Ebay - Lost Package :<

[CheapMom]

I shipped a package media mail on Nov. 20th and they have not received it yet. Called USPS and since it wasn't insured or deliv. confirmation there is nothing I can do but wait. (Insurance was offered but not purchased)
How have you guys handled this type of situation?

 

[trampslady]

I just had an unfortunate situation like that happen. I had the receipt from the post office to prove I sent it to that zip code, and, lo and behold, I finally got half the box back in the mail as a "destroyed item" from the post office. I profusely apologized to the buyer. And, since I had another of the same item, I offered to send it at cost (about 1/3 of the original winning bid price.) The buyer declined the second purchase and that was that. I thought about offering a partial refund, but since I offered insurance for $1.30 and the buyer declined, I really didn't feel that I should. Tough one........

 

[Pamlur]

This time of the year, media mail can take a month or more. I have had two First Class packages go astray; one I could replace, one I refunded. Both of them eventually made to their destinations, but one took about six weeks and the other three months. Both packages were damaged, but the contents were fine. The person I had refunded to repaid, the other person offered to pay again but I told him no need.

 

[CheapMom]

OK- I didn't realize media mail could be that slow. I guess I won't be offering that option for shipping again.
I hope it turns up- I told the buyer that I would give her a refund next week if it does not turn up. I am leaving for WDW in a week- I hope it is found by then. If not I will just issue a refund the day before I leave and then I won't have to worry about it while on vacation.

 

[imsayin]

Media mail usually takes around 10 days, so I wouldn't rush to give a refund. If you stated in your auction that you were shipping media, I'd make them wait it out a bit.

 

[Grog]

I have a similar problem going on right now. I sent a package airmail to Canada a month ago and it still hasn't arrived. The buyer was very understanding and decided to give it this much time in case the Post Office sent it ground by mistake. We agreed today that I am going to refund his money, and if the package shows up he will re-pay me, as it was an out of print book he really wanted. Luckily this was a person I have dealt with before, so there is a bit of trust between us. We're both hoping the book turns up somewhere eventually.

Hopefully your problem will resolve itself soon.

 

[disneychrista]

I am a bit of a hard nose when it comes to refunds etc. IMO, if I can prove I sent the item and the buyer CHOOSES not the insure then item (except fragile item which insurance is required) then too bad for them. I do however send everything with delivery confirmation (for $0.13 why not) so I am convered with the "I didn't get my item" lies.

So I would not refund for a lost or damaged item. If the buyer takes the risk then they have to live with the consequences.

 

[CheapMom]

I think I am going to have to start doing del. conf. on every package. I think the woman at my post office told me if I print my own shipping labels that deivery conf. is free. Is that right? The only problem is I would have to get a scale and I don't sell that much so I don't know if it is worth it.
I understand your attitude about refunds Disney christa- after all it's not the seller's fault that the package is lost- but it is not the buyer's fault either. I would expect a refund if I paid and received nothing.

 

[rflorek]

I had a media mail package take 5 months to arrive about 2 years ago!! It was a book sent from NJ to WA, middle of summer. Since then, I've never offered media mail as a shipping choice in my auctions again. If somebody requested it, I would explain what had happened & if they still wanted it, I'll send it that way.

Good luck!
Robyn

 

[poohj80]

I do however send everything with delivery confirmation (for $0.13 why not)

How do you get delivery confirmation for only $0.13?

 

[disneychrista]

How do you get delivery confirmation for only $0.13?

You have to download the "shipping assistant" program from USPS. You then print your shipping labels and DC from this program and all DC is $0.13 and if you ship priority it is free.

I think the woman at my post office told me if I print my own shipping labels that deivery conf. is free. Is that right?

Well if you are shipping priority then yes this is true. If not it is $0.13 through the shipping assistant program. You do not need to have a scale, you just need what type of shipping you want (priority, media, first class, parcel).

I understand your attitude about refunds Disney christa- after all it's not the seller's fault that the package is lost- but it is not the buyer's fault either. I would expect a refund if I paid and received nothing.

While it is not the buyers fault that the package got lost it is the buyers responsiblity to purchase insurance. In all my listings I offer insurance and state the uninsured items are sent at the buyers risk. As far as I can tell if I can prove I shipped it to the confirmed address, I have DC (for tracking it) I am covered by Paypal. Of course I hope I never have to test the system.

 

[CheapMom]

She recieved the package last night- phew!
Thanks for clarifying about delivery confirmation prices.

 

[Buttercup26]

Media Mail FYI -

In my office we send and receive a lot via Media Mail. While it's sometimes faster, it typically does take 10-12 days for items sent via Media Mail to reach their destination. During the holidays it can take even longer.

CheapMom - glad the package arrived okay!!

 

[inkkognito]

I've always required the buyer to take insurance for things like pins or breakables (I just work it into the shipping cost and state it clearly in my terms). I learned my lesson when an item I purchased got broken and I had insurance...then a pin I purchased got broken (you could see by the envelope how the USPS had mangled it), and I DIDN'T have insurance. Ugh!
I do the kind the requires a signature, and that's a good thing too. I had one buyer claim not to have received the item. When I offered to send her a scan of the delivery slip with signature, I never heard from her again.
Barb

 

[Ilovestitch]

Just to let you know- if the buyer uses Paypal it is required to use Delivery Confirmation. If a package gets lost, paypal will ask you for the DC# and if you can't come up with one they will go ahead and refund the persons money since you can't prove it.

 

[imsayin]

if the buyer uses Paypal it is required to use Delivery Confirmation.

Actually, this is not true. I use paypal, and I never get a delivery confirmation. I know I am taking a chance, but that's what I do. It is true that Paypal requires a DC in order to side with the seller, but you can always gamble like me.

 

[disneychrista]

The only thing DC is required for is seller protection. And I am not even completely sure that DC counts, because it say you must provice a "tracking" number and since you can not always track the package with DC, it may or may not help.

I use DC just so I know when a package has arrived, just in case I have a buyer that says "I haven't gotten my item."