I know that the exchange is at your own risk but what is the generally accepted way to handle an item that was lost in transit? Insurance was never discussed or offered the item was just listed at $xxx shipped.
What is the protocol for a lost package?
- Thread starter chungus
- Start date
If I sell something and the buyer doesn’t get it, then it’s on me, and the buyer gets their money back.
Have to agree with the posts above. I've had to go into USPS and raise hell on multiple occassions, but I've always done prices as "shipped" and insured them (on me) if I felt it was warranted. So far none completely lost, but I just figured I'd be on hook for cost at that point...and expected the same as a buyer.
Have you contacted the person you purchased the item from and asked them if they paid for carrier insurance and if they will be able to file a claim with the carrier and trace the package and get a refund for the value and then refund you?
That's what you should be checking on before you go all around and about beating around the bush for "advice" when what you really want is to try to stir up a virtual mob.
Packages get lost sometimes.
Sometimes lost packages get found later on and delivered.
Hopefully the seller would have paid for carrier insurance.
It would be expected the seller would file a claim with the carrier for the value of the lost package
The carrier would then work on tracing the package to determine if it is still able to be found / delivered or if it is officially lost.
If the carrier finds the package, then they would deliver it to you.
If the carrier eventually declares the package lost, then they would eventually after going back and forth some over value and documentation, send the shipper payment for the loss
The seller would then refund you the money you paid.
It is perfectly reasonable for the seller to say you have to wait on getting your money back until the carrier has completed their trace and investigation and closed the case and sent a refund. You may not like the wait, but tough be grown up about it and not a whiny brat.
Now if the seller does not respond to you at all that is a different matter.
If the seller was a cheap ass (like so many are) and didn't put carrier insurance on it, then you and them need to have a frank and straightforward talk about how this is going to be handled.
I am all for making it an official rule that shipping prices or shipping included must include insurance, but apparently lots of the cheapskates like to risk it for a few bucks so it's between a buyer and seller to ensure they understand the risks each takes.
I highly recommend against selling things and expecting the buyer to eat the loss if it gets damaged or lost in transit. That's a crappy way to do business and causes problems. Just tell the cheap ass buyers that NO they will be paying for carrier insurance as part of the sale/shipping price, no exceptions.
That's what you should be checking on before you go all around and about beating around the bush for "advice" when what you really want is to try to stir up a virtual mob.
Packages get lost sometimes.
Sometimes lost packages get found later on and delivered.
Hopefully the seller would have paid for carrier insurance.
It would be expected the seller would file a claim with the carrier for the value of the lost package
The carrier would then work on tracing the package to determine if it is still able to be found / delivered or if it is officially lost.
If the carrier finds the package, then they would deliver it to you.
If the carrier eventually declares the package lost, then they would eventually after going back and forth some over value and documentation, send the shipper payment for the loss
The seller would then refund you the money you paid.
It is perfectly reasonable for the seller to say you have to wait on getting your money back until the carrier has completed their trace and investigation and closed the case and sent a refund. You may not like the wait, but tough be grown up about it and not a whiny brat.
Now if the seller does not respond to you at all that is a different matter.
If the seller was a cheap ass (like so many are) and didn't put carrier insurance on it, then you and them need to have a frank and straightforward talk about how this is going to be handled.
I am all for making it an official rule that shipping prices or shipping included must include insurance, but apparently lots of the cheapskates like to risk it for a few bucks so it's between a buyer and seller to ensure they understand the risks each takes.
I highly recommend against selling things and expecting the buyer to eat the loss if it gets damaged or lost in transit. That's a crappy way to do business and causes problems. Just tell the cheap ass buyers that NO they will be paying for carrier insurance as part of the sale/shipping price, no exceptions.
I always ship with insurance and provide a tracking number. As far as I’m concerned it’s on me until the buyer has the item in hand
Did you receive a tracking number? Could check the last place it was.
With the amount of scams now days a person could say they shipped an item or photoshop a label and never even send the item
Did you receive a tracking number? Could check the last place it was.
With the amount of scams now days a person could say they shipped an item or photoshop a label and never even send the item
When I offer up something for sale, I say "delivered" intentionally. If you pay me for an item, I am responsible for getting it to you. It's my choice which carrier and shipping method to use, whether to purchase insurance or assume liability myself. Anyone who doesn't see it this way should be avoided.
I agree with the above and even did refund a guy when USPS apparently sent a package with some ARC rings on a tour of the country. Good guy...they finally showed up and he sent me the money again.
But yes, I felt it was my responsibility to get the package to him.
But yes, I felt it was my responsibility to get the package to him.
Sometimes stuff goes for an extended ride as well so keep that in mind. Until it’s actually determined lost don’t get to exited
One of the first big purchases I made here was an Accuracy International AT. Bought from a guy in Ohio
Tracking showed it leaving Ohio, arriving in Tennessee, leaving Tennessee, arriving in Florida…..by this time I’m shitting bricks because I live in upper Michigan.
It took a few extra days but arrived where and exactly the condition as it should have
One of the first big purchases I made here was an Accuracy International AT. Bought from a guy in Ohio
Tracking showed it leaving Ohio, arriving in Tennessee, leaving Tennessee, arriving in Florida…..by this time I’m shitting bricks because I live in upper Michigan.
It took a few extra days but arrived where and exactly the condition as it should have
One thing that’s for certain, it should be clear in the sale ad.
I usually insure anything myself unless it’s $1000+ then I offer it.
I actually had to file a claim for the first time this week for a lost package and I ship a fair amount. The buyer actually did not opt for insurance but I paid for it anyway because it was an expensive item. Thankfully. Since the carrier lost the package I believe they would cover that anyway. Different from damage but I’m not 100% on that.
Edit:
After finally getting an English speaking American supervisor, the process was easy with FedEx.
They in fact do not take responsibility for a lost package. Definitely not for a damaged one.
Glad I bought the insurance despite the buyer passing on it. Saved an awkward conversation. Reimbursed me for the insured amount plus shipping. Took 8 days to get the check.
I usually insure anything myself unless it’s $1000+ then I offer it.
I actually had to file a claim for the first time this week for a lost package and I ship a fair amount. The buyer actually did not opt for insurance but I paid for it anyway because it was an expensive item. Thankfully. Since the carrier lost the package I believe they would cover that anyway. Different from damage but I’m not 100% on that.
Edit:
After finally getting an English speaking American supervisor, the process was easy with FedEx.
They in fact do not take responsibility for a lost package. Definitely not for a damaged one.
Glad I bought the insurance despite the buyer passing on it. Saved an awkward conversation. Reimbursed me for the insured amount plus shipping. Took 8 days to get the check.
Last edited:
LOL.....can't tell you how many times this has happened to me from FedEx (the worst) and USPS.
Who did you ship with ?
I have bought and sold a lot of stuff on here. The one time a package arrived at my house damaged to the point of non-usability, the seller immediately refunded all of my money. I’m in the camp that says the seller is on the hook until the package arrives at the buyer. Package your stuff well, use a traceable shipping method, treat other people (buyers or sellers) well. It’s not that hard.
What about this scenario
Deal is made on and item,payment sent and shipped priority mail the next day . The package goes back and forth between 3 states for several days . Problem is the buyer sent the wrong shipping address,the zip doesn’t match the town. Back in the postal system it goes after the zip problem is fixed and no idea where it is now.
Deal is made on and item,payment sent and shipped priority mail the next day . The package goes back and forth between 3 states for several days . Problem is the buyer sent the wrong shipping address,the zip doesn’t match the town. Back in the postal system it goes after the zip problem is fixed and no idea where it is now.
In that case, I'd say the buyer can eat cake. The seller can't be responsible for someone who doesn't know their own address. If that's the case, if the buyer never sees the item, then so be it. That's self inflicted stupidity.
I send a pic of my label on the package for them to review and verify. But yes. If they drop the ball, even accidentally, that can’t be on the shipper.
All good advice. I did not state if I was the buyer or seller and I am definitely not trying to stir up a virtual mob. The package is only a week late at this point and communication and understanding has been excellent thus far. I have done probably over a hundred deals on here and have never had an issue. I honestly was not sure what is right in this scenario because from the buyers perspective they did not get the item they paid for and from the sellers perspective they shipped it and provided photos of the tracking receipt so both did their part and an third party screwed it up.
Thanks for your response.
But I can't help noticing you are being very purposely opaque on if you are the buyer or the seller in your statement...
Also you haven't specifically stated if the item was sent insured for the value or not, that's kind of a very important detail...
If you are the seller, then make sure you have already filed a trace request and a lost package claim with the shipper.
If you are the buyer, then make sure the seller has filed that. (If not, and it was FedEx or UPS then the recipient can also start the claim).
If the package was sent fully insured for the value with a signature required, then most likely while it will be inconvenient and a bit of a pain in the rear for both the buyer and the seller. Either the carrier will happen to find it once their insurance department starts grumbling about not wanting to have to pay out for a loss, or if they don't find it, in the end probably both parties will be back to square one with the buyer getting money back and the seller getting money from insurance. It will just take about a month to sort out. Expect at least a month or so to have money back regardless of which side of the transaction you are on.
If you are the seller and you didn't insure the package for the value, the bad news is that it's probably going to bite you in the rear a bit.
If you are the buyer and didn't discuss / insist with the seller that it was insured and the seller didn't insure it, you are going to be a bit stuck working things out with the seller and seeing what they are willing to do for you.
HA!
Assuming you shipped something that was valued at $500 and you have the paperwork to show / prove it and you insured it for $500, the maximum payout would be $500 (assuming you have the paperwork to prove it is $500) + the shipping costs.
If / when the claim is paid out, it will be paid to the shipper.
Then it's on the shipper to refund the buyer the amount the buyer paid to the shipper.
Usually the shipper pays for the shipping costs so that amount of the refund would stay with the shipper.
Essentially in the end, the buyer is back to where they started out, no better or no worse essentially.
The seller essentially gets paid for their item via the insurance.
So essentially everybody is back to where they started at the beginning, less a bit of time and aggravation.
Never mind I’m running on little sleep so my math gears are in neutral apparently as I didn’t take into account the money the seller already sent
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