posted on October 7, 2002 08:34:06 AM
I bought a pair of heelys (shoes) that were shipped on 7/6. They never arrived. I did insure the package but I cannot get any info from the seller other than, she is waiting for the po also. How long do these things take? What else can I do other than email the seller? What info do I need to check with my po? Any ideas?
posted on October 7, 2002 09:40:38 AM
My experience with the Post Office is very poor. It takes at least two to four weeks if I'm lucky to get a claim payment. Although I can't speak to their present insurance claims as I haven't used the P.O. for well over two years. I take that back. I did give them a try again about two months ago and they lost the shipment. It is now more expensive to ship via PO rather than UPS so I discourage my customers from using PO unless they have a PO box.
At this point the best you can do is hope they process the claim fairly quickly directly to the shipper is the policy. Then you need to wait for the shipper to mail it to you. I would give the whole process at least 30 days. Good luck, sorry I can't be more positive for you. Don't blame the shipper the post office is notorious for having boxes lifted and most likely the contents find their way back to ebay by some other seller.
posted on October 7, 2002 09:52:45 AM
Thanks, I guess since it has been 3 months I should right it off and forget it. Live and learn. Don't bother to pay for insurance.
posted on October 7, 2002 09:58:17 AM
Three months is way to long to wait. The seller does have some responsibility here so I would keep bugging them. You should ask to be reimbursed while they wait for the claim to be processed. A good seller would do that if they paid and filed for a claim.
Ask the seller for the insurance claim number and request payment via your local post office. They can sort the issue out for you.
posted on October 7, 2002 10:04:03 AM
If the seller is not very cooperative here is a harder option.
Advise the seller you want reimbursement for the insurance and a refund if you have not received it thus far. Give them a specific reasonable date to provide the refund and make a businesslike note that if not received by that specific date you will need to file a complaint with Ebay and USPS.
Most sellers will respond to you quickly under that kind of pressure. Just be fair and reasonable in your request. The seller may be just as annoyed with the PO as you are.
posted on October 7, 2002 10:11:32 AM
My experience in dealing with the Post Office on insurance claims has been very positive. I had a shipment sent to Hawaii that broke open losing part of the shipment. The purchaser returned what was left & I filed an insurance claim. The next morning there was a envelope from the postmaster containing a MO for the loss. I guess the benefits of living in a small town (300 people) are now known once you get on a first name basis with everyone at the post office.
posted on October 8, 2002 10:07:01 AM
When an article was lost that I mailed, I filed the claim and then you had to wait 30 days to see if it arrived. Then they searched for it for another month or so and then it took 6 weeks to get the refund. Nothing is fast with the USPS. I don't think there is any way to speed up the service.
posted on October 8, 2002 02:35:46 PM
It can take a while, As a seller, I refund the buyer, and get the money from the Post Office. Be prepared to wait. I sent a package to Europe last December, it never got there. I filed the claim in March (You have to wait 90 days for an international claim) and I just got a letter last week telling me they are still working on it - I wonder if I will get the money within a year. We are only talking about $80 here too, not exactly a large amount.
posted on October 8, 2002 10:57:39 PM
If you paid for insurance then I don't see why they don't just give you the money back right away. If the claim is denied it is the sellers fault for improper packing so they should have to be the one to lose the money. Anyway that the way I do it.
