USPS lost package. How to handle as an eBay seller?

[Giroux]

How do I handle this as a seller? The buyer put in a "Did not receive" refund request and sent me this from his post office:

https://i.imgur.com/JUq8QZ9.png

This is the tracking history:

March 29, 2022, 12:10 am
Awaiting Delivery Scan
The delivery status of your item has not been updated as of March 29, 2022, 12:10 am. We apologize that it may arrive later than expected.

March 28, 2022, 6:10 am
Out for Delivery

March 28, 2022, 5:58 am
Arrived at Post Office

[DontToewsMeBro]

100% USPS employee theft
Happens more and more recently
Refund the buyer or EBay will do it for you

[tyrith]

Yeah, you have to eat this one and then try for whatever resolution you can get with the USPS. As the seller, you are responsible for getting the item to the buyer, and unfortunately the USPS screwed you this time.

[Giroux]

Thanks. That sucks.

Does USPS typically offer compensation?

[Myerburg311]

wear socks with handles?

[JeffG1954]

Thanks. That sucks.

Does USPS typically offer compensation?

Not if you didn't purchase insurance....and even when you do they will fight you until you give up.

[mc1]

Try this site

https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm

[jamcas997]

Open up a case with USPS Inspectors !! Oh and refund buyer.

[Giroux]

Try this site

https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm

Yeah, I've tried that. Very helpful

https://i.imgur.com/gl854V4.png

[sjscout]

What would prompt the post office's computerized system to await a delivery scan and make a notation in their system that there has been no scan.

March 29, 2022, 12:10 am
Awaiting Delivery Scan
The delivery status of your item has not been updated as of March 29, 2022, 12:10 am. We apologize that it may arrive later than expected.

yet the po sends a letter, in record time mind you, saying they have no clue what happened after the 28th?

[mc1]

Try again pal.

This one.

3. Submit a Missing Mail Search Request

Do you need me to fill it out for you, too? :doh:

https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/baby_willingly_eating_from_spoon_-5oopx_with_outline_4.jpg

[Giroux]

Try again pal.

This one.

3. Submit a Missing Mail Search Request

Do you need me to fill it out for you, too? :doh:

https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/baby_willingly_eating_from_spoon_-5oopx_with_outline_4.jpg

Any reason you have to belittle me?

[DynaEtch]

Any chance this package was delivered but just not scanned? Usually that's the case with awaiting delivery scan, but the whole letter thing is odd. Might be a good idea to put the lost card out there in the public sphere so people can look for it, if identifiable.

[Giroux]

Any chance this package was delivered but just not scanned? Usually that's the case with awaiting delivery scan, but the whole letter thing is odd. Might be a good idea to put the lost card out there in the public sphere so people can look for it, if identifiable.

Good point, this is the card

https://i.imgur.com/GWnRksA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/32pWlvS.jpg

[Sonnys88]

The package was most likely delivered, but just not scanned. We have this happen a few times a year (out of a few thousand packages).

Our local postmaster tells us that when the carrier comes back to the post office, any un-scanned packages that were out for delivery that day are flagged in their system and need to be accounted for. But, some post offices are better than others at reconciling the un-scanned items at the end of the day.

In the only instance where a buyer claimed they didn't get the package, our local postmaster contacted the destination post office, and they were able to confirm that the package was actually delivered and updated the status to delivered.

There are unfortunately dishonest buyers who will use an un-scanned package to try and get a refund. Not saying this is what happened in your case, but it definitely happens.

[DynaEtch]

At least the card is numbered, thats a good thing.

The package was most likely delivered, but just not scanned. We have this happen a few times a year (out of a few thousand packages).

Our local postmaster tells us that when the carrier comes back to the post office, any un-scanned packages that were out for delivery that day are flagged in their system and need to be accounted for. But, some post offices are better than others at reconciling the un-scanned items at the end of the day.

In the only instance where a buyer claimed they didn't get the package, our local postmaster contacted the destination post office, and they were able to confirm that the package was actually delivered and updated the status to delivered.

There are unfortunately dishonest buyers who will use an un-scanned package to try and get a refund. Not saying this is what happened in your case, but it definitely happens.

My thought as well. Just because whenever I've had awaiting delivery scan it turned out to be a delivered, but un-scanned package. What's up with the whole letter thing though, makes me wonder if the recipient asked the USPS for a letter in writing or something like that, or the USPS initiated that. Might be worth it to actually call that number and see what the post office is saying?

USPS considers a delivered but not scanned packaged as "lost", so just because they say lost doesnt mean thats not what happened. Like others said, it could have been employee theft instead, but I imagine a carrier forgetting to scan a package is much more common than theft with USPS.

[Giroux]

At least the card is numbered, thats a good thing.

My thought as well. Just because whenever I've had awaiting delivery scan it turned out to be a delivered, but un-scanned package. What's up with the whole letter thing though, makes me wonder if the recipient asked the USPS for a letter in writing or something like that, or the USPS initiated that. Might be worth it to actually call that number and see what the post office is saying?

USPS considers a delivered but not scanned packaged as "lost", so just because they say lost doesnt mean thats not what happened. Like others said, it could have been employee theft instead, but I imagine a carrier forgetting to scan a package is much more common than theft with USPS.

I had the same idea that the buyer may be trying to get a free card out of this but I have no proof and he has good feedback, so will give him the benefit of the doubt.

The buyer said this regarding the letter:

I have not yet received the item , by any chance did it get returned to you? I have contacted my post office and they will send me a letter later today letting me know if they have lost or returned it.

Appreciate the advice from everyone. I'll give the Post Office a call later today.

[discodanman45]

I had the same idea that the buyer may be trying to get a free card out of this but I have no proof and he has good feedback, so will give him the benefit of the doubt.

The buyer said this regarding the letter:



Appreciate the advice from everyone. I'll give the Post Office a call later today.

I would believe the buyer from his message alone. They actually tried to write coherent sentences.

[RL 1953]

when I get a out for delivery and it never gets scanned as delivered,

I file a stolen mail report with the USPS employee appears to be the thief.

[jamcas997]

when I get a out for delivery and it never gets scanned as delivered,

I file a stolen mail report with the USPS employee appears to be the thief.


Same here. Been doing it since 2011 when I lost a $750 priority insured with signature confirmation at a USPS in Riverside ,CA.

[RL 1953]

Same here. Been doing it since 2011 when I lost a $750 priority insured with signature confirmation at a USPS in Riverside ,CA.

There are thiefs that work for USPS
There are lazy employees that are to lazy to scan.

Everyone really needs to file mail theft reports.
Helps to get rid of the thiefs, and / or make the lazy carriers do their job.

[DynaEtch]

It wouldn’t be hard in theory to make a system that massively flags even a single package that is awaiting delivery scan….like something comes up on the carrier’s device or whatever they use….”red alert: awaiting delivery scan package not scanned, red alert”. By the end of the route or whatever. But pretty sure this isn’t done. USPS really needs to streamline this process so this unscanned thing doesn’t occur, period (I’m going on on a limb in assuming it’s not a case of theft for a moment). It needs to be considered a more serious issue when packages aren’t scanned delivered.

Theft does happen of course and can’t be excluded, but I’ve had several awaiting delivery scans over the years- and each and every time, it was because the package just wasn’t scanned (I know this because the buyer doesn’t complain).

[jamcas997]

It wouldn’t be hard in theory to make a system that massively flags even a single package that is awaiting delivery scan….like something comes up on the carrier’s device or whatever they use….”red alert: awaiting delivery scan package not scanned, red alert”. By the end of the route or whatever. But pretty sure this isn’t done. USPS really needs to streamline this process so this unscanned thing doesn’t occur, period (I’m going on on a limb in assuming it’s not a case of theft for a moment). It needs to be considered a more serious issue when packages aren’t scanned delivered.

Theft does happen of course and can’t be excluded, but I’ve had several awaiting delivery scans over the years- and each and every time, it was because the package just wasn’t scanned (I know this because the buyer doesn’t complain).

USPS needs to hold their workers to the fire over these. We pay for a service and it should be honored.

[RufussCkingston]

Just file the insurance claim and move on...

Let eBay make the decision so that you can file an appeal if it magically becomes delivered within 30 days..

[DynaEtch]

Just file the insurance claim and move on...

Let eBay make the decision so that you can file an appeal if it magically becomes delivered within 30 days..

I'd have to read back over the thread, but I dont think it says anywhere OP purchased insurance.

[Giroux]

I'd have to read back over the thread, but I dont think it says anywhere OP purchased insurance.

I did not.

For some reason I thought the labels purchased through eBay included insurance. Oh well, been selling on there for a couple years now and this is the first issue I've had.

[RufussCkingston]

I did not.

For some reason I thought the labels purchased through eBay included insurance. Oh well, been selling on there for a couple years now and this is the first issue I've had.

The only labels that include insurance are Priority, International Standard, and Standard envelope, at $50-$100, $100, and $20 receptively.... There is a checkbox/drop-down to purchase insurance when you print a label.

[JWBlue]

If insurance is purchased through USPS is it always noted on the label for the amount?

[valleynuckfan]

If insurance is purchased through USPS is it always noted on the label for the amount?
Not sure about the USPS but it is for Canada Post.
For this reason I rarely insure anymore as it attracts attention.
And as noted by so many others it would surely be a battle to collect.
Simple signature confirmation and tracking has always gotten items delivered with no issues.

[DynaEtch]

Not sure about the USPS but it is for Canada Post.

For this reason I rarely insure anymore as it attracts attention.

And as noted by so many others it would surely be a battle to collect.

Simple signature confirmation and tracking has always gotten items delivered with no issues.



Im moving towards this same mode of thought (sig confirmation, no insurance), but one thing that bugs me is the awaiting delivery scan. I'd hate to be out, say $1500, just because a postal carrier forgot to make that one scan at delivery. (which has happened more than a few times before...luckily dont think I had a buyer attempt anything with it, but still).

The risk of awaiting delivery scan is probably greater than a package getting truly lost by USPS, imo.