Missing packages from the post office question

[maslex]

So I belong to a couple crafty Facebook pages that sell crafty stuff.

Recently I sold a couple items (two separate people).

Unfortunately I believe they got stuck in the recent hurricane. I live in CT and the two people live in TX and MN. I filed a missing package report and looking at my Pirate Ship acct, it looks as though both packages made a stop in Georgia which is where I think it's lost. (they're still investigating though)

Anyways, I guess my question is this...........if the packages are deemed to be lost, is it my responsibility to refund the ladies or is it the post office's?

I mean, I did my end of the bargain which is package up their goods and send it out.

I already have one lady up in arms and gonna put in a claim through Paypal. Not sure what to do.

 

[mjkacmom]

Did you pay for insurance?

 

[sam_gordon]

So I belong to a couple crafty Facebook pages that sell crafty stuff.

Recently I sold a couple items (two separate people).

Unfortunately I believe they got stuck in the recent hurricane. I live in CT and the two people live in TX and MN. I filed a missing package report and looking at my Pirate Ship acct, it looks as though both packages made a stop in Georgia which is where I think it's lost. (they're still investigating though)

Anyways, I guess my question is this...........if the packages are deemed to be lost, is it my responsibility to refund the ladies or is it the post office's?

I mean, I did my end of the bargain which is package up their goods and send it out.

I already have one lady up in arms and gonna put in a claim through Paypal. Not sure what to do.

IMO, you're responsible to the buyers, so you'd refund them. The post office is responsible to you. What you're entitled to depends on what kind of postage you paid for.

 

[kdonnel]

The Palmetto, GA sorting center is the worst USPS sorting center in the country.

Not that you have any control but if your mail goes through Palmetto, there is a good chance it will be delayed. Either for a short period or really long.

For example I used my online bill pay to send a check to my termite company in May. In early July I realized I had not heard from them to schedule the annual inspection so I gave them a call. They had not received payment so I paid over the phone with a credit card and had the bank cancel the payment.

September 26th I got a phone call from the termite company that they had received a check but noticed my account was already paid and wanted to know what to do. I reminded them about the issue in July and asked them to destroy the check as I had issued a stop payment.

The payment from the bank had gone through the Palmetto sorting center.

 

[cvjw]

If your packages went thru palmetto, expect significant delays. I will say that things should eventually show up, all mine have eventually.

You are responsible for refunding if the package is really lost. If you mailed priority or above, you should have some insurance. First class has no insurance included, so you are just out the $$$.

PayPal will side with the buyer if the package never arrives. Maybe ask for more time for the package issues to sort themselves out.

 

[Allison]

The post office isn't going to refund these people. Did you put insurance on the packages?

It's on you to refund.

 

[fly girl]

If you used Ground Advantage it covers $100. Anything above that, you have to pay for additional insurance.

You are responsible for the buyer, USPS is responsible to you.

USPS website has the claim form, I cannot remember the exact date of when you can claim it lost, but the website walks you through.

As for the woman all upset, kindly explain that once it goes into USPS possession it is really out of your hands, and that you are just as frustrated as her because you have zero control. How long has she waited? I sell on eBay and most buyers understand, but you always have those outliers that get upset if it isn't there in 3 days. My rule is if there is no action/movement after 7 days of filing missing mail, I refund.

 

[starry_solo]

Just a reminder with Pirate Ship, the insurance is through their carrier, not USPS.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I would say you're responsible to refund them.

Did you get insurance on the packages?
If so then you should be getting money for the lost items.

 

[maslex]

If you used Ground Advantage it covers $100. Anything above that, you have to pay for additional insurance.

You are responsible for the buyer, USPS is responsible to you.

USPS website has the claim form, I cannot remember the exact date of when you can claim it lost, but the website walks you through.

As for the woman all upset, kindly explain that once it goes into USPS possession it is really out of your hands, and that you are just as frustrated as her because you have zero control. How long has she waited? I sell on eBay and most buyers understand, but you always have those outliers that get upset if it isn't there in 3 days. My rule is if there is no action/movement after 7 days of filing missing mail, I refund.

It was Ground Advantage. The thing with the package of the lady who is upset........I brought the packages to PO on a Friday and on Sunday she tells me that the tracking still says "Label created". But then I checked it again on Monday morning and it stated "out for delivery" I let her know and she was happy. Then on Tuesday the tracking went back to "label created". I guess this is where I think she was curious if I even sent out the package. She immediately told me that she was going to put a claim in through Paypal. I was like WHOA, give me two mins to figure things out and see what's going on. So that's when I told her that I was going to file a missing package claim through usps. She said she would give me a couple days (like I have any power of how long this takes lol). But I told her that if the package wasn't found by this Friday then I would refund her money.

I've never had anything like this happen before so I wasn't sure if I was responsible or the PO.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've never had anything like this happen before so I wasn't sure if I was responsible or the PO.

Think of it in reverse. You (customer) buy an item from Amazon (any online retailer) and it doesn't get delivered. Are you going after the shipping company or are you going after the seller? I can't imagine anyone NOT getting the money back from the seller.

 

[cvjw]

It was Ground Advantage. The thing with the package of the lady who is upset........I brought the packages to PO on a Friday and on Sunday she tells me that the tracking still says "Label created". But then I checked it again on Monday morning and it stated "out for delivery" I let her know and she was happy. Then on Tuesday the tracking went back to "label created". I guess this is where I think she was curious if I even sent out the package. She immediately told me that she was going to put a claim in through Paypal. I was like WHOA, give me two mins to figure things out and see what's going on. So that's when I told her that I was going to file a missing package claim through usps. She said she would give me a couple days (like I have any power of how long this takes lol). But I told her that if the package wasn't found by this Friday then I would refund her money.

I've never had anything like this happen before so I wasn't sure if I was responsible or the PO.

Let her file thru PayPal. They don’t automatically refund. They give things a while to work out. If the package never arrives, they will refund. But a couple of days isn’t enough time for a refund.