eBay after-sale problem...Need urgent help today

[#1 DOUG Live Fan]

I've heard of this happening to others, but this is my first experience this year. I received an email from a lady who says she didn't receive her item yet, and she could send me a copy of her cancelled check.

So I started freaking out. I got my paperwork out, and it was shipped on Feb. 28. Well, I ship from home using the USPS website, and got a delivery confirmation number. I went to the site to track it, and it says it got delivered 2 days later. I've checked the addresses against each other, and I sent it to the correct place.

I emailed her this morning to let her know it did ship and gave her the tracking number to check for herself. I also asked her if she might check with neighbors to see if they might have received it and forgot to get it to her. That happens in our neighborhood more frequently than it should.

I know I'm going to hear back from her. What should I do?

HELP!

Liz

 

[disneysnowflake]

You shipped the item. You got confirmation on the package. The package was delivered according to confirmation. I believe that is it for you. You've done your job as the seller. If the package was misplaced or whatever after delivery, that's up to the buyer to find out what happened to it after it was delivered.

Even if she complains to ebay, as long as you have proof of the delivery confirmation number and proof that it was actually delivered then you should be fine. If she complains about a lost package ebay will require you to show them proof of delivery confirmation.

If you didn't have delivery confirmation then that's a different story.

That's why I always ship things with delivery confirmation.

It's not your fault if a package was swiped or misplaced after it arrived with delivery confirmation. I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[kristen0147]

I agree with disneysnowflake you have done everything that you are reqired to do as the seller.

 

[kilee]

I've had this happen to me a couple times. So far, once I've emailed them the confirmation # showing delivery, I have yet to hear from them again!! I'm not saying she's trying to pull a fast one, but they are out there!!

 

[DMRick]

Once I give them the confirmation number and suggest they check with other family members..it always seems to suddenly show up.

 

[C.Ann]

I had a situation like that several months ago.. Turned out the gentleman's wife received the package and just went ahead and put it in his computer room without notifying him..

On another occasion, it was delivered to the neighbor..

As long as you have the DC, you're fine.. Just remain calm and polite in your emails - offer to send a copy of the DC - and hopefully all will go well..

 

[Cora]

Just two weeks ago I was waiting for 2 different packages from UPS. They were both to arrive on the same day. One was delivered and the other wasn't. I went on the UPS site to track them and they both showed delivered. I called UPS. It said delivered at garage door. While on the phone with UPS I walked all around my house, into the tool shed, etc. Nothing...low an behold I walked up my neighbor's driveway and there was my package...the package had everything listed correctly on it AND it was delivered by the same truck as the first one I received 2 minutes apart. Sooooo...don't worry.
Cora

 

[mickeem]

I have also had this happen. Make sure you tell her to check with the post office that delivers her mail. It seems that if the packages is too big, and no one is around to leave it with, It gets notified as delivered, but its sitting at the post office, and they never left a notice to the receiver that its there.

Good Luck!!

 

[Amberle3]

I don't sell on Ebay (yet... I'm thinking about it) but I refuse to use UPS for anything. I had a relative send a box to a friend of hers. UPS delivered it to the entirely wrong address, which turned out to be some kind of disposal station for nonfunctioning items. They just took the box - without noticing it wasn't addressed to them - and put it in the crusher! UPS took no responsibility for delivering the box to the wrong address. The only thing similar about the addresses was the city!

I've had boxes delivered to me by UPS that have been left out outside in the rain, unattended on the front steps, and so forth. I've emailed their customer service and haven't had a single reply. Absolutely will not use them.

 

[#1 DOUG Live Fan]

Thanks so much for the answers. I guess I will relax about it. I do feel badly if she did not get her package, but I can't control the mail. Yes, I DO have a delivery confirmation, so thank goodness for that. I don't think I will ever ship without one now that this has occurred.

Liz

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think delivery confirmation is over rated.
Us pin people use all sorts of postal services.
Most post offices will tell you the delivery confirmation bar is usually scanned at the post office receiving the package. The person delivering the package is not scanning it as he/she is dropping it off.
In Omaha, I asked several times about the delivery confirmation. They insisted that meant it was delivered. (Just wondering if I was wasting $ on the extra fee.)
But others have not had that experience. They were told it basically confirms it made it to the post office, and was delivered -- somewhere.
But I haven't read yet of anyone actually contesting the delivery confirmation. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Insurance is best. But that can be a pain too. I bought a fragile item from an Ebay seller. The item arrived shattered. I was able to get a refund for the item plus shipping. But it was a lot of paperwork, and luckily the seller was prompt and honest about completing and providing what was needed.

 

[Desnik]

This happened to me. The item sold, was paid for and delivered. A month later the person contacted me saying it was never sent. Well I think they tried to pull a fast one and got caught in their own lie! You see, they had left positive feedback for me when they got the item. I emailed them reminding them of it and never heard from them again!!

A way to try and cover yourself is to put in your listing that you are not responcible for packages once they leave your hands. Always offer insurance as an option and recomend it to potential buyers. This will cover you or at least deter some scammers.

 

[phamton]

I ordered some things from PetMed. They emailed me the tracking number and I followed it carefully online everyday. Then 2 days later it said on the online tracking that it was delivered at 10:15 A.M. It was not. I was home and nothing was delivered. I called the post office and the mailman swore he put it in my mail box. It was not in there although there was other mail. My mailbox has a lock on it so I know it wasn't stolen. The only conclusion I could come to is that he delivered it to the wrong address and the people kept it. We never did find it but PetMed sent me the products again for no charge but this time they sent it FedEx and it was deleivered overnight.

 

[mep319]

Not to add fuel to the fire...but beyond delievery there is also the added stress of negative feedback. I have seen many folks leave negative or neutral feedback stating items was not recieved.... I never had it happen as of yet...and hope it doesn't but I've even read things such as...... "item not recieved refund provided but really wanted the item..." and a negative! Just a consideration while you are dealing with the person.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Again, just butting in from what others have told me -- a seller stating they are not responsible for lost shipments, etc, does not mean anything either.
The buyer bought merchandise, paid for it and the seller is under obligation to get that merchandise to the buyer with reasonable efforts.
Look at it this way -- if you bought an item mail order, paid for it, and did not receive it -- you most likely would be contacting your credit card company or bank to have the charges reversed.
I know someone who sold something on Ebay. The item was lost in the mail. The buyer did not pay for insurance and the seller listed a mailing disclaimer. Didn't matter. The $ was refunded to the buyer.
I have reported fraudulent sellers to the USPS. In the pin world, we had one gal so bad the FBI went after her and she and her husband went to prison.

 

[#1 DOUG Live Fan]

Just an update on the situation....guess who contacted me?

Yep, she emailed me and said she did receive her item. Her explanation seemed a little fishy to me, too. And since someone mentioned checking the feedback, I just did. The lady sent me feedback the day after she received the CD.

Ugh! I've heard of this happening, but it's just ridiculous.

What's a seller to do?

Liz