posted on February 8, 2001 11:50:58 PM
Hi Everybody!
I am a new seller and have an issue with USPS. The issue is I shipped a computer tower I auctioned on 01/29/00 to MD from TX via standard mail and it has yet to arrive. After negotiating my way into a live person on the USPS 800 line I was told they would attempt to track it via the "inspection office."
This item was insured and I also purchased delivery confirmation. USPS just shows that it is in transit and what day it was shipped.
My buyer is getting impatient and I am told by USPS that they do not have a ETA and I cannot file a insurance claim until 30 days after ship date.
My question is what if the seller asks for a refund before then? Should I refund? If so should it include shipping costs? It seems that I should not refund until package is at least located.
What is the right thing to do here? Thanks for your input!
I am buying a scale and shipping UPS exclusively after the poor customer experience I have been victim to in every aspect of my business with USPS.
Enjoy reading posts here and hope to be a Ebay businessman full time so that my talents may benefit me rather than some suit I have never met.
posted on February 9, 2001 12:00:19 AM
I have only had one episode with the USPS that included collecting insurance. Yes, I did have to wait 30 days before filing and then it took another month or so before my buyer received her check which included postage. I don't think you have given your package enought time to arrive. Remember there was a weekend involved and your package was probably big. Send your buyer the confirmation number so they can track it themselves. When I put a tracker on I do that then they know you mailed it and you have no control over the USPS. Good Luck
posted on February 9, 2001 12:10:03 AM
Cam,
Hang in there and tell your buyer to do the same. Since you sent this standard mail it may take a while. When you see those late night TV offers and it says expect delivery in 3-6 weeks, they are not talking about how long it takes the company to process the order. They are talking about how long it takes the delivery companies (the USPS in particular) to get it to the buyer. Kindly let your buyer know you are on top of it and check the tracking everyday so that you can e-mail the buyer of the package's progress.
Also give the buyer the tracking # so they know you're on the up-and-up and they can track it as well.
Don't geek and don't offer a refund until you are sure of what's what. A knee jerk reaction is not uncommon. Don't give into it.
Good Luck and hope you make it on whichever on-line auction you go with.
posted on February 9, 2001 12:23:07 AM
One more thing before you jump on the UPS bandwagon.
As you package your item take pictures of every step you take in the packaging process. That means when you start the box take a picture of how much packaging is on the bottom. Take a picture of the item on the bottom, and pictures of what you package the sides with and so on until the box is full. You will need this when UPS gives you their standard disclaimer when denying a claim. That is ; "you didn't package it right and we are going to disallow your claim".
If you think the USPS is bad wait til you try the other.
It's happened to me more than once, more than twice, more than...you get the idea.
If you are going to make money doing on-line auctions know where the fences are before you have to jump them. My horse told me that, then I sold him. He ate too much and I took the only piece of advice he had.
posted on February 9, 2001 02:52:13 AM
I purchased a book 2 weeks ago and have been waiting patiently for its arrival.
This morning the seller emailed me. He received the empty package back from the PO in a plastic bag with the letter of apology. It got damaged and the item fell out and is lost. They just get better and better.
posted on February 9, 2001 05:42:19 AM
I have had large items take longer with standard mailing (parcel post) with USPS. This is not at all uncommon. Keep in mind that a first class letter can take two weeks.
posted on February 9, 2001 05:59:54 AM
It's been LESS than two weeks! And the larger parcels have little chance of getting used to fill up a bin that's headed out airmail. Tell the buyer that it's in transit, and give them the tracking number to check.
I have heard from the clerks that they are making sure the trucks are FULL when they move, to minimize wasted fuel, so that's adding a couple of days to the gorund transport.
I just had a first-class letter take almost two weeks from MN to AZ.
