posted on February 1, 2001 03:45:25 PM new
A recent buyer has informed me that they never received a package that I shipped 34 days ago. My gut instict tells me she received the package and is just looking for a free ride. The package was huge, and only being shipped approx. 15 miles away. I know the USPS isnt perfect, but I think even they would have a hard time losing this in the cracks. Anyway,the package was not insured and no tracking services were purchased. My question is, would filing a lost package claim prove whether or not she received the package? Since there was no tracking info purchased, how will they be able to know if it was ever delivered?
posted on February 1, 2001 05:00:37 PM new
There won't be any actual "proof" the package was delivered unless the carrier/driver specifically remembers the very large package, which may be to your advantage.
Since you are only 15 miles away, if the buyer is really trying to pull something, they are being very risky. The form requires that the buyer sign attesting they never received the item. If they do this and the carrier specifically remembers the unruly package, then they've got a world of hurt coming. The close proximity also makes the investigation process much easier since there's only the originating post office, the sorting center, the destination post office and the carrier to deal with. If your or their post office is also the sorting center then you've got one step eliminated.
I had to deal with this same problem this week. I shipped an item to a buyer who emailed two weeks later saying he never received the item. I then reshipped another of the item to the buyer. Eight days later (and about 400 miles away) the buyer is again stating that he never got anything and what am I going to do about it? At this point I am in complete disbelief of the buyer. I email back telling him I was going to the post office in 10 minutes anyhow and would ask about the lost mail claim process. (Keep in mind that this is about 4:30pm. Buyer is in the same time zone.)
When I dropped my items at the counter I talked to the clerk who knows me well. I explained what I'm getting from the buyer. His comments were that the form requires the buyers signature that they never received the item. He said this usually changes their minds VERY quickly. He gave me the form and said I should wait until the item is 15 days missing and then file it.
I came home and emailed the buyer and informing him that I have the form for missing and rifled mail in my possession and I must wait until Feb 5 to file it. At that time the post office will forward a copy of the complaint to him to attest that he did not receive the package. At that time they will investigate the path of the mail and contact his carrier. (This was about 6pm)
Two hours later I receive:
"The mail was late today and the xxxx arrived."
If you start an official investigative process with the post office and send them an email such as mine, I think somehow the package will magically appear on their doorstep.
posted on February 1, 2001 06:20:30 PM new
Same thing happened to me.
About 1,000 transactions, no problems, never a lost package. Then....
Thanksgiving 1999 I mailed a large package to my best customer... They never received it. The USPS has a form you can fill out so they can do an investigation, but I never heard anything!!
So maybe it's just a glitch, right??
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE, another package to the same customer is lost. Another form is filled out, no answer. I now insure more packages than I used to! But of course, the insured ones never get lost!!
It's still worth filling out the form, just in case.... You never know.
posted on February 1, 2001 06:29:41 PM new
I only had two USPS packages ever get lost out of hundreds and both were insured. In one case they sent me a badly photocopied delivery form with an X for the signature and denied the claim. The second one is still in limbo since October. I have never had a priority package with delivery confirmation get lost, so that is how I prefer to ship.
posted on February 2, 2001 08:18:56 AM new
Insured packages get lost. Between July & the end of December, I have had 4 packages that I sent First Class lost. Others from my area are having lost packages on First Class. In my area, First Class packages are sent to a different sorting place than Priority Mail. I would be interested in knowing what City you live in or within 300 miles of as this seems to be happening only at this one sorting place. I receive more First Class packages than I send & none of these have been lost. Four First Class packages may not seem like many until you know, that I probably did not send over 30 First Class packages out from July to the end of December, as most of what I send is sent Priority Mail.
posted on February 2, 2001 09:39:20 AM new
There is no requirement that the reciever sign or return the post office form.. It isnt even sent in a way to confirm its delivery and they cant make them return it.. it is purely voluntary.. I know, I tried to track this way. If they refuse or ignore it the PO lists the package as lost.
posted on February 2, 2001 03:50:13 PM new
Thanks for this post, as I'm having this problem with a buyer right now. He sends his payment late, and right away starts asking when I sent his stuff out. Now he's claiming he never recieved his package and trying to lay a guilt trip on me. Of course he turned down insurance. I told him to wait a few days and then I'd start a trace...haven't heard back from him yet.
