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.
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What is the protocol for a lost package?
- Thread starter chungus
- Start date
As a seller here who has had many successful transactions, I am firmly in the camp that the seller shipper is responsible for the package until you receive it. Insurance is on them. (barring any extenuating circumstances like a bad address or failure to do due diligence to receive the package, etc..)
This whole “insurance is extra” crap should never be allowed either with vendors or private sellers.
Most shippers included $100 of insurance free now.
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.
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.
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.
I should add, there are timelines of which a package can be determined lost. This varies by carrier and is out of the shippers hands.
Further, if something is damaged in transit it is incumbent on the receiver to cooperate with the insurance claim process. This often means photos and sometimes means returning the package as is.
The best thing to do if you receive a damaged package is immediately stop, take photographs and contact the person who shipped it to you for further instructions.
Failure to cooperate with the claims process could negate the shipper’s responsibility.
Further, if something is damaged in transit it is incumbent on the receiver to cooperate with the insurance claim process. This often means photos and sometimes means returning the package as is.
The best thing to do if you receive a damaged package is immediately stop, take photographs and contact the person who shipped it to you for further instructions.
Failure to cooperate with the claims process could negate the shipper’s responsibility.
I recently filed a claim with USPS for a lost package under their $100 free included insurance. I believe it was 15 days, I had to wait to file a claim, but don’t quote me on that.
I submitted photos of the product (I always take pictures when I’m packing stuff). I also submitted an invoice that I had sent the customer.
Less than a week later I had a check in the mail for over $100 because the product was $96 and they refunded the shipping/ postage amount on top of it.
If you have your ducks in a row and submit everything well the first time, they’re just going to pay the claim.
I submitted photos of the product (I always take pictures when I’m packing stuff). I also submitted an invoice that I had sent the customer.
Less than a week later I had a check in the mail for over $100 because the product was $96 and they refunded the shipping/ postage amount on top of it.
If you have your ducks in a row and submit everything well the first time, they’re just going to pay the claim.
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.
I mentioned this is another post and in fact ran into this on ebay today.
You would be surprised how many people do not understand that USPS delivers to your USPS address only. They somehow conflate UPS and fedex along with wishful thinking to give you a bad address.
All label systems I use for USPS run the address through the usps address verification. This produces a zip+4. Never, ever, ever ship US Postal without a verified zip+4 address.
I canceled an ebay order this morning for this and advised the customer to reorder, which he did with the correct address.
Another thing I mentioned before, is that labels becoming defaced is another huge reason for packages to go awry. If you can tape over your label with clear packing tape.
I agree completely but I also know that the path to happiness is avoiding trouble. If at all possible it is best to catch these things and avoid the backend hassle.
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.
