! I only  has the website  tracking !!  Go to the PO and hae them run it in the internal tracking system..

[carlmarxx]

looks good.