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Author
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Topic: Missing eBay shipments mailed using the USPS
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albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-21-2012 11:41 AM
   
Just out of curiosity — has anyone else had problems receiving packages sent through the US Postal Service, in regards to items won on eBay?I have had three separate packages lost over the last two months. I am convinced the sellers did ship and the tracking info shows them being posted, but somewhere along the way they disappear. This is NOT a complaint against the sellers, they have all three in my cases, been faithful about the transaction and shipping. It just seems like there's a big increase in lost packages. Not just on eBay but most know I do a tremendous amount of mailing and have had packages lost also. What's telling however is that I had two packages mailed from California on the same day — one in the San Diego area, one in the LA area. These were shipped to me in South Florida and both were priority mail with tracking. What should take 2 to 3 days max, took them 7-10 days. Both went from California to Colorado Springs. From Colorado Springs to Chicago. From Chicago to Connecticut. From Connecticut, where they both sat for two days, to Atlanta. From Atlanta to Opa Locka, FL (metro Miami) to my local PO and then to me. Both took 9 days. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions please let me know. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 08-21-2012 11:49 AM
Have only had one package lost in the last year or so. Did have one take nearly 6 months to get to from Alabama to New Jersey however. At least it finally got there. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-21-2012 11:53 AM
Hate to suggest this because of the expense, but does having the packages overnighted reduce the chance of them being lost? |
Spaceguy5
Member Posts: 427
From: Pampa, TX, US
Registered: May 2011
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posted 08-21-2012 12:28 PM
I've had packages delayed because the USPS sent them to the wrong distribution center, just to realize (AFTER loading onto the delivery truck) "oh this isn't right". |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 08-21-2012 01:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
Hate to suggest this because of the expense, but does having the packages overnighted reduce the chance of them being lost?
Probably but the expense is much more. You can send them registered which cuts down on loss as the PO has to track it every step of the way. It is the most secure form of mailing via the Post Office, they keep it in safes or otherwise locked up. It can delay delivery a day or three because of the extra security and it has to be signed for. This is more secure than overnight and probably a little less expensive. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 08-21-2012 01:54 PM
It happens with all shippers from time to time no matter how you handle it. I've been dealing with shippers ever since I was a kid and lived in the middle of nowhere, but lost packages aren't all that common (knock on wood). If you're having stuff turn up missing with this kind of frequency, that isn't normal at all. I'd suspect that once every several years would still be a little too common. In the end, you have to take the chance with shipping unless you're willing to go drive to pick up something. A buddy of mine had a very high-end (and unreplaceable) historical item courier delivered to him once and it turned up missing on the truck anyway. He almost strangled the driver over that he was so mad. The courier service made good on compensating for the value, but the item was worth so much more than the money to him and he's been bitter about that ever since. He actually rented a car and drove halfway across the country to pick up something similar last year that would have cost probably 20 bucks to mail, because he couldn't risk it turning up missing (again, historical things that you're lucky to find one of in your lifetime). I know I've sweated out some spectacular finds online while waiting for them to arrive from the shippers. I'm sure we've all been there from time to time... |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 08-21-2012 02:31 PM
Ditto here. In the numerous packages I've had delivered in the last few months I've only had one that went astray. Turns out it too was mis-routed. Had the PO do a check on it to find that it went from NY to New Orleans, where it sat for a week. I couldn't figure that choice of route either as I live in Michigan! Anyway, once I asked and they found the package, it got picked up and delivered overnight to my home from New Orleans. They even profusely apologized for the delay! So losing 3 in that short a time I would say is highly suspicious.
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dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-21-2012 02:54 PM
I'm getting a refund right now for a book I bought for my wife on eBay on August 1. USPS has yet to deliver it. I purchase and sell on eBay quite a lot and this is the first mess up I've had from the postal service in a VERY long time. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 08-21-2012 03:03 PM
While the USPS seems generally reliable I think the private couriers are much better. I like UPS but others are probably equal. Remember Ground shipments are cheap but carry full tracking info, just lack the guaranteed arrival time.CAVEAT I run a shipping operation that ships 4,000 packages per year. In the last 10 years I don't think UPS has lost 10 packages. They've earned my admiration. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 08-21-2012 04:20 PM
UPS lost my wife's engagement ring 11 years ago. It was clearly stolen out of a facility in Oregon. UPS never fessed up about what they found out from their investigation, but the insurance covered it.I have worked in the industry for 25 years. Most notably with Flying Tiger Line in the late 1980s. The running joke goes along the lines that freight forwarders have one foot on the dock and one foot in a prison cell. I actually prefer USPS over FedEx and UPS. UPS is down in my books for the ring. FedEx for what they did to Flying Tiger Line. Never forget! |
Beau08
Member Posts: 159
From: Peoria, AZ United States
Registered: Aug 2011
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posted 08-21-2012 05:12 PM
The best piece of mind is to have the package sent signature required with insurance. My biggest issue is not with USPS system as much as the delivery person. My community uses a common box and mail gets put into incorrect boxes regularly. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 08-21-2012 07:09 PM
Three lost packages in two months is way out-of-family. Someone at USPS may be watching for packages going to your address. Suggest you change shipping services for at least a few months, until USPS personnel either move on or forget about your address. Best of luck my friend. |
Spaceguy5
Member Posts: 427
From: Pampa, TX, US
Registered: May 2011
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posted 08-21-2012 07:59 PM
It's possible it may have been delivered to the wrong address too. Not long ago, UPS delivered my directly-across-the-street neighbor's package to our doorstep. |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 08-21-2012 11:15 PM
One thing to watch out with UPS is damaged shipments. I had a shipment worth~$300 arrive with a small impact in the outer box that looked too small to be a concern. When opened it turned out the object inside was damaged and non-functional. I called the Shipper, who confirmed he had insured it with UPS. He called UPS, and they sent a nice fellow to look it over. He agreed it appeared to have been damaged in shipping, but told me he had to take it "back to the office" to have it officially confirmed and processed. I was given a receipt for the article. After several days of silence I contacted UPS and was told they were denying the claim, and had returned the article to the Shipper. I pointed out it wasn't UPS' property, not the Shipper's property, it was MY property and they had no right to ship it off to someone else. "Our contract is with the Shipper" they said, and they maintained that their contract allowed them to confiscate my property under false pretenses and give it to a third Party, while NOT compensating me despite my having paid for them to do so.The Shipper refused to return my $ as they felt UPS was not making good on their obligation to pay for damaging it. Nor were they willing to ship it back to me unless I paid for the shipping - again. Needless to say, the Shipper was not exactly the best ebay Seller I've ever dealt with, but you can guess how willing I am to deal with UPS again. |
spaceflori
Member Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-21-2012 11:52 PM
I also had 3 packages lost in the past 3 months from Germany to the US - I blame it on the summer months and lots of underpaid helpers they hire here and and in the US.Usually I have about 5-10 lost packages per year - mostly registered mail btw, regular envelopes never seem to get lost ! Considering the total amount of packages I ship this is still very low. Since you can insure registered envelopes secretly (they are not marked as such) it limits the loss as well, however - surprisingly - none of the insured registered packages have been lost so far... |
benfairfax
Member Posts: 199
From: NSW Australia
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 08-22-2012 12:18 AM
I'm a big believer in DHL or FedEx. Post systems are too unreliable. |
generallou
Member Posts: 114
From: T H, Indiana
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 08-22-2012 07:46 AM
Well DHL uses the postal service for a lot of its packages, the problem is a lot of the postal workers are mad about the closings and take it out on you and me! I would call the postal inspectors, NOT THE POSTMASTER, in your area and try to get them to work with you, it really sounds like someone is stealing your packages, with distribution centers closing packages are being sent all over. I would suggest looking into FedEx if possible. Like I said, DHL uses the post office. I know this because I worked there for 9 years till I lost my job due to cutbacks and loss of mail. And food for thought, if you think it's bad now just wait, if they go to a privatized system they will be hiring people off the street to handle the mail from these temp agencies... do you really trust some of these people with your mail? |
yeknom-ecaps
Member Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-22-2012 08:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceflori:
Usually I have about 5-10 lost packages per year - mostly registered mail btw, regular envelopes never seem to get lost !
Similar experience - I have had 2-3 items shipped to me that are lost per year and ALL of them have been registered mail (current one was last tracked in Frankfurt with no arrival in New York). All the "regular" mailing have arrived safely. |
Ross
Member Posts: 472
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 08-22-2012 08:32 AM
I've only had approx. one package lost per year (out of 200-300 from the US and Europe). Have had some take quite a long time. I think the most amusing was a package sent to Australia from the US via an Eastern European country (can't remember which one)! Took over three months. Maybe someone thought it was Austria! |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 08-22-2012 08:36 AM
As far as registered mail, the USPS has no control of packages shipped from overseas, or once they have left the US, so I do not know if has something to do with overseas travel. I have had no trouble with registered here in the US. The only trouble I have had is with regular mail. And then only minimally. The one that took 6 months to get to New Jersey and one to Florian that took nearly two months. I have one package lost from a seller to me. None of these were registered. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-22-2012 11:01 AM
Always look on the bright side of life...Manchester postman stole 70,000 items of mail. It's universal....and preventable. |
bwhite1976
Member Posts: 281
From: Belleville, IL
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-22-2012 01:06 PM
I am always in dread of that one package that gets lost in the mail. I haven't had one disappear in the USPS system in about a year and I always worry that this next one is going to be it. About 3 months ago I mailed a package via USPS to Bronx, NY. The USPS employee at the counter looked at the address and joked that I would be lucky if it were not stolen after it arrived there. Did not fill me with confidence. |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 08-22-2012 01:34 PM
And that's the thing. If you are having deliveries go missing and you know the seller sent them, the first place I'd check are my neighbors. Not saying they are stealing your packages (although that could be the case too I suppose), they could simply be getting delivered to the wrong address and not returned. If you live in town, this could easily be a cause. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-27-2012 08:43 AM
Thanks everyone. Some interesting info.In regards to mine — the in country ones were sent from California to the same distribution center in the Nebraska. One was from overseas, a dealer in Germany who is doing a tremendous job helping me either locate it, send a replacement item or refund. I'm only saying this to reiterate I do not believe it is the sellers. As to a neighbor? The lost item potentially — my "Monday" gal is a nitwit. My regular gal is a fabulous carrier. She even rounded up my three dogs when they got out and everyone was at work (and don't think I didn't spoil her and her husband with gift cards for that one). My Monday gal is not only a nitwit, but she has her boyfriend fill in when she doesn't want to go in (it's a rural route). Lots of problems there but I can't prove anything. Fully understanding the downsizing of the USPS (as Paul says the result being totally avoidable) I am still stymied why two separate items in two different cities in California go to the same distribution center in the Nebraska, when other items came California to Texas to Florida. The disconnect between the US and other countries and tracking IS an issue that needs correcting and addressing (pardon the pun). As for other vendors (FedEx et al) they're better at tracking but that horror story of confiscating the package.... wow! Thanks for weighing in! |
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